DEFINITION AND PURPOSE OF INDUSTRIAL AIR TECHNOLOGY

Figure 1.1 (see color insert) is a schematic representation of the principles of I AT. Industrial air technology (IAT) can be defined as

Air flow technologies that control workplace indoor environment and emissions

A longer definition is

1. Air flow technologies that achieve and maintain a safe, healthy, pro­ductive and comfortable indoor environment in premises and occupied enclo­sures where this need is determined not only by human occupancy, normal human activities, and construction and finishing materials but also, and often primarily, by other factors, for example, production processes

2. Process air technology, such as air and gas purification, drying, or pneumatic conveying

3. Safety air technology, including risk assessment, that minimizes dam­ages and hazards caused by accidents, fire, and explosion

It is typical for industrial premises to have, in one space, zones with different target levels. The target levels may be determined for the whole area or locally. Of­ten only a part of the space requires controlling of the indoor environment param­eters. In addition to the main controlled zone, there may be one or more local controlled zones with target levels different from those in the main controlled zone.

In addition to measures to control the indoor environment, industrial air technology also includes measures to prevent harmful emissions from indus­trial processes from being discharged outdoors, such as conveying and clean­ing technologies and controlled discharge of exhaust air. Other systems include, drying (pulp drying, milk drying, crisp-bread drying, etc.), process ventilation, and safety air systems.

The scope of IAT includes premises other than traditional industrial pro­cess buildings, such as hospitals; underground car parks; mining, railroad, and vehicle tunnels; livestock buildings; and other premises and processes.

Posted in INDUSTRIAL VENTILATION DESIGN GUIDEBOOK