Pipenet Vision Training Manual Standard: Chapter 4 Page 1 of 36 REVISION 2.1, SEP 2010

PIPENET VISION TRAINING MANUAL
PAGE 1 OF 36
STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
REVISION 2.1, SEP 2010
PIPENET VISION STANDARD MODULE

CHAPTER 4
VENTILATION SYSTEM MODELLING - PART 1 (NUCLEAR GLOVE-BOX SIMULATION)
1.
Introduction
In this example, we consider a ventilation system with six glove boxes, which are arranged as
one set of four boxes and another set of two boxes. There is one extractor fan (which creates a
flow of air through the glove boxes) and a Hepa filter (which is located before the extractor fan).
Naturally, the principles used in this chapter are applicable to any type of ventilation system,
and so are not restricted to glove-box simulations.
Throughout this chapter, it is assumed that the reader is familiar with the user interface of
PIPENET VISION (which is described in detail in Chapter 1 of the PIPENET VISION User
Interface Manual). The user interface is not described in detail in this document.
This example is intended to illustrate the complete design cycle, including duct sizing, fan
selection, and the effect of leaks and filter fouling. However, it is important to stress that, in
PIPENET VISION, calculations can begin at any stage of the design cycle. For example, it is
quite common for the user to specify all of the duct sizes, and then start calculations at that
stage.
1.1
Objectives
The overall objectives for this chapter of the training manual are as follows.
Objectives for the Design Phase:
To select appropriate duct sizes.

To select the fan size.
Objectives for the Analysis Phase:
To ensure that there is adequate flow rate of air through the glove boxes.
To determine the effect of a leak of air into one of the glove boxes.
To determine the effect of fouling of the Hepa filter.

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1.2
STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
The Network
The following network is considered in this document.
Ventilation fan
Glove boxes
2.
Ancillary Data Input
The following input is necessary for all of the calculations described in this document. After the
input of the ancillary data, we shall move on to the design phase and then to the analysis
phase.

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2.1
Title
STANDARD: CHAPTER 4

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2.2
Standard Options
STANDARD: CHAPTER 4

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2.3
Units
The following units are used in the model.

Variable
Unit
Length
metres
Diameter
mm
Velocity
m/sec
Temperature
Celcius
Density
kg/m3
Viscosity
cP
Power
kW
Heat capacity J/kg K

Pressure
Pa Gauge
Flow type
Volumetric
Flow rate
m3/hr
STANDARD: CHAPTER 4

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4

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2.4
STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
Fluid
Specify the fluid to be air at 25 degrees Celcius, and use the Ideal Gas Law.
2.5
Display Options
Choose (a) an orthogonal grid, (b) snap to grid, (c) a line thickness of three pixels, (d) a white
background, and (e) a display-font size of 20.

