4/17/2017 AirFlow,AirSystems,Pressure,andFanPerformance

DesigningAirFlowSystems

Atheoreticalandpracticalguidetothebasicsofdesigning
airflowsystems.


DownloadWorddocument.

1.AirFlow
1.1.TypesofFlow
1.2.TypesofPressureLossesorResistancetoFlow
1.3.TotalPressure,VelocityPressure,andStaticPressure
2.AirSystems
2.1.FanLaws
2.2.AirDensity
2.3.SystemConstant
3.PressureLossesofanAirSystem
3.1.SectionsinSeries
3.2.SectionsinParallel
3.3.SystemEffect
4.FanPerformanceSpecification
4.1.FanTotalPressure
4.2.FanStaticPressure
5.PressureCalculations
5.1.Methodology
5.2.AssumptionsandCorrections
6.Problem#1AnExhaustSystem
7.Problem#2AChangetotheSystemsAirFlowRate
8.Problem#3ASupplySystem
9.Appendix1Equations
10.Appendix2ASHRAEFittings
11.Appendix3BullheadTeeCurves

1.AirFlow
Flowofairoranyotherfluidiscausedbyapressuredifferentialbetweentwopoints.Flowwilloriginatefromanareaofhighenergy,or
pressure,andproceedtoarea(s)oflowerenergyorpressure.

Ductairmovesaccordingtothreefundamentallawsofphysics:conservationof
mass,conservationofenergy,andconservationofmomentum.

Conservationofmasssimplystatesthatanairmassisneithercreatednordestroyed.Fromthisprincipleitfollowsthatthe
amountofairmasscomingintoajunctioninaductworksystemisequaltotheamountofairmassleavingthejunction,orthesum
ofairmassesateachjunctionisequaltozero.Inmostcasestheairinaductisassumedtobeincompressible,anassumption
thatoverlooksthechangeofairdensitythatoccursasaresultofpressurelossandflowintheductwork.Inductwork,thelawof
conservationofmassmeansaductsizecanberecalculatedforanewairvelocityusingthesimpleequation:
V2 =(V1 *A1 )/A2
WhereVisvelocityandAisArea

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Thelawofenergyconservationstatesthatenergycannotdisappearitisonlyconvertedfromoneformtoanother.Thisisthe
basisofoneofthemainexpressionofaerodynamics,theBernoulliequation.Bernoulli'sequationinitssimpleformshowsthat,
foranelementalflowstream,thedifferenceintotalpressuresbetweenanytwopointsinaductisequaltothepressureloss
betweenthesepoints,or:
(Pressureloss)12=(Totalpressure)1(Totalpressure)2
ConservationofmomentumisbasedonNewton'slawthatabodywillmaintainitsstateofrestoruniformmotionunless
compelledbyanotherforcetochangethatstate.Thislawisusefultoexplainflowbehaviorinaductsystem'sfitting.

1.1.TypesofFlow
LaminarFlow
Flowparalleltoaboundarylayer.InHVACsystemtheplenumisaduct.
TurbulentFlow
Flowwhichisperpendicularandnearthecenteroftheductandparallelneartheouteredgesoftheduct.
MostHVACapplicationsfallinthetransitionrangebetweenlaminarandturbulentflow.

1.2.TypesofPressureLossesorResistancetoFlow
Pressurelossisthelossoftotalpressureinaductorfitting.Therearethreeimportantobservationsthatdescribethebenefitsof
usingtotalpressureforductcalculationandtestingratherthanusingonlystaticpressure.
Onlytotalpressureinductworkalwaysdropsinthedirectionofflow.Staticordynamicpressuresalonedonotfollowthisrule.
Themeasurementoftheenergylevelinanairstreamisuniquelyrepresentedbytotalpressureonly.Thepressurelossesina
ductarerepresentedbythecombinedpotentialandkineticenergytransformation,i.e.,thelossoftotalpressure.
Thefanenergyincreasesbothstaticanddynamicpressure.Fanratingsbasedonlyonstaticpressurearepartial,but
commonlyused.

Pressurelossinductworkhasthreecomponents,frictionallossesalongductwallsanddynamiclossesinfittingsandcomponent
lossesinductmountedequipment.
ComponentPressure
Duetophysicalitemswithknownpressuredrops,suchashoods,filters,louversordampers.

