Principles for Setting Air Conditioning Air Outlets and Airflow Organization

2025-04-27

The most common problem encountered in interior design coordination is the contradiction between the air conditioning air outlets, lighting fixtures, pipelines, etc. of the electromechanical specialty and the indoor space and ceiling form.
The contradiction between the air conditioning air outlet and the ceiling involves the trade-off between the "form" effect of the interior design and the "comfort" of the air conditioning. The creation of the form is an important task of the interior design. Therefore, in occasions with relatively high requirements for interior design standards, we should try our best to meet the requirements of the interior design for the "form". However, we should not relax the basic requirements for the functionality of the air conditioning effect.

Principles for Setting Air Conditioning Air Outlets and Airflow Organization1745755119554

Here, we will share the principles for setting air conditioning air outlets and some forms of good air conditioning airflow organization, and achieve a win-win effect through cross-professional mutual understanding.
Forms of Air Conditioning Air Outlets

Duct-mounted Air Distribution Outlets
The duct-mounted air distribution outlet is an airflow distribution device that integrates the functions of the air supply duct, static pressure box, thermal insulation material, air outlet, and air valve. It is suitable for tall spaces and renovation projects such as light steel structure buildings, renovation of old buildings, restaurants, swimming pools, gymnasiums, exhibition halls, etc. There are 7 air supply modes: FabFlow fabric airflow, NozzFlow jet airflow, PerfoFlow porous airflow, MeshFlow mesh airflow, SonicFlow row hole airflow, OriFlow large hole airflow.
(1) Duct-mounted Air Distribution Outlet, FabFlow Fabric Airflow
The outlet air permeates from the surface of the permeable fabric. The air is driven by thermal power, which can avoid the wind feeling in the air supply area, thus bringing a high level of comfort.
(2) Duct-mounted Air Distribution Outlet, NozzFlow Jet Airflow
The outlet air is ejected through one or several rows of nozzles on the duct, forming an airflow with very stable directionality. The nozzles distribute the air evenly along the entire length of the duct to ensure a high level of comfort.
(3) Duct-mounted Air Distribution Outlet, PerfoFlow Porous Airflow
The outlet air flows out from numerous small holes scattered on the circumferential surface of the duct, resulting in a relatively low outlet air velocity.
(4) Duct-mounted Air Distribution Outlet, MeshFlow Mesh Airflow
The outlet air is sent out along the mesh strips in the length direction of the duct. The airflow whose speed is increased after passing through the mesh strips will generate a pulsating eddy current phenomenon, both throwing the air and mixing it with the indoor air.
(5) Duct-mounted Air Distribution Outlet, SonicFlow Row Hole Airflow
The outlet air is distributed through the small holes on the fabric, which are arranged in several rows along the length direction. The airflow is controlled by the static pressure and determines the speed at which the air is blown out from the duct.
(6) Duct-mounted Air Distribution Outlet, OriFlow Large Hole Airflow
The outlet air is blown out through the large holes on the fabric, which is suitable for long-distance air supply with a large air volume.
(7) Duct-mounted Air Distribution Outlet, JetFlow Jet Airflow
The unique JetFlow jet nozzle of the FAERY Farui duct-mounted air distribution outlet can determine the size of the nozzle according to the range requirements, providing a long-distance air supply of up to 71 meters for tall spaces.
Spherical Nozzles
They are used for free jets and concentrated air supply in tall spaces (commercial atriums, airports). Select spherical nozzles according to the length and drop of the working area.
Louver Air Outlets
Single-layer: Adjust the louver angle, commonly used in general air conditioners.
Double-layer: Opposed blades adjust the air volume, and the two layers of louvers adjust the angle.
Application: Suitable for air supply requirements with guiding functions. Commonly used in civil air conditioning systems.
(1) Movable Double-layer Louver Air Supply Outlet
It can be matched with fan-coil units or used in centralized air conditioning systems. The blades of the air outlet can be adjusted arbitrarily within the range of 0-90 degrees, so as to obtain different air supply distances and diffusion angles. Matching with the opposed multi-blade regulating valve, the air volume can be adjusted. The blades of the air outlet can be adjusted arbitrarily within the range of 0-90 degrees, so as to obtain different air supply distances and diffusion angles.
(2) Fixed Louver Side Wall Grille Air Outlet
(3) Openable Louver Side Wall Grille Air Outlet
The entire air outlet is in the form of a flap door, and the flap door can be opened and closed freely between the frame, which is conducive to installation and matching use with the filter. It is commonly used in guest rooms and return air systems with filters.
(4) Fixed Blade Inclined Louver Air Supply Outlet
The blades are fixed, and the inclination angle is 24 degrees. It can be used as an air supply outlet or an air return outlet. There are unidirectional and bidirectional inclined air supply (subway).
(5) Self-hanging Louver Air Outlet
It is used for the automatic exhaust of air conditioning rooms with positive pressure. The louvers naturally droop by their own weight to isolate the air exchange between the indoor and outdoor. When the indoor air pressure is higher than the outdoor, the airflow blows open the louvers for exhaust, and vice versa, it closes.