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3.
STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
Design Phase
Design-phase calculations are used for sizing ducts, selecting fans, determining the resistances
required for the in-bleeds, and so on. This phase may be skipped if the duct sizes and the fan
curve have already been fixed.
3.1
Duct Sizing
We assume that all of the ducts are all circular. The first stage is to size the ducts, which (in this
case) is carried out on the basis that the maximum velocity is 5 m/sec.
Firstly, we need to set up the standard duct sizes in the library. If there is no definition of
standard duct sizes, PIPENET VISION will not be able to perform duct-sizing calculations.
Standard duct sizes are entered into the library under pipe schedules. Therefore, use Libraries
| Schedules, and click on the New Button.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
The second step is to select the pipe schedule that is to be used in this system. The reason
that the schedule must be selected is because the library may contain several pipe schedules,
and so the user must specify which schedule is to be used in the network. Further, the user
also specifies the maximum velocity that is to be used for determining the duct sizes. This type
is referred to as the pipe type, as opposed to the pipe schedule, which is created in the
library.
Select the pipe type (for a circular duct), and set the maximum velocity to be 5 m/sec.
3.2
Network Data
Create the following network by adding the pipes in the order Pipe 1, Pipe 2, Pipe 3, and so on,
until Pipe 11. With this approach, it will be easier to input the attributes later. At this stage, we
omit the fan and the glove boxes.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
On Duct 11, we represent the Hepa filter by placing an additional K-factor value of 5.1. The
roughness is automatically entered when the schedule is selected, and the elevation is always
defaulted to zero.
Duct
Label
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
3.3
Input
Node
1
3
2
5
7
6
4
9
11
10
8
Output Diameter
Node (mm)
2
Unset
2
Unset
4
Unset
6
Unset
6
Unset
4
Unset
8
Unset
10
Unset
10
Unset
8
Unset
12
Unset
Length
(m)
10
5
5
5
10
5
15
10
10
5
10
Elevation
(m)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Roughness
(mm)
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
0.045
Additional
K-factor
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5.1
Status
Type
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Duct
Duct
Duct
Duct
Duct
Duct
Duct
Duct
Duct
Duct
Duct
Specifications
Specifications must be applied to the input and output nodes. These specifications serve two
purposes: One purpose is to define where the input and nodes are, and the other purpose is to
specify the operating conditions (namely, the pressure and the flow rate, as appropriate).
The duct sizes will be determined by (a) the required flow rate through each glove box and
(b) the maximum pressure (softer vacuum) that needs to be maintained within each glove box.
We begin with the requirement that each glove box must have a flow rate of 220 m3/hr, and the
maximum pressure must be maintained at 20 Pa.g.
It is more convenient to set node specifications when the node numbers are displayed. Please
ensure that both the design and analysis specifications are given to the relevant nodes.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
Apply a specification of 220 m3/hr and 20 Pa at the worst node (namely, Node 1). The reason
is if the fan is able to draw a vacuum of 20 Pa then it would draw at least 20 Pa at every other
node.
At all other input nodes, we simply specify the flow rate to be 220 m3/hr.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
The output node is simply defined as an output with no operating condition specified. The flow
rate and pressure required at the output node would assist us in selecting the required fan size.
A summary of the design-phase specifications is shown below.
The corresponding summary for the analysis phase is as follows.
In fact, the specifications are identical for the design and calculation (i.e., analysis) phases,
which may not always be the case. For example, the ducts may be sized with a future
expansion in mind, while the fans may be selected with the current operation in mind. We could
input a network with all ten glove boxes and all the necessary ducts. The design-phase flow
rates would then be set to their appropriate values. If, initially, only six glove boxes were to

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
work then the analysis-phase flow rates would be zero for four of the glove boxes, with the
required values being set for the others.
As duct sizes are to be determined by PIPENET VISION, please ensure that the design option
has been chosen. If it were not chosen then the design-phase specifications would be ignored.
Design Phase Button
The duct sizes that are determined by PIPENET VISION are shown below.

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4.
Calculation Phase
4.1
Basic System
STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
We fix the diameters at the above values by selecting the Calculation Phase Button on the
Calculation Toolbar. Typically, one would perform several calculations under the Design Mode,
and when the pipe sizes were acceptable, one would change to the Calculation Mode. Once
the switch to Calculation Mode is made, the diameters are fixed. The yellow background to the
calculated diameters indicates that the diameters could change if the specifications were
changed and another calculation performed.
Analysis mode
is chosen
The yellow background to the pipe diameters changes to a white one, indicating that the pipe
diameters have been fixed.
We can display any appropriate variable of interest either on the ducts or at the nodes.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
We can also display the calculated pressures at the nodes and the pipe diameters on the pipes
themselves, with colour coding.
Click on Results Tab (which is located above the spreadsheet) on the Data Window to show the
results in the spreadsheet.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
In the pull-down menu next to Browse in the Data Window, change the type from Pipe to
Node to display the pressures and flow rates (where applicable) at the nodes.
4.2 Fan Selection

In order to complete the network and select the fan, we need to set up the in-bleed arrangement
in the library. The air in-bleed into each glove box should have a restriction, in order to limit the
flow to be the desired value. If such a restriction is not placed as required, some glove boxes

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
would have more flow than required, and others would have less and/or the required level of
vacuum may not be maintained.
4.2.1 Modelling the In-bleeds

We model the restriction in the in-bleed arrangement using a device fitting (under user-defined
fittings in the library). For this purpose, we return to the results of the previous calculation, and
note the restrictive pressure drop that is required in the in-bleed arrangement at the required
flow rate (220 m3/hr). The restrictive pressure drops are obtained from the table above. The
pressures in the glove boxes would be different. We set up this data in the library as userdefined device fittings.
Item Name (Device
User-defined Fitting
in the Library)
DE01
DE02
DE03
Description
Gbox 1,4
Gbox 2,3
Gbox 5,6
Pressure Drop in
Flow Rate Through
Duct
Numbers
the Glove Box
the Glove Box (m3/hr)
(Pa)
12, 15
20
220
13, 14
25.54
220
16, 17
27.09
220
To input the user-defined fittings, we first select Libraries | Fittings.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
In order to clarify the positions of the devices, add some text items to the schematic.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
Remove the specification from all six input nodes. The view in the Schematic Window and
Properties Window are shown for Node 1.
Node 1 is no longer
an input node
Add some pipes to the network to represent the in-bleeds. Note that these pipes should be
short (in order to reduce the pressure drop to a negligible value), and should contain
appropriate device fittings. Consequently, the pressure drop in each in-bleed would be almost
exclusively the pressure loss in the corresponding device fitting.
Then add the device fitting (which we have called GBox 1,4) as a fitting on Pipe 12.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
Click on
fittings tab to
add fittings
Select the required

fitting, and then click
on the Add Button
In order to save time, copy and paste attributes as shown below.