DynamicPressure
Dynamiclossesaretheresultofchangesindirectionandvelocityofairflow.Dynamiclossesoccurwheneveranairstream
makesturns,diverges,converges,narrows,widens,enters,exits,orpassesdampers,gates,orifices,coils,filters,orsound
attenuators.Velocityprofilesarereorganizedattheseplacesbythedevelopmentofvortexesthatcausethetransformationof
mechanicalenergyintoheat.Thedisturbanceofthevelocityprofilestartsatsomedistancebeforetheairreachesafitting.The
straighteningofaflowstreamendssomedistanceaftertheairpassesthefitting.Thisdistanceisusuallyassumedtobeno
shorterthensixductdiametersforastraightduct.Dynamiclossesareproportionaltodynamicpressureandcanbecalculated
usingtheequation:
Dynamicloss=(Locallosscoefficient)*(Dynamicpressure)
wheretheLocallosscoefficient,knownasaCcoefficient,representsflowdisturbancesforparticularfittingsorforductmounted
equipmentasafunctionoftheirtypeandratioofdimensions.CoefficientscanbefoundintheASHRAEFittingsdiagrams.
Alocallosscoefficientcanberelatedtodifferentvelocitiesitisimportanttoknowwhichpartofthevelocityprofileisrelevant.The
relevantpartofthevelocityprofileisusuallythehighestvelocityinanarrowpartofafittingcrosssectionorastraight/branch
sectioninajunction.
FrictionalPressure
Frictionallossesinductsectionsareresultfromairviscosityandmomentumexchangeamongparticlesmovingwithdifferent
velocities.Theselossesalsocontributenegligiblelossesorgainsinairsystemsunlessthereareextremelylongductrunsorthere
aresignificantsectionsusingflexduct.

TheeasiestwayofdefiningfrictionallossperunitlengthisbyusingtheFrictionChart(ASHRAE,1997)however,thischart
(shownbelow)shouldbeusedforelevationsnohigherof500m(1,600ft),airtemperaturebetween5Cand40C(40Fand
100F),andductswithsmoothsurfaces.TheDarcyWeisbachEquationshouldbeusedfornonstandardducttypesuchasflex
duct.

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FrictionChart(ASHRAEHANDBOOK,1997)
1.3.TotalPressure,VelocityPressure,andStaticPressure
Itisconvenienttocalculatepressuresinductsusingasabaseanatmosphericpressureofzero.Mostlypositivepressuresoccur
insupplyductsandnegativepressuresoccurinexhaust/returnductshowever,therearecaseswhennegativepressuresoccurin
asupplyductasaresultoffittingeffects.
Airflowthroughaductsystemcreatesthreetypesofpressures:static,dynamic(velocity),andtotal.Eachofthesepressurescan
bemeasured.Airconveyedbyaductsystemimposesbothstaticanddynamic(velocity)pressuresontheduct'sstructure.The
staticpressureisresponsibleformuchoftheforceontheductwalls.However,dynamic(velocity)pressureintroducesarapidly
pulsatingload.
Staticpressure
Staticpressureisthemeasureofthepotentialenergyofaunitofairintheparticularcrosssectionofaduct.Airpressureonthe
ductwallisconsideredstatic.Imagineafanblowingintoacompletelyclosedductitwillcreateonlystaticpressurebecausethere
isnoairflowthroughtheduct.Aballoonblownupwithairisasimilarcaseinwhichthereisonlystaticpressure.
Dynamic(velocity)pressure
Dynamicpressureisthekineticenergyofaunitofairflowinanairstream.Dynamicpressureisafunctionofbothairvelocityand
density:
Dynamicpressure=(Density)*(Velocity)2 /2
Thestaticanddynamicpressuresaremutuallyconvertiblethemagnitudeofeachisdependentonthelocalductcrosssection,
whichdeterminestheflowvelocity.
TotalPressure
Consistsofthepressuretheairexertsinthedirectionofflow(VelocityPressure)plusthepressureairexertsperpendiculartothe
plenumorcontainerthroughwhichtheairmoves.Inotherwords:
PT=PV+PS
PT=TotalPressure
PV=VelocityPressure
PS=StaticPressure
ThisgeneralruleisusedtoderivewhatiscalledtheFanTotalPressure.SeethesectionentitledFanPerformanceSpecificationsfora
definitionofFanTotalPressureandFanStaticPressure.

2.AirSystems
Forkitchenventilationapplicationsanairsystemconsistsofhood(s),ductwork,andfan(s).Therelationshipbetweentheairflowrate
(CFM)andthepressureofanairsystemisexpressedasanincreasingexponentialfunction.Thegraphbelowshowsanexampleofa
systemcurve.Thiscurveshowstherelationshipbetweentheairflowrateandthepressureofanairsystem.

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Complexsystemswithbranchesandjunctions,ductsizechanges,andother
variationscanbebrokenintosectionsorsubsystems.Eachsectionorsubsystemhasitsownsystemcurve.Seethediagrambelow
foranillustrationofthisconcept.

