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HVAC Distribution & Sizing
HVAC Distribution Systems Diffuser Selection and Layout Ductwork Sizing
HVAC Distribution Systems
Distribution System Plans Symbols
Positive Pressure (supply)
Negative Pressure (return or exhaust)
Distribution System Plans Symbols
Arrow indicates air flow direction
Distribution System Plans Symbols
1-way 2-way
Flow patterns
3-way
4-way
Distribution System Plans Symbols
T
Thermostat
Smoke/Fire Damper
Distribution System Plans Symbols
Double Line
Single Line
Distribution System Plans Symbols
16 x 12
Plan
12 x 16
Section
Distribution System Plans
Double Line Single Line
Distribution System Plans
Double Line Single Line
Ceiling Plenum Plans
Shows duct path from distribution network to supply diffuser or return register
Diffuser Selection and Layout
Diffuser Selection
Diffuser Selection Criteria
Air flow Throw Noise Criteria (NC) Level Appearance
Diffuser Selection
Air Flow Throw NC Level
Diffuser Selection
Throw: Distance of air movement
Avoid
Gaps and overlap Obstructions/deflectors
Velocity (fpm) 150 100 50
Diffuser Layout
1. Use Room Sensible Load (no latent, no ventilation) to determine air flow Qs=1.08 x CFM x T where T=|Tsa-Tra| thus
CFM=
Qs (1.08 x T)
Diffuser Layout
2. Define Supply Air temperatures Heating: Tsa range is 90-110F Tra=68F Cooling: Tsa range is 45-55F Tra=78F
Diffuser Layout
3. Define T Heating: T=|110-68|=42F
Cooling: T=|55-78|=23F
Diffuser Layout
4. Determine Air Flow (CFM) CFMhtg= Qs (1.08 x Thtg)
CFMclg=
Qs (1.08 x Tclg)
Larger result determines air flow
Diffuser Layout
5. Revise discharge air temperature to match required air flow CFMpeak= Qs (1.08 x |Tsa-Tra|)
solve for Tsa
Diffuser Layout
6. Select diffuser layout Regular pattern Uniform coverage Avoid short circuiting with exhaust/return registers
Diffuser Layout Example
Office space with overhead heating and cooling supply
NC level 35
16
Diffuser Layout Example
Heating Qs= 11,800 Btuh @ 68F Cooling Qs=8,600 Btuh @ 78F CFMhtg= Qs (1.08 x T) =11,800/(1.08 x 42)=260 CFM Qs (1.08 x T) =8,600/(1.08 x 23)=346 CFM
CFMclg=
Diffuser Layout Example
Revise Heating Tsa CFMpeak= Qs (1.08 x T)
=346=11,800/(1.08 x |Tsa-68|) Tsa=99.6F
Diffuser Layout Example
Define Pattern 346 Cfm Round up to 0 or 5 cfm 1@350 cfm 2@175=350 cfm 3@115=345 cfm 4@90=360 cfm
Diffuser Layout Example
Define Pattern 346 Cfm Round up to 0 or 5 cfm 1@350 cfm 2-way 2@175=350 cfm 4-way 3@115=345 cfm 3-way 4@90=360 cfm 2-way
8 16
Diffuser Selection
NC 35 Air Flow Throw Select 8 Rd 4-way
Diffuser Layout Example
Define Pattern 346 Cfm
16 4 4 4 4
2@175=350 cfm 4-way
4 8
Return Register Selection
Selection Criteria
Air flow Noise Criteria (NC) Level Appearance
Return Register Selection
Air Flow NC Level
Return Register Layout
Avoid
Short circuiting with supply diffusers Locating in visually obtrusive location
Return Register Layout
Define Pattern Supply=350 cfm
16
Return 1@350=350 cfm
Return Register Selection
Air Flow 350 cfm NC Level 35 Select 10 x 8 350 cfm NC 27db
Return Register Layout
Define Pattern Supply=350 cfm
16
Return 1@350=350 cfm 10 x 8 NC 27db
8
Ductwork Sizing
Ductwork Sizing
Volume (Q) is a function of cross sectional area (A) and velocity (V)
Q=AV
however, momentum, friction and turbulence must also be accounted for in the sizing method
Momentum
As air leaves fan, centrifugal motion creates momentum
FAN
Friction
As air moves along a duct, friction slows the velocity at the edges
FAN
Turbulence
As ducts change direction or cross-sectional dimensions, turbulence is created
FAN
Static Pressure
Force required to overcome friction and loss of momentum due to turbulence As air encounters friction or turbulence, static pressure is reduced Fans add static pressure
Pressure Measurement
Static pressure is measured in inches of force against a water column Inches-water gauge Positive pressure pushes air Negative pressure draws air
Pressure Measurement
Straight ducts have a pressure loss of w.g./100 based on diameter and velocity
Friction Loss Chart
0.2/100 FT
1325 fpm
What is the pressure loss/100 ft in a 12 diameter duct delivering 1000 cfm of air? Velocity?
