Air Distribution and Movement – Vents

The purpose of air distribution in air conditioning or ventilation systems is to create the appropriate combination of temperature, humidity, and air movement within the space. Achieving comfortable conditions depends on these parameters, which must stay within specific ranges depending on the application. For example, in an office space with a high occupancy rate, the recommended air velocity should be less than 0.35 m/s.

To achieve suitable conditions, air is supplied to and exhausted from the conditioned spaces through appropriate vents, allowing control of the airflow, speed, and direction to meet specific requirements. Air exits the vents at much higher velocities and different temperatures than those tolerated in the space. Thanks to diffusion, velocity and temperature differences gradually diminish until they reach acceptable limits.

This phenomenon is described as follows: the air exiting the vent forms the primary jet, which pulls along the existing air in the space and creates a secondary jet. These flows mix and form the final airflow.