ARCH-4372/6372

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 Flow patterns

1-way 2-way

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

z
z

12 x 16
z
z

Section
Distribution

System
Double Line
SinglePlans
Line
Distribution

System
DoublePlans
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 Velocity (fpm)

Gaps and overlap
150 100
Obstructions/deflectors 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

8
 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

CFMclg= Qs
(1.08 x T)
=8,600/(1.08 x 23)=346 CFM
 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
16

1@350 cfm 2-way

2@175=350 cfm 4-way
3@115=345 cfm 3-way
4@90=360 cfm 2-way
8
 Diffuser Selection
NC 35
Air Flow
Throw

Select
8 Rd
4-way
 Diffuser Layout Example
Define Pattern 4
4 4
346 Cfm
4

16

2@175=350 cfm 4-way 4 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

8
 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

Return 16
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

 What is the pressure
Friction loss/100 ft in a 12
Loss Chart diameter duct
delivering 1000 cfm of
air? Velocity?
0.2/100 FT

1325 fpm
 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 12 8
AHU

6 6 6

4 4
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 4 12 3 8 2
AHU

6 6 1 6

4 4
175 cfm (typ.)
 Worksheet
Duct Actual Equiv Effective Air P Duct Air
SectionLength Length Length Vol. /100 Diam Velocity
1 6 10 16 175
2 8 5 13 175
3 12 5 17 350
4 30 50 80 700
56 70 126

30 4 12 3 8 2
AHU

6 6 1 6

4 4
175 cfm (typ.)
 Equal Friction Method
2. Establish allowed static pressure loss/100

Fan SP: 0.533

-Supply Diff: 0.038
-Return Reg: 0.159
Available: 0.336
x 0.75= 0.252

P/100 =100(SP)/EL
= 100(.252)/126= 0.2/100
 Worksheet
Duct Actual Equiv Effective Air P Duct Air
SectionLength Length Length Vol. /100 Diam Velocity
1 6 10 16 175 0.2
2 8 5 13 175 0.2
3 12 5 17 350 0.2
4 30 50 80 700 0.2
56 70 126

30 4 12 3 8 2
AHU

6 6 1 6

4 4
175 cfm (typ.)
 Equal Friction Method
3. Size ducts

RR-6
3. Size ducts Equal Friction Method
1 175cfm 7 diam @ 620 fpm
2 175cfm7 diam @ 620 fpm
3 350 cfm 9 diam @ 800 fpm
4 700 cfm 12 diam @ 900 fpm
 Worksheet
Duct Actual Equiv Effective Air P Duct Air
SectionLength Length Length Vol. /100 Diam Velocity
1 6 10 16 175 0.2 7 620 fpm
2 8 5 13 175 0.2 7 620 fpm
3 12 5 17 350 0.2 9 800 fpm
4 30 50 80 700 0.2 12 900 fpm
56 70 126

30 4 12 3 8 2
AHU

6 6 1 6

4 4
175 cfm (typ.)