Sizing a Supply/Return Register of Diffuser There are a number of influences that could affect the choice of a supply register

of diffuser. Putting emphasis on one influence over the others will alter the outcome. Some of the input criteria for making a selection are: CFM Face velocity Throw and Pressure loss !ther influences may include: "oise criteria Mounting location #eating$cooling$both %ooks &vailability Price style Si'e limitation Material and new$replacement The type of occupancy or activity in the space under consideration may eliminate some variables. "o single type of supply register provides optimum air distribution for year(round heating since the preferred outlet for one season will be compromised for the other season. #owever the success of an air diffusion system is dependent almost entirely of the location of the supply diffusers. The location of return grills is far less critical. )eturn air flow affects room air motion only in the immediate vicinity of a return air grille. &s a general rule ma*im in recommended face velocity for a supply outlet used in residential application is 800 FPM. Ma*imum recommended return grille velocity is 600 FPM. Systems with higher velocities are likely to have noise problems. )eturn air filter grille velocities greater than about 400 FPM will e*ceed the performance of the filter. Ceiling Diffuser For a given CFM and chosen register style and location+s, use the chart to select a si'e that delivers the re-uired CFM at a velocity that is recommended for the particular application of throw re-uirement. "oise increases with increasing velocities. .f CFM is constant an increase in either register si'e or the number of registers of a given si'e will decrease the velocity throw and related noise. For this initial discussion of si'ing a supply register or diffuser we will narrow the selection criteria to only CFM face velocity and throw which will minimi'e unnecessary complications. The location is a ceiling with a circular or /(way pattern re-uired. & circular ceiling diffuser such as the #art 0 Cooley 123 )ound Ceiling 4iffuser is one possible choice. 5ith a re-uirement of 267 CFM there are a number of choices for a si'e that can deliver this airflow. & 3(inch diameter will deliver 267 CFM at a face velocity of 877 feet per minute +FPM, and a radial throw of 9 feet. &n :( inch will also deliver 267 CFM but at a reduced face velocity +and -uieter delivery, of 9;7 FPM and a throw of appro*imately / feet. &nd lastly a 27(inch will have a face velocity of ;97 FPM and a throw of ; feet. <iven the three potential choices think about throw as the ne*t selection criteria. The greatest throw comes wit the highest face velocity but don=t forget that the same high face velocity may cause some background noise that might be bothersome is used in a library as opposed to a room with a higher level of activity. .ncreasing face velocity will intensify the pressure loss. 4oubling the velocity will -uadruple the pressure loss. This simple table allows for a visual interpolation of data. & more precise method is to use the relationship: CFM > Face ?elocity * &rea

The @&reaA +in s-uare feet, for each si'e is the @&BA number listed under each diameter. For instance to find the face velocity of the 27(inch at our stated 267 CFM re-uirement divide 267 by the area: CFM$&rea > Face ?elocity or 267$.;/9 > ;/: FPM face velocity.

Engineering Data for a Hart & Cooley !6 Roun" Ceiling Diffuser

Fa#e $elo#ity %00 Pressure loss )006 3A CFM &B .2;9 Throw :A CFM C7 &B .669 Throw 6.7 27A CFM 279 &B .;/9 Throw 6.9 26A CFM 297 &B .977 Throw ;.7 2/A CFM 287 &B .369 Throw ;.9 2:A CFM ;27 &B 2.7/ Throw /.9 Terminal ?elocity of 97 FPM 400 )0!0 99 6.9 87 ;.7 2/7 ;.9 677 /.7 697 /.9 /29 3.7 &00 )0!6 39 ;.7 229 ;.9 2C9 /.9 697 9.7 ;29 9.9 967 C.7 600 )0** :7 ;.9 2;9 /.9 627 9.7 ;77 3.7 ;C9 3.9 369 :.9 '00 )0%! 89 /.7 237 9.7 6/7 3.7 ;97 C.9 //7 :.7 C;7 27.7 800 )040 279 /.9 2:7 9.9 6C9 C.7 /77 :.9 977 8.7 :;7 22.9 (00 )0&0 267 9.7 677 3.9 ;27 :.7 /97 8.7 939 27.7 8;9 2;.7 !000 )06* 2;9 9.9 669 C.7 ;/9 :.9 977 27.9 369 22.7 27/7 2/.9

Engineering Data for a Hart & Cooley +SR S,uare Return Diffusers
Fa#e $elo#ity Pressure loss 8*8 CFM &B .;/7 8*8 CFM &B .;/7 26 * 26 CFM &B .3/7 29 * 29 CFM &B 2.77 2: * 2: CFM &B 2.37 &00 )0*0 39 297 287 669 637 600 )0*0 :7 2:7 669 6C7 ;29 '00 )0%0 87 627 639 ;29 ;39 800 )040 279 6/7 ;77 ;37 /67 (00 )0&0 229 6C7 ;C9 /79 /C7 !000 )060 2;7 ;77 /97 /97 969 !*00 )0(0 237 ;37 969 9/7 3;7 !400 )!*0 287 /67 377 3;9 C;9