Air revitalization
Revitalization stage of the air conditioning process consists of air circulation, heating, cooling, humidification and dehumidification of the air to the desired values, and the components that will realize these.
Revitalization of the filtered air is the second step of the conditioning process. The air conditioning system is used for cooling the spaces in summer and heating them in winter according to the season, taking into account energy savings, comfort and air quality. The temperature, humidity, speed and amount of the air must be adjusted and continuously controlled by the Marine Engineer in charge of the watch properly knowing air conditioning algorithm. Revitalization process takes place in a compact component called Air Handling Unit (AHU). The image below represents a typical AHU equipped with extractor fan, ventilator, air filter, heating and cooling coils, humidification and de-humidification elements, sensor, air damper and actuators to bring air quality, temperature and velocity to desired values.
The pressurized steam or pumped hot water, produced at oil, water or steam boilers, passing through these coils, heats or cool the air that flow continuously around them to the desired temperature required. Excess moisture in the air entering the AHU for air conditioning is condensed by the condensation coil and is reduced to the desired level. The air, whose temperature has decreased due to its dehumidification, is heated again to the desired temperature by means of the heating coil. Revitalized air then supplied by ventilator and air ducts to the space to be air-conditioned. At each stage involved in this process, the temperature, quantity, pressure, quality, speed and humidity of the air are measured by sensors and sent to the control unit to be compared with the set values. The resulting error is transmitted to the hot water, cool water, steam engine valves and the amounts are adjusted by means of actuators.