Equivalent Length
Describes the amount of static pressure lost in a fitting that would be comparable to a length of straight duct
Ductwork Comparison
Round ductwork is the most efficient but requires greater depth Rectangular ductwork is the least efficient but can be reduced in depth to accommodate smaller clearances Avoid aspect ratios greater than 5:1
Equal Friction Method
Presumes that friction in ductwork can be balanced to allow uniform friction loss through all branches
Equal Friction Method
1. Find effective length (EL) of longest run 2. Establish allowed static pressure loss/100 P=100(SP)/EL 3. Size ducts 4. Repeat for each branch Note: velocity must be higher in each upstream section
Equal Friction Method Example
Size ductwork serving office diffusers from earlier example
Elbow equivalent length: 10 Straight fitting equiv. length: 5 AHU connection: 50
30 AHU 6 4 4 6 6 12 8
175 cfm (typ.)
Equal Friction Method Example
Supply Diffuser pressure loss: 0.038 Return Register pressure loss: 0.159 Fan: 0.535w.g. (75% for supply)
Equal Friction Method
1. Find effective length of longest run
Identify longest run Label duct sections
30 AHU 6 4 4 6 1 6 4 12 3 8 2
175 cfm (typ.)
Worksheet
Duct Section 1 2 3 4 Actual Length 6 8 12 30 56 Equiv Length 10 5 5 50 70 Effective Length 16 13 17 80 126
30 AHU 4
Air Vol. 175 175 350 700
P /100
Duct Diam
Air Velocity
12
3 6
2 1
6
4 4
175 cfm (typ.)
Equal Friction Method
2. Establish allowed static pressure loss/100 Fan SP: -Supply Diff: -Return Reg: Available: 0.533 0.038 0.159 0.336
x 0.75= 0.252
P/100 =100(SP)/EL = 100(.252)/126= 0.2/100
Worksheet
Duct Section 1 2 3 4 Actual Length 6 8 12 30 56 Equiv Length 10 5 5 50 70 Effective Length 16 13 17 80 126
30 AHU 4
Air Vol. 175 175 350 700
P /100 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
Duct Diam
Air Velocity
12
3 6
2 1
6
4 4
175 cfm (typ.)
Equal Friction Method
3. Size ducts
RR-6
3. Size ducts
1 2 3 4 175cfm 175cfm 350 cfm 700 cfm 7 diam 7 diam 9 diam 12 diam
Equal Friction Method
@ 620 fpm @ 620 fpm @ 800 fpm @ 900 fpm
Worksheet
Duct Section 1 2 3 4 Actual Length 6 8 12 30 56 Equiv Length 10 5 5 50 70 Effective Length 16 13 17 80 126
30 AHU 4
Air Vol. 175 175 350 700
P /100 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
Duct Diam 7 7 9 12
Air Velocity 620 fpm 620 fpm 800 fpm 900 fpm
12
3 6
2 1
6
4 4
175 cfm (typ.)
