Duct Sizing-Static Balance

STATIC BALANCE DUCT SIZING METHOD
Author: Engr. K.H., Kong is Mechanical Engineer (IEM member, No: M21065) Bachelors Degree with Honors with Distinction in Mechanical Engineering
STATIC BALANCE DUCT DESIGN METHOD
ABSTRACT
Generally, the duct design methods for low velocity supply air system that are currently used include 1. Velocity reduction 2. Equal Friction, and 3. Static Regain
In this write up, a novel duct design method, known as the static balance duct design method, is introduced. In this method, the duct looping or network principle is applied to achieve static balance. The Static balance method is an intelligent selfbalance method to achieve minimum static losses across the ducting network. In turn, energy consumption is reduced.
Static balance method is also well applicable to the variable air volume (VAV) system. It reduces the system response time, the operating static losses within the duct network system, and enhances the energy saving.
1.0
INTRODUCTION
In this write up, the description for the conventional and static balance duct design method is presented in chapter 2. The Equal friction and static balance methods are compared and discussed in detail. Chapter 3 discusses about the equal friction method. A few equations involved in the development of the equal friction method are presented. In chapter 4, the development and the principal of static balance method are discussed in relation to the equal friction method. Comparisons of the equal friction and static balance are discussed in chapter 5. Chapter 6 brings up the advantages of the static balance method for VAV system and followed by a final conclusion.
Copyright 2008 by Kok-Haw Kong All right reserved.
Page 2 of 24
2.0
DUCT DESIGN METHOD
The conventional duct design method includes: 1. the velocity reduction method 2. the equal friction method, and 3. the static regain method. The novel duct design method is static balance method.
In the velocity reduction duct design method, the controlling factor is the air velocity in the duct. This is mainly to prevent noise due to high air velocity. Basically, the duct velocity is determined before the duct size is selected. With the air velocity, the duct diameter size is computed. Then, the actual round or rectangular duct size is selected and the relevant static loss is calculated accordingly.
The Equal friction method is widely used due to its simplicity and flexibility. This method is based on the assumption that the friction loss per unit of length is consistent for the entire system. Usually, the initial friction loss per unit of length is determined. Then the duct size throughout the entire ducting system is selected according to the air flow rate relative to the determined friction loss. The total friction loss in the duct system is calculated based on the duct run with the highest resistance, including the friction loss through all elbows and fittings in the section. For any site coordination or adjustment, the duct size is changed based on the same static loss coefficient. However, the drawback of the equal friction method is that the system is difficult to balance if the design has a mixture of short and long runs. Where the pressure difference between short and long runs is large, and requires considerable dampering on system.
In the static regain method, the duct is designed in such a way that at each branch, the available static pressure is used to offset the friction loss on the subsequent section of duct. The static pressure remains constant before each terminal and at each branch. This method requires more complicated and time consuming design procedures and methods. It also uses more duct materials as compared to the equal friction method.
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The Static balance duct design method presented here comprises a duct looping network, which consists of ducts of various sizes, geometric orientations, and fittings. It is designed based on the principle of equal friction method which offers lower friction losses but more duct work. Similarly to all networks system, this method implements the continuity and the work-energy principles throughout the network. The solution of the static balance method is obtained through a trial-andcorrection or iteration process.
3.0
EQUAL FRICTION DUCT DESIGN METHOD
The Equal friction method uses the same friction loss per unit of length for the entire system. In any duct section in which the air is flowing through, there is a static loss. This loss is named as the friction loss which is related to the followings: 1) Duct size, 2) Interior surface roughness, 3) Air flow rate, and 4) Duct length
The relationship of these factors is represented by the following equation:

