PurposeThe goal of this Engineering Bulletin is to explain the use of Eurovent’sThermal bridging standard for predicting AHU casing condensation.
ContentsPage1) Thermal Bridging standard and AHU Casing Selection Procedure 2
2) AHU Casing Selection Example. 4
Quantum Climate ChangerEngineering Bulletin
Using Eurovent’s ThermalBridging Standard for PreventingAHU Casing Condensation
CLCH-PRB004-E41 1) Thermal Bridging standard and AHU Casing Selection ProcedureThey are five ahu-casing classifications spelt out in the Eurovent’s Thermal Bridging standard (prEN1886)namely: TB1, TB2, TB3, TB4 and TB5.
How can these TBs be used in predicting the AHU casing condensation?It can only be useful as a condensation prediction tools once all the TB values were plotted on the
psychometric chart. The TB for the several casing design are drawn on 6 separate psychometric charts witheach having a supply air leaving DB of 6oC, 8oC 100C, 120C, 140C and 160C respectively. Illustrations are in
chart 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Each chart has four ahu-casing classifications designated as follows:• Potential Casing Condensation Limit with Thermal Bridging Factor of TB4 class
The lowest line of the chart represents the highest limit of an ambient condition that is most unlikely toproduce external surface condensation when the TB4 ahu casing is specified. This is the lowest class inEurovent. Although there is TB 5 but no requirement being specified, thus it is being ignored in The TB4class in the Eurovent as TB5
• Potential Casing Condensation Limit with Thermal Bridging Factor of TB3 class
The second range of the chart represents the highest limit of ambient conditions that are unlikely toproduce condensation on the air-handling unit when the TB3 ahu casing is specified. Trane’sCLCP25mm casing has been tested and certified to TB3 class.
• Potential Casing Condensation Limit with Thermal Bridging Factor of TB2 class
The third range represents the highest limit of an ambient condition that is unlikely to produce externalsurface condensation on the air-handling unit when the TB3 ahu casing is specified. Trane’s CLCP50mm casing has been tested and certified to TB2 class.
• Potential Casing Condensation Limit with Thermal Bridging Factor of TB1 class
The last range represents the highest limit of an ambient condition that is unlikely to produce externalsurface condensation on the air-handling unit when the TB1 ahu casing is specified.
The following steps should be followed to determine what air handling casing type is suitable:Step 1:Choose the chart that represents the supply air leaving dry bulb closest to your application. For example ifthe cooling coil design leaving dry bulb is 120C, select chart 4 that entitled “Supply Air Leaving Dry Bulb is
120C”
2Step 2:Plot the job site AHU equipment room ambient conditions on the selected chart i.e the equipment roomambient (DB & WB). Designer shall provide this. It is important to predict the equipment room ambientconditions accurately. These are not necessarily the design conditions for the job site. Trane tests haveshown that there are substantial differences in equipment room ambient that can effect surface condensationwithin a 24hour period. Items such as time of day, auxiliary equipment operations and ventilation, to name afew, all effect the ambient air in the equipment room. Hourly outdoor air conditions can be obtained from datasources such as airports and weather stations near the job site. If the AHU plant room design is exposed tothe outdoors, use these outdoor conditions to estimate the equipment room ambient. It is recommended toplot the ambient conditions at the hours of the day when moisture level is the highest. Typically the moisturelevel is the highest at 5 am, 10 am and 10 p.m. for the region.
Step 3:To determine type of AHU casing design from the psychometric chart:
- Once you have done the step two above, you should know now what TB class of ahu casing designthat you required to prevent the likely hood of ahu casing condensation. Let’s look at the example setbelow.
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