A Modular Air Handler: Configuring to Match Your Exact Needs

Modularity and Flexibility

Selecting an air-handling unit (AHU) to meet the precise needs of a new construction or retrofit project can be difficult. It is important to choose an air-handling solution that meets requirements. In many cases, the engineer or contractor is forced by availability or other considerations to choose one that is oversized. While this may seem acceptable, on closer inspection, this is a less-than-efficient solution. The AHU either leads to energy consumption that is too high, or fails to perform adequately.

Revolution TFX is a concept in AHU design that is based on modularity. It gives engineers the ability to configure an air-distribution solution that matches the needs of the building and its occupants. The Revolution TFX system includes a wide variety of fans, coils, filters, and other options. In addition, many cabinet options and accessories are offered.

With an airflow range of up to 30,000 cubic feet per minute (CFM), Revolution TFX is highly suitable for healthcare, education, government and commercial applications. Jobs can be new construction or retrofit.

Selecting the Correct Fan for Variable Air Volume

With a number of fan options, Revolution TFX allows engineers to choose the most efficient fan for delivery of design and minimum CFM needs. Both are important elements in the overall delivery of air. Variable speed drives, discharge dampers, inlet vanes, etc., are also essential. Typically, the most efficiency is gained by choosing the biggest fan that will also deliver the necessary “turn down” in overall system modulation. Revolution TFX comes with a number of fan options to meet the CFM requirements of the space or spaces in question. The fan and fan motor can be housed in the fan segment of an AHU. This can be done for supply, return and/or exhaust applications. 

While a single fan is adequate for the required system design, systems can be configured with dual fans. In this event, the two fans can use the 50/50 principle, in which they operate together and share the load. This allows you to get more airflow in a smaller cabinet size. A dual-fan configuration can also use a 100/100 principle, wherein a single fan operates and the second fan exists as a backup. If the operational fan fails, this configuration ensures full capacity/airflow until repairs can be made. This is often called for in the case of critical applications such as with some healthcare facilities.

Noise Reduction, Flexibility and Efficiency

According to AMCA guidelines, DWDI fans require straight ducting runs and other considerations, which can increase the overall footprint and impose other design constraints. By using an SWSI Plenum solution, architects and engineers are given greater design flexibility. SWSI Plenum fans allow multiple duct takeoffs from the unit. The openings can be tailored to almost any duct configuration. This means units can be installed in smaller mechanical rooms.

Selecting the correct coil is key to providing the best range of heating and cooling to meet the specific needs of the application. The Revolution TFX system allows for coil options that provide optimum balance without incurring the additional expense of high air-pressure drops. The system can be configured with heating coils that use either hot ware or steam. Cooling coils are available for chilled water, chilled brine, and refrigerant.

Staggered coil options are available for Revolution TFX units. This configuration can increase overall coil face area and allow for greater CFM without increasing cabinet size. This means a reduced footprint while maintaining, or even increasing, overall efficiency. Revolution TFX can include heating coil options that are either gas-fired or electric. In the latter case, a remote control panel can be chosen. Electric heaters are offered in staged or modulating heat to better match project requirements.

The available Multizone (MZ) section is flexible. The MZ can be utilized to provide a multizone installation with multiple zone dampers or ordered without dampers to serve a dual-duct system.

Significant Energy Savings through Recovery

Revolution TFX offers energy recovery wheels that can improve overall system performance by preconditioning the outdoor air supply using adjacent exhaust and outside air streams to transfer heat and humidity. HVAC efficiency can be improved by up to 40%, and dehumidification capacity improved up to 75%. This provides a significant energy-saving advantage as well as a meaningful contribution to the overall energy-efficiency of the building as a whole. The energy recovery wheels used in Revolution TFX systems are available for horizontal or vertical mounting, depending on the overall system design.

Air Filters, Economizers and Mixing Boxes

Revolution TFX units can be configured to accommodate various types of filters, depending on the application. These include angled, flat, rigid, and bag filters. IT can be configured with filters -- ranging from MERV 1 to 14 -- depending on project requirements. The system also offers a range of economizers and mixing boxes, depending on the specific needs of the application. Because different buildings have different occupancy and equipment schedules, and therefore different requirements when it comes to economizers and mixing boxes, the Revolution TFX system will accommodate a complete range of options.

Building pressurization is a key element in building operation that affects overall comfort, air quality and energy efficiency. For this reason, Revolution TFX units are configurable to offer different solutions. For example, full-return economizers, dedicated exhaust economizers, dampers, inlet plenums, etc., to better control building pressure.

One System, Multiple Options

The Revolution TFX system offers a multitude of configuration options to architects, engineers and contractors. A solution can be configured that meets all of the required technical standards, plus the degree of occupant comfort, quality, and efficiency that you expect from a Titus product.

Titus' engineers and representatives are always available to help designers configure units to deliver optimal benefit. 


Please direct questions toward Titus Communications (communications@titus-hvac.com) and/or Titus' AHU Product Manager Jason Letterman (jletterman@titus-hvac.com).