2.1.FanLaws
UsetheFanLawsalongasystemcurve.Ifyouknowone(CFM,S.P.)pointofasystemyoucoulduseFanLaw2todeterminethestatic
pressureforotherflowrates.Theyapplytoafixedairsystem.Onceanyelementofthesystemchanges,ductsize,hoodlength,riser
size,etc..thesystemcurvechanges.
CFMxRPMxFanLaw1
=
CFMknownRPMknown

SPxCFM2xRPM2xFanLaw2
==
SPknownCFM2knownRPM2known

BHPxCFM3xRPM3xFanLaw3
==
BHPknownCFM3knownRPM3known

Othercalculationscanbeutilizedtomaneuveraroundafanperformancecurve.Forexample,tocalculateBHPfrommotoramp
draw,usethefollowingformula:

1phasemotors3phasemotors
BHP=V*I*E*PFBHP=V*I*E*PF*1.73
746746
where:
BHP=BrakeHorsepower
V=LineVoltage
I=LineCurrent
E=MotorEfficiency(Usuallyabout.85to.9)
PF=MotorPowerFactor(Usuallyabout.9)

OncetheBHPisknown,theRPMofthefancanbemeasured.ThemotorBHPandfanRPMcanthenbematchedonthefan
performancecurvetoapproximateairflow.

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2.2.AirDensity
Themostcommoninfluencesonairdensityaretheeffectsoftemperatureotherthan70Fandbarometricpressuresotherthan
29.92causedbyelevationsabovesealevel.

Ratingsfoundinfanperformancetablesandcurvesarebasedonstandardair.Standardairisdefinedasclean,dryairwitha
densityof0.075poundspercubicfoot,withthebarometricpressureatsealevelof29.92inchesofmercuryandatemperatureof
70F.Selectingafantooperateatconditionsotherthenstandardairrequiresadjustmenttobothstaticpressureandbrake
horsepower.Thevolumeofairwillnotbeaffectedinagivensystembecauseafanwillmovethesameamountofairregardless
oftheairdensity.Inotherwords,ifafanwillmove3,000cfmat70Fitwillalsomove3,000CFMat250F.Since250Fair
weighsonly34%of70Fair,thefanwillrequirelessBHPbutitwillalsocreatelesspressurethanspecified.

WhenafanisspecifiedforagivenCFMandstaticpressureatconditionsotherthanstandard,thecorrectionfactors(shownin
tablebelow)mustbeappliedinordertoselectthepropersizefan,fanspeedandBHPtomeetthenewcondition.

Thebestwaytounderstandhowthecorrectionfactorsareusedistoworkoutseveralexamples.Letslookatanexampleusinga
specificationforafantooperateat600Fatsealevel.Thisexamplewillclearlyshowthatthefanmustbeselectedtohandlea
muchgreaterstaticpressurethanspecified.

Example#1:A20centrifugalfanisrequiredtodeliver5,000cfmat3.0inchesstaticpressure.Elevationis0
(sealevel).Temperatureis600F.Atstandardconditions,thefanwillrequire6.76bhp

1.Usingthechartbelow,thecorrectionfactoris2.00.
2.Multiplythespecifiedoperatingstaticpressurebythecorrectionfactortodeterminethestandardair
densityequivalentstaticpressure.(Correctedstaticpressure=3.0x2.00=6.Thefanmustbe
selectedfor6inchesofstaticpressure.)
3.Basedupontheperformancetablefora20fanat5,000cfmat6incheswg,2,018rpmisneededto
producetherequiredperformance.
4.Whatistheoperatingbhpat600F?

Sincethehorsepowershownintheperformancechartreferstostandardairdensity,thisshouldbecorrectedto
reflectactualbhpatthelighteroperatingair.

Operatingbhp=standardbhp2.00or6.762.00=3.38bhp.

2.3.SystemConstant
Everyairsystemorsubsystemhasasystemconstant.Thisconstantcanbecalculatedaslongasyouknowone(CFM,StaticPressure)
point.Youuseavariationofthefanlawstocalculatethesystemconstant.Tocalculatethesystemconstant:

Ksystem=S.P./(CFM)2

Onceyouhavethesystemconstantyoucancalculatethestaticpressureforanyflowrate.

S.P.=(CFM)2*Ksystem

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3.PressureLossesofanAirSystem
Pressurelossesaremoreeasilydeterminedbybreakinganairsystemintosections.Sectionscanbeinseriesorinparallel.

3.1.SectionsinSeries
Forsectionsorcomponentsinseriessimplysumupallthesections.Asingleductthathasthesameshape,crosssection,andmass
flowiscalledaductsectionorjustasection.
Followingistherecommendedprocedureforcalculatingtotalpressurelossinasingleductsection:
Gatherinputdata:airflow,ductshape,ductsize,roughness,altitude,airtemperature,andfittings
Calculateairvelocityasafunctionofairflowandcrosssection
CalculatelocalCcoefficientsforeachfittingusedand
Calculatepressurelossusingthefrictionchart
Thefollowingisasimpleexampleofhowductpressureaccumulatesandistotaledinasection.

