A Comprehensive Analysis of Ventilation Ducts: Types, Applications, and Cleaning and Maintenance Guide  

 

I. Overview of Ventilation Ducts  

Ventilation ducts are the core components of ventilation, air - conditioning, and air purification systems in industrial and civil buildings. Their main functions are to promote air circulation, reduce the concentration of harmful gases, and ensure indoor air quality. As an important part of municipal infrastructure, their materials, structures, and installation techniques directly affect the efficiency and safety of ventilation systems. Common materials include metals (such as galvanized steel sheets and stainless steel) and non - metals (such as fiberglass and composite materials), which can meet the needs of different environments.  

 

II. Types and Characteristics of Ventilation Ducts  

According to materials, uses, and shapes, ventilation ducts can be divided into the following categories:  

1. Metal Ducts  

   - Galvanized Steel Sheet Ducts: Widely used in central air - conditioning systems, they are corrosion - resistant, high - strength, and easy to process, and are suitable for environments with low humidity.  

   - Stainless Steel Ducts: They can withstand high temperatures and are corrosion - resistant, and are mostly used in places with high cleanliness requirements, such as food processing and pharmaceutical industries.  

2. Non - metal Ducts  

   - Fiberglass Ducts: They are lightweight, high - strength, and chemically corrosion - resistant, and are suitable for smoke prevention and exhaust systems and high - humidity environments (such as basements).  

   - Phenolic Aluminum Foil Composite Ducts: They have excellent thermal insulation performance and are suitable for scenarios sensitive to noise and energy consumption, such as hotels and office buildings.  

   - Fiber Fabric Ducts: They are flexible air - supply systems without insulation layers and are suitable for uniform air supply in large spaces (such as stadiums and shopping malls).  

3. Ducts for Special Purposes  

   - Fire - resistant Ducts: The outer layer is covered with fire - proof materials (such as ceramic wool), and the fire - resistance limit can reach more than 1.5 hours. They are used in smoke prevention and exhaust systems.  

   - Mine Ducts: They are made of flame - retardant and anti - static materials and are specially used for gas extraction and ventilation in mines.  

 

III. Application Fields of Ventilation Ducts  

Ventilation ducts have a wide range of application scenarios, including:  

- Industrial Field: Dust removal in factory workshops, treatment of chemical waste gases, and dust - free purification in electronic factories.  

- Commercial Buildings: Central air - conditioning systems and fire - smoke exhaust in shopping malls, hotels, and office buildings.  

- Public Facilities: Ventilation and air quality control in subways, hospitals, and stadiums.  

- Special Environments: Moisture prevention in food processing plants, safe ventilation in mines, etc.  

 

IV. Key Points for Installation and Construction of Ventilation Ducts  

1. Design Principles: Before construction, the layout of pipelines of various specialties needs to be coordinated, following the principle of "small pipes yield to large pipes, and pressurized pipes yield to unpressurized pipes" to avoid cross - conflicts.  

2. Assembly and Straightening: Short ducts can be pre - fabricated on the ground to ensure levelness; long ducts are hoisted in sections, and the supports should be firm and at the same elevation.  

3. Process Optimization: Non - welding technologies such as common plate flanges are adopted to improve installation efficiency and reduce air leakage rate.  

 

V. Importance and Steps of Ventilation Duct Cleaning  

Dust, pollen, and microorganisms that accumulate over time can pollute the air and cause allergic or respiratory diseases. Regular cleaning can improve the efficiency of air conditioners and reduce energy consumption. It is recommended that families with pets, smokers, or allergic people clean the ducts once a year.  

Cleaning Process:  

1. Professional Assessment: A fully qualified cleaning company should check the duct layout and pollution level.  

2. Equipment Cleaning: High - pressure air guns and vacuum cleaners are used to remove surface dust, with a focus on air outlets and return air inlets.  

3. Deep Disinfection: Environment - friendly fungicides are sprayed to kill bacteria and mold spores.  

4. System Maintenance: The heat exchanger (Coil) and filters are cleaned simultaneously to ensure the overall ventilation efficiency.  

 

VI. Cleaning Costs and Suggestions  

The costs vary depending on the region, duct length, and service content, and usually include air outlet cleaning, chemical spraying, and heat exchanger maintenance. It is recommended to choose a service provider with transparent pricing to avoid hidden charges.  

 

VII. Conclusion  

Reasonably selecting the type of ventilation ducts and performing regular maintenance can significantly improve indoor air quality and energy utilization. Whether it is a new construction project or the renovation of an existing building, the materials and processes need to be matched according to actual needs. At the same time, attention should be paid to cleaning and maintenance to extend the service life of the system and ensure a healthy environment.