Air Duct Design

.10 m/s
Equal friction method




.

AB

Qt = Q1 + Q2 + Q2
Qt = 4 + 3 + 1 = 8 m3 / s

10 m/s .
) ( .
m/s

7.5

6.5

10

7.5

6.5

5.5

10

7.5

10

7.5

. 8 m/s

V = 8 m/ s

Qt = d 2V
4
48
= 1.128 m
8

=d

fL V 2
d 2

P =

0.00015
=
= 0.000133
d
1.128

.
) ( .

kg/m3

Pa.s

-10

1.341

16.768 x 10-6

1.292

17.238 x 10-6

10

1.247

-6

20

1.204

18.178 x 10-6

30

1.164

18.648 x 10-6

40

1.127

19.118 x 10-6

50

1.092

19.588 x 10-6

17.708 x 10

) ( .

, mm

0.9 -9.0

0.3 3.0

0.18 0.9

0.26

0.12

0.15

0.045

0.015

0.0

Vd 1.184 8 1.128
=
= 5.80 10 5

18.413 10 6

= Re

Moody Re /d f
.
f = 0.0145
fL V 2
0.0145 30 8 2
= 1.184

= 14.61 Pa
d 2
1.128
2
P 14.61
=
= 0.487 Pa / m
L
30

P =

Pa/m


.
B E
f V d
.
2
d V
4
V2
8Q 2
= 2 4
2
d

= Q = AV

4Q
16Q 2
2
,
V
=
d 2
2d 4

=V

f V2
f 8Q 2
8Q 2
P
=
=
= f 2 5
L
d 2
d 2d 4
d
8 fQ 2
8 1.184 0.0145 1
= 0.491 m
=5
2
P / L
2 0.487

d =5

4Q
= 5.281 m / s
d 2

=V

d V Re Moody f
.
V d:
Vd 1.184 5.281 0.491
=
= 1.66 10 5
6
18.413 10

0.00015
=
= 0.000305
0.491
d

= Re

f = 0.016

d = 0.501 m
V = 5.073 m / s

V d:
Vd 1.184 5.073 0.501
=
= 1.63 105

18.413 10 6
0.00015
=
= 0.000299
d
0.501
f = 0.016

= Re

V d .
d = 0.501 m
V = 5.073 m / s

.
2

d V = 0.5012 5.073 = 1.000069 m3 / s

4
4

Q = 1 m3/s
B C

= Qcal = AV

 f V d .
8 fQ 2
8 1.184 0.016 7 2
5
= 1.091 m
=
2 P / L
2 0.487
4Q
47
= V= 2
= 7.489 m / s
d
1.0912
d =5

d V Re Moody f
.
V d:
Vd 1.184 7.489 1.091
=
= 5.25 10 5
6

18.413 10
0.00015
=
= 0.000137
d
1.091

= Re

f = 0.0146
d = 1.071 m
V = 7.768 m / s

V d:
Vd 1.184 7.768 1.071
=
= 5.35 10 5

18.413 10 6
0.00015
=
= 0.00014
d
1.071
f = 0.0146

= Re

V d .
d = 1.071 m
V = 7.768 m / s

.
2

d V = 1.0712 7.768 = 6.998 m 3 / s

4
4

= Qcal = AV

Q = 7 m3/s
C F
f V d .

8 fQ 2
8 1.184 0.0146 3 2
5
= 0.7632 m
=
2 P / L
2 0.487
4Q
43
= V= 2
= 6.557 m / s
d
0.76212
d =5

d V Re Moody f
.
V d:
Vd 1.184 6.557 0.7632
=
= 3.22 10 5
6

18.413 10
0.00015
=
= 0.000197
d
0.7632
f = 0.0163

= Re

d = 0.780 m
V = 6.275 m / s

V d:
Vd 1.184 6.275 0.780
=
= 3.15 10 5
6

18.413 10
0.00015
=
= 0.000192
d
0.780
f = 0.0164

= Re

.
d = 0.780 m
V = 6.275 m / s

.
2

d V = 0.78 2 6.275 = 2.9984 m3 / s

4
4

= Qcal = AV

Q = 3 m3/s
C D
f V d .