1 P = 67.18 f d L e
1.22
V 1000
1.82
eq. 3.1
or
P = 3 x10 7 L Q 1.82 f d 4.86 e
eq. 3.2
where P = friction loss (Pa) f = interior surface roughness L = duct length (m) de = duct diameter or equivalent diameter for rectangular duct (mm) V = air velocity (m/s) Q = air flow rate (l/s)
The equivalent diameter for a rectangular duct can be further related as follows:
Copyright 2008 by Kok-Haw Kong All right reserved. Page 4 of 24
de
0.625 ( ab ) = 1.3 (a + b )0.25
eq. 3.3
where de = duct diameter or equivalent diameter for a rectangular duct (mm) a and b = duct size (mm)
Another useful parameter derived from the velocity pressure is the velocity head,
hv = 0.6137V 2 or hv = 1x10 6 Q2 de
4
eq. 3.4
eq. 3.5
where hv = velocity head (Pa), V = air velocity (m/s) Q = air flow rate (l/s) de = duct diameter or equivalent diameter for rectangular duct (mm)
The friction loss of fittings can be related to the velocity pressure by adding a multiplier or coefficient. The coefficient for various fittings is tabulated below:
Fittings Transition Elbow Wye Tee
Coefficient, C 0.25 0.27 0.30 0.37
The static loss through fittings is represented by the following equation: Pf = Chv where Pf = static loss through fittings, (Pa) hv = velocity head (Pa), C = fitting coefficient eq. 3.6
In any duct system for the equal friction method, the duct is sized based on a desired friction loss per unit length of duct. The equations shown above are used to calculate the static loss. The static loss of each section of the duct runs is accumulated. Only the duct runs with highest resistance is calculated, where this is the
static required for the fan to overcome it. The highest static loss may not be the longest duct run, rather it can be a shorter duct with more bends and fittings.
3.1
Example for Equal Friction Duct Design Method
Figure 3.1 shows a simple duct system for hospital ward rooms. In this simulation, the ward rooms are located at perimeter whereas offices, the procedure room and the nurse station are located at center of the zone.
Referring to figure 3.1, the fan discharge air flow rate is 4800 l/s and there are 16 branches or air terminals with 300 l/s each. The friction loss is limited to 1 Pa/m. Duct is made of galvanized sheet with the interior surface roughness of 0.9.
The duct runs with the highest static loss is from point O to P. The static loss calculation is tabulated in table 3.1 and the duct design is shown in figure 3.2. Here, the friction loss per unit length is selected to be 1 Pa/m. In actual situation, due to the limitation of discrete duct sizes, the friction loss is re-calculated according to the duct size selected.
From calculation, the accumulated static loss is 64 Pa from point O to P.
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Item
Point
Description
Air Flow (L/S)
Design Static Loss (Pa/m) 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Duct Size (mm) WxH
Air Velocity (m/s)
Calc. Static Loss / L (Pa/m) 0.751 0.874 0.913 0.932 0.988 0.918 0.808 0.808
Straight Duct Length (m) 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
Static Loss (Pa)
hv (Pa)
Fitting Static Loss (Pa) 0.0 15.7 0.0 0.0 10.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.0 0.0
Total Static Loss (Pa) 3.8 15.7 4.4 4.6 10.3 4.7 4.9 4.6 4.0 3.0 4.0
Cumulative Static Loss (Pa)
Static Loss (in. wg) 0.0148 0.0766 0.0938 0.1118 0.1522 0.1706 0.1900 0.2081 0.2240 0.2359 0.2518
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
OA AF FJ JK KL LM MN NP
Straight duct Tee Straight duct Straight duct Tee Straight duct Straight duct Straight duct Straight duct Elbow Straight duct
Q0 Q5 Q8 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15
4800 2100 1500 1200 900 600 300 300
1,300 700 600 500 450 400 250 250
x 450 x 450 x 400 x x x x 400 350 300 300
9.35 7.19 6.73 6.41 5.94 5.35 4.27 4.27
3.757 4.372 4.567 4.658 4.941 4.588 4.041 4.041
x 300
0.00 0.37 0.00 0.00 0.37 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.27 0.00
42.41 42.41 31.72 27.78 27.78 25.24 22.93 17.60 11.19 11.19 11.19
3.8 19.4 23.8 28.4 38.7 43.3 48.3 52.9 56.9 59.9 64.0
Table 3.1 Static loss calculated result using equal friction duct design method.
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4.0
The Static balance duct design method uses the duct network principle. For all network problems, it satisfies the continuity and the work-energy principles throughout the network. The continuity principle states that the vector summation of air flow rate into any junction must be equal to zero. The continuity principle is represented by the following equation:
Q = 0
eq. 4.1
The network-energy principle states that the vector summation of static loss around any single loop of the network must be equal to zero. The vector summation of static loss applies to any section of the duct within the loop. The static loss is additive if air flow direction is parallel with the loop direction, but deductive if air flow direction is opposite the loop direction. The network-energy is represented by the following equation:
P = 0
eq. 4.2
Equation 4.2 can be further divided to two portions. The static loss through straight duct and fittings is shown as follows:
P(straight duct ) + P ( fittings ) = 0

