Projects
1
mid-August to assist with the design specifications of the room.
Halfway into September a detailed investigation of the existing
rooms, including temperature and humidity logging and reviews
were completed. At the same time the detailed psychrometric
analysis and coil selections were completed, and pricing of the
equipment was underway.
The design included a significant amount of research into
the literature and theory around biltong drying and optimising
the process from a product quality perspective. AMC prides
itself in being able to analyse and research speciality system and
processes in order to ensure that the optimal solution for the client
is proposed. This is then tailored to fit budgetary and timeline
constraints of the project.
2
The design included a significant
amount of research into the literature
and theory around biltong drying.
The AHU sits above the specific room it is meant to control.
Return air ducting from the drying room.
The bypass air plenum and recirculation fans.
The AHU being installed
www.hvacronline.co.za
3
4
1.
2.
3.
4.
HVAC SYSTEM
The system design ensured that the room temperature and
relative humidity were maintained throughout most of the drying
period. The exception was the first few hours of peak moisture
removal during which the system removed most of the moisture.
This was done at slightly elevated conditions for a short period
of time to optimise the capital equipment costs and also the
operational cost of the unit.
The system further incorporated the correct air filtration
strategy for a food safe environment, specifically considering
that the final product of this process is ready to eat. For the air
handling unit (AHU), a primary, secondary and tertiary filter
was specified.
A critical aspect of the system design is the appropriate
selection of the materials of construction to suit the application
and the filtration to allow the system to comply with
internationally accepted food production standards. AMC has
significant experience in the industrial and food processing air
conditioning environment and prides itself in providing optimal
and appropriate solutions to clients that facilitate the production
process from a temperature, relative humidity and air quality
perspective.
The AHU coil design was approved on 30 September 2019 and
rigged into position on 18 October, just under three weeks from the
approval date.
RACA Journal I April 2020
51