Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M.

Salem

1

Advanced Air Duct Design
Introduction
Correct air diffusion, as well as the proper quantity of conditional air
conditioned, is essential for comfortable conditions in forced systems. A
well designed air duct system, either commercial or industrial, must
consider most of the following system design factors: (1) space
availability; (2) space air diffusion; (3) noise levels; (4) duct leakage; (5)
duct heat gain and losses; (6) balancing; (7) fire and smoke control; (8)
initial investment cost; (9) system operating cost.
Any deficiency in duct design may result in a system that does not
operate properly. These deficiencies include system, which are
excessively expensive to own and / or operate. Poor air distribution can
cause discomfort, and lack sound attenuators may result in objectionable
noise levels. Poor duct construction or lack of duct sealing can cause
inadequate airflow rates at the terminal units. Inadequate airflow is also
caused by excessive heat gains/losses, which can be avoided with proper
duct insulation. Poor design of the branches concerning main ducts may
result in unbalanced systems. As a part of our course, we redesigned the
duct system in the building. Moreover, we resized all the ducts depending
on the actual data that we have calculated.

Duct Design Methods
The most common methods of air duct system design are: (1) equal
friction, velocity reduction, static regain and variations such as total
pressure, and constant velocity. The choice of design method is the
designers and the system design with the minimum owning and
operating cost depends on both the application and ingenuity of the
designer. No single duct design method will automatically produce the
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

2

most economical duct system for all conditions. Air-conditioning and
ventilation systems, and exhaust systems conveying vapors, gases, and
smoke are generally designed by the equal friction method. Exhaust
systems conveying particulates are designed with a minimum constant
velocity.

Equal Friction Method
The principle of this method is to size a systems ductwork for a
constant pressure loss per unit length of duct. At the higher air flow rates,
however, it may be necessary to limit the velocity so as not to generate
objectionable noises. Once the system is sized, the total pressure losses
for the main and branch sections from junction-to-junction /fan/terminal
may be calculated and the total pressure grade line plotted.
After the system has been designed and the total pressure grade line
plotted, sections of ductwork may be redesigned to achieve an
approximate balance at the junctions without relying entirely on
balancing dampers. If the pressure available for the duct system is
known, as it is for packaged equipment, this pressure can be divided by
the total equivalent length of the run with the apparent highest resistance,
to obtain a design friction loss value per unit length. After the system is
sized, the system total pressure requirements can be compared to that
available, and if there is a considerable difference, a redesign and
recalculation are necessary.

Velocity Reduction Method
This method consists of selecting the velocity at the fan discharge,
and designing for progressively lower velocities in the main of each
junction or branch duct. The return air ductwork is sized similarly,
starting with the highest velocity at the fan suction and decreasing
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

3

progressively in the direction of the return intakes. With the ducts sized
and the fittings known, the total pressure losses can be calculated, the
pressure gradients plotted, and the minimum pressure loss or critical path
of the system established.
A refinement of this method involves sizing the branch ducts to
dissipate the pressure available at the entrance to each. The pressure loss
of the ductwork between the fan and first branch take-off is subtracted
from the total fan pressure to obtain the available pressure at the first
junction. Through trial, a branch velocity is found that results in the
branch pressure loss being equal to or less than the pressure available.
The procedure is repeated for each branch.

Static Regain Method
The static regain method is design procedure in which the ducts are
sized so that the increase in static pressure (static regain) at each take-off
offsets the pressure loss of the succeeding section of ductwork. This
method is especially suited for high velocity installations having long
runs with many take-offs or terminal units. With this design procedure,
approximately the same static pressure exists at the entrance to each
branch, which simplifies outlet or terminal unit selection and system
balancing. With the ductwork sized by this method, the systems total
pressure losses can be calculated. The major disadvantage of this method,
however, is that excessively large ducts (low velocities) result at the end
of long duct runs.
The total pressure design method is adaptation of the static regain
method. This method is advantageous since a designer has knowledge of
the intermediate system pressures and control of duct sizes and velocities.


Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

4


Constant Velocity Method
Since the constant velocity design method is generally applied to
exhaust systems conveying particulates, and since these systems are
usually round, this method is applied for round ducts only.

Duct Design Procedures
The general procedure for duct design is as follows:
1. Study the plans of the building and arrange the supply and return
outlets to provide proper distribution of air within each space. Adjust
calculated actual air quantities for duct heat gains or losses and duct
leakage. Also, adjust the supply, return, and/or exhaust air quantities
to meet space pressurization requirements.
2. Select outlet sizes from manufacturers data.
3. Sketch the duct system, connecting the supply outlets and return
intakes with the central station apparatus, taking recognizance of the
building construction, and avoiding all structural obstructions and
equipment. The space allocated for the supply and return ducts often
dictates the system layout and the shape of the ductwork.
4. Determine the size of main and all branches by the selected design
method.
5. Calculate the total pressure requirements of all duct sections, both
supply and return, and then plot the total pressure grade line.
6. To design a system with the minimum owning and operating costs,
repeat steps 4 and 5 with different duct sizes. It is necessary to
estimate the cost of the initial design and the incremental cost
variations due to the redesigns.
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

5

7. Layout the system in detail. If significant duct routing and fitting
variations have occurred from the original design, recalculate the
pressure losses.
8. Redesign the duct branches to minimize the balancing necessary by
dampers.
9. Analyze the design for objectionable noise levels and specify sound
attenuators as necessary.
10. Select the fan.

Air Duct Design
Equal Friction Method
This method is used to determine the diameter of air duct, so that
the duct friction loss per unit length at various duct section always remain
constant. The final dimensions of sized ducts should be rounded to
standard size. The procedure of this method is as follows:
1. Select a suitable velocity in the main duct from sound level
considerations as given in the table.
2. Knowing the air flow rate from the load estimation.
3. The sized of the main duct and friction loss are determined.
4. The remaining ducts are then sized respectively.






Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

6

Example:
The system shown below, find the size of the main duct and branches.



First we will use the Equal friction method.
The main duct A-B.
The total flow rate is,
s m Q
Q Q Q Q
t
t
/ 8 1 3 4
3
2 2 1
= + + =
+ + =

We assume the velocity in the main duct A B and size the duct
m d
V d Q
s m V
t
128 . 1
8
8 4
4
/ 8
2
=

=
=
=
t
t

Friction losses in the main duct A-B
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

7

2
2
V
d
fL
P = A

Assume the roughness of the surface from the table and calculate the
value,
000133 . 0
128 . 1
00015 . 0
= =
d
c

We can calculate the Reynolds number for air in the main duct after
finding the viscosity and density of the air from the table.
The properties of the air is at 25 oC.
5
6
10 80 . 5
10 413 . 18
128 . 1 8 184 . 1
Re =

= =

Vd

From Moody chart, we can find the fraction factor, f
m Pa
L
P
Pa P
f
/ 487 . 0
61 . 14
2
8
128 . 1
30 0145 . 0
184 . 1
0145 . 0
2
=
A
=

= A
=

The branch B-E.
4 2
2 2
2
8
2
,
4
d
Q V
d
Q
V
AV Q
t t
= =
=

Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

8

s m
d
Q
V
m
L
P
fQ
d
d
Q
d
f
L
P
/ 281 . 5
4
491 . 0
487 . 0
1 0145 . 0 184 . 1 8 8
8
2
5
2
5
2
2
4 2
2
= =
=

=
A
=
=
A
t
t
t

By using the value of d and V, we can calculate the Reynolds number
again and modify the value of d and V if possible as follows,
The first modification of d and V gives,
000305 . 0
491 . 0
00015 . 0
10 66 . 1
10 413 . 18
491 . 0 281 . 5 184 . 1
Re
5
6
= =
=

= =

d
Vd
c

016 . 0 = f

s m V
m d
/ 073 . 5
501 . 0
=
=

The second modification of d and V gives,
016 . 0
000299 . 0
513 . 0
00015 . 0
10 63 . 1
10 413 . 18
501 . 0 073 . 5 184 . 1
Re
5
6
=
= =
=

