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22-04-2010: Advanced technologies

 

Trade Media Feature 10/0789/3

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES ALLOW NEW WAVE AIR CURTAINS WITH UP TO 40% ENERGY SAVING

After one of the harshest UK winters and even cooler economic forecasts – good news arrives with the announcement that energy-saving EC (electrically-commutated) fans are now available in the UK air curtain range from German market leader Tekadoor.

By using advanced control technologies to mimic the attributes of DC motors, EC fans need only 60% of the energy required by the standard AC fans used in most air curtains when running at medium speed. The resulting 40% saving from the latest generation of Tekadoor fans also helps building operators meet the requirements of Part L Building Regulations.

“EC fans are now available in all the Tekadoor air curtains we offer in the UK and this massive energy-saving potential comes at a time when building specifiers are under pressure to prove that high-performance can be achieved without high carbon impacts,” said Phil Waldron, Managing Director of Tekadoor Ltd. “We are the only European manufacturer that focuses entirely on air curtains and this enables us to concentrate on design, technology and build excellence.”

The EC fans are also a core feature of Tekadoor’s new patent pending Coanvara range which has been designed for “less noise, more momentum” as a result of airflow dynamics research which literally re-shaped the traditional outlet grille to create a single consistent, longer-reaching airflow which maintains its heat for longer.

Phil Waldron, who has been in the air curtain sector for twenty years said, “When you add the advantages of EC fans to the revolutionary grille design in Coanvara, I genuinely believe we get a step-change in efficiency – the first twenty-first century air curtain.”

The new system comprises a multi-nozzle output airstream which is optimised by an innovative design of ‘dovetail’ profiled aluminium fins. In combination, these act to produce highly-efficient longitudinal vortexes. The nature of the vortex formed by the dovetail creates a small negative pressure which holds the airflow pattern together for a longer period. The company says this phenomenon is not unlike a “smoke ring” effect which endures far longer than a simple exhalation of smoke.

The parallel outlet grille fins have been engineered to allow 40˚adjustment from centre in either direction, this is particularly important to retain cooled air in the summer. After emerging from the outlet, the individual airstreams combine into a single wide airflow which suffers minimal degradation over distance compared with conventional air curtains. The aluminium profiles also act as rectifiers to overcome air stream turbulence common with other air curtains as well as creating a small back pressure in the pressure chamber to encourage a homogenous air stream at all times.

“For the specifier, we have a new, effective, efficient and reliable solution and, for the users and occupants of buildings, we can offer a high degree of screening from potentially invasive cold air with an airflow that reaches the floor at a more elevated temperature than previously possible. All of this is achieved without the need to generate greater heat at source, therefore bringing cost-savings with comfort and convenience”, said Mr Waldron.

The latest range of Tekadoor products is now available from Loughborough-based Tekadoor Ltd. The company has designed and manufactured air curtains for 28 years from their German head office in Langenfeld and their products can be heated by LPHW, electric or gas. Other significant advantages of Tekadoor products include their legendary German build quality and a choice of manual, electronic or programmable controls.


Tekadoor air curtain above busy rail terminus entrance

 


Tekadoor Coanvara Grille close up

 


Tekadoor Coanvara above busy commercial loading area

 


ENDS – editors please ask for image

More information from www.tekadoor.co.uk.
Enquiries to phil.waldron@tekadoor.co.uk Tel: 01509 219635