RAB Specialist Engineers: Time for a change in 2014

A major manufacturer recently admitted that all cooling coils are designed with a % factor for inefficiency caused by dirty fins.

Another confirmed that in the UK, the installation of an air intake filter screen would be more beneficial to equipment efficiency than the possible marginal loss of air flow.

It is not surprising when you consider that 0.042 inch (1.06mm) of dirt on an air conditioning coil can reduce its cooling efficiency by 21%. The highest resistance at 3.05m/s is only 22.42 pascals and yet the air intake screen will largely prevent airborne debris from impacting the coil.

Debris clogged condenser fins and dirty coils will reduce air flow. This will add heat to the system and cause the compressor to work harder with higher system temperature and pressure.

A dirty coil will reduce the AC system capacity to cool and demand greater airflow which will increase electricity consumption.

The result is decreased equipment life, increased maintenance, repair and operating costs.

But it is not just cooling coils that can benefit. If you use an air intake screen instead of standard pre-filter media you will get increased airflow, increased debris collection and reduced maintenance and running cost.

PreVenting Equipment Damage is Easy!

The PreVent Air Intake Filter Screen is designed to keep any outdoor air movement plant from clogging up with construction dust, lint, insects, seeds, leaves or even grass clippings that might get sucked into your equipment or filter system.

Air intake screens are manufactured using two types of filtration media:

BHA - Black Pvc Coated High Abrasion Media is a 9x9 1000 Denier Multi Polymer Coated Polyester Mesh.

The air flow resistance of a clean fabric single layer is as follows:

0.50m/s 1.25pa
2.03m/s 8.75pa
3.05m/s 17.pa

BHC - Black Polypropylene HoneyComb Weave is a 3 Dimensional Polypropylene Honey Comb Weave with a low air flow resistance and the electrostatic charge attracts dust from the air.

The air flow resistance of a clean fabric single layer is as follows:

0.50m/s 1.25pa
2.03m/s 12.45pa
3.05m/s 22.42pa

Air intake filter screens are a simple solution to a difficult and time consuming problem:

Air intake screens are easy to fit to any plant or equipment with air movement.

The filter screen keeps debris on the outside and can be easily cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, hosepipe or brush.

They can be fitted by your own maintenance teams or RAB can fit them for you.

Fixings include grommet and self tappers, quick release fasteners, Stayput Fasteners™ aluminium, stainless or galvanised steel frames, magnetic framework, velcro and many more.

RAB air intake screens are manufactured to your specific requirements. They can be supplied with any combination of fixings or made to any shape required by your particular application.