= =

f
d
Vd
c

The same fraction factor, so the value of d and V does not change.
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

9

s m V
m d
/ 073 . 5
501 . 0
=
=

We can check the volume flow rate is less or higher the design value,
s m V d AV Q
cal
/ 000069 . 1 073 . 5 501 . 0
4 4
3 2 2
= = = =
t t

This is acceptable value.
The branch B-C.
s m
d
Q
V
m
L
P
fQ
d
/ 489 . 7
091 . 1
7 4 4
091 . 1
487 . 0
7 016 . 0 184 . 1 8 8
2 2
5
2
2
5
2
2
=

= =
=

=
A
=
t t
t
t

The first modification of d and V gives,
000137 . 0
091 . 1
00015 . 0
10 25 . 5
10 413 . 18
0696 . 1 79 . 7 184 . 1
Re
5
6
= =
=

= =

d
Vd
c

0146 . 0 = f

The same fraction factor we used, so the value of d and V does not
change.
s m V
m d
/ 768 . 7
071 . 1
=
=

The second modification of d and V gives,
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

10

0146 . 0
00014 . 0
071 . 1
00015 . 0
10 35 . 5
10 413 . 18
071 . 1 768 . 7 184 . 1
Re
5
6
=
= =
=

= =

f
d
Vd
c

The same fraction factor we used, so the value of d and V does not
change.
s m V
m d
/ 768 . 7
071 . 1
=
=

We can check the volume flow rate is less or higher the design value,
s m V d AV Q
cal
/ 998 . 6 768 . 7 071 . 1
4 4
3 2 2
= = = =
t t

This is acceptable value.
The branch C-F.
s m
d
Q
V
m
L
P
fQ
d
/ 557 . 6
7621 . 0
3 4 4
7632 . 0
487 . 0
3 0146 . 0 184 . 1 8 8
2 2
5
2
2
5
2
2
=

= =
=

=
A
=
t t
t
t

The first modification of d and V gives,
0163 . 0
000197 . 0
7632 . 0
00015 . 0
10 22 . 3
10 413 . 18
7632 . 0 557 . 6 184 . 1
Re
5
6
=
= =
=

= =

f
d
Vd
c

Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

11

s m V
m d
/ 275 . 6
780 . 0
=
=

The second modification of d and V gives,
0164 . 0
000192 . 0
780 . 0
00015 . 0
10 15 . 3
10 413 . 18
780 . 0 275 . 6 184 . 1
Re
5
6
=
= =
=

= =

f
d
Vd
c

The same fraction factor we used, so the value of d and V does not
change.
s m V
m d
/ 275 . 6
780 . 0
=
=

We can check the volume flow rate is less or higher the design value,
s m V d AV Q
cal
/ 9984 . 2 275 . 6 78 . 0
4 4
3 2 2
= = = =
t t

This is acceptable value.
The branch C-D.
s m
d
Q
V
m
L
P
fQ
d
/ 630 . 6
8551 . 0
4 4 4
8764 . 0
487 . 0
4 0164 . 0 184 . 1 8 8
2 2
5
2
2
5
2
2
=

= =
=

=
A
=
t t
t
t

The first modification of d and V gives,
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

12

0157 . 0
000171 . 0
8764 . 0
00015 . 0
10 74 . 3
10 413 . 18
8764 . 0 630 . 6 184 . 1
Re
5
6
=
= =
=

= =

f
d
Vd
c

s m V
m d
/ 747 . 6
869 . 0
=
=

The second modification of d and V gives,
0159 . 0
000173 . 0
869 . 0
00015 . 0
10 77 . 3
10 413 . 18
869 . 0 747 . 6 184 . 1
Re
5
6
=
= =
=

= =

f
d
Vd
c

s m V
m d
/ 747 . 6
869 . 0
=
=

The difference between second and first modification is not so much, so
the value of d and V does not change.
We can check the volume flow rate is less or higher the design value,
s m V d AV Q
cal
/ 002 . 4 747 . 6 869 . 0
4 4
3 2 2
= = = =
t t

This is acceptable value.

The results of calculation must be illustrated in a table to use it in the
calculation of air fan power.

Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

13



Results
Section L (m) Q (m3/s) V (m/s d (m) Qcal
A-B 30 8 8.00 1.128 8.000
B-C 15 7 7.77 1.071 6.998
C-D 75 4 6.75 0.869 4.002
B-E 30 1 5.07 0.501 1.000
C-F 15 3 6.275 0.780 2.998

For galvanized steel air duct and air properties at 20 oC, the following
charts could be used for estimate the duct size and velocity at a given
pressure drop per meter and volume flow rate.








Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

14

Duct friction chart-low flow rate.




Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

15





Duct friction chart-high flow rate.
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

16


The above two charts recommended only for air and the duct which
made from galvanized steel with c = 0.00015 m and rounded section. But
if another duct material it should be use correction factor.
We now recalculate the given example by using the duct chart.
The main duct A-B.
The total flow rate is,
s m Q
Q Q Q Q
t
t
/ 8 1 3 4
3
2 2 1
= + + =
+ + =

We assume the velocity in the main duct A B and size the duct
s m V / 8 =

From chart at Q = 8 m3/s and V = 8 m/s, the equivalent diameter and
pressure loss are,
m Pa P
m d
/ 5 . 0
135 . 1
= A
=

We use the value of AP=0.5 Pa/m is constant through all branches and
determine the velocity and diameter from chart and tabulated the results
as follows,
Resluts
Section L (m) Q (m3/s) V (m/s d (m) Qcal
A-B 30 8 8.00 1.135 8.094
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

17








Velocity Reduction Method
In this method the main duct is designed in the same manner as in
the equal friction method. Thereafter, arbitrary reductions are made in the
air velocity as we go down the duct run. Equivalent diameters are found,
as before from the friction chart. We now recalculate the given example
by using the velocity reduction method and using the chart.
The main duct A-B.
The total flow rate is,
s m Q
Q Q Q Q
t
t
/ 8 1 3 4
3
2 2 1
= + + =
+ + =

We assume the velocity in the main duct A B and size the duct
s m V / 8 =

From chart at Q = 8 m3/s and V = 8 m/s, the equivalent diameter and
pressure loss are,
m Pa P
m d
/ 5 . 0
135 . 1
= A
=

B-C 15 7 7.8 1.080 7.145
C-D 75 4 6.9 0.875 4.149
B-E 30 1 4.80 0.515 0.999
C-F 15 3 6.30 0.780 3.010
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

18

We assume the velocity as follows,
B-C, V = 7 m/s
B-E, V = 7 m/s, C-D, C-F, V = 6 m/s.
After that, we determine the duct diameter and friction loss from the chart
and put the results in table as follows,
Results

Section L (m) Q (m3/s) V (m/s d (m) Qcal
A-B 30 8 8.00 1.135 8.094
B-C 15 7 7.00 1.130 7.020
C-D 75 4 6.00 0.925 4.032
B-E 30 1 7.00 0.430 1.017
C-F 15 3 6.00 0.800 3.016









Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

19

Air Fan Power
Total, Static and dynamic Pressure.
Bernoullis equation

V
V
S T S T V
T
V S
T V S
T Z V S
P
V
V
P
P P P P P
P
P P
P P P
dZ
P P P P
C gZ
V
P
C gZ
V P
2
or
2
Pitotube. by measuring are , where ,
Pressure. Total :
Pressure Dynamic or Pressure Velocity : Pressure, Static : Where,
,
, 0 If
2
2
2
2
2
= =
=
= +
=
= + +
= +
= + +

For frictionless flow between two sections as follows,

T V S V S
P P P P P = + = +
2 2 1 1

But due to friction loss
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

20

2. and 1 between losses hydraulic or drop pressure total : where,
2 2 1 1
L
L V S V S
P
P P P P P
A
A + + = +


If the Fan or Blower is introduced between two section.

duct. in the drop pressure losses the represents : where,
2 2 2
pressure. head Fan total the
called is and Fan work the to due rise pressure the is where,
2
2 2
2
1 1
2 2 1 1
L
L
S S
L V S V S
h
h
V P
W
V P
FTP
P P P FTP P P
+ + = + +
A + + = + +