f
eq. 4.3
From equation 3.2, it is known that the static loss is related to 4 factors, which are the duct length, the friction factor, the duct size and the air flow rate. Thus, P is a function of (L, f, de and Q). Using the equal friction principle, the friction loss per unit of length is constant. The friction factor, f, is a constant depending on the duct material. Giving that the air flow rate, Q, the duct equivalent diameter, de can be calculated. Therefore, it can be summarized that the friction loss, P, is determined by the air flow rate, Q. As for all network problems, the solution of the static balance method is obtained through a trial-and-correction or iteration process. There are several ways to
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solve these flow rates, the simplest and easiest to understand being the Hardy Cross method.
The essence of the method is to start with an estimated set of initial values, Q0, that fulfills the continuity at each junction. The difference between the estimated and the updated value is represented by a correction factor, L. The updated value is the summation of estimated value and the correction factor as shown below.
Qi = Q0 L
eq. 4.4
where the sign () depends on the directions assumed for Q0. In cases where one duct is depending on two loops, the new air flow rate should include the summation of both correction factors from two loops.
Then, the next iteration is carried out with a new successive set of values. Iterations are repeated until the iteration results are converged and satisfied.
From equation 4.3, the static loss equation is,
P(straight duct ) + P ( fittings ) = 0

f
where the sign () depends on the directions assumed for Q0. The static loss through a straight duct is represented by equation (3.2), and the static loss through fittings is represented by equation (3.5) and (3.6). In general, a common equation as follows is obtained,
P = KQ
=0
eq. 4.5
where K is the coefficient of static loss, which depends on the duct length, the duct equivalent diameter and the friction factor.
Introducing eq. 4.4 into eq. 4.5, and obtain
P = K (Q
L ) = 0
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Expanding this equation by the binomial theorem and neglecting all terms containing L raised to a higher power, because L is presumed to be small. For the first iteration,
P = K (Q
nQ0
n 1
L + negligible = 0
Solving for L, the first correction factor becomes
KQ = nKQ
0
n 1
eq. 4.6
The absolute value must be used in the denominator to ensure that the proper sign for L. This equation is used to compute the flow rate correction factor, L, for each loop in the network. From equation 4.6, it can be further simplified as follows to the satisfaction of usage,
L =
P n P Q
eq. 4.7
For iterative processes, the value of (1/n) is categorized as an over-relaxation factor, which can be varied within certain limit to enhance the iteration process. In this case, referring to eq. 3.2 and 3.5, due to the different value of n for straight duct and fittings, the value of 2 for n is selected to proceed with the iterative process. Hence, eq. 4.7 becomes
L =
P 2 P Q
eq. 4.8
In every iterative process, the air flow rate must be updated with a successive set of values computed until the values of Q converge with suitable accuracy to final values.
Due to the limitation of discrete duct sizes, there will be residual where the value of Q may not converge to zero, but alter within a small value for the same duct sizes. In this case, the iteration is considered converged. The converged set value of Q will be used to determine the static loss across the ducting system.
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4.1
Example for Static Balance Duct Design Method
Figure 4.1 shows a duct system which uses the static balance duct design method. Figure 4.1 has the same layout as described in figure 3.1, with a duct looping network. The friction loss is limited to 1 Pa/m. A set of initial air flow rate across each duct section is estimated and tabulated in table 4.1 below. The air flow rate must satisfy the continuity principle.
Item 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Point OA AB BC CD DE AF CG EH FJ GL HN JK KL LM MN Designation Q0 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Q9 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Air flow rate (l/s) 4800 2700 2400 1350 1050 1800 750 750 1200 150 150 900 600 450 150
Table 4.1 Initial estimated air flow rate across each section of duct.
The first iteration is carried out and the static loss calculation is tabulated. The iteration for loop (I) is tabulated in table 4.2 and the iteration for loop (II) is shown in table 4.3.
From eq. 4.8, the correction factor for loop I is,
L(I ) =
=
P 2 P Q
(4.4 + 4.9 + 13.8 + 4.1 + 3.1 + 2.3 19.9 4.7 4.7 9.3 4.7 4.6 6.5)
