Air distribution

system

Standards for
satisfying
conditions

 No condition will satisfy everyone.

Air velocity will be sensed by a person
exposed to it as a feeling of coolness.
If air temperature is 1F higher for each
15fpm increase in velocity, most persons
feel equally comfortable.
Variations upto 4 F in temperature and
Velocities b/w 15fpm and 50fpm are
considered acceptable.
Neck region is twice as sensitive.
Temperature changes or high velocities
when subjected to this region will be
effective

Conclusions
Limit the temperature
variations to maximum 4 F
Maintain an air motion b/w 15 to
50 fpm
In industrial environment
higher air velocities are
sometimes permissible or even
favourable.

Types of Jets
The proper understanding of
various types of jets is very
important for the selection and
location of different types of
supply outlets.

Isothermal Jet

The figure shows a axial

jet of air exiting from an
outlet with an air
temperature equal to that of
surrounding air temperature.

Non isothermal Jet

There is some difference

between isothermal and non
isothermal jet. There is
difference in temperature for
cooling and heating between
the air sent and space and
so is the density of the air.
The density of cold air is
high compared to that of hot
air.

Effect of obstructions on jet

The maximum velocities will

remain close to the surface,
creating a low pressure region
between the jet and the surface.
This effect rises when the outlet
is within two feet of the surface.
The closer the jet to the surface ,
more the effect.

It is very healthy practice

to consider this effect before
selecting the supply outlets.
Since this tends to keep the
total air envelope out of the
occupied zone. Thus
improves the overall room
air motion throw and drop
for confined space

Impact of opposing jets

Ducting
The conditioned air has to be
supplied to different parts of the
conditioned space. The duct
systems convey the conditioned air
from the conditioned equipment to
the proper air distribution points or
air supply outlets in the room and
carry the return air back from the
room to the conditioning
equipment for reconditioning and
recirculation.

Thus it is necessary to
design the air duct system in
such a way that the capital
cost of ducts and the cost of
running the fans is lowest.

Classification of Ducting
Supply air duct:The duct which supplies
the conditioned air from the conditioned
equipment to the space to be
conditioned is called Supply air duct.
Return air duct:The duct which carry the
recirculating air from the conditioned
space back to the air conditioning
equipment is called return air duct.

 Fresh air duct: The duct which

carry the outside air is called
fresh air duct.
Low pressure duct: When the
static pressure of the duct is
below 50 mm of water gauge, the
duct is said to be a low pressure
duct.
High pressure duct: When the
static pressure is from 150 to 250
mm of water gauge, the duct is
said to be a high pressure duct.

 Low velocity duct: When the

velocity of the air in the duct is
upto 600 m/min, the duct is said
to be low velocity duct.
High velocity duct: When the
velocity of the air in the duct is
more than 600 m/min, the duct is
said to be high velocity duct.

Different Parameters for Duct

design.
Head loss should be 0.1.
Main duct velocity should be
1200 fpm to 1500 fpm.
For branches around 750 fpm.
For throw velocity should be
around 500 fpm.
Aspect ratio should be 1 to 4.

Aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of

width to height. Higher the aspect ratio,
higher the friction and more sheet metal
usage.
For side throws, we should maintain
grill or slot diffusers for supply and
return.
Acoustic and thermal insulation should
be done.
Gauge of sheet decreases, then
thickness increases.

Different Duct Shapes

Duct may be round, square or
rectangular. Round duct carry more
air with less friction loss than ducts
of any other shape with the same
cross sectional area. Square duct
will have less friction loss compared
to that rectangular ducts. Aspect
ratio of rectangular ducts should be
kept as low as possible.

Despite all these considerations,

the demands of the building
construction, more often then not
dictate the use of rectangular ducts
with aspect ratio from 2:1 to 6:1,
frequently the depth of space
available for duct work, such as
ceiling heights, will limit the duct to
8, 10 or 12 and the duct must be
sized with depth, as a fixed and
limiting dimensions.

 High static pressure and

velocity will result in noise.
But the low velocity system
will result in less fan motor
static and duct size, resulting in
less noise.
Now flexible ducts made up of
aluminum foil are also available
in the market.

Application
1. Auditoriums
Concert hall
Studios
TV audience
2. Schools
Libraries
Recreation halls
Kitchen
3.Hospitals
Private rooms
Operation rooms

Decibel
20-25
30-35
35-45
30-40
35-50
40-50
25-35
30-40

Types of Duct design

1)CFM method
2)VRM method
3)SRM method

Duct Size & No. of sheets

Calculation

Duct Routing

Duct insulation
(Thermal & Acoustic)

Selection of insulation
1.Low thermal conductivity.
2. Impervious to watervapour.
3. Resistance to fire.
4. Mechanical strength.
5. Resistance to fungus and
bacteria.
6. Easiness of laying.

The different types of

materials used are glass
wools, expanded
polystyrene, nitrile foam,
polyurethane, cork, etc.

Inlet and Outlet components

Diffusers
Grills
VCD-Volume Control Damper
Collar damper
Fire and smoke damper

How to Select supply and return

openings
Locate diffusers uniformly.
Diffusers need not be in the centre
of the area being served by
particular diffuser as 1,2, & 3 way
patterns
Return air openings should never
be too close to the supply air
openings.

 Total airflow cfm is a very

important parameter in selecting
the size of the supply and return air
opening.
Type of application should be also
a criteria for the selection as well.
Height of the ceiling.
If horizontal air throw is required,
we chose grills or slot diffusers.

Supply Air
Diffuser
9X9

CFM
50 to 300

12X12

301 to 500

15X15

501 to 700

18X18

701 to 1000

24X24

1001 to 1400