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Total Heat Formula: QT = 4.5 x cfm x h Sensible Heat Formula: QS = 1.08 x cfm x T Latent Heat Formula: QL = 0.68 x cfm x W where h = The change in enthalpy between return and supply air T = The difference between the dry bulb temperature of the return air and the dry bulb temperature of the supply air W = The difference between the moisture content (in grains per pound of dry air) of the return and supply air CFM = Volume of air passing through the heat exchange coil, in cubic feet per minute
We must also get rid of the cubic feet in the numerator as well as the lb in the denominator to keep the units in order. The specific volume of the air is in the units of cubic feet per pound. Since the cubic feet is in the numerator of the above equation, it must be in the denominator to cancel out when multiplied. So, we use the density of the air, which is in the units of lb/cubic foot. When dealing with return and supply air, the average density is used. We calculate this by adding the density of the return air to the density of the supply air and then divide by 2. On average, the density of the air is about 0.075 lb/cubic foot. QT (btu/hr) = h (btu/lb) x Airflow (ft3/minute) x 60 minutes/hour x 0.075 lb/ft3 Since the 60 conversion between minutes and hours and the 0.075 lb/ft3 remain constant (more or less), we simplify the equation by multiplying these two items together to get 4.5. QT (btu/hr) = h (btu/lb) x Airflow (ft3/minute) x 4.5 It is important to keep in mind that this calculation is only an estimate. To ensure a more accurate calculation, determine the actual densities of the return and supply air and average these two values.
We must also get rid of the cubic feet and F in the numerator. The specific volume of the air is in the units of cubic feet per pound. Since the cubic feet is in the numerator of the above equation, it must be in the denominator to cancel out when multiplied. So, we use the density of the air, which is in the units of lb/cubic foot. When dealing with return and supply air, the average density is used. We calculate this by adding the density of the return air to the density of the supply air and then divide by 2. On average, the density of the air is about 0.075 lb/cubic foot. QT (btu/hr) = T (F) x Airflow (ft3/minute) x 60 minutes/hour x 0.075 lb/ft3 To complete the formula, we need a btu term on the right hand side, we need to get rid of the F on the right side of the equation and we need to get rid of the lb. term on the right hand side. Specific heat represents the amount of heat required to raise one pound of a substance 1 degree F and is in the units of btu/lb/F. The specific heat of air is 0.24. This gives us QT (btu/hr) = T (F) x Airflow (ft3/minute) x 60 min/hour x 0.075 lb/ft3 x 0.24 btu/lb/F Since the 60, 0.075 and the 0.24 are constants (more or less) we can multiply them together to simplify the calculations. 60 x 0.075 x 0.24 = 1.08 So the formula becomes QS = 1.08 x cfm x T
It is important to keep in mind that this calculation is only an estimate. To ensure a more accurate calculation, determine the actual densities of the return and supply air and average these two values.
QL (btu/hr) = W (grains/lb) x ? x ? x ? Since the amount of heat transfer depends in part by the amount of air moving through the heat exchanger, we must take the cfm into account. QL (btu/hr) = W (grains/lb) x Airflow (cubic feet/minute) x ? x ? Since our latent heat value is in the units of btu/hour and we presently have minute units, we must convert to hours by mulitplying by 60. QL (btu/hr) = W (grains/lb) x Airflow (cubic feet/minute) x 60 minutes/hour x ? We must also get rid of the cubic feet and grains in the numerator and the lb in the denominator. The specific volume of the air is in the units of cubic feet per pound. Since the cubic feet is in the numerator of the above equation, it must be in the denominator to cancel out when multiplied. So, we use the density of the air, which is in the units of lb/cubic foot. When dealing with return and supply air, the average density is used. We calculate this by adding the density of the return air to the density of the supply air and then divide by 2. On average, the density of the air is about 0.075 lb/cubic foot. QL (btu/hr) = W (grains/lb) x Airflow (ft3/minute) x 60 min/hour x 0.075 lb/ft3 To complete the formula, we need a btu term on the right hand side, we need to get rid of the grains on the right side of the equation and we need to get rid of the lb term on the right hand side. Since we have air entering the coil and are removing moisture, we must determine the latent heat activity within the coil. We do this by subtracting the enthalpy of the condensed vapor at 50F from the enthalpy of the 75F water vapor that is entering the coil. The enthalpy of 75F water vapor is about 1094 btu/lb while the enthalpy of the 50F condensed water vapor is about 18 btu/lb. This gives us a net latent heat transfer of about 1076 btu/lb (1094 btu/lb 18 btu/lb) QL (btu/hr) = W(grains/lb) x Flow(ft3/minute) x 60 min/hour x 0.075 lb/ft3 x 1076 btu/lb It should be noted that the lb in grains/lb represents dry air, while the lb in btu/lb represents water We now need to get rid of the grains term by using the conversion 7,000 grains/lb. This lb represents water and will cancel out the lb in btu/lb.
The formula now becomes: QL = W(gr/lb) x Flow(ft3/min) x 60 min/hour x 0.075 lb/ft3 x 1076 btu/lb x 1 lb/7000gr By simplifying the constant terms we can get: (60 x 0.075 x 1076) 7000 = 0.68 So the formula becomes QL = 0.68 x cfm x W
It is important to keep in mind that this calculation is only an estimate. To ensure a more accurate calculation, determine the actual densities of the return and supply air and average these two values.