STATIC PRESSURE CALCULATION

DUCT DESIGN CHAPTER -32

CHAPTER-16 1990 ASHRAE HANDBOOK-SYSTEMS & EQUIPMENT – Duct construction standards

Duct design is based on 1-space availability,2-space air diffusion,3-noise level,4-duct leakage,5-duct heat
gain & losses,6-balancing,7-fire & smoke control,8-Initial investment cost & 9-system operating cost

Deficiencies in duct design can result

 In systems that operate incorrectly or are expensive to own and operate.

 Poor air distribution can cause discomfort
 Lack of sound attenuation may permit objectionable noise levels
 Poorly designed ductwork can result in unbalanced systems
 Faulty duct construction or lack of duct sealing produces inadequate airflow rates at the
terminals
 Excessive heat gain or loss by lack of insulation

SYSTEM’S FRICTIONAL AND DYNAMIC RESISTANCE TO AIRFLOW

HEAD & PRESSURE

The terms head & pressure are often used interchangeably; however head is the
height of a fluid column supported by fluid flow, while pressure is the normal force per
unit area. For liquids it is convenient to measure the head in terms of the flowing fluid.
With a gas or air, however, it is customary to measure pressure on a column of liquid.

Static Pressure

The term p/dg is static head; p is static pressure

Velocity Pressure

The term V2/2g refers to velocity head, and the terms pV2/2 refers to velocity pressure,
Although velocity head is independent of fluid density, Velocity pressure, calculated by
Equation

PV = DV2/2

Where

Pv = Velocity pressure, pa
 V= Fluid mean velocity, m/s

D=density of air at standard condition 1.204kg/m3

Velocity is calculated by V = Q/A

FLUID RESISTANCE

Two types of losses are occurring duct (1) friction losses and (2) dynamic losses

FRICTION LOSSES

Friction losses are due to fluid viscosity and are a result of momentum exchange
between molecules in laminar flow and between individual particles of adjacent fluid
layers moving at different velocities in turbulent flow. Friction losses occur along the
entire duct length.

Darcey, Colebrook, and Altshul-Tsal Equations

Darcy equation: Pf = 1000fL/ Dh x DV2/2

Where

Pf = friction losses in terms of total pressure, pa

f = Friction factor, dimensionless = normally 0.018 or 0.09

L =length of duct, m

Dh = hydraulic diameter , mm

V=Velocity, m/s

D= density of air , kg/m3 (normally 1.204kg/m3 upto 500m from sea level)

Rectangular Ducts: Huebscher (1948) developed the relationship between rectangular

and round ducts that is used to determine size equivalency based on equal flow,
resistance, and length.

De = 1.30(ab) 0.625 / (a+b) 0.250

Where

De= Circular equvalent of rectangular duct for equal length,fluid resistance and airflow,
mm

a = length of one side of duct, mm

b = length of adjacent side of duct, mm

DYNAMIC LOSSES

Dynamic losses result from flow disturbances caused by duct-mounted equipment and
fittings that change the airflow path’s direction and/or area. These fittings include
entries, exists, elbow,trasitions and junctions. Idelchik et al(1986) discuss parameters
affecting fluid resistance of fittings and presents local loss coefficient in three forms:
tables,curves and equations

Dynamic losses occur along a duct length and cannot be separated from friction losses.
For ease of calculation, dynamic losses are assumed to be concentrated at a section
and to include friction. Friction losses must be considered only relatively long fittings.
Generally fitting friction losses are accounted for by measuring duct lengths from the
centerline of one fitting to that of the next fitting. For fitting closely couple (less than siz
hydraulic diameter apart), the flow pattern entering subsequent fittings differs from the
flow pattern used to determine loss coefficients. Adequate data for these situations are
unavailable.

SP of fitting = C0 x velocity pressure

Where C0 = fitting coefficient