Air Curtain

Overview

An air curtain is most often used to separate one environment from another. It does this by creating a "curtain" of moving air that is projected over the opening of a doorway.  The wall of air acts as an invisible barrier that will not allow air to flow through it. Typically, the air curtain is mounted over a doorway on the inside, as a result, the air pulled into the intake of the unit is from the conditioned environment.  This air is accelerated and forced through a narrow discharge along the length of the aire curtain creating a laminar airflow.  The discharge angle can be adjusted using the provided turning vanes to achieve optimum performance.  As the discharge angle increases, the air has to travel further until it hits the floor.  Since the velocity of the air decreases as it gets further away from the aire curtain, if the discharge angle is too large the aire curtain won't be able to stop much wind from entering near the floor. If the discharge angle is too small, the air leaving the unit will not have enough horizontal force to stop a significant gust of wind from entering.  Usually the ideal discharge angle for maximum wind-stopping capability is around fifteen degrees.

When the discharged air reaches the floor it splits, forcing some air outward and some inward.  This is why when a unit is used for climate control, it should be placed on the opposite side of the doorway from that of the air that is to be kept out.  For example, if it is winter and you are trying to keep cold outside air from entering a building, the air curtain would be placed on the inside so that it is blowing warm air.  When the warm air hits the floor, some is leaked to the outside and some is blown back inside.  If the unit was on the other side of the opening, some of the cold air that you are trying to keep out would be blown inside, defeating the purpose.  If the unit is to be used for insect control, the air curtain can be mounted on the outside of the doorway as long as the discharge is adjusted so the air is blowing back toward the outside.  In this situation it doesn't matter if some of the outside air is blown inside after it splits at the floor.  This air should already be free of insects because they will not fit through the intake screen.

Recessed Air Curtains

Although, our stainless steel air curtains are aesthetically pleasing, we realize that sometimes the benefits of air doors are desired while the end user would rather not see the actual unit. 

When there is insufficient room between the top of the door and the ceiling to mount an air curtain or if it is not desirable to see the air curtain, the air curtain can be recess mounted in the ceiling with the use of a custom nozzle extension supplied by Powered Aire, Inc.  When an air curtain is used in a recessed installation, the steering vane that is typically installed in the air curtain discharge to deflect the air stream is removed.  It is instead installed on the discharge side of the nozzle extension.  The nozzle extension ships loose and is installed in the field.  After the air curtain is installed above the ceiling, a slot is cut in the ceiling tile for the nozzle to slide up through from the bottom.  When it is all the way through, the one inch flanges on the bottom of the extension will be flush with the ceiling.  The top of the extension is like a sleeve that fits over the discharge of the air curtain.  It is attached to the air curtain using self tapping screws fastened to the case of the unit.

When ordering a nozzle extension, the distance the air curtain is going to be mounted above the ceiling will need to be supplied so that the nozzle extension can be manufactured accordingly. A finished trim piece (supplied by others) may be placed over the flush flanges on the exposed side of the ceiling so that the colors match. It is not recommended to use a slot diffuser that in any way obstructs the airflow. If there is not a supply of air in the ceiling, an intake grille will need to be put in the ceiling to supply return air to the air curtain. The grille should be just in front of the air curtain intake and should be large enough to provide access to the front of the air curtain for maintenance. If there is an air supply in the ceiling, it is recommended that an access panel be put in the ceiling to provide access. The standard nozzle extension is constructed of galvanized steel but can be made of stainless steel upon request.

Selection Guide

Econo Power (ECP)
Used when cost is the overriding factor in selecting an aire curtain. The ECP is a low profile aire curtain that is constructed of painted steel. They are available in two sizes for 36 inch and 48 inch wide doors.

mini-power (MP)
Compact low profile design ideal for drive through windows and entrances where space is limited.

Customer Entrance Door (CED- Unheated and Electric) (CHS- Hot Water and Steam)
Used in retail applications to separate inside and outside environments for comfort and energy savings. Low velocity air steam used to minimize air blowing on customers.

Bug Control (BCE & BCT)
Designed to stop insects, dust, and other debris from entering through door. Comes in light duty model (BCE) and heavy duty (BCT).

Climate Control (ETD- Unheated and Electric) (THS- Hot Water and Steam)
For use in stopping cold or warm air from entering climate controlled environment.

Industrial (TSD)
Used over dock doors or large openings in an industrial environment.

Extra High Door (EHD)
For use in industrial settings where maximum air capacity is desired.

Corrosion Duty (LDC & HDC)
For use in corrosive atmospheres. Comes in light duty model (LDC) and heavy duty model (HDC).

Hazardous Environment (LDX & HDX)
Non-spark construction for use in explosive atmospheres. Comes in light duty model (LDX) and heavy duty model (HDX).