0.00165 + 0.00204 + 0.00574 + 0.00548 + 0.02049 + 0.01556 + 0.00414 2 + 0.00262 + 0.00388 + 0.00778 + 0.00523 + 0.00765 + 0.01085
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( 21.8) 2(0.09311)
= 117 l / s
Similarly, the correction factor for loop II is, L ( II ) = =
P 2 P Q
(4.6 + 5.0 + 7.5 + 4.1 + 3.1 + 2.3 13.8 4.1 3.1 2.3 3.7 3.1 2.3)
0.00342 + 0.00479 + 0.00718 + 0.00548 + 0.02049 + 0.01556 + 0.00574 2 + 0.00548 + 0.02049 + 0.01556 + 0.00828 + 0.02049 + 0.01556
( 5.8)
2(0.14852)
= 19 l / s
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Item
Point
Description
Air Flow (L/S) Q1 Q2 Q6 Q9 2700 2400 2400 750 150 150 4800 1800 1200 1200 900 600 600
Design Static Loss (Pa/m) 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Duct Size (mm) WxH
Air Velocity (m/s) 7.71 7.79 5.41 3.21
Calc. Static Loss / L (Pa/m) 0.889 0.978 0.822 0.615
Straight. Duct Length (m) 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
Static Loss (Pa) 4.445 4.891 4.112 3.073
hv (Pa)
Fitting Static Loss (Pa) 0.0 0.0 13.8 0.0 0.0 2.3 19.9 0.0 0.0 9.3 0.0 0.0 6.5
Total Static Loss, P (Pa) 4.4 4.9 13.8 4.1 3.1 2.3 19.9 4.7 4.7 9.3 4.7 4.6 6.5
P/Q
First Iteration Loop I 1 AB Straight duct 2 BC Straight duct 3 C Tee 4 CG Straight duct 5 GL Straight duct 6 L Tee 7 A Tee 8 AF Straight duct 9 FJ Straight duct 10 J Tee 11 JK Straight duct 12 KL Straight duct 13 L Tee
850 850 500 250
x x x x
450 400 300 200
Q5 Q8 Q11 Q12
1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
600 500 400 400
x x x x
450 400 400 300
7.14 6.41 5.99 5.35
0.944 0.932 0.942 0.918
5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
4.722 4.658 4.710 4.588
0.00 0.00 0.37 0.00 0.00 0.37 0.37 0.00 0.00 0.37 0.00 0.00 0.37
36.48 37.21 37.21 17.99 6.31 6.31 53.66 31.28 25.24 25.24 22.04 17.60 17.60
0.00165 0.00204 0.00574 0.00548 0.02049 0.01556 0.00414 0.00262 0.00388 0.00778 0.00523 0.00765 0.01085
Table 4.2 First iteration for loop I.
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Item
Point
Description
Air Flow (L/S) 1350 1050 1050 750 150 150 2400 750 150 150 450 150 150
Design Static Loss (Pa/m) 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Duct Size (mm) WxH 550 600 500 250 x x x x 400 300 300 200
Air Velocity (m/s) 6.58 6.40 5.41 3.21
Calc. Static Loss / L (Pa/m) 0.923 1.006 0.822 0.615
Straight. Duct Length (m) 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
Static Loss (Pa) 4.614 5.031 4.112 3.073
hv (Pa)
Fitting Static Loss (Pa) 0.0 0.0 7.5 0.0 0.0 2.3 13.8 0.0 0.0 2.3 0.0 0.0 2.3
Total Static Loss, P (Pa) 4.6 5.0 7.5 4.1 3.1 2.3 13.8 4.1 3.1 2.3 3.7 3.1 2.3
P/Q
First Iteration Loop II 14 CD Straight duct 15 DE Straight duct 16 E Wye 17 EH Straight duct 18 HN Straight duct 19 N Tee 20 C Tee 21 CG Straight duct 22 GL Straight duct 23 L Tee 24 LM Straight duct 25 MN Straight duct 26 N Tee
Q3 Q4 Q7 Q10
Q6 Q9 Q13 Q14
1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
500 250 350 250
x x x x
300 200 300 200
5.41 3.21 4.57 3.21
0.822 0.615 0.745 0.615
5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
4.112 3.073 3.726 3.073
0.00 0.00 0.30 0.00 0.00 0.37 0.37 0.00 0.00 0.37 0.00 0.00 0.37
26.567 25.144 25.144 17.988 6.309 6.309 37.208 17.988 6.309 6.309 12.834 6.309 6.309
0.00342 0.00479 0.00718 0.00548 0.02049 0.01556 0.00574 0.00548 0.02049 0.01556 0.00828 0.02049 0.01556
Table 4.3 First iteration for loop II.
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From the two correction factors obtained above, the estimated flow rate is updated and tabulated in table 4.4.
Item 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Point Designation OA Q0 AB Q1 BC Q2 CD Q3 DE Q4 AF Q5 CG Q6 EH Q7 FJ Q8 GL Q9 HN Q10 JK Q11 KL Q12 LM Q13 MN Q14
Initial Air flow rate (l/s) 4800 2700 2400 1350 1050 1800 750 750 1200 150 150 900 600 450 150
Correction Q0 Q1 = Q1 +L(I) Q2 = Q2 +L(I) Q3 = Q3 +L(II) Q4 = Q4 +L(II) Q5 = Q5 - L(I) Q6 = Q6 +L(I) - L(II) Q7 = Q7 +L(II) Q8 = Q8 - L(I) Q9 = Q9 +L(I) - L(II) Q10 = Q10 +L(II) Q11 = Q11 - L(I) Q12 = Q12 - L(I) Q13 = Q13 - L(II) Q14 = Q14 - L(II)
Updated Air flow rate (l/s) 4800 2817 2517 1369 1069 1683 848 769 1083 248 169 783 483 431 131
Table 4.4 Updated estimated air flow rate after first iteration.
The iteration is continued and the correction factor is tabulated in table 4.5. The iteration is converged and the duct sizes are maintained from iteration of Ninth onwards. The converged value of Q is tabulated in table 4.6. The duct design is shown in figure 4.2.
Item
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Iteration Number First Second Third Forth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth
Correction factor Loop I, L(I) (l/s) 117 90 63 77 42 42 50 29 23
Correction factor Loop II, L(II) (l/s) 19 15 33 26 23 21 13 5 1
Table 4.5 Correction factors obtained from iterations.

