Swiss-based Belimo Automation – a world leader in distributed electric actuators for air dampers and valve technology for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems – has recently launched its new Belimo fan optimiser in the Middle East markets through its branch office in Dubai in the UAE.
“Belimo room and system solutions now let you control the fans in CAV/VAV (constant air volume/variable air volume) systems according to demand, based on the damper positions of the downstream VAV units. This is possible thanks to the new Belimo fan optimiser as the supply pressure regulation – presently the standard method – can in future be dispensed with and fan energy consumption verifiably cut by almost 50 per cent while simultaneously increasing the convenience for users,” says David Stevenson, Middle East sales manager.
Until now, constant regulation of the fans has ensured that even the most inaccessible VAV unit receives sufficient supply pressure. Since the remaining units are provided with too much air as a result, they have to eliminate the excess pressure by closing the dampers. This means noisy operation, inferior control characteristics and a lot of unnecessary energy consumption, he points out.
Belimo MP technology allows fan output to be selectively controlled based on actual demand. The damper position of each VAV unit is recorded and transferred to the COU24-A-MP fan optimiser via the MP-Bus. It is used there as a control variable to facilitate energy-efficient operation of the frequency converter-controlled fans. The damper that is open the widest serves as a reference. Consumption, flow noise in the air duct system, operational reliability and control characteristics are consequently optimised. In conjunction with single-room temperature controllers – such as the CR24 from Belimo – account can also be taken of the actual room requirement.
“The massive energy savings are a practical way to achieve better results with regard to the new EU energy-efficiency directives. By doing away with the costs for the pressure regulation system and significantly reducing wiring expenses by networking via the MP-Bus, this solution guarantees rapid payback even in small or medium-sized buildings – in new, retrofitted or renovated systems.
“This innovative solution is ideal for a variety of system concepts (CAV, VAV or CAV/VAV combined). The fan optimiser’s pre-configuration and LCD displays permit simple engineering and efficient commissioning,” he adds.
Belimo, a listed technology company with a staff of about 1,000 worldwide, which started operations in Switzerland in 1975. It presently operates across the globe in the US, Latin America, Canada, Asia, Africa, Europe Middle East and Africa. It manufactures products for three primary areas of application – air, water and communication.
In air application, it manufactures products for general air solutions such as standard actuators and spring-return actuators for air control dampers in HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) systems, safety solutions such as safety actuators for motorising fire and smoke extraction dampers and room and system solutions such as VAV systems for individual room air control.
The company's water applications include control valves as well as shut-off and change-over valves for open and closed HVAC water circuits and linear and rotary actuators for the motorisation of valves, mixing valves and butterfly valves from different manufacturers. It also manufactures parameterising devices, tools and accessories for bus and communication systems.