3.2.SectionsinParallel
Whendesigningsectionsthatareparallelitisimportanttorememberthatthebranchesofajunctionallhavethesametotalpressure.
Thisisafact.Itisgovernedbyaprinciplewhichstatesthatareasofhighenergymovetoareasoflowerenergy.Wewillseehowthis
appliestoairsystemsinparallel.
Toillustratetheseconceptswewillreferencethediagrambelow.InthisexamplewecalculatethepressurelossesforSection1tobe
0.75atthejunction.WecalculatethepressurelossesforSection2tobe0.6atthejunction.(NOTE:Forsimplicityssakewedonot
considerthepressurelossincurredbythejunction.)Thesewouldbetheactualpressurelossesofthesystemweretheyoperating
independentlyhowever,theydonot.Theyinteractatthejunction.Thismeansthatwheneverairflowencountersajunctionitwilltake
thepathofleastresistanceandthetotalpressurelossesofeachbranchofthejunctionwillbethesame.
Forsectionsthatrunparallel,alwaysusethesectionwiththehigherpressureloss/gaintodeterminepressurelosses/gains
throughasystem.Adjustthebranchwiththelowerpressureloss/gainbyincreasingtheflowrateordecreasingtheductsizeto
increasethepressurelosstothatofthehigherbranch.
Iftheflowrateortheductsizeisnotchangedtheairflowthrougheachbranchwilladjustitselfsothateachbranchhasthesametotal
pressureloss/gain.Inotherwords,moreairflowsthroughthebranchwiththelowerpressureloss/gainorenergystate.
Intheexamplebelow,theactualpressurelosswouldbesomewherebetween0.75and0.6.Section1wouldpulllessthan2000
CFMandSection2wouldpullmorethan1800CFM.

3.3.SystemEffect

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SystemEffectoccursinanairsystemwhentwoormoreelementssuchasfittings,ahoodandafitting,orafanandafittingoccurwithin
closeproximitytooneanother.Theeffectistoincreasetheenergyorpressureinasystemasairflowsthroughtheelements.To
calculatethepressurelossincurredbysuchaconfiguration,considertwoelementsatatime.Forexample,iftwoelbowsoccur4feet
fromoneanotherthisconfigurationwillhaveapressurelossassociatedwithit.
Calculatethepressureloss/gainassociatedwitheachfittingasifitoccursalone.Sumtheseandmultiplythembyasystemeffect
coefficient(K).ThesystemeffectcoefficientcanbeobtainedfromtheASHRAEFittingDiagramsforonlyalimitednumberof
configurationsofelements.
Configurationsnotlistedmustuseestimatesorbestguesses.Inmanycases,youcanusealistedconfigurationasaguide.
Oneconfigurationnotlistedisanelbowwithincloseproximitytothecollarofahood.Asaruleofthumb,thechartbelowcanoffer
someguidancefordeterminingthesystemeffectforthissituation.Rememberthecoefficientsinthechartareonlyanestimate.
SystemEffectTable

DistancebetweenRiserandElbow SystemEffectCoefficient(K)
2feet 1.75
3feet 1.5
4feet 1.3
5feet 1.2

Thediagramsbelowshowsystemeffectfactorsforstraightthroughelementsandturningelements.Forrectangularductwork,D=
(2HW)/(H+W).Thefollowingformulashouldbeusedtocalculatethepressurecausedbysystemeffect:

PressureLoss=K*(ElementAResistance+ElementBResistance)

StraightThroughFlowTurningElements

Thefollowingdiagramsshowproperandimpropermethodsofconstructingductwork:

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4.FanPerformanceSpecification
AfanperformancespecisgivenasaFanTotalPressureoraFanStaticPressurewhichcanhandleacertainflowrate.Most
manufacturers'performancechartsarebasedonFanStaticPressure.

4.1.FanTotalPressure
FantotalPressureisthepressuredifferentialbetweentheinletandtheoutletofthefan.Itcanbeexpressedintheseterms:
Ptfan=Ptloss+Pvsystemoutlet+(Pssystemoutlet+Pssystementry+Pvsystementry)

Ptfan=FanTotalPressure
Ptloss=Dynamic,Component,andFrictionalPressurethroughtheairsystem.
Pssystemoutlet=StaticPressureatSystemOutlet
Pssystementry=StaticPressureatSystemEntry
Pvsystementry=VelocityPressureatSystemEntry
Pvsystemoutlet=VelocityPressureatSystemOutlet

FormostHVACapplications:(Psoutlet+Psentry+Pventry)=0

Therefore:Ptfan=Ptloss+Pvsystemoutlet

4.2.FanStaticPressure
TheFanStaticPressureisexpressedastheFanTotalPressureminusthevelocitypressureatthefandischarge,or:
Psfan=Ptloss+PvsystemoutletPvdischarge
WherePvdischarge=VelocityPressureattheFanDischarge.
ForExhaustSystemswithresistanceonlyontheinletside,thefanstaticpressureis:
Psfan=Ptloss
Forexhaustsystem:Pvsystemoutlet=Pvdischarge
ForSupplySystemswithresistanceontheoutletside,thefanstaticpressureis:
Psfan=PtlossPvdischarge
Pvsystemoutletcanbeassumedtobe0.