As flow continues in a duct, the static pressure of air continuously drops.
This drop in pressure takes place due to two factors,
Duct to friction (friction loss)
diameter mean hydraulic : where, ,
2
2
d
V
d
fL
P
F
= A

Change of direction or velocity (dynamic loss)
constant : where, ,
2
2
K
V
K P
M

= A

Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

21

For Enlargement.
( )
2 1 1 2
2 2 1 1
V V S S
V S V S
P P P P
P P P P
+ =
+ = +

Due to friction loss,
( ) ( )
2 2 1 1 2 1 V S V S T T L
P P P P P P P + + = = A


Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

22

Air flow through a simple duct system.

Suction-side
Friction of inlet grill, AP
i :
) (
) ( ) (
Similarly,
) (
) (
) (
0
5 5 2 2 1 5
5 2 2 1 5 2 2 5
2 2 1 2
2 1 1 2
1 1
1 1 1
1
V i S
i T T
V i S
T T
V i S
V S i T
i T
P P P P P
P P P P P P
P P P P
P P P
P P P
P P C P
P P
A + A + A + A =
A + A + A = A + =
A + A + A =
A + =
+ A =
+ = =
A + =

Discharge-side.
The pressure loss at outlet in discharge grill, AP
e :

Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

23

8 8 6 5 2 2 1
5 2 2 1 8 8 6
5 6
6 8 8 6 6 6 6
8 8 6 8 6 8 6
8 8 8
8 8
) (
FTP Pressure, Total Fan
V e i
i V e
T T
V V e V T S
V e T T
e V T S
V e T
P P P P P P
P P P P P P
P P FTP
P P P P P P P
P P P P P P
P P P P
P P P
+ A + A + A + A + A =
A A A + A + A =
=
+ A + A = =
+ A + A = A + =
A = =
+ A =

By applying the modified Bernoullis equation between 5-6,
Constant, , Z , , 0
adiabatic, is process fan the If
) (
2
6 5 6 5
6 5
5 6
2
5
2
6 5 6
.
6 5
6 5
= = ~ ~
(

Z V V Q
Z Z g
V V P P
m W Q
S S

| |
| |
8 8 6 6 5 5 2 2 1
.
5 5 2 2 1 6 8 8 6
.
6 5
Power
Power
V e V V i
V i V V e
P P P P P P P P
m
P P P P P P P P
m
W
+ A + A + A + A + A + A =
A + A + A + A + + A + A = =

If P
V5
=P
V6
, V
5
=V
6
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

24

T
act
e
e
d F
V V
K
V
d
L
f m
V
P P
m
q
q

Power
Power
is, power Fan actual The
, efficiency total has Fan air the If
2 2 2

2
Power
T
2 2 2
.
2
.
=

+ + =
(

+ A + A =



Air Fan System Characteristics.
Consider a straight air duct system in which the total pressure drop
is calculated by adding the losses of different sections, which are in turn
proportional to their respective velocity pressure as follows:

|
.
|

\
|
+ + = A
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
= A
+ + = A



2 2 2
2
.
2
.
2
.
2
.
2 2 2
1
2
1 1
2
1 1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1

2
1
2
1
A A
K
A d
L
f V P
A
V
A
V
K
A
V
d
L
f P
V V K V
d
L
f P

Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

25

|
.
|

\
|
+ + =
A
=
= A

2 2 2
.
2
2
.
.
1
2
1 1
2
1 1
2
1
where,
,
follows, as wirtten be can loss dynamic and friction The
rate. flow air volume the is the duct, air of section one For
A A
K
A d
L
f R
V
P
R
V R P
V

Where, R is the air duct flow resistance. So, by analogy with electricity,
we can derive the concept of resistance R of the duct system.

