Trox UK has cemented its place in the air handling market with the launch of the X-CUBECompact range of ready-to-use and pre-configured air handling units. The move means that Trox now has an air handling unit solution for almost every project from the very largest to the mid-range and the smallest application.
The arrival of the X-CUBEproduct range, during 2012, heralded Trox’s arrival as the only company in its sector capable of supplying, from a single source, virtually all components required for installing a complete air conditioning system. The new X-CUBECompact, for volume flow rates up to 1.7 m³/sec extends the capabilities to encompass a wider range of applications. The high efficiency unit has a heat recovery performance of over 80% and an even smaller physical footprint.
X-CUBE range
With the Trox X-CUBErange of freely configurable air handling units, Trox defines new standards in the air handling unit market and sets considerably higher standards for quality, flexibility, reliability, energy efficiency, and hygiene. The units in the standard X-CUBErange cover an air volume flow rate range up to 24 m³/sec with unlimited configuration options.
The outstanding performance is underpinned by the highest levels of independent assessment. Both the X-CUBEair handling unit and the X-CUBEConfigurator design programme have been successful in achieving Eurovent certification providing independent assurance of the accuracy of the data and the stated performance criteria.
Energy efficiency is a vital feature of the range and the X-CUBEhas been assessed by Eurovent as A class. This is due in part to the fine tolerances of manufacture. In contrast to other commercially-available air handling units, which have evolved incrementally over time, the X-CUBEhas been created from a clean sheet by a dedicated design team and with investment to create a new manufacturing facility purposed-designed for this product line.
X-CUBE Compact
The launch of the new X-CUBECompact extends the range by bringing to the market a range of ready-to-operate and pre-configured air handling units that deliver the same excellent performance characteristics of the X-CUBEin the smallest of spaces.
Nine different units and a choice of two heat exchanger systems provide an extremely flexible range of solutions for volume flow rates of up to 1.7 m³/sec in small and mid-range applications. The units feature the same casing design and manufacture criteria as the X-CUBEfor maximum energy efficiency, such as a seamless foam seal on each panel to ensure the low leakage class is maintained.
High efficiency IE4 compliant EC motors and Eurovent-certified energy class A minipleat filters also contribute to energy savings. The X-CUBECompact is pre-configured and ready to operate (plug and play), simplifying installation and maintenance, and the operating side of the unit can also be changed quickly and easily by simply exchanging the panels.
Dedicated centre of excellence
Ahead of its move into the air handling unit market, the Trox Group built a new dedicated 15,000sq m production facility in Anholt, near the German-Dutch border, specifically for the X-CUBE. The new production facility is pupose designed to offer the necessary flexibility for manufacturing air handling units in all common size ranges.
Paul Wenden, Technical Director of Trox UK says: “So often in our industry, new models are launched which are just an incremental improvement on a previous product, but with X-CUBEwe have a completely different situation. Here the designers have started with a completely clean sheet and created a product based on levels of performance, energy efficiency, flexibility and practicality that have not been available to customers in the past. The resulting product ranges re-write the rules and set new standards for air handling. This is an extremely exciting launch for Trox UK and will ultimately be an important stepping stone for our customers as they move forward with their energy efficiency and carbon reduction ambitions.”
Long term strategy
In October 2012, the Trox Group acquired the Building Fan Division of TLT-Turbo GmbH – a subsidiary of Siemens AG, based in Germany. With over 140 years experience, this new division (Trox TLT GmbH) is a world leader in the development, manufacture and sale of fans for technical building systems, including axial, centrifugal, and roof fans, as well as fans for duct installation. The products, for ventilation and smoke extraction in buildings such as airports, hotels, factories, offices, enclosed car parks and traffic systems, complement the existing Trox product lines perfectly.
Trox UK Managing Director Ian Sams commented: “The acquisition is the latest development in a long term strategy to position Trox as an outstanding full-service supplier, whatever the requirements of the project. Bringing the X-FANS product portfolio under the Trox umbrella offers customers engineering excellence, energy efficient products, and first class service across a more diverse range of applications than ever before.”
New launches
One of the first new lauches to the market is the X-FANS EC Roof Fan range which cut the energy consumption of buildings resulting in reduced carbon emissions and lower operating costs. The roof fans extract room air and discharge it to the outside of the building with high efficiency and low noise. A certified in-house test rig ensures the best possible quality, to ISO 5801 criteria, and all fans and motors meet ERP requirements.
Trox has also introduced the new X-FANS Impulse Jet Fan which is the first to support natural heat and smoke extraction from galleries. When temperatures are high, heat builds up easily under gallery roofs however the Impulse Jet Fan facilitates the dissipation of thermal loads through the openings in the roof and in case of a fire the impulse of the fan jet keeps the relevant areas smoke-free.
For enclosed car parks Trox has introduced the X-FANS Jet Ventilation System which provides an alternative to traditional CO and smoke gas extraction systems. Instead of utilising axial fans and extract air shafts from fire compartments, the new X-FANS Jet Ventilation System removes air containing CO via one or several central shafts.
In ventilation mode, jet fans under the ceiling ensure a continuous flow of fresh air and provide mixing. In the event of a fire, hot smoke (which spreads just below the ceiling of the underground car park) is removed by powerful smoke extraction fans in the central shafts. Once smoke is detected, the jet fans are automatically switched on and drive hot fire gases towards the central shafts. This enables everyone to evacuate the area, and then establishes an aerodynamic smoke control centre to be implemented to assist the fire service’s efforts to extinguish the fire.
Also new for the X-FANS range is the VDS VentilatorDiagnoseSystem, a market unique accessory for smoke exhaust fans which incorporates innovative diagnostic technology for improved condition monitoring and reduced operating and maintenance costs.