Coils are individually designed for ducted air streams for direct duct mounting or installation in air handling units, to heat or cool air using steam, water, glycol or refrigerant. Typical applications include Healthcare, Commercial Building heating and ventilation, Food manufacturing, and pharmaceutical cleanrooms. HC Coils have been making copper coils since 1984 so have an almost unmatched level of experience in the modern application of coil technology.
If you are looking to select coil for your next project, we have compiled a list of five essential features that you should look for below:
1. Environment
You should consider the installation environment for your coils as a primary concern. For example, if the coils will be operating in a saline environment you will need ensure you use copper coils and fins as aluminium will corrode quickly in this environment. If you are operating in the Healthcare industry you will need to adhere to the HTMO3 standard which specifies certain parameters including the use of stainless steel casing on coils and removable sloping drain trays on the cooling coils.
2. Maintenance
Most coil based applications require minimal maintenance however it is essential to choose coils from a manufacturer that offer advice on how to inspect regularly and keep your coils and fins clean and working optimally. Circulating fluids should be kept free from impurities and corrosive elements, cleaning solutions should be compatible with the coil materials, and disinfecting solutions must be thoroughly rinsed off with fresh water.
3. Protection
Extremes of temperature can cause catastrophic damage to your coils. All coils should be protected from frost. This may be achieved by adding inhibited anti freeze solution to the circulating water or heating the environment the coils are exposed to. Use of inhibited antifreeze is important as uninhibited product may cause formicary corrosion within the pipes.
4. Installation
It is important to choose a manufacturer who understands the installation process from start to finish. An incorrectly installed steam coil can fail due to steam hammer and thermal shock which will cause system failure. You should check the coils and fins for any damage. Even minor damage to a fin can cause failure and you should use a fin comb to check the integrity of the fins.
5. Efficiency
You should ensure your heat recovery coils have been manufactured in accordance with the ErP Directive 2018 which states that a minimum efficiency of 68% for most applications is required. An experienced manufacturer will understand the temperature design requirements in order to reach this standard.
Hopefully these tips will help you choose the right product for your OEM needs and you won’t suffer from some of the issues that we have seen when customers have asked us to replace faulty systems.