Air Duct System in Series.
The friction loss and dynamic loss be calculated in each section
and we use the equation power directly as follow:

3 2 1
P P P P A + A + A = A


Air Duct System in Parallel.
The friction loss and dynamic loss be calculated in each branch and we
use the equation power directly as follow:
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

26


3 2 1
3 2 1
.
3
.
2
.
1
.
1 1 1 1
R R R R
R
P
R
P
R
P
R
P
V V V V
t
t
+ + =
A
+
A
+
A
=
A
+ + =

After could calculate the friction and dynamic loss in air duct system in
series or in parallel and calculate the equivalent resistance, we will tray to
calculate the power required in the last example.

Power of Air Fan
To calculate the Fan power we reshape the duct system again
according to the diameter which we calculated as follows.

The pressure drop in air handling unit is as follows:

Damper : 050 Pa
Filter : 100 Pa
Cooling coil : 150 Pa
Eliminators : 050 Pa
Heating Coil : 150 pa
Mixing and suction to fan : 050 Pa
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

27

The dynamic loss coefficients K is as follows:
Fan discharge to main duct : 0.30
Standard 90
o
C elbow : 0.75
Reduction : 0.05
Exit grille : 0.50








Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

28

Reshaping the duct system with air handling unit.


The Air Duct System can be simplified as follows:

Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

29



Air Handling unit, R
1
:
( )
4
2 2
.
1
2
/ 1 2581 . 7
8
527 . 464
/ 527 . 464
184 . 1
50 150 50 150 100 50
m
V
P
R
s m
P
P
AH
AH
= =
A
=
=
+ + + + +
=
A
= A

Section A-B, R
2
:
4
2
2 2
2
/ 1 4285 . 0 )
128 . 1
30
0209 . 0 3 . 0 (
9986 . 0
1
2
1
1
2
1 1
2
1
m R
A d
L
f
A
K R
= + =
+ =

Section B-C, R
3
:
4
3
2 2
3
/ 1 2112 . 0 )
07 . 1
15
0208 . 0 05 . 0 (
8086 . 0
1
2
1
1
2
1 1
2
1
m R
A d
L
f
A
K R
= + =
+ =

Section C-D, R
4
:
4
4
4
2 2
4
/ 1 0596 . 6
) 1
868 . 0
75
0225 . 0 50 . 0 75 . 0 05 . 0 (
3502 . 0
1
2
1
1
2
1 1
2
1
m R
R
A d
L
f
A
K R
=
+ + + + =
+ =


Section B-E, R
5
:
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

30

4
5
5
2 2
5
/ 1 151 . 44
) 1
513 . 0
30
026 . 0 50 . 0 75 . 0 (
0427 . 0
1
2
1
1
2
1 1
2
1
m R
R
A d
L
f
A
K R
=
+ + + =
+ =


Section C-F, R
6
:
4
6
6
2 2
6
/ 1 970 . 5
) 1
778 . 0
15
0232 . 0 50 . 0 75 . 0 (
2259 . 0
1
2
1
1
2
1 1
2
1
m R
R
A d
L
f
A
K R
=
+ + + =
+ =


R
4
, R
6
in parallel shape, R
t1
:
4
1
6 4 1
/ 1 5149 . 1
970 . 5
1
0596 . 6
1 1 1 1
m R
R R R
t
t
=
+ = + =

R
3
, R
t1
in series shape, R
t2
:
4
1 3 2
/ 1 7261 . 1 5149 . 1 2112 . 0 m R R R
t t
= + = + =

R
5
, R
t2
in parallel shape, R
t3
:
4
3
2 5 3
/ 1 20324 . 1
7261 . 1
1
151 . 44
1 1 1 1
m R
R R R
t
t t
=
+ = + =

R
1
, R
2
, R
t3
in series shape, R
t
:
4
3 2 1
/ 1 8895 . 8 20324 . 1 4282 . 0 2581 . 7 m R R R R
t t
= + + = + + =

( )
2
2
2
.
/ 930 . 568 8 8895 . 8 s m V R
P P
t
d F
= = =
A + A

Fan Power.
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

31

KW
W V R
V R V
P P
m
t
t
d F
4 . 5 Power
886 . 5388 8 8895 . 8 184 . 1 Power
Power
3
3
.
2
. . .
=
= = =
=
|
|
.
|

\
| A + A
=

A First Approximate Method.
We can apply the modified Bernoullis equation on the longest line only,
from A to D as follows,
(