At the eighth iteration, it is found that the air flow rate direction for duct section MN, Q14, is changed, from M->N to N->M. This is due to the accumulated static loss from O to N is lower than from O to M. The air flow rate across the duct section MN is very low, showing that the pressure at point M and N is almost balance or the air flow is almost stagnant.
From the static balance duct design method, it is discovered that the highest static loss is from O to Q. This static loss shall be overcome by the supply fan. An interesting phenomenon is found that the static loss from O to Q is almost the same regardless of the paths of air flow, either through A-J, C-L or E-N. This complies with the work-energy principle. The static loss calculation is tabulated in table 4.7. The minor variation of static loss is due to the residual air in discrete duct sizes. The variation can be reduced with more iterations. The average accumulated static loss from O to Q is 56 Pa.
Item 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Point OA AB BC CD DE AF CG EH FJ GL HN JK KL LM MN
Designation Q0 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Q9 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14
Air flow rate (l/s) 4800 3234 2934 1507 1207 1266 1127 907 666 527 307 366 66 293 7
Duct Size, W x H (mm) 950 x 450 900 x 450 600 x 400 600 x 350 450 x 450 650 x 300 550 x 300 400 x 350 350 x 300 250 x 300 300 x 300 150 x 150 250 x 300 100 x 50
Table 4.6 Converged air flow rate across each section of duct.
The air flow rate through duct section KL and MN is small. For equal friction method, these sections can be neglected and omitted. However, they have advantages for the static balance duct design method. This will be discussed more in chapter 6.
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Item
Point
Description
Air Flow (L/S)
Design Static Loss (Pa/m)
Duct Size (mm) WxH
Air Velocity (m/s)
Straight Duct Length (m)
Static Loss (Pa)
hv (Pa)
Fitting Static Loss (Pa)
Total Static Loss (Pa)
Static Loss (in. wg)
Static Loss through path E-N 1 OA Straight duct 2 AB Straight duct 3 BC Straight duct 4 CD Straight duct 5 DE Straight duct 6 Wye 7 EH Straight duct 8 HN Straight duct 9 Tee 10 NM Straight duct 11 Tee 12 MQ Straight duct Static Loss through path A-J 1 OA Straight duct 2 Tee 3 AF Straight duct 4 FJ Straight duct 5 Tee 6 JK Straight duct 7 KL Straight duct 8 LM Straight duct 9 Tee 10 MQ Straight duct
Q0 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q7 Q9 Q14 Q16
4800 3234 2934 1507 1207 907 307 7 300
1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
1,300 950 900 600 600 550 250 100 250
x x x x x x x x x
450 450 450 400 350 300 300 50 300
9.35 8.34 7.95 6.76 6.23 5.99 4.37 1.54 4.27
5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
5.000 4.818 4.550 4.606 4.335 4.683 4.214 3.334 4.041
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.30 0.00 0.00 0.37 0.00 0.37 0.00
53.66 42.68 38.78 28.04 23.86 23.86 22.03 11.72 11.72 1.45 1.45 11.19
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 7.2 0.0 0.0 4.3 0.0 0.5 0.0
5.0 4.8 4.6 4.6 4.3 7.2 4.7 4.2 4.3 3.3 0.5 4.0
5.0 9.8 14.4 19.0 23.3 30.5 35.1 39.4 43.7 47.0 47.6 51.6
0.0197 0.0387 0.0566 0.0747 0.0918 0.1199 0.1384 0.1550 0.1721 0.1852 0.1873 0.2032
Q0 Q5 Q8 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q16
4800 1266 666 366 66 293 300
1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
1,300 450 400 300 150 250 250
x x x x x x x
450 450 350 300 150 300 300
9.35 6.66 5.07 4.33 3.13 4.17 4.27
5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
5.000 4.945 3.777 3.707 4.765 3.871 4.041
0.00 0.37 0.00 0.00 0.37 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.37 0.00
53.66 53.66 27.23 15.80 15.80 11.52 5.99 10.68 10.68 11.19
0.0 19.9 0.0 0.0 5.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.0 0.0
5.0 19.9 4.9 3.8 5.8 3.7 4.8 3.9 4.0 4.0
5.0 24.9 29.8 33.6 39.4 43.1 47.9 51.8 55.7 59.8
0.0197 0.0978 0.1173 0.1322 0.1552 0.1698 0.1886 0.2038 0.2194 0.2353
Page 17 of 24
Item
Point
Description
Air Flow (L/S)
Design Static Loss (Pa/m)
Duct Size (mm) WxH
Air Velocity (m/s)
Straight Duct Length (m)
Static Loss (Pa)
hv (Pa)
Fitting Static Loss (Pa)
Total Static Loss (Pa)
Static Loss (in. wg)
Static Loss through path C-L 1 OA Straight duct 2 AB Straight duct 3 BC Straight duct 4 Tee 5 CG Straight duct 6 GL Straight duct 7 Tee 8 LM Straight duct 9 Tee 10 MQ Straight duct
Q0 Q1 Q2 Q6 Q9 Q13 Q16
4800 3234 2934 1127 527 293 300
1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
450 450 450 450 300 300 300
x x x x x x x
1,300 950 900 450 350 250 250
9.35 8.34 7.95 5.93 5.36 4.17 4.27
5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
5.000 4.818 4.550 4.001 4.967 3.871 4.041
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.37 0.00 0.00 0.370 0.00 0.37 0.00
53.66 42.68 38.78 38.78 21.58 17.60 17.60 10.68 10.68 11.19
0.0 0.0 0.0 14.3 0.0 0.0 6.5 0.0 4.0 0.0
5.0 4.8 4.6 14.3 4.0 5.0 6.5 3.9 4.0 4.0
