PIPENET VISION TRAINING

MANUAL
STANDARD MODULE

CHAPTER 5

VENTILATION SYSTEM MODELLING – PART 2

Revision 3.0, November 2015

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1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................... 2
2. EXAMPLE 1 .............................................................................................................................................................. 2
2.1 SETTING UP AND RUNNING THE MODEL ................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 MODELLING A LEAK ............................................................................................................................................... 19
3. EXAMPLE 2 ............................................................................................................................................................ 21
3.1 BALANCING A VENTILATION SYSTEM ...................................................................................................................... 21
3.2 MODELLING A LEAKY DOOR ................................................................................................................................... 32
3.3 MODELLING OPEN DOORS..................................................................................................................................... 34
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1. Introduction

The PIPENET VISION Standard Module is a tool for modelling steady-state flow in networks that
consist of pipes and/or ducts. The Standard Module, which can model both incompressible and
compressible flow, is widely used for ventilation systems, mainly in the nuclear industry, but also in
other industries. The calculations are central to the design process, since a ventilation system
must be well designed for safety reasons.

In this chapter of the training manual, we consider the following:

 A simple extract system.

 Balancing a system that has fans on the inlet and extract sides of the system.

In the first example, which will be covered in detail in the next section, there are several examples
of dialog boxes. Although the other example is equally as important, fewer dialog boxes are
presented, in order to avoid repetition.

2. Example 1
The first example is an extract system of the type that might be present in a machine shop. The
objective of the exercise is to consider a system that has been designed manually, in which case,
all of the duct sizes and fan curves are known. We aim to verify that the system works as required.
The network (as it is drawn in PIPENET VISION) is shown below.
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2.1 Setting Up and Running the Model

In this part of the training manual, we shall learn how to set up the problem and run a calculation.
All of the relevant dialog boxes are shown in this section of the document.

2.1.1 Initialisation

The initialization stage is performed using either (a) the Options Menu (when the Windows Menu
Style is used) or (b) the Init Menu (when the PIPENET VISION Menu Style is used). The menu
style can be chosen from the Window Menu. In this document, we shall use the Windows Menu
Style.
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Title

Choose “Title” from the Options Menu (which is represented using Options | Title), and enter an
appropriate title for the model.

Module Options

For the pressure model, select the Colebrook-White Equation (as per the Perry Formula). Also,
select “Ignore – proceed with calculation” in the section for warnings control.

Warnings Control: PIPENET VISION produces two types of diagnostic; namely, warnings
and errors. Warnings are generally used for information only. The user should check the
input data to ensure that it does not contain any errors. Even if there are warnings, the
calculation may proceed to a successful completion. This option instructs PIPENET VISION
to either treat warnings as errors or proceed with the calculation regardless.
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Node Elevations: Elevation changes are taken into account in PIPENET VISION. The
default option is “pipe elevations”, which relates to the difference between the elevation at
the input and output nodes of a pipe. The elevation is positive if the output node is higher
than the input node, and is negative if the output node is lower than the input node. If “node
elevations” are enabled then PIPENET VISION expects the user to specify the elevations of
all nodes with respect to a datum.

Colebrook-White Equation: The representation of the Moody diagram by the

Colebrook Equation varies slightly between different sources. With this option, PIPENET
VISION uses the form quoted in Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook. The Darcy Option
refers to the friction-factor calculation as described in the book by Coulson and Richardson.
Both methods are representations of the Moody diagram, and so the basic formats of the
friction-factor equations are the same.
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Units

The first step in most engineering calculations is to choose the units. In PIPENET VISION, either
(a) click on the Units Tab (if the dialog box is still visible), or (b) select Options | Units (if the dialog
box is not visible).

Set the following units.

Variable Unit
Length m
Diameter mm
Velocity m/s
Temperature Celsius
Density kg/m3
Viscosity Pa s
Power kW
Thermal conductivity W/(m.K)
Heat capacity J/kg K
Pressure in water Gauge
Flow type Volumetric
Flow rate ft3/min
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Fluid

We wish to use air at 15 degrees Celsius.