+ + = =

2 2 2
Power
2 2 2
.
e
V V
d
L
f
V
K m W

| |
KW
W
D C
C B
B A
C A
7 . 5 Power
948 . 5679 332 . 97 411 . 10 387 . 27 527 . 464 8 184 . 1 Power
2
78 . 6
) 1 5 . 0 75 . 0 05 . 0 (
184 . 1
702 . 0 75
2
79 . 7
05 . 0
184 . 1
702 . 0 15
2
8
3 . 0
184 . 1
702 . 0 30
184 . 1
50 150 50 150 100 50
8 184 . 1 Power
2
2
2
/
=
= + + + =
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+ + + +

+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+

+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+

+
|
.
|

\
| + + + + +
=

A Second Approximate Method.
We apply modify Bernoullis equation in all section of the duct system as
follows,
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

32

( )
E B
D C
C B
B A
C A

|
|
.
|

\
|
+ + +

+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ + + +

+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+

+
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+

+
|
.
|

\
|
+ + + + +
=
2
84 . 4
) 1 5 . 0 75 . 0 (
184 . 1
702 . 0 30
1 184 . 1
2
78 . 6
1 5 . 0 75 . 0 05 . 0
2
702 . 0 75
4 184 . 1
2
79 . 7
05 . 0
184 . 1
702 . 0 15
7 184 . 1
2
8
3 . 0
184 . 1
702 . 0 30
184 . 1
50 150 50 150 100 50
8 184 . 1 Power
2
2
2
2
/

KW
W
F C
4 . 5 Power
750 . 5350 806 . 177 263 . 52 037 . 375 234 . 86 41 . 4659 Power
2
31 . 6
) 1 5 . 0 75 . 0 (
2
702 . 0 15
3 184 . 1
2
=
= + + + + =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ + +

Problems in Air Duct Design

1- For air conditioning system shown below, calculate the duct size and
air velocity in each branch by using equal friction and velocity
reduction method. For the longest branch A-E and by using modified
Bernoull equation, estimate the power required for the electric air fan.
Assume that c = 0.13.
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

33


Modified Bernoull Equation.
2- Calculate the duct size and velocity of each branch in the below
network and also suggest a suitable design structure to calculate the
power required. The air distributor gives equal flow rate of 15 m
3
/min.

3- In the duct layout shown below, the outlets are deliver 25 m
3
/min at 1,
15 m
3
/min at 2 and 30 m
3
/min at 3. Also, select air velocity of 8 m/s in
the section A. Determine the size of duct system using equal friction
method and determine the static pressure requirement for the air fan.
( )
(

+ + +

=
c
c

2 2
) (
2
2 2
1 2
2
1
2
2 1 2
V
K
V
d
fL
z z g
V V P P
m W Q
t
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

34

4- Size the duct in the problem 3 by using Velocity reduction method and
find the power required for the air fan.

5- For a system shown below, size the ducts on a rate of friction pressure
drop of 0.7536 Pa/m and the air flow rate from the fan is 4 m
3
/s. The
two outlets delivers equal masses of air.
a) Modify the diameter of branch duct to outlet 1 so that no
damper is required at the outlet.
b) Calculate the fan total and static pressure, also the power
required.
The pressure drops in each equipment are as follows:
Filter 100 Pa. Damper 50 Pa.
Cooling coil 150 Pa. Mixing section 50 Pa.
Method of Duct Design Lecture No.(1) By Badran M. Salem

35

The dynamic loss coefficient K for all expander are to be taken as
applying to the difference the upstream and downstream velocity
pressure, and for all reducers as applying to the downstream velocity
pressure only. The values are given in the following table.
Section
K
Condition
Inlet 1.4 Mean face velocity = 4 m/s
Expander AB 0.35
Mean face velocity at filter =1.5 m/s
Reducer BC 0.02 Mean face velocity at damper = 3 m/s
Reducer EF to fan section 0.02
Reducer GH at fan
discharge
0.3
Straight through duct
suction.
0.25
Elbow 0.23
Grille 0.5