Fundamentals of Duct Design

Velocity or Air Velocity

Static Pressure

Velocity Pressure

Total Pressure

Friction Losses

Aspect Ratio
 Air Velocity

It is the velocity of air at which air

flows thru the ducts.
Generally expressed in FPM or MPS.

It is limited based on:

Application of ducting

Application of space

Sound Level

First Cost

Operating Cost
 DUCT DESIGN PROCEDURE

 Determine the total external static pressure

available from the unit at the selected airflow.
 Determine the available static pressure for
duct system by subtracting the grill/diffuser,
terminal coil and accessories.
 Proportion the available static pressure
between supply and return air system.
– Supply - 75 % and Return - 25 %.
DUCT DESIGN METHODS

Velocity Reduction Method

Equal Friction Method

Static Regain Method

 Velocity Reduction Method

Step -1
Assign velocity at each section of the
duct.The velocity is highest at the fan
outlet
Selected velocity should not be more than
recommended velocity. The velocity
will be lowest at the end of the
duct
Step -2
Obtain circular duct diameter and friction
loss from Circular Duct Friction Chart by
using air velocity and airflow.
 Equal Friction Method

Step -1
Select starting velocity at fan discharge duct.
Selected velocity should not be more than
recommended velocity.

Step -2
Obtain circular duct diameter and friction loss
from Circular Duct Friction Chart by using air
velocity and airflow.
 Equal Friction Method
Step -3
Select equivalent rectangular duct size from
Table -6 using the circular duct diameter and
equivalent area based on available space
Step -4
Select the next duct section by maintaining
the same friction loss rate which has been
obtained in previous duct section.
 Cross check the velocity should not exceed the
recommended velocity.
 Repeat the method for consecutive section
 Static Loss Calculation

 The static losses of ducts are calculated to

determine static pressure of fan required to flow
the air thru ducts.
 The adequate flow can only occur when fan has
the flow capacity and static capacity to
overcome the Total losses in the duct system.
 In other words, Fan should be capable enough to
produce:
– Air flow required.
– and the static energy required to overcome the losses
in duct system.
 Static Losses

Total Static Losses thru the Ducts are the

sum of following losses.
 Friction losses in Straight ducts
 Friction & Dynamic losses in Duct
fittings
 Friction & Dynamic losses in duct’s
accessories
 Outlet Terminal Losses (Outlet
Pressure)
 Static Losses
Frictional Losses thru straight ducts
 These Losses /100 feet of duct can be obtained
directly from Friction Loss Chart at specified flow
and size of the ducts selected.
Friction & Dynamic Losses thru Duct Fitting
 These occurs mainly at fittings where velocity or
direction of flow changes.
 The losses in the fittings are more than the straight
duct of equal length due to dynamic losses.
 These are expressed in terms extra equivalent length of
ducts.
Friction & Dynamic losses in duct’s accessories
Losses in attenuators, Terminal Heating coils and fire
dampers etc. Taken from manufacturer catalogues
 Static Losses
(Frictional Losses)
Total losses are calculated thru the longest duct run
including all elbows and fittings.
Effective Eq.Length of Longest Duct run X Friction Loss /100 Feet
= --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
100
 Total Effective Eq.Length
= Duct Measured Length + Eq. Length of fittings
Fittings Eq.lengths are obtained from Table -10
& 12.
 Friction Loss/100 feet
It is the friction loss which was selected/obtained from
chart while sizing the ducts.
 Total Static Losses

 Sum of the losses in supply air ducts

and return air ducts.
 Supply air Ducts losses =
S.A.Duct loss + accessories loss +
Terminal pressure
 Return air duct losses =
R.A.Duct loss + accessories loss +
intake pressure drop
 STATIC REGAIN METHOD

The basic principle is to size a duct run

so that the increase in static pressure
(due to Velocity reduction) at each
branch or air terminal just offsets the
friction loss in succeeding section of
ducts.
 The static pressure is then the same
before each terminal and at each branch.
 Static pressure regains due to reduction
in velocity.
 AXIAL FLOW FANS
 Axial flow fans produce pressure from the
change in velocity of air passing thru the
impeller,with none being produced by
centrifugal force.
 In axial flow fan, air flows axially thru the
impeller.
 Type
– Propeller fan.
– Tube axial fan.
– Vane axial fans (Tube axial fan with vanes)
Fan Laws
 AHUs TYPE

 HORIZONTAL
 VERTICAL
 SIDE DISCHARGE
 TOP DISCHARGE
THUS
 HORIZONTAL SIDE DISCHARGE
 HORIZONTAL TOP DISCHARGE
 VERTICAL TOP DISCHRGE.
AHUs Selection Criteria

 Application
 Availability of space
 Cooling Capacity
 Airflow (CFM or L/S)
 System Static Pressure Loss
(Inches of WG or PA)
 Noise level
 Location of AHU w.r.t to space
 Economic Factors
Fan Selection Criteria

 Application
 Availability of space.
 Air flow
 Duct System Static loss
 Noise level
 Location of Fan w.r.t.
conditioned space.
 Economic factors