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From Asia
C.L. Cheng

Air Pressure Predictions on Vertical Drainage Stacks

Figure 1. Vertical Drainage Features and Inverted Model Mechanism flow mechanism. Accordingly, airflow performance in a vertical drainage stack was the No. 1 parameter that needed to be solved. While the airflow rate is dominant in the vertical drainage stack, it also plays a critical role in the subsequent vertical drainage stack operation in which the mechanism may be assumed to be a quasi-fan machine. Thus, previous studies introduced fan laws into the vertical drainage flow (Kiya et al., 1995). The fan laws can be expressed Vertical Drainage Flow Mechanism Appliance discharge to a vertical drain using hydraulic parameters such as stack is an unsteady or time-dependent vent) stack types. flow. The appliance discharge flow form the air density, presAir Pressure Distribution contributes to this flow condition (Swaf- sure, velocity, gravity, resistance coefficient, and lift. Practically, the operation Previous research used U.S. National field and Cambell, 1995). Actual vertical energy for airflow within the fan occurs Plumbing Code guidelines to set the drainage stack discharge is a complex mainly from electric power; thus, the permitted flow rate for drainage system phenomenon consisting of triple-phase potential energy from height is the regulations (Wyly and Eaton, 1961). flow features incorporating solids, liqdominant power for conducting airflow Following initial HASS 203 work from uids, and air. Through-flow mixing and within a vertical drainage stack. Japan in the 1970s, the steady flow the friction from interaction between A series of interactions between condition method was created as the falling water and air promotes airflow downstream water and through-flow air reference provision and evaluation in the drainage stack. This mechanism in the vertical pipe causes air pressure technique. Hence, a series of studies on causes negative pressure in the vertical in a vertical drainage stack. Figure 1 the steady flow method with reference drainage systems upper floors and posiillustrates the flow state and modified to building drainage networks followed. tive pressure in the lower floors. interaction. The main parametersair An air pressure distribution prediction According to previous research, the airflow rate (Qa) was identified as a criti- pressure, airflow rate, and the resistance model for drainage stacks in high-rise coefficientsare the essential factors for (108-meter or 354.3-foot) (Cheng et al., cal parameter for a prediction model the air pressure distribution model. 1996) and medium-height (30-meter or that can express the vertical drainage This study 98.4-foot) experiment towers (Ohtsuka, Nomenclature focuses on a 1988a; Ohtsuka, 1988b) was developed CB constant pressure gradient (mmAq/m) Va velocity of air ow at stack vent (m/s) single-stack buildin Japan in 1985. FL discharge oor height (m) specic weight of air(kgf/m3) ing drainage According to the vertical drainage g acceleration of gravity (m/s2) A drag coecient of A zone system with single- stack flow features from the theoretical L length scale of the B zone (m) B drag coecient of B zone point discharge. review, we divided the drainage stack PA pressure of A zone D drag coecient of D zone The predication profile into four zones, shown in Figure PB pressure of B zone empirical constant of constant method did not 2. We modeled each zone individually pressure gradient in C zone PD pressure of D zone include the special due to the corresponding characteristics. joint fittings and Qa air ow rate in stack vent (m3/s) The air pressure distribution, which double- (or loopQw water ow rate (V/s) reveals the average air pressure data Ensuring sanitary performance is a prerequisite for drainage network and plumbing system design. The drainage through-flow and simultaneous air pressure fluctuations in a vertical drainage stack could destroy the water trap seal and cause many sanitary problems in a buildings drainage network. Thus, pressure fluctuation control in vertical drainage stacks is an important component of sanitary drainage performance. Past studies have made considerable progress in predicting the air pressure distribution within drainage systems (Jack and Swaffield, 1999; Swaffield and Jack, 1998). This article focuses on an empirical approach to vertical drainage stack air pressure prediction, using an experimental device that simulates a medium-height apartment building (12 floors) to provide empirical parameters and model verification. 12 Plumbing Systems & Design Jan/Feb 2005

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with steady flow condition, does not involve instantaneous air pressure fluctuations in vertical drainage flow. A Zone. This zone is located at the upstream part of the stack vent from the discharge entry, thus consists of only airflow. This allows us to employ the following air duct model with a constant drag coefficient A to calculate the air pressure PA of A zone as shown in equation 1: PA = A ( (2g)) Va2 B Zone. B zone runs from the discharge entry to the downstream point where the air pressure recovers after reaching its negative peak. According to the quasi-fan machine mechanism, we can employ the air duct model with a constant drag coefficient B to calculate the air pressure PB of B zone. The function is expressed in equation 2: PB = B ( (2g)) Va2 Previous research indicated that the drag coefficient B of the air duct model in equation 2 is not likely to be constant because the airflow rate exhibits an extreme range. From the hydraulics observation, the complicated interaction of the incorporated water and air accelerates and decelerates in the same phase. The drag coefficient B may be calculated as an independent parameter with a direct ratio to the water flow rate under general discharge conditions. The calculation deviation is still acceptable excluding the extremely large range. Previous research identified the length scale of the B zone (L) to modify the B zone prediction model. B and L are both dependent on the stacks airflow Qa or Va (Cheng et al., 1996). Therefore, the function of the pressure PB also may be expressed in equation 3: PB = C L0.7 Parameter L is determined from the calculation value of PB in equation 2. C Zone. Similar to the quasi-fan machine law, the air pressure variation in a stack is produced by the kineticto-potential energy height transformation. The downstream water flow drags the airflow and produces the air pressure fluctuation in the vertical drainage stack. The modification feature for this interaction is shown in Figure 1. The airflow in C zone gains energy as a form of static pressure via its deceleration against the falling water. A constant positive pressure gradient (CB) in the downstream direction produces constant transfer momentum from the falling water into the airflow. According to the early empirical work, it was assumed that the frictional force acting on the water surface was proportional to the square of the bulk velocity difference between the water and air, equal to the square root of the constant pressure gradient CB in this zone. With two empirical constants, and , CB can be expressed using the airflow rate in equation 4: CB = P H = 2 ( - Qa)2 This is the two parameters method used in earlier research (Cheng et al, 1996).