8 fQ 2
8 1.184 0.0164 4 2
5
= 0.8764 m
=
2 P / L
2 0.487
4Q
44
= V= 2
= 6.630 m / s
d
0.85512
d =5

d V Re Moody f
.
V d:
Vd 1.184 6.630 0.8764
=
= 3.74 10 5
18.413 10 6

0.00015
=
= 0.000171
0.8764
d
f = 0.0157

= Re

d = 0.869 m
m/ s

V = 6.747

V d:
Vd 1.184 6.747 0.869
=
= 3.77 10 5
6

18.413 10
0.00015
=
= 0.000173
d
0.869
f = 0.0159

= Re

d = 0.869 m
m/ s

V = 6.747

V, d .
.
2

d V = 0.869 2 6.747 = 4.002 m3 / s

4
4

Q = 4 m3/s

= Qcal = AV

 .

)P/L = 0.487 (Pa/m
f

Qcal

)d (m

V (m/s

)Q (m3/s

)L (m

0.0145

8.000

1.128

8.00

30

A-B

0.0146

6.998

1.071

7.77

15

B-C

0.0159

4.002

0.869

6.75

75

C-D

0.016

1.000

0.501

5.07

30

B-E

0.0164

2.998

0.780

6.275

15

C-F

Section

20 oC
.
AB
.
Qt = Q1 + Q2 + Q2
Qt = 4 + 3 + 1 = 8 m3 / s

V = 8 m/s
.
V = 8 m/ s

Qt = d 2V
4
48
= 1.128 m
8

=d


fL V 2
d 2

P =

0.00015
=
= 0.000133
d
1.128

. 20 oC
Vd 1.184 8 1.128
=
= 5.80 10 5
6

18.413 10

= Re

Moody Re /d f
.
f = 0.0145
fL V 2
0.0145 30 8 2
= 1.184

= 14.61 Pa
d 2
1.128
2
P 14.61
Pa / m
=
= 0.487 Pa / m 0.5
L
30

P =

8 m3/s P= 0.5 Pa/m .

d = 1.135 m

P= 0.5 Pa/m
:

)P/L = 0.5 (Pa/m
Qcal

)d (m

V (m/s

)Q (m3/s

)L (m

8.094

1.135

8.00

30

A-B

7.145

1.080

7.80

15

B-C

4.149

0.875

6.90

75

C-D

0.999

0.515

4.80

30

B-E

Section

3.010

0.780

6.30

C-F

15

Velocity reduction method

.
AB
.
Qt = Q1 + Q2 + Q2
Qt = 4 + 3 + 1 = 8 m3 / s

V = 8 m/s
.
d = 1.135 m
Pa / m

P = 0.5

.
V = 7m / s

BC:

V = 7m / s

BE:

V = 6m / s

C D:

V = 6m / s

CF:

.

)P (Pa/m

Qcal

)d (m

V (m/s

)Q (m3/s

)L (m

0.50

8.094

1.135

8.00

30

A-B

0.38

7.020

1.130

7.00

15

B-C

0.38

4.032

0.925

6.00

75

C-D

Section

1.35

1.017

0.430

7.00

30

B-E

0.45

3.016

0.800

6.00

15

C-F

BE


4 m/s .
BE
)P (Pa/m

Qcal

)d (m

V (m/s

)Q (m3/s

)L (m

0.50

8.094

1.135

8.00

30

A-B

0.38

7.020

1.130

7.00

15

B-C

0.38

4.032

0.925

6.00

75

C-D

0.30

1.039

0.575

4.00

30

B-E

0.45

3.016

0.800

6.00

15

C-F

Section

.
0.625
(
) ab
d = 1.3
(a + b )0.25

Air Fan

:
P V2
+
+ gZ = C

2
V 2
+ gZ = C
2
PS + PV + PZ = PT

P+

If dZ = 0,
PS + PV = PT ,
Where, PS : Static Pressure, PV : Velocity Pressure or Dynamic Pressure
PT : Total Pressure.
PV = PT PS , where PT , PS are measuring by Pitotube.
PV =

V 2
or V =
2

2 PV

PS1 + PV1 = PS 2 + PV 2 = PT
PS1 + PV1 = PS 2 + PV 2 + PL
where, PL : total pressure drop or hydraulic losses between 1 and 2.

PS1 + PV1 + FTP = PS 2 + PV 2 + PL

where, FTP is the pressure rise due to the fan work and is called
the Fan Total Pressure.
PS1 V12 FTP PS 2 V22 PL
+
+
=
+
+

2
2
2
where, PL : represents the losses pressure drop in the duct.

:
fL V 2
, where, d : hydraulic mean diameter
d 2

PF =

:
V 2
, where, K : constant
2

PM = K

:
PF
PM Ve2
&
Power = m
+
+

L V2
V 2 Ve2
& f
=m
+K
+

d 2
2
2

If the air Fan has total efficiency, T

The actual fan power is,
Power
= Poweract
T

 ) ( .

