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"Air Distribution": COURSE #105
"Air Distribution": COURSE #105
Air Distribution
COURSE #105
Air Distribution
As you study this module on Air Distribution, it is recommended that you take as many notes as possible in the notes space provided on each page. The process of taking notes has proven to be a reliable way to internalize information. To this end, you have been provided with plenty of space to jot down concepts, thoughts, calculations, figures, and any other notes relating to the subjects on each page.
Air Distribution, Copyright 2005, HVAC Learning Solutions. No part of this guide may be reproduced without permission.
Copyright 2005 HVAC Learning Solutions
Contents
4 The Total Comfort System 4 Total Air Volume - Cubic Feet Per Minute (CFM) 4 Velocity - Feet Per Minute (FPM) Static Pressure Velocity Pressure 20 Flexible vs Metal Ductwork 6 7 8 Total Pressure 21 Review Questions Converting Static Pressure into Velocity Air Movement Through the System 9 The Blower 9 The Supply Trunk 9 Volume Dampers 9 Branch Ducts 9 Supply Boot or Box 10 Supply Registers and Diffusers 10 Return Air Grills 10 Return Air Branch Duct 10 Return Trunk 22 Duct Sizing Charts 23 Supply Duct 24 Return Duct 25 Return Grill and Filter 25 Calculating Fixed Blade Return Air Grill Size 26 Calculating Return Air Filter Grill Size 26 Calculating Filter Size for Low-Velocity Filters 27 Calculating Filter Size for High-Velocity Filters 28 CFM Calculations 28 Electric Heat 29 Gas Heat 30 Gas Heater CFM Calculations 12 Duct System Styles 12 Extended Plenum Duct System 12 Reducing Plenum Duct System 13 Non-Reducing Extended Plenum Duct System 14 Perimeter Supply System 15 Duct Placement 15 Warm Climates 15 Cool Climates 16 Throw 17 The Return Air System 31 Properties of Air 31 Dry Bulb 31 Wet Bulb 31 Relative Humidity 32 Glossary 33 Review Questions 18 Effects of a Poor Return Air Design 19 Duct Leaks 19 Ductwork 19 Sheet Metal 19 Ductboard 20 Flexible
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11 Review Questions
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Velocity Pressure
Velocity pressure is pressure that exerts force in only one direction (Fig 2). Inside the ductwork, velocity pressure is the pressure of the air moving down the duct measured in inches of water column. Although velocity and velocity pressure are closely related, it should be noted that they are two distinctly different measurements (velocity measures the speed of the air, whereas velocity pressure measures the pressure of the air in inches of water column). Measuring the velocity pressure in a duct is difficult, if not impossible because the static pressure in the duct affects the pressure reading. The easiest way to find velocity pressure is to calculate it based on the total pressure.
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Fig 2
Static Pressure
Velocity Pressure
Fig 3
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Fig 4
Static pressure
Velocity pressure
Fig 5 Fig 5 As in the balloon, static pressure causes the air to leave the trunk and is converted back into velocity pressure in the branch duct.
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Fig 6
Filt er
Return Ductwork
Blower
If any part of the air distribution process is oversized or undersized, closed off or restricted, the entire system can be disrupted. Disrupted airflow can cause:
Compressor flooding Drafty rooms Humidity problems Mold / Mildew Sweating ductwork Electrical problems
Motor wear Noisy systems Positive or negative house pressure Dust Heat exchanger failure
Volume Dampers
Volume dampers are used to regulate the amount of air in the branch ducts. They should be installed with the blade in the direction of airflow and mounted as far as possible from the supply register in order to reduce noise problems (typically at the main trunk). Dampers can only throttle down on the amount of air passing through a duct and are adjustable by loosening a wing nut, turning the damper blade to the desired setting, and then retightening the wing nut. Once a proper air balance is performed on a system, the dampers should not need further adjustment unless the home has a significantly different air requirement between summer and winter. This can happen in homes such as a two-story that is served by one HVAC system.
Branch Ducts
Branch ducts are usually round metal or flexible ducts and are sized to deliver the required amount of airflow to each space. They attach to the damper or start collar and become the conduit for air to travel to the supply boot and register. The recommended velocity for branch ducts is 600 FPM.
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Air Distribution
Supply Registers and Diffusers
Supply registers are used when the outlet of the duct system is located in the floor or wall. Diffusers, however, are used when the outlets are found in the ceiling. Registers and diffusers serve the same purpose of delivering air into the room and usually have a damper in them so the customer can fine-tune their system. When you are making significant adjustment to the airflow, it should be done at the volume dampers rather than the registers or diffusers. When making major air adjustments at the registers or diffusers, they can become very noisy as well as causing the throw of the air to be affected. The recommended velocity for registers or diffusers is 500-600 FPM.
Return Trunk
The return trunk is usually larger than the supply trunk because it has to move the same amount of air back to the blower but at a lower pressure and a slower velocity. This is done to help reduce the overall friction loss of the duct system as well as making the return quieter. It is also insulated in unconditioned spaces to help prevent thermal loss. The recommended velocity for the return trunk is 600-700 FPM.
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The reducing plenum duct system (Fig 7) is the most versatile system and is best when trying to control
airflow to specific areas, such as multi-story structures, large houses, or commercial buildings. Although there are no set parameters on when the reduction should occur, a general rule is after a significant amount of air has been removed by the branch ductwork (no more than 50 %), the plenum is then reduced or transitioned down. This maintains the static pressure and velocity and helps to ensure a properly balanced system. With the system properly sized and installed, the reducing plenum is the most effective way to be sure you will get the proper airflow you need for a particular area, especially when the take-off is at the end of the trunk. Fig 7
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When properly designed, the biggest advantage to this system is that the velocity and static pressure are maintained at a constant level throughout the supply trunk.
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Fig 8
The biggest disadvantage to this system is that the velocity drops as the branch ducts relieve air from the supply trunk. This makes it difficult to get the right amount of air out of the branch ducts at the end of the trunk.
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Air Distribution
Perimeter Duct Systems
Perimeter (radial) supply systems can provide one of the best methods for both air conditioning and heating duct
systems. It requires the installation of ductwork to terminate at the exterior walls, preferably under the windows where the heat gain and loss is the greatest. By introducing the warm air at this point, the chances of downdrafts of cold air from the windows, across the floor and into the occupied zone, is reduced. In the summer, the ductwork located at the windows helps to neutralize the heat where the greatest amount of it is typically found. The unit and return air grill are generally found in the center of the home in a common space, and the supply ducts branch out under the floor like the legs of a spider to the exterior wall. By combating heat gain and loss at its source, the perimeter supply system can prove to be a very efficient means of air distribution.
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Warm Climates
High side wall or ceiling supply and return grills allow cool air to be forced down into the living space, cooling it down before it stratifies and rises back up into the high return grill.
Cool Climates
Low side wall or floor supply and return grills allow for warm air to be moved along the floor and forcing it up, warming the room before it stratifies. It then starts to fall back to the floor to be returned to the furnace for reheating.
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1. 2. 3.
Good throw to the far side of the room. Good stratification in the middle of the room. Low noise level at supply register.
Fig 11 If the supply register is too large, velocity will be very low.
1. 2. 3. 4.
Poor throw to the far side of the room. The air begins to stratify and fall too quickly. Low noise level at supply register. Hot spot on the far side of the room.
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1. 2. 3. 4.
Throw is too strong. Poor stratification in middle of room. Supply register is very noisy. Possible drafty room in heating season.
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Positive pressure room No return air through door Loosing air out cracks in windows
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Ductwork
Ductwork is the conduit for air to move throughout the home. It also moves dust and odors as well. It is very important to seal the ductwork with mastic at every joint, both longitudinal (along the duct) and transverse (across the duct). While ductwork doesn't cool or heat the air, it does play a major role in the efficiency and capacity of the system. As efficiencies increase, the tolerances we had with old duct systems will no longer apply. Proper design and installation practices are a must, or the new systems will not operate as desired. Insulation is a must when ductwork runs through unconditioned areas to reduce sweating, heat gain or loss, and maintain unit capacity. Duct systems vary with installation practices and local codes. Noise levels, moisture, infiltration of dirt and air leaks can happen with any type of duct system, so how the duct system is sized and installed will prove it to be a good or poor duct system.
Sheet Metal
Lined internal or wrapped external with insulation. Sheet metal trunks must be strapped every 5'. All joints, transverse and longitudinal, must be sealed. May have canvas connectors to reduce sound and vibration.
Ductboard
Ridged insulation board. 1" and 1-1/2" thicknesses. Can be fabricated quickly on the jobsite. Very quiet. Flap joint must be stapled and sealed. Mastic all joints.
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Air Distribution
Flexible
Externally lined with various R-values. Strapped every 4' horizontal and every 6' vertical with 112" strap. No more than 12" per foot sag when running horizontal. Usually sized larger than metal duct to move the same amount of air. Very quiet.
Fig 15
Metal duct
Flex duct
Velocity pressure
Velocity pressure
Notice that in the same diameter duct, metal has a lower static pressure (resistance to airflow). This occurs because the inside of flex is not smooth like metal. Because of this, moving the same amount of air would require a larger flex duct. As a basic rule, flex ducts should be one duct size larger than metal ducts.
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Notes: * All ducts are designed @ .08 Static/100 ft. and 700-900 FPM Velocity. * If rectangular ductwork is lined with internal insulation, you need to add 2 inches to both rectangular dimensions to adjust for the loss of area in the duct. Example: a 12 x 6 duct would need to be built to a 14 x 8 to allow for the insulation, and get the net size of 12 x 6.
