VAV Extraction System
The VAV (Variable Air Volume) system is the most advised system for an intensive and safe use of a fume hood, with a volume variation there is a speed control that no other system guarantees, this means that the user whatever the environment, will always be safe.

Combine safety and economic benefits in an extraction system

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VAV Extraction System

The system uses constant velocity readings, as soon as it is low, the sensor sends the information to the central controller, which in turn passes the information to the actuator that adjusts the opening of the damper so that the speed returns to the desired levels.

In addition to the clear and obvious safety benefits of this system, the benefits are also economical. Since the extractions and air volumes are always adapted to the existing needs and there are no unnecessary consumptions, also the room HVAC must be a system with variable air volume, this way, we have an optimization of the consumptions, never having unnecessary consumptions.

Although it is a system that allows for day-to-day savings, it is a much more expensive system to purchase than the CAV, however, the savings in use ends up compensating the user a lot. In case of using a VAV system fume hood also the room HVAC will have to be thought of as VAV, so that room parameters are fulfilled for your own safety.

As the name implies, the VAV system is a system that varies the volume of air extracted depending on the opening of the window, so we have a stable face velocity, this implies that the safety of the user is guaranteed with the window open or closed. The VAV system comes with a speed reader that makes a constant reading of the extraction values ​​and communicates to the central system which in turn gives information to the actuator that opens or closes the damper a bit, thus controlling the extraction volume and speed facial. This is the most advisable system for a laboratory, since it always guarantees the safety of the user and allows a better saving of energy expenses.

 

variable-extraction system

For a more automated extraction

As an extra safety measure, when the window aperture exceeds 500mm or when conditions are not ideal for using the fume hood, the interior light goes from pure white to red, thereby alerting users in a very visible way that the fume hood should not be used under the conditions in which it is at that moment.

Catalog Hottes Industrial Laborum Ibérica
Extraction Systems Catalog

Industrial Laborum offers two types of controllers:

ILI's base VAV controller is the cheapest version to buy, yet not very different in safety levels compared to premium systems. The second version of controllers are the premium versions of the different renowned brands in extraction systems in the world and they all have approximately the same characteristics, differing only in some aspects in the controller. The choice of VAV system should not be just monetary, because as the system will be introduced in the internal HVAC system we must take into account that the brand we are using in the HVAC is the same, since the compatibility of systems will be much higher.

The CAV system is the cheapest at the time of purchase, but in the long run it becomes the most expensive. Since this does not adapt to the opening of the window, the air volume will have to be calculated for the maximum opening, this implies a high volume of extracted air. Thus, the volume of replacement air in the room will be high, as well as the temperature and pressure control in the room will have much higher costs compared to other systems.

The extraction carried out by the fume hoods with CAV system is an extraction that does not necessarily imply an HVAC in the room, it is also governed by a CAV system, however, an HVAC with VAV system is the most recommended, since the control of the area where the hoods are inserted be as accurate as possible. This also makes it possible for the user to use only a hood without a sudden rise in temperature or an increase in pressure, which could put the user in danger.

All these variants later turn into high laboratory maintenance cost. It can be summarized that the CAV system is not the most suitable for large laboratories, and that despite being cheaper in the short term, in the long term it is the most expensive.

Of all traditional extraction systems, the most recommended is the VAV system. A system that performs constant speed measurements inside the fume hood, thus being able to adapt the extracted air volume. This adaptation of the system to the conditions allows for substantial energy savings and user safety to be improved, despite being a more expensive system than the CAV.

With a VAV extraction system, it is recommended that the laboratory's HVAC be also a VAV system, since this way the accuracy of pressure, temperature and all environmental parameters in the room are guaranteed and remain so.

The end result of this initial investment, (systems with a higher price), is that user safety is improved and the maintenance cost of the fume hoods in use is much lower compared to the CAV system. This is the recommended system for large laboratories and for areas where atmospheric pressure and temperature control will have to be precise.

Are you looking for specific solutions for your company?

We are available to get in touch with you, as we also develop solutions for areas other than those mentioned above. 

Industrial Laborum Ibérica is a company with 44 years of experience in the market, which seeks to bring the quality factor to all laboratories. Through customers in the most diverse areas, such as health, education and different industries, ILI has acquired know-how that allows it to create solutions for the needs or requests of its customers. We are here to develop labs for people.