Thediagrambelowillustratesthedifferencebetweenexhaustandsupplysystems.

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5.PressureCalculations
5.1.Methodology
Breakthesystemintosections.
Anewsectionoccursat:
1)Changesinductsize.
2)Changeinairvolume
Calculatelossesforeachsection.
Beginatthesectionfarthestfromthefanandworktowardsthefan.Foreachsection:
1.Writedownorcalculateallknownvariables.
AirFlowRate.(Q)
DuctCrossSectionalAreaofthesection.(A)
CenterLineLengthofthesection.(L)
AirVelocitythroughthesection.(V=Q/A)
VelocityPressure.(Pv=(V/4005)2)
2.Writedownorcalculateallpressurelossesinthesection.
a)ListtheComponentLosses/Gains.
Incurredbyhoods,ESPs,filters,dampers,etc..
b)CalculatetheDynamicLosses/Gains.
Occurthroughelbows,transitions,tees,oranyothertypeoffitting.
UsetheASHRAEFittingDiagramstofindDynamicLossCoefficientsforfittings.
BesuretofactorinSystemEffect!
c)CalculateFrictionalLosses/Gains.
UsetheASHRAEFrictionChartforstandardgalvanizedductwork.
UsetheDarcyWeisbachEquationfornonstandardductsuchasflexduct.
3.SumuptheComponent,Dynamic,andFrictionalPressureforthesection.
4.Sumupthepressurelossesforallofthesections.

5.2.AssumptionsandCorrections
StandardAirDensity,.075lb/cuft,isusedformostHVACapplications.
Frictionallossesbasedongalvanizedmetalductwith40jointsper100ft.
Correctionfor"NonStandard"DuctMaterial
Ifmaterialotherthangalvanizedmetalisusedinpartsofthesystem,youwillhavetoadjustforthedifferenceinthematerial's
roughnessfactor.ThismeanstheFrictionCharttypicallyusedtodeterminefrictionallossescannotbeusedandyoumust
useavariationoftheDarcyWeisbachEquation.SeethesectiontitledEquationsformoreinformationonthisequation.
CorrectionforDensity
Notneededifthetemperatureisbetween40Fto100Fandelevationsarebetween1000ftto1000ft.
CorrectionforMoisture
Notneededifairtemperature<100F.

6.Problem#1AnExhaustSystem

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Thefirststepistobreakthesystemintosections.
Section1runsfromthe16HoodtotheBullheadTee.
Section2runsfromthe13HoodtotheBullheadTee.
Section3runsfromtheBullheadTeetotheExhaustFan.

Nowcalculatethepressurelossesforeachsection.

Section1
AirFlowRateQ=4000cfm
CrossSectionalAreaA=10x36/144=2.5ft2
CenterLineDistanceL=2+6=8
VelocityV=4000/2.5=1600ft/min
VelocityPressure=Pv1=(V/4005)2=(1600/4005)2=0.16

LossCalculations
ComponentLosses
HoodLoss
Phood1=0.688
Lookupfrommanufacturerhoodstaticpressurecurves.HereisalinktotheHoodStaticPressureCalculator.
FrictionalLosses
UsetheFrictionCharttolookupthepressurelossper100ftofduct.
Pfr1=(.16/100ft)*(8)=0.013

DynamicLosses
MiteredElbow.LookupFitting36inAppendix2ASHRAEFittings.ThedynamiccoefficientC0=1.3
Pelbow1=Pv1=(1.3)*(0.16)=0.208

BullheadTee.LookupcoefficientfromAppendix3BullheadTeeCurves.
Somegeneralrulesforbullheadtees:









SinceSection1hasalargerductsize,thissectionistheusideofthebullheadtee.Thefollowingdescribeshowtousethe
bullheadteecurvestofindKufortheusideofthebullheadtee.

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SinceAU/AD=(10x36)/(20x30)=.6,wefindthebullheadteecurvesforwhichAU/ADis.6andtheyaxisrepresentsKU.
WeknowthatQb/QD=4000/(4000+3400)=.54.Forsimplicityandeaseofgraphing,weround.54tothenearest10thgiving
us.5.
WealsoknowthatAb/AD=(10x30)/(20x30)=.5.
Equippedwiththeseratios,candrawalinefromthepointonthexaxiswhereQb/QDis.5uptowhereitintersectsthecurve
forwhichAb/ADis.5
WefindKu=1.6
NOTE:DuetohumanerrorresultingfrommanuallygraphingthevalueofKU,thenumberyougraphmaybeslightlydifferent
thanthevalueshowabove.TheimportantthingistoknowhowtousethecurvesandgetareasonablevalueforKU.
NowwecancalculatethepressuredropcontributedbythebullheadteeforSection1:
Pbulltee1=Ku*Pv1=(1.6)*(0.16)=0.256
ThetotalpressurelossforSection1is:
Ptloss1=Phood1+Pfr1+Pelbow1+Pbulltee1
Ptloss1=0.6880.0130.2080.256=1.165

