Luftführung

Luftführung, in English often referred to as airflow management or air distribution, is the deliberate shaping and routing of air within a system or space to meet performance, comfort, or safety requirements. It encompasses the design of paths, cross-sections, and flow-stimulating elements to control where air moves, at what speed, and how it mixes.

Luftführung is critical in building services (HVAC) where supply and exhaust air paths must provide uniform temperature and good indoor air quality, as well as in industrial settings where processes and equipment generate heat or contaminants. It also plays a role in automotive and aerospace engineering, where the direction and speed of incoming air affect engine cooling, cabin comfort, and aerodynamic performance.

Key components of Luftführung include ducts, plenums, diffusers, grilles, dampers, fans, silencers, and filters. Design considerations cover air velocity and pressure loss, temperature and humidity control, filtration, noise, energy efficiency, and maintenance access. The aim is to minimize dead zones and excessive stratification while ensuring adequate air change rates and uniform conditions throughout the space or system.

Standards and evaluation methods from organizations such as ASHRAE and European regulations provide criteria for acceptable airflow rates, temperatures, and indoor air quality. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and empirical testing are commonly employed to verify Luftführung designs before implementation. See also HVAC, indoor air quality, duct design, air diffusion, and ventilation.