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Figure 2. Air Pressure Distribution Zone Prole The Calculation Method To conduct a calculation system and verify the prediction model, we performed an experiment using a full-scale prototype drainage tower, which simulates a drainage system within a middleheight apartment building (12 floors). (You can find a thorough description of the experimental tower in Investigating Building Drainage Systems of Apartment Houses in Taiwan, PSD, July/August 2004.) We first determined the experimental parameters. According to the arranged calculation procedure, we calculated the drag coefficients of each zone (A, B, D) and then determined the air pressure distribution of each zone. To clarify this prediction methodology, we undertook a calculation procedure to determine the empirical parameters of each zone within the vertical drainage stack under steady and sequential discharge conditions. The airflow rate Qa was the dominating parameter for this calculation system. We set the water discharge flow rate Qw and discharge floor as the initial input condition. The airflow rate Qa is a crucial parameter for the first loop calculation. The calculation system can start to determine all parameters and conduct the air pressure distribution for each zone under the assumed conditions. Owing to the sequential distribution feature of vertical drainage, only the correct Qa can produce an air pressure distribution diagram that reveals the closed features; thus, the loop calculation can search for the approximate correct airflow rate Qa to satisfy the featured conditions and stop the calculation. Figure 3 summarizes the calculation procedure. Verication Using the experimental tower, we performed a single-point discharge under steady flow conditions. Parallel laboratory observations involved noting the maximum and minimum air pressure fluctuations. Herein, we focused on the verification of this prediction model using experimental data. We used water discharge test patterns including discharge height variations from six floors to 12 floors and water flow rates from one liter per second (15.8 gallons per minute) to four liters per second (63.4 gpm). Figures 4 and 5 show measured data and calculation result comparisons. The most important factor in the prediction model, Qa, must be confirmed first. Figure 5 shows the comparison between the calculated results and measured airflow rate data. According to the prediction method and calculation procedure, we reproFigure 4. Verication of Qa

D Zone. Owing to the hydraulic jump at the vertical stack pipe and horizontal drainpipe connection, the D zone provides air resistance, similar to that from A zone. Hence, with a constant drag coefficient D, calculate the air pressure PD and the air pressure distribution in D zone using equation 5: PD = D ( (2g)) Va2 Therefore, the stack airflow rate Qa or Va is an important factor in the air pressure distribution prediction model. A method to calculate the air pressure profile of each zone is shown in Figure 2 as a function of Qa or Va. These profiles are assembled to introduce the entire air pressure distribution in a buildings vertical drainage stack. However, as a prediction model this calculation method is not a complete theoretical solution but a semiempirical approach with experimental parameters. Figure 3. Calculation Procedure and Flow Chart

Figure 5. Verication of Parameter L

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Figure 6. Verication of PA

Figure 7. Verication of PB

duced the experimental data for PA, PB, PD, and CB to verify the reliability of this prediction model. These results reveal that the calculation procedure can approximately reproduce the experimental data for each vertical drainage stack zone and that the deviations are acceptable under the experimental conditions. Figures 6 through 15 show the comparison profiles. These figures indicate that the calculation results can approximately reproduce the experiment data and the air pressure distribution in vertical drainage stack profiles. This reveals that the model is reliable for these water drainage patterns and can be applied to other applications under similar conditions. (Note: In the following figures, mmAq stands for the unit of stack air pressure, equivalent to kg/m2.)
Figure 10. Comparison Prole (Discharge From 12F)

Conclusions Through-flow mixing and the friction from interaction between falling water and air promote airflow in a drainage stack. A comprehensive understanding of this complex phenomenon, which causes negative pressure in the vertical drainage stacks upper floors and positive pressure in lower floors is necessary to avoid water trap seal destruction and sanitary problems in the buildings drainage network. The prediction model developed in this study offers drainage system designers guidance for maintaining water trap functions. The verification from comparisons between the measured data and calculation values reveals that the prediction model can approximately reproduce the mean air pressure distribution values in a buildings vertical drainage stack for single-point discharge and steady flow conditions. References Cheng, C.L., M. Kamata, T. Kurabuchi, K. Sakaue and T. Tanaka. Study on Pressure Distribution of Drainage Stack Systems in High-Rise Apartment Houses. CIB-W62 International Symposium of Water Supply and Drainage for Buildings. 1996. Cheng, C.L., W.H. Lu and Y.C. Chou. The First Experimental Device of Building Drainage System and Primary Research in Taiwan, International Symposium of Plumbing System in Asia. 2001. Jack, L.B. and J.A. Swaffield. Developments in the Simulation of the Air Pressure Transient Regime Within Single-Stack Building Drainage System, CIB-W62 International Sym-

Figure 8. Verication of PD

Figure 11. Comparison Prole (Discharge From 11F)

continued on page 61

Figure 9. Verication of CB

C.L. Cheng is professor and chairman at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Department of Architecture. He has published widely on issues such as water conservation, building drainage, and water and energy conservation He can be contacted at CCL@mail.ntust.edu.tw. He would like to thank the Architecture & Building Research Institute of the Ministry of the Interior of Taiwan and the National Science Council of the Republic of China for nancially supporting this research.

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