Section2
AirFlowRateQ=3400cfm
CrossSectionalAreaA=10x30/144=2.1ft2
CenterLineDistanceL=2+7=9
VelocityV=3400/2.1=1619ft/min
VelocityPressure=Pv2=(V/4005)2=(1619/4005)2=0.16

LossCalculations
ComponentLosses
HoodLoss
Phood2=0.688Lookupfromhoodstaticpressurecurves.

FrictionalLosses
UsetheFrictionCharttolookupthepressurelossper100ftofduct.
Pfr2=(.18/100ft)*(9)=0.016

DynamicLosses
MiteredElbow.LookupFitting36inAppendix2ASHRAEFittings.
ThedynamiccoefficientC0=1.3
Pelbow2=Pv2=(1.3)*(0.16)=0.208
BullheadTee.UsingthemethodologydescribedforthebullheadteeinSection1,wecanfindthevalueofthecoefficient,Kb,
forthebsideofthebullheadtee.UsethebullheadteecurvesforwhichAU/ADis.6andtheyaxisrepresentsKb.

WefindthatKb=1.75andtheresultingpressurelossis:
Pbulltee2=Kb*Pv2=(1.75)*(0.16)=0.280
ThetotalpressurelossforSection2is:
Ptloss2=Phood2+Pfr2+Pelbow2+Pbulltee2
Ptloss2=0.6880.0160.2080.280=1.192

BalancebyDesign
NotethatthepressurelossofSection2isgreaterthanthelossofSection1.Tobalancethesystembydesignincreasetheair
flowrateinSection1tobringituptothehigherpressurelossofSection2.
TocorrecttheairflowrateforSection1usetheFanLaws:
Q1new=Q1old*(Ptloss1new/Ptloss1old)1/2
Q1new=4000*(1.192/1.165)1/2=4046cfm

Section3
AirFlowRateQ=3400cfm+4046cfm=7446cfm
CrossSectionalAreaA=20x30/144=4.17ft2
CenterLineDistanceL=9
VelocityV=7446/4.17=1785ft/min
VelocityPressure=Pv3=(V/4005)2=(1785/4005)2=.20

LossCalculations
ComponentLosses
None
FrictionalLosses

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UsetheFrictionCharttolookupthepressurelossper100ftofduct.
Pfr2=(.15/100ft)*(9)=0.014

DynamicLosses
None
TotalpressurelossforSection3is:
Ptloss3=Pfr3
Ptloss3=0.014

TotalPressureLossofSystem
SincethepressurelossofSection2isgreaterthanthatofSection1,itisusedtocalculatethepressurelossoftheentire
systemasshownbelow:
Ptloss=Ptloss2+Ptloss3=1.1920.014=1.206

7.Problem#2AChangeintheSystemsAirFlowRate
NowwewillchangetheairflowratethroughSection2from3400CFMto3000CFM.Wewillillustratehowonceyouknowone(CFM,
S.P.)pointofasystemyoucanusetheFanLawstocalculatethepressurelossforotherairflowrates.

Section1
Thereisnochange.Ptloss1=1.165

Section2
AirFlowRateQ=3000CFM
CrossSectionalAreaA=10x30/144=2.1ft2
CenterLineDistanceL=2+7=9
VelocityV=3000/2.1=1429ft/min
VelocityPressure=Pv2=(V/4005)2=(1429/4005)2=0.13

LossCalculations
ComponentLosses
HoodLoss.UsetheFanLawstocalculateanewHoodLossorlookitupintheHoodS.P.chart.
Phood2=(0.688)*((3000CFM)2/(3400CFM)2)
Phood2=0.536

FrictionalLosses
UsetheFrictionCharttolookupthepressurelossper100ftofduct.
Pfr2=(.15/100ft)*(9)=0.014

DynamicLosses
MiteredElbow.LookupFitting36inAppendix2ASHRAEFittings.
ThedynamiccoefficientC0=1.3
Pelbow2=Pv2=(1.3)*(0.13)=0.169

BullheadTee.SinceSection2isthebside,weusethesetofbullheadteecurvesforwhichAU/ADis.6andtheyaxis
representsKb.
WefindthatKb=1.65
Pbulltee2=Kb*Pv2=(1.65)*(0.13)=0.215

TotalSectionLoss:
Ptloss2=Phood2+Pfr2+Pelbow2+Pbulltee2
Ptloss2=0.5360.0140.1690.215=0.93

