What Types of Air Curtains are Best to Purchase?

An air curtain, also called an air curtain, is a flexible device that blows a stream of compressed air along an opening to the opposite side to create a air tight seal. This air tight seal separates indoor environments from outdoor environments while permitting a continuous smooth flow of air and unobstructed viewing through the opening. Air curtains are commonly used in retail stores, offices, industrial businesses and on store windows to control air pollution. There are several types of air curtain applications and you may choose an appropriate one depending on your needs and budget.

The main types are discussed here.

1. High Velocity Air Curtain: This type of air curtain works best for large openings facing busy traffic areas where there is need for controlled air movement. It is typically installed along the edges of parking lots, retail stores and office buildings to control heavy outdoor air flow into these areas. High velocity air curtains operate by blowing warm air through large opening at the top and bottom. They may be fitted with an attached fan or a separate blower unit.

2. Conventional/Patented Air Curtain: A conventional air curtain is generally made of plastic or polyester fabric with an attached or detached duct system that circulates conditioned air throughout the area it is installed in. This design permits air to be blown across an open doorway by using a combined physical force and chemical reaction called adsorption. This process of air absorption removes air borne pollutants such as dust and airborne dirt particles before they enter the room or area they are intended to enter. In most designs, the air curtain is installed on the outer edge of a door or window opening and then connected to a duct system inside the building. These systems are often highly efficient and are suitable for high velocity openings like those found in doors and windows.

3. Bi-fold Air Curtain: This design is best used for cooling or humidified environments where air movement is minimal. The air curtain is opened from two sides - one outside the doorway and one inside the door or window opening. As air is pulled through the system, it is collected in a second foldable sheet and distributed to various locations inside the enclosure. These can either be highly efficient and effective in some settings or wasteful due to the increased volume of air drawn into the structure.

4. Self-adjusting Air Curtain: The air curtain system can self-adjust according to ambient air temperatures and other environmental factors such as moisture. It uses an electronically adjustable release nozzle that allows the release of air stream at a greater rate when compared to conventional air curtains. This is ideal for areas where the air pollution level is very high or there are a lot of people and animals in the area. For this design, the air curtain unit is typically fitted on the outside of the door or window opening.

5. Ducted-Duct Air Curtain: This is one of the most widely used air curtain designs. It contains two ducts inside the unit that each have a discharge nozzle that allows the air stream to be directed to different areas. There are no restrictions on where the air can discharge to once the system has been activated. This is highly effective in areas where the air pollution level is high or the air quality is poor.

Air Curtain Purchase Guide

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