Copy the attributes from Pipe 12.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
Then paste them onto Pipe 15.
Repeat this procedure for the appropriate glove boxes, taking care to insert the correct device
fitting.
The in-bleed system is open to the atmosphere, so the inlet pressure of the in-bleed system
should be 0 Pa. Therefore, set the specifications at the input nodes to 0 Pa G. It is possible to
input the specification to one input node and then copy the value and paste it onto the others
(since they all have a value of 0 Pa G). Note that an input flow rate of 220 m3/hr is applied at
Node 13.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
4.2.2 Modelling the Fan

At this stage, we select the fan. The fan should be such that glove box has an air flow rate of
220 m3/hr. This value will supply us with the suction pressure, which needs to be generated by
the fan at its inlet (namely, Node 12). For this reason, Node 12 is simply defined as an output
node with no specification.
From the results of the Calculation Phase for the basic system, we can see that the fan should
generate a suction pressure of -91.41 Pa G at a flow rate of approximately 1320.56 m3/hr.
Let us assume that the fan selected has the following characteristics.
Flow Rate (m3/hr)
1200
1500
1800
Differential Pressure (Pa G)

110
100
85
We input this data into the library, as follows.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
Input the fan into the network and, select the pump curve from the library.
Delete the specification on Node 12. Also, define Node 19 as an output node, and then specify
the pressure at this node to be 0 Pa G.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
The network should look now like the one that is illustrated below.
Next, remove the flow specification on Node 13 (because the fan will now pull whatever flow it
can through this in-bleed), but leave Node 13 as an input node.
Remove the flowrate specification
4.2.3 Results
Perform a calculation (by either selecting Calculation | Calculate or pressing the Calculate
Button).

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
Next, display the volumetric flow rate, with colour coding.
Select the
display of
volumetric flow
Select a colour legend
The results are as displayed below.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
In order to be able to see the results more clearly, change the display font size to 26.
The contents of the Schematic Window should now be as follows.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
The results are shown on the spreadsheet below, in which the rows that correspond to the glove
compartment are highlighted.
4.3 Leak Analysis

4.3.1 Leak in Glove Box 5
Consider the case in which Glove Box 5 has a hole. Suppose that the diameter of the hole is
100 mm, and the thickness of the glove-box wall is 25 mm.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
We can represent this hole as a duct with a diameter of 100 mm and a length of 0.025 m.
Define Node 20 as an input node, and specify the pressure to be 0 Pa G at this node.
Run the calculation, and indicate that pressures are to be displayed at nodes.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
The calculated results are shown in the schematic below. Note that the size of the display font
is 22.
We can see that Glove Boxes 1, 4 and 5 do not work properly, which is something that we
would expect.
4.3.2 Leak in Glove Box 2

Next, we consider a leak occurring in Glove Box 2. Since the leak is to be the same as in the
previous case, we merely move it from Glove Box 5 to Glove Box 2 (by cutting and pasting it),
as illustrated in the following diagrams.
Select the Area Tool
Enclose the area

that is to be cut

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
Right-click and
select Cut
Right-click and
select Paste

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
The pipe is now
disjoint from the rest
of the network
Grab the node

and move it to its
new position
Choose the Select Tool
Left click on the

node and merge
Please note that whole sub-networks can be copied and pasted in this manner.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
Run the calculation, and display the pressures at the nodes.
We can see that Glove Boxes 1, 2 and 4 are significantly under performing.
4.4
The Effect of Fouling
We now consider the case where the filter element is fouled (without the leak). Firstly, remove
the leak (by deleting Pipe 18), and then change the additional K-factor on Pipe 11 from 5.1 to
30.

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STANDARD: CHAPTER 4
The pressures at the nodes are now as follows.
It is clear that there are serious problems associated with this network.

Pipenet Vision Training Manual Standard: Chapter 4 Page 1 of 36 REVISION 2.1, SEP 2010

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To select appropriate duct sizes.

Objectives for the Analysis Phase: