Integrated AHU and DX system
5th December 2018
UK: A joint development between Ciat UK and Toshiba Carrier UK has created an air handling unit and DX system to meet the complex requirements of today’s building services projects.
The Floway DX is described as a fully integrated combined plug-and-play system that provides optimum levels of comfort, control and efficiency.
Ciat UK explains that demand for combined DX cooling and heating coils in AHUs has been increasing, however bespoke systems with components from different manufacturers can be difficult to configure due to the varied control systems and interfaces used. To solve this problem, development engineers from Ciat worked together at the company’s research and testing facility in Culoz, France, to develop the Floway DX. A key requirement was to ensure that the Ciat coils within the Floway DX were optimised for the most efficient output and control when connected to the DX outdoor units.
Paul Smith, Ciat UK’s sales manager, said: “Until now, combining AHUs with DX systems has required installers to purchase separate equipment, often from different manufacturers, and go through the complex process of trying to make them work together effectively. This can be time-consuming and may result in inefficiencies in performance as well as adding risk to the project.”
The Floway DX incorporates a rotary wheel for excellent efficiency and adaptability to different environments, a brushless motor with a high-efficiency fan, and an optional web-based control.
Another key development was to ensure that the coil capacity can be effectively managed to ensure optimum comfort within the building. According to Ciat, traditional approaches use control by air-on only, which does not provide building occupants with the level of comfort required in low ambient conditions. The new approach is said to deliver this and ensure stable, high quality indoor conditions all-year-round.
For the installer, it is designed to be quick and easy to install and minimise cost. The DX outdoor unit simply requires a power supply, pipework and interconnecting cable. If required the system can be supplied fully integrated on a skid, with the condensing unit pre-wired and pre-piped to save installers further time on site.
