Operator's Manual High Pressure Breathing Air Compressors

3.4. ARTIFICIAL VENTILATION
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Operator’s Manual
For drive powers above 15 kW natural ventilation is not sufficient. Under certain circumstances this can also apply for smaller power
ratings, e.g.:
-- when locating the compressor in small rooms,
-- if ventilation openings cannot be large enough,
-- when other systems with high heat radiation are operating in the same room or
-- when two or more compressors are operating in the same room.
The principle is: forced ventilation is obligatory if room temperature exceeds the allowed ambient temperature
(45° C)
Cooling air flow
The necessary cooling air flow is calculated to an appoximate value by using the following formula:
Required minimum cooling air volume [m 3 /h] = 360 x drive power [kW]
For calculation of the cooling air duct cross section the following formula can be used:
Cooling air duct [m2 ] = cooling air volume [m3 /h]
cooling air flow [m/s] x 3600 [s/h]
The recommended cooling air flow is approx. 3 to 5 m/s, but max. 10 m/s.
Example: Verticus III, drive power 11 kW:
Cooling air volume = 360 x 11 = 3960 m 3 /h
Cross section =
Methods
3960 m3 /h
3 m/s x 3600 s/h
=0.36m 2
There are several types of artificial ventilation:
-- free air flow effected by a blower
-- ventilation by means of an air channel with or without additional blowera) -- ventilation by means of an air circulating flap with or without additional blowera) If installed correctly, the free air flow cooling method should be sufficient for all VERTICUS compressor units.
a) ATTENTION: Ensure that the max. counter -pressure in the intake and outlet channels Δ p = 0.5 mbar = 5 mm W.G. (measured at a distance
of 1 m from the compressor unit) is not exceeded.