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Air Distribution
RETURN DUCT SIZING GUIDE
CFM 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 Round metal 9 12 14 14-16 16 18 18-20 20 20 21 Round flex 10 14 16 16-18 18 20 N/A N/A N/A N/A Rectangular trunk 12 x 5.5 12 x 9 12 x 12 12 x15 12 x 18 12 x 20 16 x 17 16 x 19 16 x 21 18 x 20
Notes: * All ducts are sized at .05 Static/100 ft. and 600-700 FPM Velocity. * If rectangular ductwork is lined with internal insulation, you need to add 2 inches to both rectangular dimensions to adjust for the loss of area in the duct. Example: a 12 x 20 duct would need to be built to a 14 x 22 to allow for the insulation, and get the net size of 12 x 20.
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CFM
800
12X23
10 X 20
1000
20X17
12 X 20 16 X 16 12 x 25 16 X 20 18 X 20 16 X 25 20 X 20 16 X 30 18 X 30 20 X 25
1200
1400 1600
24 X 30 24 X 36
1800 2000
24X25 24X30
30 X 30 25 X 40
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Air Distribution
Calculating Filter Size For Low Velocity Filters
Most filters on the market are designed for the air to move through them at around 300 FPM to perform correctly. At speeds above design, the filter will not collect the dust and partials that it is designed to catch, and the filter will have more restriction to air flow than is acceptable. Whether the filter is located in the return grill, ductwork, or in the furnace, finding enough surface area for proper filtration can be a problem. When sizing a filter, you should always try to size it in the low velocity range. Otherwise, when a filter is sized for high velocity, everything is fine until the customer or another service technician changes the high velocity filter (such as a hog-hair) to a standard throw-a-way filter. When this happens, the air is moving much too fast for a low velocity filter, and it becomes an air restriction and loses the performance on the filter. Even worse, when a high velocity filter is removed and upgraded to premium filter such as an electrostatic filter, the air restriction can become a significant problem and can be detrimental to the system. Many people blame the premium filter at this point when it chokes the system down. The problem is not because of the filter; it's because a high velocity filter was replaced with a premium low velocity filter THAT IS UNDERSIZED! The following formulas can be used to easily determine the correct size filter to achieve proper surface area for low velocity filters. HEIGHT X WIDTH X 2 = CFM (same as filter grills), approx. 300 FPM OR TONS X 1.25 sq. ft. = AREA OF FILTER NEEDED, approx. 320 FPM Example: 2 tons x 1.25 = 2.5 sq. ft. 2.5 x 144 (1 sq. ft. = 144 sq. in.) =360 sq. in. 360 = 18 Filter Size of 20 X 18 @ 320 FPM 20 (dimension on one side)
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Fig 16
Fig 17
Fig 18
Fig 19
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Electric Heat
When using an electric heater, the voltage and amperage of the entire heater, including the fan motor, must be measured. This can be done at the main power wires that feed the air handler. Volts x Amps x 3.413 = BTUH The temperature rise should be measured as close to the air handler as possible without letting the thermometer be in line of sight of the heat strips (radiant heat). Subtract the return temperature from the supply temperature. This is your temp rise (or is sometimes called TD or Delta T). Insert the readings taken into the following formula. CFM = Volts x Amps x 3.413 TD x 1.08
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Dry bulb temperature measures the "level of heat." As you might suspect 90 degrees in Arizona probably feels
better than 90 degrees in Louisiana. The reason for this is humidity. The wetter (more humid) the air is, the more heat it will hold. This reading is measured by placing wet sock or cloth around a thermometer, then placing it into the stream of rapidly moving air. Wet bulb can give you a better understanding of the total heat in the air because it measures both the level of heat (dry bulb), and the amount of moisture in the air (humidity).
Wet bulb temperature is used to determine the "amount of heat" in the air.
Relative humidity is the amount of moisture in the air compared to how much moisture the air can hold at a
given temperature. All air contains humidity or moisture to some extent. The amount of moisture in the air can be determined by the percentage of "relative humidity." System design conditions are usually rated at around 50% relative humidity. Measuring these conditions in the air will require an additional thermometer other than the one used to measure dry bulb alone. The psychrometer is a tool that can accomplish this and is a "must have" on every job to ensure proper charge of the refrigeration system.
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Delta T or
Dry Bulb The temperature measured using a plain thermometer, indicating a level of heat. FPM Feet per minute, or velocity, is the speed at which air travels across a specific distance in a given amount of
time.
Nominal The approximate size. Rounded up or down. Relative Humidity The amount of humidity contained in the air as compared with the amount the air can hold
at the same temperature.
Static Pressure is pressure in all directions and is considered opposition to airflow or CFM. Stratification
Stratified, stratify. The air as it reaches terminal velocity (50 FPM) and begins to fall or rise as dictated by the surrounding air.
Terminal Velocity Speed of the air (50 FPM) where air begins to stratify. Throw Distance air must travel from a supply register or diffuser before reaching terminal velocity. Velocity Pressure Pressure of the air as it is being forced through the ductwork. Pressure in only one direction. Wet Bulb The temperature derived from a thermometer when it has a wet cloth around it and is placed into an air
stream. It is used in evaluating the moisture in the air. It is our closest measurement to total heat.
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