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Defaults

The purpose of setting up defaults is to save time during the data-input stage. Default values are
pre-entered into the dialog boxes, and so are present when the dialog boxes are displayed.
However, these values can be changed for individual items. It is also possible return to the
Defaults Page and change default values after the network has been partially input. The new
default values will then apply to any part of the network that is input afterwards.

The relevant dialog box is obtained using Options | Defaults.

Pipe Type

This page is generally only used when pipes are to be sized. For the purpose of this example, we
shall skip this section.
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2.1.2 Library Data

Available Fittings

The following dialog box is used when the user wishes to remove certain fittings from the library
during the data-input stage. With fewer items in the list, the user does not have to scroll up and
down a long list of fittings while the network is being defined.

User-defined Fittings

In this system, it is necessary to use a number of user-defined fittings. Note that user-defined
fittings must be stored in a library. Further, a fitting cannot be used in a network until it has been
stored (in a library). The relevant dialog box is obtained using Library | Fittings, which is shown
below.

The complete set of user-defined fittings that need to be input is as follows.

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Fitting Name K-factor

PBEND 0.20
D-IN 3.20
D-TEE 0.90
DBEND 0.27
FANIO 2.00
GRILL 5.00
P-IN 0.95
P-TEE 0.48
SEP 20.00
BAG 3.50
HEPA 3.00

Under Library | Fittings, click on the New Button and proceed as shown in the dialog box below.

When the OK Button is pressed, this data is saved into a library.

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Fan Curve

The fan plays a crucial role in the performance of the ventilation system. The data that defines the
fan for the current example is shown below.

Flow Rate Pressure Generated

(m3/sec) (Inch Water Gauge)
1.8 24.5
2.3 22.5
2.7 20.5
3.0 18.0
3.3 16.0

Please note that, in the above table, the flow-rate units are m3/sec. These units are not the same
as the flow-rate units for the model, which were set up earlier (using Option | Units) as ft3/min. In
PIPENET VISION, it is possible to choose the required units for the fan data (from a list of
appropriate units).

The data for the fan is input using Libraries | Pumps - Coeffs. unknown. After the fan-
performance data has been entered, PIPENET VISION fits a curve (quadratic, cubic, or spline) to
this data. The curve is created using a program from the Pump/Fan Module.

After the above data has been input to the pump/fan module, the dialog box looks like the
following.
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2.1.3 Entering the Simulation Data

Choose the orthogonal-grid option (from Options | Display options) for the grid style, and then
input the network (which is shown below) in the Schematic Window.

Note the following.

1. Items 1 to 17 are circular ducts, and are input as pipes; whereas, Items 18 to 24 are
rectangular ducts, and are input as ducts.

2. In PIPENET VISION, ducts and pipes are different items and should be input using
different items from the Tools Palette.

Pipe Tool Duct Tool

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Circular Ducts

Pipe Diameter Length Elevation Fittings

Label (mm) (m) (m)
1 53.5 12 0 P-IN
2 53.5 12 0 P-IN
3 53.5 6 0 P-TEE
4 53.5 12 0 P-IN
5 53.5 6 0 P-TEE
6 53.5 12 0 P-IN
7 53.5 6 0 P-TEE
8 360 2 0 0
9 53.5 12 0 P-IN
10 380 0.5 0 0
11 53.5 12 0 P-IN
12 380 0.5 0 0
13 380 1 0 BAG
14 600 8 8 PBEND
15 380 1 0 HEPA
16 600 1.2 0 FANIO
17 600 1.2 0 FANIO

To enter the attributes for a pipe, left click on the pipe in the Schematic Window, and then enter the
data in the Properties Window. An example of a completed dialog box for a pipe is shown below.
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The data for Pipe 1 can be copied and pasted onto Pipes 2, 4, 6, 9 and 11, as follows. Firstly,
point the cursor at Pipe 1, right click on it, and then select “Copy Ctrl+C” from the menu. Next,
point the cursor at a target pipe (e.g., Pipe 2), right click on it, and then select “Paste Ctrl+V”.
Repeat this procedure for the other pipes.

