Natural Ventilation Of Power Substation (on photo: Alara-Lukagro transformer doors, type AL-D/T - in compliance with the performance requirements and directives of various power companies)
Thermal Effects In Substation
The operation of a system of natural ventilation is as a result of a decrease in air density as its temperature is raised due to the heat gain from various sources.
Because the pressure differential developed is relatively small, ventilation louvers and grilles, etc, need to be of a design that offers little resistance to air flow.
To harness the thermal effects and maximise the performance of a natural ventilation system the air inlet openings should be located at low level and the exhaust openings should be as high as possible.
Any ventilation ducts shall have a large cross sectional area and a minimum number of bends to minimise losses. Long horizontal runs of exhaust duct shall be avoided. Due to a natural ventilation system’s sensitivity to the direction of the prevailing wind, the location of ventilation openings on the external face of a building shall be carefully selected to minimise any negative effect.
The benefit of wind effects can be maximised by positioning ventilation openings on adjacent or opposite sides of the building, the inlet on the windward side and the exhaust on the leeward side.
Doors with fixed ventilation lovre (photo by Austral Monsoon Building Products - AMBP)
Reference: Ausgrid NS200 - Major Substations Ventilation Design Standard