A vital component of an industrial ventilation system are louvers. When they are fitted with filters, they allow air to pass through them while keeping out undesirable elements like water, dirt, and debris. Knowing how to navigate through all of the options and sizing the louver appropriately to provide the required air flow are necessary for selecting the appropriate louver for an application. In this week’s blog, I’ll talk about some of our louver selection strategies.

Material and Depth

Modern louvers are generally produced using either aluminum or excited steel albeit a few outrageous applications might require hardened steel. Aluminum louver blades typically have better designs for water resistance because it is easier to form. Aluminum louvers are also lighter and more resistant to corrosion. Any color can be painted on aluminum, and it can also come with an anodized finish. We prefer to use aluminum for all of these reasons.

Between 4 and 6 inches are the most common depths for industrial louvers. The greater free area, which results in a lower pressure drop at any velocity, is the primary advantage of the depth of 6 inches. It also has a higher velocity of water penetration, which is another advantage. Unless there is a restriction on louver depth, we prefer to use the deeper option, which is one of our louver selection tips.

Drainable Louver Blades

A drainable louver blade has a gutter that is made to catch water that is separated from the air stream. The drains lead to extraordinary directs in the louver’s supports that channel the overabundance water down the sides of the louver and out the ledge. A drainable blade gives you more protection from water coming down the front of the louver and getting sucked back in through the louver on lower blades, which is a benefit. We prefer drainable blades because we always assume that water penetration is undesirable.

Blades That Can Be Adjusted or Fixed? While the majority of louvers are thought to have fixed blades, there are some that can be adjusted. A benefit of an adjustable blade louver is that it can be completely closed to keep heat in during the winter and prevent water from entering during severe weather. The higher price of moveable blade louvers is a drawback. We also recommend choosing fixed blade louvers when selecting louvers unless the customer requests adjustable blades.

Acoustic Louvers

A layer of sound-absorbing material is applied to the blades of an acoustic louver. Additionally, there are a variety of blade types that can completely block the line of sight and provide additional sound attenuation. Acoustic louvers have disadvantages, including increased air resistance and increased expense. Acoustic louvers are our preferred choice only when there is a specific noise requirement that needs to be met.

Estimating: The specialty of estimating a louver begins with deciding the ideal air speed through the louver. The likelihood of water penetration increases with air velocity, which typically begins at 1,000 (we must investigate this number). A lower air speed causes less opposition so there is a lower static strain drop. We choose louvers whose static pressure drops are less than 0.15 inches to size. w.g. The risk of water penetration and the pressure drop are both reduced when the air velocity through the louver is kept between 700 and 900 feet per minute.

Divide the required air flow, expressed as CFM, by the air velocity to obtain the amount of free area, expressed as sq. ft., that is necessary for the louver. Now, divide the percentage of free space for the chosen louver by the amount of free space. The outcome will be the absolute region of the louver that is need.

Using the manufacturer’s dimensional chart, the next step in sizing a louver is to select a height and width size that is closest to providing the required total louver area. In view of the level and width constraints, the louver might should be estimated with at least two boards.

The final step is to check to see if the louver will fit where you want it. If this is not the case, the louver’s pressure drop will be increased regardless of how much the louver’s surface area is reduced by increasing the air velocity.