Study 17: High-performance ventilation solutions

The aim of this study is to provide a detailed overview of the current state of the art in ventilation solutions, with a particular focus on the energy performance of these systems. It concentrates on the industrial sector, specifically industrial premises where manufacturing processes that may emit specific pollutants take place.

The primary function of a ventilation system is to ensure that working environments are kept clean and that pollutants are treated before being released into the atmosphere, in accordance with current regulations. A ventilation system consists of various components which account for a significant amount of energy consumption for industrial operators.

A review of the extensive existing literature on ventilation has shown that this health and hygiene function is addressed in good practice guides and best practice guidelines. However, few studies specifically address the energy efficiency of ventilation systems.

This review of the current state of the art therefore aims to examine each component of a ventilation system from the perspective of energy efficiency: the air intake system, the ductwork, the air purification system, the control system and, finally, the fan.