Air Displacement

Air Displacement systems take advantage of this natural convection air movement:

  • We all know that hot air rises due to the simple fact that hot air is lighter than cold air.
  • Slightly cooler ventilation air is supplied to the room from low velocity fabric duct venting.
  • This ventilation air is heavier and remains low until a heat source such as a worker or process heat and gives buoyancy to the surrounding air.
  • Smoke and heat rises by convection to the ceiling where it is exhausted.
  • The net result is high quality, non-diluted fresh air to breathe at the floor level.
  • Energy required to heat this smaller quantity of ventilation air results in lower fuel bills.

Air Displacement Ventilation has become a major heating and air conditioning advancement over the past 30+ years in European countries to provide high indoor air quality at minimal energy costs. Since this system of heating and cooling with ventilation air functions equally well in other locations, a description of low velocity ventilation and how it differs from conventional air diffusion systems is shown here.

Owner and User Benefits of Displacement Ventilation

  • Lower Operating Costs… Keep fuel and electricity costs low while minimizing maintenance costs.
  • Worker Comfort… Improve productivity, reduce sick-days and reduce complaints by providing a clean, comfortable environment.
  • Ease of Operation & Maintenance… Eliminate costly, complicated equipment and controls to operate and maintain.
  • Proven Solutions… Visit fabric duct installations and talk maintenance personnel to learn what works and what does not.
  • Economical Installation Costs… Obtain an accurate estimate of installation and operating fuel costs for the owner.
  • Installed ducting and diffuser component costs should decrease by 1/3 to 1/2.
  • Zippered joints installed at specified intervals permit periodic, quick take-down, washing and re-installation.
  • UL NFPA 90A Fire and Smoke Safety listing on Q-Sox.
  • No rust or condensate can form on Q-Sox.
  • Fabric color selections available. No extra cost for painting.

The “Green” Future of Low Velocity Ventilation Systems

Three contemporary industrial requirements will insure the adoption of low velocity air distribution systems in the future:

  1. First, the need to supply higher indoor air quality has never been greater.
  2. Second, outdoor ventilation air is the only prescriptive method to provide clean, low ppm indoor air.
  3. Third, the fuel and electrical costs of heating and cooling ventilation air must be minimized. Low velocity air distribution provides a satisfactory solution to all these requirements.

As the demand for higher indoor air quality increases, the quantity of ventilation air will increase proportionately. Inevitably, as the demand for economical operating costs and ventilation air increase, Low velocity duct systems are becoming a standard system to insure higher indoor air quality throughout the world.