Chapter 8 – Air-Handling Equipment and Systems

This set of flashcards covers key concepts and vocabulary from Chapter 8 on Air-Handling Equipment and Systems.

Air-Handling Equipment

Consists of one or more fan sections, heat-exchange sections for heating and/or cooling, air filtration sections, mixing sections for return and outside air, and discharge air plenums.

Fan Coil

A small air-handling unit that typically contains a supply fan, coils, and an air filter.

Water Coils

Coils commonly used for transferring heat with circulating air, constructed with copper tubes and aluminum fins.

Drain Pans

Pans located under cooling coils that collect condensate water during the cooling process.

Direct Expansion (DX) Coils

Coils designed to allow refrigerants to vaporize, absorbing heat from the air during the cooling process.

Air Cleaning

The process of removing impurities from the air by passing it through a liquid curtain, spray, or dry filter medium.

MERV Filter Rating

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, a rating system for the efficiency of air filters.

Air Mixing

The process of balancing outside air and return air using dampers in an air-handling unit.

Centrifugal Fans

Fans that discharge air into a supply duct, commonly used in air handling units.

Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)

Motor speed controllers that allow for the delivery of a constant or variable volume of air, recognized as energy efficient.

Duct Systems

Includes supply, return, outside air, relief air, and exhaust air ducts, constructed from sheet metal materials.

Insulation in Ductwork

Material applied to duct interiors for acoustical absorption and thermal benefits, known as duct liner when applied internally.

Sound Traps

Special duct fittings containing sound-absorbing material to reduce fan noise transmission into the duct system.

Grilles and Registers

Air devices with vanes for directing airflow; registers contain a control damper; grilles simply have vanes.

Throw

A measure of the distance from a diffuser within which room air velocity remains within a specified range for given airflow.