Component

)P (Pa or N/m2

Damper

50

Filter

100

Cooling coil

150

Eliminators

50

Heating coil

150

Air washer

100

Mixing and suction to fan

50

Component

Inlet

0.40

Fan discharge to main duct

0.30

0.03

0.40

Standard 90 elbow

0.75

Expander

0.75

Reducer

0.05

Damper

0.20

Exit grille

0.50

Fan Power



:

Fan Power by applying Modified Bernoullis Equation as

P
LV2
V 2 Ve2
&
Power = W = m

+ f
+K
+

d 2
2
2
Air Handling
P
V2
V2
1 P

&

=m

+
L
+ e
+ K
Air Handling
L
Friction
2 Fitting 2 Exit

Reshaping the duct system with air handling unit

Power of Air Fan

To calculate the Fan power we reshape the duct system again according to the
diameter which we calculated as follows.
The pressure drop in air handling unit is as follows:
Damper
: 050 Pa
Filter
: 100 Pa
Cooling coil
: 150 Pa
Eliminators
: 050 Pa
Heating Coil
: 150 pa
Mixing and suction to fan : 050 Pa

The dynamic loss coefficients K is as follows:

Fan discharge to main duct : 0.30
Standard 90 elbow
: 0.75
Reduction
: 0.05
Exit grille
: 0.50

.

.
P
LV2
V 2 Ve2
&

+ f
+K
+
Power = W = m

d 2
2
2
Air Handling
P
V2
V2
1 P

&
=m

+
L
+ K
+ e
Air Handling
L
Friction
2 Fitting 2 Exit
P
V2
V2
1 P

= V&
+
L
+ K
+ e
Air Handling
L
Friction
2 Fitting 2 Exit
50 + 100 + 150 + 50 + 150 + 50

1.184

Air Handling

Power = 1.184 8
30 0.487

82
+

+ 0.3
2 A B
1.184

15 0.487
7.77 2
+ 1.184 7
+ 0.05
2
1.184

B C

 75 0.487
6.75 2
+ 1.184 4
+ (0.05 + 0.75 + 0.5 + 1)
2
1.184
30 0.487
5.07 2
+ 1.184 1
+ (0.75 + 0.5 + 1)
2
1.184

C D

B E

15 0.487
6.28 2

+ 1.184 3
+ (0.75 + 0.5 + 1)
2 C F
1.184
Power = 4607.811 + 63.644 + 394.252 + 48.849 + 179.511 = 5294.07 W
Power = 5.3 kW

Air Fan System Characteristics

Consider a straight air duct system in which the total pressure drop is calculated
by adding the losses of different sections, which are in turn proportional to their
respective velocity pressure as follows:

L1 2
P
1
1
V + K V2 + V2
= f

d 2
2
2
2

P
=

.
.
.
L 1 V
1 V 1 V
f
K
+
+

d 2 A
2 A
2 A

P . 2
L1 1
1 1 1 1
= V f
+K
+

d 2A
2 A2 2 A2

For one section of air duct, the V is the air volume flow rate.
The friction and dynamic loss can be wirtten as follows,
. 2
P
= Rt V

P
Rt =
,
.
2
V
where,

L1 1
1 1 1 1

Rt = f
+K
+

2
d 2A
2 A2 2 A2

Where, R is the air duct flow resistance. So, by analogy with electricity, we can derive
the concept of resistance R of the duct system.

Air Duct System in Series

The friction loss and dynamic loss be calculated in each section and we use the
equation power directly as follow:

P = P1 + P2 + P3

Air Duct System in Parallel

The friction loss and dynamic loss be calculated in each branch and we use the equation
power directly as follow:

V = V1 + V2 + V3
P
=
Rt

P
+
R1

P
+
R2

P
R3

1
1
1
1
=
+
+
Rt
R1
R2
R3
After could calculate the friction and dynamic loss in air duct system in series or in
parallel and calculate the equivalent resistance, we will tray to calculate the power
required in the last example.

