ME 496

HVAC Distribution & Sizing

Ductwork Sizing
Diffuser Selection and Layout
Duct Design
Air conditioning ductwork delivers air from the fan
to the diffusers which distributes the air to the
room.
Air Moves Through the Ductwork in Response to a
Pressure Difference Created by the Blower
The necessary pressure difference will be a function
of the way the ductwork is laid out and sized.
Proper duct design requires a knowledge of the
factors that effect pressure drop and velocity in the
duct.

Goal of duct design: is to size the duct so as to

minimize the pressure drop through the duct, while
keeping the size (and cost) of the ductwork to a
Bernoulli Equation for Duct
Flow
2 2
𝜌1 𝑉 1 𝑔 𝜌2 𝑉 2 𝑔
+ 𝑃 1+ 𝜌 1 𝑧 1= + 𝑃2+ 𝜌 2 𝑧 2 +∆ 𝑃 𝑡 ,1 −2
2 𝑔𝑐 𝑔𝑐 2 𝑔𝑐 𝑔𝑐

where
DPt = losses in terms of total
pressure
= velocity pressure term
P1 = Static pressure term
= Total Pressure terms
Air Pressure Terms
Duct System Pressure
Velocity Pressure

[ ]
2 2
𝜌 𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑉 𝑉
𝑉𝑃 = = 𝜌 𝑎𝑖𝑟
2 𝑔 [ 𝜌 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 − 𝜌 𝑎𝑖𝑟 ] 1097

VP = Velocity Pressure, inches H2O

V = Velocity, feet per minute
air = Density of air Lbm/ft3
1097 = [2∙32.2 ∙3600 ∙62.4/12]0.5
Duct System Pressure
Total Pressure, TP, is Related to the Energy in the
Air Stream, and is equal to:
TP = Static Pressure + Velocity Pressure
Static pressure and velocity pressure increase
and decrease as the air proceeds through the
ductwork, depending on the cross-sectional area
of the flow.
The total pressure of the airstream decreases as
the air proceeds through the ductwork due to the
conversion of mechanical energy to heat caused
by friction
Duct System Pressure
Frictional Loss Calculation
Balanced-Capacity Method
 The duct is sized to make the loss in total pressure equal
for all duct runs from blower to outlet registers.
Equal Friction Method
 The duct is sized to result in a constant pressure loss per
unit length of duct.
Velocity Reduction Method
 Velocity at the fan discharge is pre-selected. The duct
system is designed to provide progressively lower duct
velocities as the air proceeds from the main duct to the
branches.
Static Regain Method
 The ducts are sized so the increase in static pressure at
each take-off offsets the pressure loss of the succeeding
section of ductwork.
Static Pressure Losses
Frictional Losses
 Occurs along the entire length of the

ductwork.
 Friction loss is due to fluid viscosity and

turbulence in the flow through the

ductwork.
 Dynamic losses result from flow

disturbances caused by fittings that

change the airflow direction or area.
Equal Friction Method
Darcy-Weisbach Formulation

( ) [ ]
2
𝐿 𝑉
∆ 𝑃 𝑡 =12 𝑓 𝜌
𝐷h 1097
where
DPt = losses in terms of total pressure (in
H2O)
f = friction factor
Dh = 4A/WP
L = duct length
Dynamic Losses
Contractions, Expansions, Elbows,
Valves

[ ]
2
𝑉
∆ 𝑃 𝑡 = 𝐾 𝑑𝑦𝑛 𝜌
1097

where
DPt = dynamic loses (in H2O)
Kdyn = dimensionless loss coefficient
Equivalent Length
Describes the amount of static pressure
lost in a fitting equivalent to a length of
straight duct
Ductwork Sizing
Ductwork Sizing
Volumetric flow () is a function of the cross
sectional area (A) and the air velocity (V)

QV=AV

however, momentum, friction and turbulence

must also be accounted for in the sizing
method
Estimating Airflow per Zone
˙ 𝐶 𝑝 𝑎𝑖𝑟 ∙ [ 𝑇 𝑇h𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡 − 𝑇 𝑆𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑦 ]
𝑄=𝑚
where
Troom Thermostat temperature set point
Tsupply Supply Air temperature for HVAC
Heating : 105ºF; manufacturer’s data
Cooling : 55ºF; manufacturer’s data
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
 Uniform Velocity Profile
Rectangular