5.0 9.8 14.4 28.7 32.7 37.7 44.2 48.1 52.0 56.1
0.0197 0.0387 0.0566 0.1131 0.1288 0.1484 0.1740 0.1893 0.2048 0.2207
Table 4.7 Static loss calculated result using static balance duct design method from point O to Q.
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5.0
COMPARISON BETWEEN THE STATIC BALANCE AND THE EQUAL FRICTION DUCT DESIGN METHOD
Chapter 3.1 and 4.1 show two examples of the duct design method for the same layout. The static balance duct design method uses the equal friction principle to develop the duct network.
Table 5.1 shows a comparison of the total static loss for the two methods. The static loss across duct work for the equal friction method is 64 Pa. This represents the external static pressure that a supply fan needs to overcome. However, the static balance method is 56 Pa, indicating that the friction loss in the equal friction duct method is 12.5% higher than the static balance method. The total static loss inclusive of equipment and terminal pressure for the equal friction method is approximately 1.7% higher than the static balance method. The reduction of static loss for static balance method may be significant for a large duct network system.
Item Description 1 2 3 Air Handling Unit Duct friction Terminal pressure Total Difference on friction across duct. (%) Difference on total static loss. (%)
Equal Friction method, (Pa) 380 64 35 479 12.5 1.7
Static balance method, (Pa) 380 55 35 470
Table 5.1 comparison on the total static loss for two duct design method.
Page 19 of 24
Item 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Section OA AB BC CD DE AF CG EH FJ JK KL LM MN NP
Q Q0 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15
Flow rate (l/s) 4800 2400 2100 1200 900 2100 600 600 1500 1200 900 600 300 300
Duct size (mm) W x H 1300 x 450 750 x 450 750 x 400 500 x 400 450 x 350 700 x 450 400 x 300 400 x 300 600 x 400 500 x 400 450 x 350 400 x 300 250 x 300 250 x 300
Length (m) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Qty 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 16
Surface area (m2) 17.5 12.0 11.5 9.0 8.0 11.5 7.0 7.0 10.0 9.0 8.0 7.0 5.5 88.0
Gauge (U.S.) 22 22 24 26 26 24 26 26 26 26 26 26 28 28 Total = 15% scrap = Total weight =
Weight (kg) 120.40 82.56 65.05 39.90 35.47 65.05 31.03 31.03 44.33 39.90 35.47 31.03 21.02 336.30 978.53 146.78 1125.31
Table 5.2 Duct size and weight for equal friction duct design method.
Item 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Section OA AB BC CD DE AF CG EH FJ GL HN JK KL LM MN NP
Q Q0 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Q9 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15
Flow rate (l/s) 4800 3234 2934 1507 1207 1266 1127 907 666 527 307 366 66 293 7 300
Duct size (mm) W x H 1300 x 450 950 x 450 900 x 450 600 x 400 600 x 350 450 x 450 650 x 300 550 x 300 400 x 350 350 x 300 250 x 300 300 x 300 150 x 150 250 x 300 100 x 50 250 x 300
Length m 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Qty 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 16
Surface area m2 17.5 14.0 13.5 10.0 9.5 9.0 9.5 8.5 7.5 6.5 5.5 6.0 3.0 5.5 1.5 88.0
Gauge (U.S.) 22 22 22 26 26 26 24 26 26 26 28 26 28 28 28 28 Total = 15% scrap = Total weight =
Weight (kg) 120.40 96.32 92.88 44.33 42.12 39.90 53.74 37.68 33.25 28.82 21.02 26.60 11.46 21.02 5.73 336.30 1011.56 151.73 1163.29
Table 5.3 Duct sizes and weight for static balance duct design method.
Page 20 of 24
Table 5.2 and 5.3 show the duct sizes and weights established by the two methods respectively. The weight of sheet metal required for the system design by the static balance method is approximately 3.4% higher than the equal friction method. However, the minimal increase of cost is offset by the long-term operating cost.
5.1
Alternative Equal Friction Duct Design Method
From the static balance method, it is found that the duct orientation for equal friction can be changed to achieve lower static loss. The alternative duct design is shown in figure 5.1. The highest static loss is from point O to Q, which is 56 Pa. It has the same static loss obtained for the static balance method.
This result is acceptable because the static balance method is developed based on the equal friction principle. Furthermore, this system is almost symmetrical, and therefore, the static variation is not significant. For a more complex system, the static balance method always has the lowest static loss.
5.2
Site Coordination
In general, the equal friction method is always the most popular among the 3 conventional duct design methods. This is because the equal friction method is the simplest and fastest way to design, easy to change or modify to suit any site modification. The static balance method also uses equal friction principle in developing the duct network. Therefore, it possesses the same advantageous characteristics of the equal friction method for site modifications.
In addition, the static balance method offers more advantages. Referring to figures 3.2, for example, if the duct size at section F-J is modified to avoid obstruction, any changes on the duct size will increase the total static loss, which shall be overcome by the supply fan. The increase of the static loss may cause an insufficient air flow from point O to P and require a higher fan static.
Referring to figure 4.2, if the static balance method is applied, with the same modification on section F-J, the air will achieve self-balancing so that more air will flow
through section C-L and E-N to achieve static balance phenomenon. The increase of static loss is one-third of the equal friction method. Hence, the disturbance may not be significant and the increase of fan size may not be required.
5.3
Testing and Commissioning
The static balance method is easier to balance as compared to the equal friction method. The Equal friction method requires more commissioning time in the air balancing at branches, due to the air flow is limited within the same length of duct. For the static balance method, the air flow is self-balance within the duct network and the static variation by minor disturbances is not significant.
6.0
THE STATIC BALANCE FOR VARIABLE AIR VOLUME (VAV) SYSTEM
The Static balance duct design method offers many advantages and well applicable for the VAV system. For any partial loading of the VAV system, the air flow rate will selfbalance to achieve the lowest static loss across the duct network. Therefore, it enhances energy saving on the fan operating cost. Furthermore, the response time of pressure variation for VAV system is much faster compared to the conventional system due to the shorter duct length.
6.1
The Equal Friction Method for VAV system
For a VAV system, the supply fan speed is controlled by a variable speed drive (VSD), corresponding to a pressure sensor located in the duct. Referring to figure 3.2, for example, the pressure sensor is located between sections L-M. If a VAV terminal unit located at H is shut off, the pressure sensor will sense the variation and feedback to the supply fan in reducing the speed. However, the static loss that is required to be overcome by the supply fan remains unchanged because the air supply from point O to P is unchanged. The fan reduces air flow rate and maintain the static.
Furthermore, the response time of pressure variation from point H to point L is long because of the long duct works through path H-E-D-C-B-A-F-J-K-L.
6.2
The Static Balance Method for VAV System
A Similar case of the equal friction method for VAV system is applied to the static balance method. Referring to figure 4.2, the pressure sensor is located at L-M. If the VAV terminal unit located at H is shut off, the pressure sensor will sense the variation and feedback to the supply fan in reducing the speed. In this case, the air flow within the duct network will perform self-balancing to reduce the total overall static loss. The air flow within each section of duct of the network is reduced. It reduces the overall static loss from point O to Q and the energy consumption.
In addition, lower air flow through bigger duct size reduces the friction factor per unit of length. As a result, static balance method further reduces the static that required to be overcome by the supply fan. It further reduces the fan speed and enhances energy saving. In static balance method, the fan reduces the air flow and the static as well.
The pressure variation response time of the pressure sensor from point H to point L is short through path H-N-M-L.
Page 23 of 24
CONCLUSION
The static balance is a novel duct design method which has advantages over conventional duct design methods. The static balance is a duct network system that implements the continuity and work-energy principles throughout the network.
The static balance method is an intelligent self-balance method by achieving minimum static losses across the ducting network. Although the initial cost for the static balance method is higher than the equal friction method, it is offset by the long term operating cost. The static balance method also minimizes the increase of static losses, which causes by site modifications, within the duct network. The commissioning of the static balance is easier and faster than the equal friction method.
Furthermore, the static balance method is well applicable to the variable air volume (VAV) system. It enhances the functionality of VAV system. It reduces the system response time. Due to its intelligent self-static balance characteristic, it further reduces the overall static losses within the duct network system and achieves higher energy saving.
REFERENCES
1. Carrier, Handbook of Air Conditioning System Design. McGraw-Hill, New York.
2. SMACNA, HVAC Duct Construction Standards. 1985. SMACNA, USA 3. R.L. Street, Elementary Fluid Mechanicals. 1996. (7th Ed.) John Wiley & Sons, New York.
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Duct Sizing-Static Balance

