Evaluation and development of background data for test methology for efficiency of air curtains
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Frico AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 200 000 |
| Project duration | December 2014 - August 2015 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
Energy losses in entrances have a significant impact on the energy performance of a building. To create an invisible door that keeps the warm air indoors using an air curtain saves energy and provides an environmental benefit. Previously, comfort has been the main justification for an air curtain, but now its protective effect and hence energy saving is also in focus. The purpose of the project is to generate new knowledge to quantify the protective effect. The goal is to increase the market and the use of air curtains with good protective effect that results in significant energy savings.
Results and expected effects
The comfort inside the doors can be measured, but the protective effect of the air curtain is more difficult to quantify. The design and installation of the air curtain affects its effectiveness. In order to compare products on the market in a fair manner and to develop better products, an established way of testing the performance is needed. The feasibility study will propose a method that is simple and robust. The method will be tested and verified in the laboratory at Frico.
Approach and implementation
The project consists of three steps. 1) Literature review and a knowledge synthesis, 2) a proposal of a test method /methodology for evaluation of entrance solutions that are relevant to real case scenarios, and 3) the formulation of a continuing development project based on the results of the feasibility study.