UsingtheFanLawstocalculatethenewtotalpressurelossforSection2:
Ptloss2=(1.192)*((3000CFM)2/(3400CFM)2)=0.93
BalancebyDesign
NotethatthepressurelossofSection1isnowgreaterthanthelossofSection2.Tobalancethesystembydesignwemust
increasetheairflowrateinSection2tobringituptothehigherpressurelossofSection1.
TocorrecttheairflowrateforSection2usetheFanLaws:
Q2new=Q2old*(Ptloss2new/Ptloss2old)1/2
Q2new=3000*(1.165/0.93)1/2=3357CFM

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Section3
AirFlowRateQ=3357CFM+4000CFM=7357CFM
CrossSectionalAreaA=20x30/144=4.17ft2
CenterLineDistanceL=9
VelocityV=7357/4.17=1764ft/min
VelocityPressure=Pv3=(V/4005)2=(1764/4005)2=0.19

LossCalculations
ComponentLosses
None
FrictionalLosses
UsetheFrictionCharttolookupthepressurelossper100ftofduct.
Pfr2=(0.14/100ft)*(9)=0.013

DynamicLosses
None
UsingtheFanLawstocalculatethenewtotalpressurelossforSection3:
Ptloss3=(0.014)*((7357cfm)2/(7446cfm)2)=0.013

TotalSystemLoss
CalculatedwithTablesandASHRAECharts
Ptloss=Ptloss1+Ptloss3=1.1650.013=1.178
Asshownabove,Branch1ofthejunctionisusedtocalculatethesystemstotalpressurelossbecauseithasthegreater
pressuredropofthetwobranches.
CalculatedwiththeFanLaws
Ptloss=(1.206)*((7357cfm)2/(7446cfm)2)=1.178

8.Problem#3ASupplySystem

Thefirstpartoftheproblemwillshowthepressuregainsobtainedfrommeasuringthetotalpressureat3pointsshowninthediagram
above.Itwillprovidesomerulesofthumbforestimatingpressureforelbowandatthesupplycollar.Thesecondpartoftheproblemwill
calculatethepressuregainofthesystemandcompareittothemeasuredpressuregain.
Theentiresystemsatisfiesthedefinitionofasectionsincetherearenojunctionsorductsizechanges.Thetransitionsoffthesupplycollars
canbeincludedinthesection.

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SupplySystemMeasuredPressure
A0to1Dwyermanometerwasusedtomeasurethepressureofthesystemat3points.Thepressurewasmeasuredfortwodifferentflow
rates.Theresultsareshowinthetablebelow.
MeasurementsTakenat3pointsoftheSupplySystem
AirFlowRate Velocity(ft/min) Point1 Point2 Point3
(CFM) @collar(in.wg) after1stelbow after2ndelbow
(in.wg) (in.wg)
1000 935 0.075 0.140 0.260
1920 1793 0.276 0.570 0.910
Thetableshows:
1)Howhighairvelocitiesgreatlyincreasethepressure.Whentheairflowrateisraisedto1920cfm,thevelocitythrough
theductaboutdoublesandthepressureincreases31/2fold.
2)Thesystemeffectofhaving2elbowsclosetoeachotherandbeingclosetothehood.
Usingthepressuregainsfor1000cfmflowingthroughthesystem,weseethatthepressuregainforthefirstelbowis:
0.140.075=0.065.Thisreflectsthesystemeffectofhavinganelbowclosetothesupplyopeningofahood.
Thepressuregainforthesecondelbowis:0.260.14=0.12.Thisreflectsthesystemeffectofhavingtwoelbows
withincloseproximitytooneanotherandbeingclosetothehood.
3) Whenthesystemsupplies1000CFM,thepressuregainatthesupplycollaris0.075.Thisillustrateshowlowthe
pressurereallyiswhenasystemisdesignedforthedesiredvelocitybetween900and1000ft/min.Thetablebelow
providessomerulesofthumbwhenestimatingpressuregainatthesupplycollar:

HoodLength(L) PressureLossEstimate
L<=8 1/16max.
8<L<=12 1/16to1/8max.
12<l<=16 1/8to1/4max.
Thistableassumesthatthesystemhasbeendesignedforvelocitiesaround1000ft/min.