The Air Duct System can be simplified as follows:

Air Handling unit, R1 :

PAH
=

= 464.527
R1 =

AH

50 + 100 + 150 + 50 + 150 + 50

1.184

(m / s )2

PAH 464.527
=
= 7.2581 1 / m4
2
2
V&
8

Section A-B, R2 :

1 1
L1 1
+
f
2 A2
d 2 A2
1
1
30
R2 =
(0.3 + 0.0145
) = 0.3433 1 / m4
2 0.9986
1.128
R2 = K

Section B-C, R3 :

1 1
L1 1
+
f
2 A2
d 2 A2
1
1
15
R3 =
(0.05 + 0.0146
) = 0.1575 1 / m4
2 0.8086
1.07
R3 = K

Section C-D, R4 :

L1 1
1 1
+
f
2 A2
d 2 A2
1
1
75
R4 =
+ 1)
(0.05 + 0.75 + 0.50 + 0.0159
2 0.3502
0.868
R4 = 5.245 1 / m4

R4 = K

Section B-E, R5 :

1 1
L1 1
+
f
2 A2
d 2 A2
1
1
30
R5 =
+ 1)
(0.75 + 0.50 + 0.016
2 0.0389
0.501
R5 = 41.235 1 / m4

R5 = K

Section C-F, R6 :

1 1
L1 1
+
f
2 A2
d 2 A2
1
1
15
R6 =
+ 1)
(0.75 + 0.50 + 0.0164
2 0.2238
0.78
R6 = 5.731 1 / m4
R6 = K

R4 , R6 in parallel shape, Rt1 :

1
1
1
1
1
=
+
=
+
Rt1
R4
R6
5.245
5.731
Rt1 = 1.36998 1 / m4
R3 , Rt1 in series shape, Rt2 :

Rt 2 = R3 + Rt1 = 0.0.1575 + 1.36998 = 1.5275 1 / m4

R5 , Rt2 in parallel shape, Rt3 :

1
1
1
1
1
=
+
=
+
Rt 3
R5
Rt 2
41.235
1.5275
Rt 3 = 1.0742 1 / m4
R1 , R2 , Rt3 in series shape, Rt :

Rt = R1 + R2 + Rt 3 = 7.2581 + 0.3433 + 1.0742 = 8.6756 1 / m4

. 2
PF + Pd

= Rt V = 8.6756 82 = 555.2384

(m / s )2

Fan Power.

PAH PF + PM Ve2
&
= V&RtV& 2 = RtV& 3
Power = m
+
+

2

Power = 1.184 8.6756 83 = 5259.218 W
Power = 5.26 kW

Problems in Air Duct Design

1- For air conditioning system shown below, calculate the duct size and air velocity in
each branch. By using modified Bernoullis equation, estimate the power required

for the electric air fan. Assume that = 0.13.

Modified Bernoullis Equation.

2
2
2
2

(Q W ) = m& P2 P1 + V2 V1 + g ( z2 z1 ) + fL V + K V
t
2
2
d 2

2- Calculate the duct size and velocity of each branch in the below network and also
suggest a suitable layout to calculate the power required. The air distributor gives
equal flow rate of 15 m3/min.

3- In the duct layout shown above, the outlets are deliver 25 m3/min at 1, 15 m3/min at 2
and 30 m3/min at 3. Also, select air velocity of 8 m/s in the section A. Determine the

size of duct system using Duct friction chart and determine the static pressure
required for the air fan.
4- Size the duct in the problem 3 by using Velocity reduction method and find the
power required for the air fan.
5- For a system shown below, size the ducts on a rate of friction pressure drop of 0.7536
Pa/m and the air flow rate from the fan is 4 m3/s. The two outlets deliver equal
masses of air.
a) Modify the diameter of branch duct to outlet 1 so that no damper is required
at the outlet.
b) Calculate the fan total and static pressure, also the power required.
The pressure drops in each equipment are as follows:

Filter 100 Pa.

Damper 50 Pa.

Cooling coil 150 Pa.

Mixing section 50 Pa.

The dynamic loss coefficient K for all expander are to be taken as applying to the
difference the upstream and downstream velocity pressure, and for all reducers as
applying to the downstream velocity pressure only. The values are given in the
following table.
Section

Condition
K

Inlet
Expander AB
Reducer BC
Reducer EF to fan section
Reducer GH at fan discharge
Straight through duct suction.
Elbow
Grille

1.4
0.35
0.02
0.02
0.3
0.25
0.23
0.5

Mean face velocity = 4 m/s

Mean face velocity at filter = 1.5 m/s
Mean face velocity at damper = 3 m/s

Solved Problem in Duct Design

For the system shown below which made from galvanized iron which = 0.15 mm, size the ducts with
equal friction method with using the duct friction chart. Also calculate the air fan power required. Take
the followings for air, = 1.2 kg/m3, = 18.178 10-6 Pa.s. Assume the velocity in the main duct GH is
8 m/s.