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Duct Sizing-Static Balance

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STATIC BALANCE DUCT SIZING METHOD

STATIC BALANCE DUCT DESIGN METHOD

STATIC BALANCE DUCT DESIGN METHOD

Copyright 2008 by Kok-Haw Kong All right reserved.

STATIC BALANCE DUCT DESIGN METHOD

DUCT DESIGN METHOD

Copyright 2008 by Kok-Haw Kong All right reserved.

STATIC BALANCE DUCT DESIGN METHOD

EQUAL FRICTION DUCT DESIGN METHOD

The relationship of these factors is represented by the following equation:

STATIC BALANCE DUCT DESIGN METHOD

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

Fittings Transition Elbow Wye Tee

Coefficient, C 0.25 0.27 0.30 0.37

STATIC BALANCE DUCT DESIGN METHOD

Example for Equal Friction Duct Design Method

From calculation, the accumulated static loss is 64 Pa from point O to P.

Copyright 2008 by Kok-Haw Kong All right reserved.

STATIC BALANCE DUCT DESIGN METHOD

Air Flow (L/S)

Duct Size (mm) WxH

Air Velocity (m/s)

Static Loss (Pa)

Cumulative Static Loss (Pa)

Q0 Q5 Q8 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15

4800 2100 1500 1200 900 600 300 300

1,300 700 600 500 450 400 250 250

x 450 x 450 x 400 x x x x 400 350 300 300

9.35 7.19 6.73 6.41 5.94 5.35 4.27 4.27

3.757 4.372 4.567 4.658 4.941 4.588 4.041 4.041

Copyright 2008 by Kok-Haw Kong All right reserved.

STATIC BALANCE DUCT DESIGN METHOD

STATIC BALANCE DUCT DESIGN METHOD

P(straight duct ) + P ( fittings ) = 0

Copyright 2008 by Kok-Haw Kong All right reserved.

STATIC BALANCE DUCT DESIGN METHOD

From equation 4.3, the static loss equation is,

P(straight duct ) + P ( fittings ) = 0

Introducing eq. 4.4 into eq. 4.5, and obtain

Copyright 2008 by Kok-Haw Kong All right reserved.

STATIC BALANCE DUCT DESIGN METHOD

Solving for L, the first correction factor becomes

Copyright 2008 by Kok-Haw Kong All right reserved.

STATIC BALANCE DUCT DESIGN METHOD

Example for Static Balance Duct Design Method

From eq. 4.8, the correction factor for loop I is,

Copyright 2008 by Kok-Haw Kong All right reserved.

STATIC BALANCE DUCT DESIGN METHOD

Similarly, the correction factor for loop II is, L ( II ) = =

Copyright 2008 by Kok-Haw Kong All right reserved.

STATIC BALANCE DUCT DESIGN METHOD

Design Static Loss (Pa/m) 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

Duct Size (mm) WxH

Air Velocity (m/s) 7.71 7.79 5.41 3.21

Calc. Static Loss / L (Pa/m) 0.889 0.978 0.822 0.615

Straight. Duct Length (m) 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0

Static Loss (Pa) 4.445 4.891 4.112 3.073

850 850 500 250

450 400 300 200

1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

600 500 400 400

450 400 400 300

7.14 6.41 5.99 5.35