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TP-5700 7/93 11Section 4 Air Requirements
Section 4 Air Requirements
4.1 General
An ample flow of clean, cool air is required to support
combustion and dissipate heat. Approximately 70% of
the heat value of fuel consumed by an engine will be
rejected to the cooling system and exhaust.
Battery compartment ventilation. To prevent the
accumulation of explosive gases, ventilate
compartments containing batteries.
If a generator set is to be located in a building or enclosure,
make certain t hat adequate air intake and air outlet
openings are provided. If air flow provided by the
engine-generator cooling fan is not sufficient to prevent
excessive temperatures, other means such as ductwork
and/or ventilating fans will have to be used to provide
adequate air flow . If an exhaust fan is used, (Figure 4-1
and Figure 4-2) check t he fan’s c apacity in c ubic feet
(cubic meters) per minute. Follow the fan manufacturer’s
recommendations to determine the size of the i nlet and
outlet openings.
In certain cold climate applications, controlled
recirculation may be used as a means of heat recovery;
however, s pecial equipment such as thermostatically
activated louvers and fans are needed to prevent engine
and engine room overheating. The uncontrolled
recirculation of heated air within an enclosure must be
prevented. Otherwise, the temperature in the enclosure
quickly rises to a point where efficient cooling is no longer
possible. With a properly designed ventilation system, a
sufficient temperature differential is not hard to
maintain—even on the hottest days. Make certain air
inlets and outlets cannot be blocked by snow. Air inlets
and outlets s hould also be kept clean and unobstructed
at all times. The direction of the prevailing wind should be
considered when positioning outlets. If wind velocity is
considerable, it tends to cancel the ef fects of the engine
or exhaust fan. When strong prevailing winds are
anticipated, face the airinlet into the wind and theoutlet in
the opposite direction. See Section 4.6, Liquid-Cooled
Models, for additional suggestions.
Figure 4-1 Exhaust Fan-Operated Louvers (fan not
shown)
Figure 4-2 Fans Required On Some Installations