TestKitchenSupplySystemCalculatedPressure
Section1
AirFlowRateQ=1000cfm
CrossSectionalAreaA=r2=(7)2/144=1.069ft2
CenterLineDistanceL=15
VelocityV=1000/1.069=935ft/min
VelocityPressure=Pv1=(V/4005)2=(935/4005)2=0.055

LossCalculations
ComponentLosses
Hood.Assume1/16pressuregainatthecollar.
Phood=0.063

FrictionalLosses
UsetheFrictionCharttolookupthepressurelossper100ftofduct.
Pfr=(0.095/100ft)*(15)=0.014

DynamicLosses
12x20to10x16RectangularTransition
UseASHRAEfitting51inAppendix2ASHRAEFittings.
Tofindthedynamiccoefficientwecalculate:
/2=tan1(2/6)=18oTherefore:=36o
A0/A1=(12x20)/(10x16)=1.5
ThereforeC0=0.05

Ptrans1=C0Pv1=(0.05)(0.055)=0.003

10x16Rectangularto14RoundTransition
UseASHRAEfitting46inAppendix2ASHRAEFittings.
B=W/H(A0/A1)2=(16/10)(1.069/1.111)2=1.48
Re=8.56DV=(8.56)(14)(935ft/min)=11205
ThereforeRex104=11.UsethevalueforRex104=10
L/Disnotrelevantinthiscase.
C0=0.11
Ptrans2=C0Pv1=(0.11)(0.055)=0.006

o
Two90 RadiusElbows
UseASHRAEfitting32.Assumea3pieceelbow.
Assumer=10.So,r/D=10/14=.71thereforeK=1.
C0=0.54

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Pelbow1=C0Pv1=(0.54)(0.055)=0.03

Pelbow2=C0Pv1=(0.54)(0.055)=0.03
Wemustfigureinthesystemeffectincurredbyhavinganelbowclosetothesupplycollar.UsethetableintheSystem Effect
sectionofthispapertoestimatethesystemeffect.
Theelbowisabout2abovethesupplyrisertoKSE=1.75.

PSEelbowhood=KSEPelbow1=(1.75)(0.03)=0.053

Now we must factor in the system effect for the 2 elbows in succession. We decide to the SShaped fitting in the ASHRAE
handbooktoestimatethesystemeffect.WeuseASHRAEfitting314.
=90o

L/D=60/14=4.29
KSE=1.55
PSESfitting=KSE(Pelbow1+Pelbow2)=1.55(0.03+0.03)=0.093

TotalSectionLoss:
Ptloss1=Phood+Pfr+Ptrans1+Ptrans2+PSEelbowhood+PSESfitting
Ptloss1=0.063+0.014+0.003+0.006+0.053+0.093
Ptloss1=0.232

Themeasuredvalueof0.26differsbecauseoferrorinthesystemeffectestimates.

Nowwecandeterminethesizefanweneed.A10blowerwillhandle1000cfmat0.232.
TocalculatetheFanStaticPressure:
Psfan=PtlossPvdischarge

Usetheblowermanufacturerproductliteraturetogetthedimensionsforthebloweroutletsothevelocitypressureatthefan
dischargecanbecalculated:
Pvdischarge=(Vdischarge/4005)2
2
Pvdischarge=((1000/((11.38*13.13)/144))/4005)
Pvdischarge=0.058

Psfan=0.2320.058=0.174

9.Appendix1Equations

TotalPressure(PT)
PT=Pv+Ps
Pv=VelocityPressure
Ps=StaticPressure

FanStaticPressure(Psfan)
ForExhaust:
Psfan=Ptloss

ForSupply:
Psfan=PtlossPvdischarge
Psfan=FanStaticPressure
Ptloss=DynamicandFrictionLosses
Pvdischarge=VelocityPressureattheFanDischarge

VelocityPressure(Pv)

Pv=(V/1097)2
ForstandardairPvequals:
Pv=(V/4005)2
V=Velocitythroughtheduct.
FrictionLosses(Pfr)
DarcyWeisbachEquation
Pfr=(f/D)xLxVP

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Thensubstitute(f/D)withHf:

Pfr=HfxLxVP
L=DuctSectionLength(ft)
f=FrictionFactor
D=DuctDiameter(ft)
Hfisdefinedas:
Hf=aVb/Qc
V=Velocitythroughtheductcrosssection.
Q=FlowRate(cfm)throughtheductsection.
SeeTabletitledSurfaceRoughnessCorrelationConstantstogetvaluesfora,b,andc.

SurfaceRoughnessCorrelationConstants
Material k A b c
Aluminum,BlackIron,Stainless 0.00015 0.0425 0.0465 0.602
Steel
Galvanized 0.0005 0.0307 0.533 0.612
FlexibleDuct 0.003 0.0311 0.604 0.639
k=Roughnessfactorforthematerial.

10.Appendix2ASHRAEFittings

Fitting32

Fitting36

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Fitting314

Fitting46

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Fitting51

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11.Appendix3BullheadTeeCurves

Au/Ad=0.2,Kb

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Au/Ad=0.2,Ku

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Au/Ad=0.3,Kb

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Au/Ad=0.3,Ku

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Au/Ad=0.4,Kb

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Au/Ad=0.4,Ku

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Au/Ad=0.5,Kb

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Au/Ad=0.5,Ku

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Au/Ad=0.6,Kb

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Au/Ad=0.6,Ku

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Au/Ad=0.8,Kb

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Au/Ad=0.8,Ku

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Au/Ad=1.0,Kb

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Au/Ad=1.0,Ku

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