HVAC solutions to corrosive environments

HVAC solutions to corrosive environments

HVAC solutions to corrosive environments are extremelly important. We all know energy efficiency and reliability are key aspects when it comes to choosing chillers or equipment in general for an HVAC project. The geographical location, though, can be an equally important aspect.

All those installations near the sea coast, or in those settings exposing units to humidity, salt, and other corrosive agents in the atmosphere, need proper protection from those agents.

Corrosion, a relevant aspect in HVAC systems design

Daikin, as world leader in the air conditioning and HVAC sector, considers these aspects, because being able to face these aspects, means being able to ensure the success of HVAC projects. It means ensuring customer satisfaction.

Corrosion is a very common cause of failure in all those HVAC systems in potentially corrosive outdoor environments. Saline coastal environments, large processing facilities like refineries, heavy industrial production areas, auto emissions and power generation facilities, they all release a variety of contaminants that can cause corrosion.

Corrosion can affect heat exchangers and condenser coils, which can fail rapidly. So, to ensure the durability and reliability of the HVAC equipment in those environments, protection from aggressive elements is fundamental.

Let’s take data centers as an example. Those are sensitive facilities, where huge quantities of information is stored. Unplanned down-time in a data center could cost hundreds of thousands of Euros. It goes without saying that a sensitive facility like that, in a potentially corrosive environment, needs special precautions. To ensure continuity of operattions in facilities like these, corrosion control is essential.

Daikin solutions to corrosive environments

Daikin addresses the problem with a few different options, which can guarantee proper protection and ensure units durability and reliability.

Specifically, Daikin offers four different levels of protection against corrosion:

  • Blue-coat
  • Alucoat
  • E-coating
  • Blygold treatment

More detailed information on Daikin options

Blue-coat and Alucoat, ensure good protection in mildly corrosive environments, and it is possible to use them respectively on aluminium microchannel condenser coils and copper-aluminium condenser coils.

Blue-coat option

Daikin EWAD-T and EWAD-M chiller ranges, for instance, feature this option. It is the result of a uniform and durable epoxy coating, which enhances coils resistance to corrosive agents. It is a relevant option for all those applications presenting moderate risk of corrosion.

Alucoat protection

Prevents equipment’s corrosion separating copper tubes from aluminium fins with to a thin layer of acrylic anticorrosion coating. That breakes the electrical connection, preventing galvanic corrosion. Daikin EWYD-BZ range, for example, featurs this option, which is ideal for mildly corrosive environments.

For highly corrosive environments such as costal environments and heavy industrial production areas, E-coating and Blygold treatment (Blygold PoluAl XT) – both considered top level protections – are particularly relevant options. They can be used respectively on aluminium microchannel coils and copper-aluminium coils.

E-coating option

Daikin EWAT-B, EWAH-TZ feature this option. A uniform layer of epoxy polymers all over the exchanger surface fully protects the exchanger, which has also an additional UV top-coating on its surface.

It is a treatment particularly important for extremely corrosive environments like highly polluted urban areas and highly corrosive coastal and industrial areas.

Blygold treatment

Similarly, the Blygold treatment (Blygold PoluAl XT), a polyurethane coating using with a metallic pigment, provides a long-lasting corrosion and UV protection to units in highly corrosive areas, and it uusually goes in combination with copper-aluminium coils.

Cu – Cu CONDENSER COIL option

As an alternative to coatings, Daikin also offers the Cu – Cu CONDENSER COIL option. It is the highest level of corrosion control. With this option, galvanic corrosion doesn’t affect condenser coils, since thay are made of copper only – both tubes and fins. It is a particularly effective option to prevent coastal corrosion and give durability to units’ components in polluted marine environments and Middle East projects. In fact, it is a quite relevant option for all those units operating in the desert.

This option really helps extending the life of a heat exchanger in those situations, but it is not ideal for polluted or industrial applications, since pollutants generally affect copper integrity.

Do you want to know more about Daikin chillers and AHUs options? Please contact us by filling below form.