Rectangular Ducts

Duct Width Height Length Elevation Fittings

Label (mm) (mm) (m) (m)
18 150 380 1 0 D-TEE, DBENDx2
19 300 300 0.05 0 GRILL
20 150 380 1.3 0 D-TEE
21 300 300 0.05 0 GRILL
22 150 380 0.6 0 0
23 300 300 0.05 0 GRILL
24 150 380 4.1 0 D-TEE x 2, DBEND x 2
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An example of a dialog box for a duct is shown below.

Specifications

The pressure at all of the input nodes and the single output node is assumed to be 0 inches of
water Gauge. Enter these specifications by supplying the value at one input node, and then
copying and pasting it to the others.

As an example, the specifications for Nodes 19 and 20 are shown below.

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Fan Characteristic

The only other item that we need to input is the fan type. The fan has already been set up and
stored in the library, so we merely need to select the fan from the library.
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2.1.4 Calculation

All of the data for the problem has now been input. At this stage, it is advisable to save all of the
data (either using File | Save or by clicking on the Save Button), and check the network (either
using Calculation | Check or by clicking on the Check Network Button).

We can now proceed to perform a calculation (either using Calculation | Calculate or by clicking
on the Calculate Button).

2.1.5 Results

Results can be displayed directly in the Schematic Window or in the Properties Window. If the user
requires detailed results in a format that is suitable for copying into an Excel spreadsheet, the Data
Window is extremely useful (as there is a facility in PIPENET VISION for copying and pasting). The
Data Window option is ideal for fine-tuning the design by (a) looking at the results, (b) making
changes to the system, and (c) performing another calculation. Results for the pipes and the ducts
are given below.

The Properties Window for the fan now includes the operating point (shown as a red triangle) on
the fan performance curve.
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The detailed results (from a Data Window) for the circular and rectangular ducts are shown below.
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The results can also be viewed using the output browser, which is launched using either
(a) Calculation | Browse or (b) by clicking on the Browser Button. If the output browser is
activated, the following dialog box is displayed.

If the output is examined in Word, all the facilities of Word are available, including cutting and
pasting.

2.2 Modelling a Leak

Once the initial network has been input, it is easy to perform many calculations to study the various
types of failure that might occur in the system. One such study might be to predict what would
happen if there were air in-leak, which could be caused by a perforation (for example).

Let us suppose there is a small perforation of diameter 10 mm, located exactly halfway along Duct
20. Let us suppose, also, that the wall thickness of the duct material is 2 mm. PIPENET VISION
can be used to model this situation, as follows.

 Create an additional node half way along Duct 20.

 Attach a pipe (of length 0.002 m, with a diameter of 10 mm) to this node.
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 Set the pressure at the free end of the new pipe to 0 inches of water Gauge.

A further calculation can then be performed. The results are as follows.

It can be seen that the leak makes only a minor difference to the extract flow rates.

Now, increase the perforation size (so that the diameter is 100 mm) and see the effect.

The results are as follows.

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3. Example 2

3.1 Balancing a Ventilation System

The objectives for this example are as follows.

 To select a suitable fan to drive the system.

 To discover ways of ensuring that the pressure remains negative within the
compartments and that the direction of flow is from less-contaminated areas to more-
contaminated areas.

Also, in this example, we add doors between the compartments, and consider what happens if a
door leaks. Finally, we consider the case in which one or more doors are left open.
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An overall arrangement of the system is shown below.

3.1.1 Ancillary Data

The medium is air at 20 °C, and the Ideal Gas Law is used.

The units that are to be used are m for length, mm for diameter, Pa G for pressure, and m³/s for
volumetric flow. The user can choose the units for the other quantities.

3.1.2 The Network

Input the following network in the Schematic Window of PIPENET VISION. Note that this network
consists of ducts (and does not contain any pipes).
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The compartments are divided into two sections, and we shall introduce interconnecting doors
between the nodes in subsequent simulations.