(6) Light-blocking Louver Air Outlet
It is used for the ventilation of dark rooms.
Diffusers (ceiling diffusers)
Disk type: Horizontal air supply
Application: Ceiling air supply
Supply and return type: Upper supply and upper return
Straight vane type: Upper supply or horizontal supply
Streamlined type: Lower supply
(1) Square and Rectangular Diffuser
The airflow form is the adhering (horizontal supply) type.
(2) Circular Diffuser
It is generally used for cold and warm air supply. The blown airflow is of the adhering type. The structure is mostly a multi-layer conical type. There is a large indoor induced air volume, and the outlet airflow speed and temperature decay quickly.
(3) Grille Air Outlet (Grille)
Vertical air supply, side air supply, upper air supply, generally used in air conditioning projects.
(4) Slot Air Outlet
Slot grille air outlet:
Application: Interior area ceiling, perimeter ceiling, windowsill, floor, upper side air supply.
(5) Swirl Air Outlet
The outlet air is a swirling jet, with a large induction ratio and a large speed decay. It can be used for air supply with a large air volume and a large temperature difference and is installed on the ceiling or the ceiling.
It is suitable for lower air supply.
Top supply cold air diffusion type
Top supply hot air adhering type
(6) Air Supply Perforated Plate
The air supply speed is above 3m/s for the full perforated plate, and the air supply temperature difference is greater than or equal to 3℃, and parallel flow appears, which is suitable for the requirements of ultra-quiet air conditioners. It has a low wind speed, good decay, and high comfort. The air supply is uniform, and the speed decays quickly.
II. Basic Concepts of Airflow Organization
Supply Air Jet
When the air is blown out from the orifice, an airflow formed in the space is called a supply air jet.
Research content: Under the conditions of a certain outlet area, form, and outlet air speed, study the changes of the airflow speed and temperature along the way.
Purpose: According to the jet law, reasonably arrange the number and position of the supply air outlets to ensure that the parameters such as the temperature, speed, and cleanliness of the air in the human activity area or a specific area meet the requirements.
Return Air Confluence
In the indoor airflow field, the influence range of the return air outlet confluence is very small. The main factors affecting the indoor airflow movement law and the distribution of indoor air parameters are the supply air jet.
According to the confluence law, reasonably arrange the number and position of the return air outlets to match them with the supply air outlets to ensure the uniformity and stability of the indoor airflow and avoid the phenomena of "dead corners or short circuits".
Therefore, it is of great significance to reasonably select the form, number, and arrangement position of the supply air outlets.
III. Forms of Space Airflow Distribution
(1) Upper Supply and Lower Return Airflow Distribution
(a) Side Supply and Side Return
(b) Diffuser Air Supply
(c) Perforated Plate Air Supply
(1) Characteristics of Upper Side Air Supply
The working area is a return flow area. The side supply adhering jet is preferably attached to the ceiling to extend the jet distance. It is suitable for spaces with limited spans and not too low heights, such as guest rooms and offices. Commonly used louver air outlets.
(2) Characteristics of Diffuser Ceiling Air Supply
The working area is a return flow area, and the return air can be from the bottom or the top. The horizontal supply of the diffuser can all form an adhering jet. For the air conditioning area with a relatively low indoor height, it can not only meet the use requirements but also be more beautiful. Commonly used air outlets: square/circular diffusers (adhering type).
(3) Characteristics of Nozzle Air Supply
Usually, the return air is from the same side, and the human activity area is in the return flow area. The outlet flow speed of the nozzle is high, the airflow range is long, and it is strongly mixed with the indoor air, which can form a large return flow area in the room, and the requirement of uniform airflow distribution can be met by arranging a small number of air outlets. It is suitable for tall spaces, such as cinemas, theaters, and sports venues.
(2) Upper Supply and Upper Return
(a) Unilateral Upper Supply and Upper Return
(b) Opposite Side Upper Supply and Upper Return
(c) Diffuser Upper Supply and Upper Return
(3) Lower Supply and Upper Return
(a) Underfloor Air Supply
(b) Terminal Device Lower Air Supply
(c) Displacement Ventilation Lower Supply and Upper Return
(4) Middle Supply
It can adopt upper and lower return air or lower return air (regardless of the upper space). It is suitable for tall spaces, such as tall atriums and tall workshops.
(a) Bilateral Middle Air Supply and Bilateral Lower Return Air
(b) Middle Air Supply, Lower Return Air, and Top Exhaust Air
(5) Return Air Outlets and Return Air Forms
Principles for Arranging Return Air Outlets: It is advisable to arrange them in the return flow area, and the position and shape have little influence. They should not be arranged in the jet area to prevent short circuits. Try to arrange the return air outlets at the concentrated load points as much as possible.
Return Air Organization Forms: Corridor return air, Pipeline return air, Ceiling return air (not recommended, as it will bring the dust in the ceiling into the air conditioning supply air system and affect the indoor air quality).