[ ]
Duct 0.5
( 4 𝐻 ∙𝑊 )
𝐷=
𝜋
where
D = equivalent length
(ft)
H = duct height (ft)
W = duct width (ft)
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
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
Equivalent Duct Length (EL)
 EL represents the number of feet of straight duct having
the same resistance to airflow as a particular fitting
Equal Friction Method
1. Find effective length (EL) of longest run
2. Establish allowed static pressure
loss/100’
ΔP=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
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: 0.365”w.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 ΔP Duct Air
Section LengthLengthLengthVol. ”/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 fDesign Method
2. Establish allowed static pressure
loss/100’
Fan SP: 0.365”
-Supply Diff: 0.038”
-Return Reg: 0.159”
Available: 0.168”
x 0.75= 0.126”

fDesign = ΔP/100’ =100(SP)/EL

= 100(.126)/126= 0.1”/100’
 Worksheet
Duct Actual Equiv Effective Air ΔP Duct Air
Section LengthLengthLengthVol. ”/100’ Diam Velocity
1 6’ 10’ 16’ 175 0.1
2 8’ 5’ 13’ 175 0.1
3 12’ 5’ 17’ 350 0.1
4 30’ 50’ 80’ 700 0.1
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
3. Size ducts Equal Friction Method
1 175cfm 7” diam @ 620 fpm
2 175cfm 7” diam @ 620 fpm
3 350 cfm 9” diam @ 800 fpm
4 700 cfm 12” diam @ 900 fpm
 Worksheet
Duct Actual Equiv Effective Air ΔP Duct Air
Section LengthLengthLengthVol. ”/100’ Diam Velocity
1 6’ 10’ 16’ 175 0.1 7” 620 fpm
2 8’ 5’ 13’ 175 0.1 7” 620 fpm
3 12’ 5’ 17’ 350 0.1 9” 800 fpm
4 30’ 50’ 80’ 700 0.1 12” 900 fpm
56’ 70’ 126’

30’ 4 12’ 3 8’ 2
AHU

6’ 6’ 1 6’

4’ 4’
175 cfm (typ.)
Diffuser Selection and
Layout
 Diffuser Selection
Diffuser Selection Criteria
 Air flow
 Throw
 Noise Criteria (NC) Level
 Appearance
 Diffuser Selection
Air Flow
Throw
NC Level
ROOM AIR DISTRIBUTION
PERFORMANCE
a. MOST IMPORTANT
PARAMETER IS
SUBMERGED AIR JET
THROW, THE TRAVEL 100 FPM
ENTRAINMENT
DISTANCE TO THE
50 FPM

POINT WHERE THE 150 FPM

VELOCITY DECAYS TO
50 FPM THROW

b. NOISE
c. PRESSURE DROP
 Diffuser Layout
1. Use Room Sensible Load (no latent,
no ventilation) to determine air flow

Qs=1.08 x CFM x ΔT
where
T=|Tsa-Tra|
thus
CFM= Qs
(1.08 x ΔT)
Diffuser Layout
2. Define Supply Air temperatures

Heating:
Tsa range is 90-110ºF
Tra=68ºF

Cooling:
Tsa range is 45-55ºF
Tra=78ºF
Diffuser Layout
3. Define ΔT

Heating:
ΔT=|110-68|=42ºF

Cooling:
ΔT=|55-78|=23ºF
Diffuser Layout
4. Determine Air Flow (CFM)

CFMhtg= Qs
(1.08 x ΔThtg)

CFMclg= Qs
(1.08 x ΔTclg)

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 dB 16’

8’
Diffuser Layout Example
Heating Qs= 11,800 Btuh @ 68ºF
Cooling Qs=8,600 Btuh @ 78ºF

CFMhtg= Qs
(1.08 x ΔT)
=11,800/(1.08 x 42)=260 CFM

CFMclg= Qs
(1.08 x ΔT)
=8,600/(1.08 x 23)=346 CFM
Diffuser Layout Example
Revise Heating Tsa

CFMpeak= Qs
(1.08 x ΔT)

=346=11,800/(1.08 x |Tsa-68|)

Tsa=99.6ºF
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’

4’

2@175=350 cfm 4-way 4’ 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

16’

Return
1@350=350 cfm
10” x 8”
NC 27db
8’
Assignment for Duct Design