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Feature
AHUS ARE HIGHLY CUSTOMISABLE
Compiled by Eamonn Ryan
An air handling unit , commonly called an AHU , is a device that is used to treat , condition and circulate air as part of a heating , ventilation and air conditioning ( HVAC ) system .
Vincent Mlangeni ,
AHI Carrier South Africa estimation and design controller , adds : “ It does this by collecting the outdoor air to meet ventilation requirements , mixes it with recirculated air from occupied spaces if required , passes the mixed air through stages of filters to remove contaminants and to protect equipment , thermal conditions the air , controls the moisture and discharges the conditioned air to occupied spaces .”
Vincent Mlangeni , AHI Carrier South Africa estimation and design controller .
They are usually installed on the roof of buildings , and through ducts , the air is circulated to reach each of the rooms in the building in question . AHUs can be constructed to include various integral components such as mixing box section , filter section ,
Supplied by AHI Carrier heat exchanger section and supply air fan section .
Carrier 39HQ AHU .
BASIC AHU CONFIGURATIONS “ An AHU is not a self-contained packaged product ,” explains Mlangeni . “ It needs to be linked to additional equipment to meet the needs of the space , unless it is a fan filter unit used for ventilation purpose only . For comfort cooling application , the AHU will have a hydronic or direct expansion coil . If it is equipped with a hydronic coil , the system will contain a separate chiller that will be piped directly to its coil . If it is equipped with a DX coil , the system will contain a separate condensing unit which will also be piped to the coil of the air handler .
Supplied by AHI Carrier
Supplied by AHI Carrier
AHU typical configuration .
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RACA Journal I March 2024 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za