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Proper ventilation is extremely important in the tunneling and mining industries, and typically these mission-critical exhaust systems are built with flexible duct. In these locations, ducts must be durable and dependable, ensuring hazardous fumes, gases and dusts are efficiently and safely removed from the site.

Mine and tunneling flexible ducts are similar to those used for in-home HVAC systems. But industrial ducts are typically more durable and rated for extreme temperatures. Additionally, flexible ducts are generally built with higher-quality materials, including a PVC fabric tunnel that is reinforced with wire around the outside.

Aside from mine and tunneling operations, these industrial ducts are used for:

• Paint Booth Exhaust
• Fume and Exhaust Ducting
• Manufacturing Ventilation

If you’re setting up an exhaust system, here are a few quick considerations to make when choosing flexible duct.

Choosing a Flexible Duct for Industrial Applications

Every mining or industrial operation has unique duct needs, but in general, there are several areas you should focus on when choosing flexible duct. Be sure to consider:

• Length and Size: When sizing duct, first consider the length and the size (which is a measure of the tunnel’s diameter). Typically, ducts average between 4-8 inches in diameter, and they can be of varying lengths up to 50 feet or more. But in general, flexible duct provides the best ventilation at shorter lengths of less than 15 feet.

  

• Temperature Rating: In extreme industrial operations, the environment and exhaust being vented may be very hot. Each duct should be properly rated for the ambient temperature and the temperature of the exhaust. There are many options, from standard up to extreme temperature ratings.
• R-Value: The duct’s R-value is a measure of its insulation. In general, though, exhaust and ventilation systems don’t require ducts that are insulated. But in operations that require hot or cool air to be transported, insulated ductwork is more efficient and a higher R-value would be useful for maintaining temperatures.
• Durability, Material: The materials that are used to build the ducts are very important in industrial operations that require mission-critical performance. Low quality materials are more prone to failure, which can be especially problematic in these operations. Most flexible ducts are constructed with plastic fabric. PVC fabric or vinyl tends to be the most durable. Additionally, higher-gauge wire made from aluminum offers sturdy reinforcement.

Shopping for industrial flexible ducts? Deelat.com offers a range of flexible duct designed for mining and tunneling operations. Shop our store for best pricing, fast shipping, and a huge selection.

Air curtains – which are sometimes called air doors – are widely used in industrial and retail locations. These machines deliver a continuous stream of downward air over a doorway. In effect, the airstream prevents non-conditioned exterior air, as well as bugs, dust and fumes, from entering the protected space. Air curtains have many applications across a variety of industries.

In industrial spaces – like loading docks – air curtains are used to improve building efficiency. For example, as loading dock doors are open quite frequently, the airstream acts as an insulator. In cold months, cold exterior air is prevented from penetrating the facility, and in warmer months, warm air is prevented from entering. Additionally, air curtains are used in production facilities to separate two different spaces, and in large retail stores, air curtains are used to protect front doors which might stay open for long periods of time.

With air curtains, the entrance can remain open and sight-lines through the doors are improved, without compromising the efficiency of the building. Additionally, these can eliminate strong drafts at front entrances, improving worker comfort. Air curtains offer a more sanitary and more efficient solution compared to plastic strips.

How Do Air Curtains Work?

Air curtains typically are designed with large intake vents on the front of the device. Interior air enters into these intake vents, and then it enters a fan housed within the curtain. The fan essentially speeds up the air, which allows it to be pushed out evenly across a nozzle along the bottom length of the fan. Primarily, there are two types:

• Non-recirculating: This is the most common type, because it is more cost effective to install and offers great energy savings. The big difference is that non-recirculating fans do not capture the air that is projected downward. Instead, it moves freely back into the environment. To choose a non-recirculating air curtain, you would first measure the doorway and including height and width. Choose an air curtain that is nearly the length of the doorway, as well as one that delivers an airstream that will cover the height of the door.
• Recirculating: Recirculating systems are often installed in retail locations and they are much more expensive to install. Essentially, the system is a self-contained system that encompasses the entire door. The system works as air enters the curtain and is pushed downward. Yet, with these systems, there is a vent system at the floor length of the door that captures the air and recirculates it back up to the fan. It requires ducts at the floor and around the frame to complete the circulation cycle, and is thus, more costly. Because of this, these aren’t often installed aftermarket.

Additionally, there are non-sparking air curtains, as well, that are typically installed in industrial environments where flammable dusts and fumes may be present. These systems are designed to limit or prevent flammable sparks from being emitted from the device.

Looking for industrial and commercial air curtains? Deelat.com is your source for the best prices on non-recirculating air curtains. Contractors, builders and constructions professionals buy industrial products every day on Deelat.com. Fast shipping, affordable prices, unbeatable selection – guaranteed.