For the sake of simplicity, no fittings are considered. Also, the network has a high degree of
symmetry, so that the copying and pasting of attribute data can be fully utilised.
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3.1.3 Duct Data

The data for the ducts is shown below.

Pipe Width Height Length Elevation Roughness

Label (m) (m) (m) (m) (m)
1 1.5 1.5 30 0 4.57e-5
2 1 1 30 0 4.57e-5
3 10 10 30 0 4.57e-5
4 10 10 30 0 4.57e-5
5 1 1 20 0 4.57e-5
6 1 1 6 0 4.57e-5
7 10 10 30 0 4.57e-5
8 10 10 30 0 4.57e-5
9 1 1 6 0 4.57e-5
10 1 1 20 0 4.57e-5
11 10 10 30 0 4.57e-5
12 10 10 30 0 4.57e-5
13 1 1 30 0 4.57e-5
14 1.5 1.5 30 0 4.57e-5

3.1.4 Fan Selection

In order to help us to choose appropriate fans, the first calculation is performed without the fans
(which are added later).

We assume that there are fans at the inlet and outlet of the network. The fans are to be selected
on the basis of the pressures that they would achieve at the input and the output of the duct
system. The pressure that needs to be generated at the inlet is 20 Pa, and the pressure required
at the outlet is –20 Pa.
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The dialog boxes for these two nodes are shown below.

Inlet Outlet

The results from PIPENET VISION calculations indicate that the fans need to generate a flowrate
of around 22.1 m³/s. So, we select a fan with the following characteristics, bearing in mind that the
fan needs to perform better than the minimum requirements.
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Flowrate (m³/s) Pressure (Pa)

20 22
25 20
30 17

The dialog box for the fan curve is shown below.

3.1.5 Modelling the System with Fans

In order to include the fans, we remove the old specifications (on Nodes 1 and 13), add the fans,
select the fans from the library (using the Properties Window), and then set the pressure at the
input and output nodes to 0 Pa. The new input and output nodes are labelled 15 and 1
respectively.

Run the calculation to produce the following results.

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3.1.6 Balancing the System

We note that the flowrate in the middle compartment is a little high, and the pressure in the third
compartment is positive. (Note that Ducts 10 and 13 are slightly shorter than Ducts 2 and 5.)
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Now, our objective is to find ways of reducing (a) the flow rate through the second compartment
and (b) the pressure in the third compartment.

A possible solution is to place dampers that are set to drop 6 Pa at 6 m 3/s. The above dialog box
indicates how to model this scenario. The dampers are placed on Ducts 6 and 10.
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The results are shown in the following schematic drawings.

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It can be seen that the pressure is negative in the sensitive parts of the system, and the flow is
better balanced. So, the dampers can be left at the above setting.
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3.2 Modelling a Leaky Door

It is of interest to determine the effect of a leaky door between the compartments. We assume that
the door is of size 2m x 2m, has a gap of 2 mm around three sides, and is 50 mm thick. We can
model this leak by placing a duct (of height 4 m, width 0.002 m, and length 0.05 m) between the
compartments.

The results are shown below.

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The direction of the arrows (which can be activated by ticking “Arrows indicate flow direction” in the
Results Section from Options | Display) represents the direction in which the ducts were input. A
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positive flow is in the direction of the duct, and a negative flow is in the opposite direction.
Whether or not we accept these results depends on which of the compartments are more
contaminated. If the direction of flow is not acceptable then the dampers may have to be reset. In
our case, there is a relatively small flow, so what is of most concern is the direction of flow.

3.3 Modelling Open Doors

Finally, it is of interest to see what happens if the doors are left completely open. In order to model
this scenario, we simply connect the compartments with 2 m x 2 m ducts of length 0.3 m (assuming
that the walls are 300 mm thick).

The schematic diagram and Properties Window for Duct 15 are shown below.
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The results of the simulation are as follows.

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We note from the results that the pressures in the compartments are the same. Further, since
these pressures are negative, they are acceptable. The direction of flow between the
compartments may or may not be acceptable, depending on which compartments are more
contaminated.