The pressure drop in air handling unit is as follows:

Inlet
: 10 Pa
Damper
: 50 Pa
Filter
: 100 Pa
Cooling coil
: 150 Pa
Mixing section
: 50 Pa
Fan discharge to main duct : 15 Pa
The dynamic loss coefficient K is as follows:
Standard 90 o elbow
: 0.50
Reduction
: 0.10
Damper
: 0.05
Exit grille
: 0.50
Solution
The total flow rate is,
Qt = Q1 + Q2 + Q2
Qt = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 m3 / s
The main duct G-H diameter from continuity equation with assuming constant air density,

Qt = A V =

2
d V
4

46
= 0.9772 m
8
0.00015
=
= 0.000153
d
0.9772
Vd 1.2 8 0.9549
Re =
=
= 5.16 10 5
6

18.178 10
From Moody chart at Re and /d, we can determine the fraction factor f as,
f = 0.0155
d=

fL V 2
d 2
0.0153 20 8 2
P = 1.2

= 12.025 Pa
0.9772
2
P 12.025
=
= 0.601 0.6 Pa / m
L
20
The diameter and velocity of other branches can be determined from the duct friction chart at friction
loss per meter equal 0.6 Pa as follows,
P / L = 0.6 Pa / m
The results of velocity and diameter from chart can be tabulated as follows,
Results
P =

Section
G-H
H-K
K-L
H-M
K-N
Power

P/L = 0.6 (Pa/m)

L (m)
Q
V (m/s
(m3/s)
20
6
8.0
10
4
7.4
35
3
6.8
7
2
6.0
7
1
5.2
2.73 kW

d (m)

Qcal

0.977
0.84
0.75
0.65
0.495

5.999
4.101
3.004
1.991
1.001

Calculation of Fan Power

We can apply modified Bernoullis equation in all section of the duct system from Inlet to Exit grills as
follows,
.
L V2
V 2 Ve2
Power = W = m f
+ K
+

d 2
2
2

 P
V2
P

+
L
+ K

. Air Handling
L
Friction
2

Power = W = m
2
+ Ve
2
Exit

Fitting

10 + 50 + 100 + 150 + 50 + 15

1.2
Air Handling

Power = 1.2 6

20 0.6
82

+
+ 0.1
2 GH

1.2
10 0.6
7.4 2
+ 1.2 4
+ 0.1
2
1.2

H K

35 0.6
6.8 2
+ 1.2 3
+ (0.05 + 0.5 + 1)
2
1.2

K L

7 0.6
62
+ 1.2 2
+ (0.75 + 0.05 + 0.5 + 1)
2
1.2

H M

7 0.6
5.2 2

+ 1.2 1
+ (0.75 + 0.05 + 0.5 + 1)
2 K N
1.2
Power = 2345.04 + 37.142 + 192.01 + 107.76 + 41.515 = 2723.467 W
Power = 2.73 kW

Report for Oral Exam

For the waiting room shown below calculate the cooling load, the total air rate in the main duct, size
the main duct and branches, and the power of the air fan. The room is in Shebin El- Kom city at
latitude of 30 o N in 21 of July at sun time of 15 hr. The room temperature of 25 oC and RH= 50 %, the
outside temperature are 40 oC and Rh = 30 %. The ceiling from heavy concert with 15 cm thick and
walls from hole bricks of 25 cm and finished with cement layer at inside and outside of 5 cm. The light
density is 15 W/m2 of the floor area and the lambs are fluorescent. The floor from concert and covered
with ceramic layer of 5 cm and the number of persons are 60. There are 12 kW of appliances load. The
convection heat transfer coefficient at inside and outside walls are hi = 8 W/m2.K and ho = 20 W/m2.K
respectively. For any data you need use it from the previous tables in the course and use the following
data of solar load from the ASHRAE tables as,
Persons Lighting

Glass

Ceiling South North West

East

Latitude of 30o N

23

12

10

CLTD oC for Walls B

-2.1

0.5

LM

0.83

1
880

F
130

200

680

680

SHGFmax (W/m2)

Glass solar heat gain

0.63
0.9

0.75

Sc
Glass for windows and door
0.68

0.86

0.53

CLF

0.22

0.9

Windows tire

Correction factor U for

1.14

Wind speed

Glass

The windows are from glass with 3 mm thick and the door from wood with 8 cm. The infiltration is
0.25 from the room volume per hour and each person needs 2.5 lit/s from fresh air, and each person
gives 95 W sensible heat and 105 W latent heat. The air density is 1.161 kg/m3 and specific heat of
1005 J/kg.K. The latent heat of evaporation is L.T=2454 kJ/kg.