Sizing Ducts

The ductwork of ventilation systems are often sized with either the Velocity, the Constant Pressure Loss (or Equal Friction Loss) - or the Static Pressure Recovery Methods
Sponsored Links The design of the ductworks in ventilation systems are often done by using the

Velocity Method Constant Pressure Loss Method (or Equal Friction Method) Static Pressure Recovery Method

The Velocity Method

Proper air flow velocities for the application considering the environment are selected. Sizes of ducts are then given by the continuity equation like: A=q/v where A = duct cross sectional area (m2) q = air flow rate (m3/s) v= air speed (m/s) Alternatively in Imperial units Ai = 144 qi / vi where A = duct cross sectional area (sq.in.) q = air flow rate (cfm) v= air speed (fpm) A proper velocity will depend on the application and the environment. The table below indicate commonly used velocity limits: Type of Comfort Systems Industrial Systems High Speed Systems (1b) (1)

Duct

m/s

ftm

m/s

ftm

m/s

Main ducts 4 - 7 Main branch ducts Branch ducts 3-5 1-3

780 - 1380 8 - 12 590 - 985 200 - 590 5-8 3-5

1575 - 2360 10 - 18 985 - 1575 6 - 12 590 - 985 5-8

ftm 1670 3540 1180 - 2360 985 - 1575

Be aware that high velocities close to outlets and inlets may generate unacceptable noise.

The Constant Pressure Loss Method (or Equal Friction Loss Method)
A proper speed is selected in the main duct close to the fan. The pressure loss in the main duct are then used as a template for the rest of the system. The pressure (or

friction) loss is kept at a constant level throughout the system. The method gives an automatic velocity reduction through the system. The method may add more duct cross sectional changes and can increase the number of components in the system compared to other methods.

The Static Pressure Recovery Method

With the static pressure recovery method the secondary and branch ducts are selected to achieve more or less the same static pressure in front of all outlets or inlets. The major advantage of the method are more common conditions for outlets and inlets. Unfortunate the method is complicated to use and therefore seldom used. Sponsored Links

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Ventilation - Systems for ventilation and air handling - air change rates, ducts and pressure drops, charts and diagrams and more

Related Documents

Air Duct Velocity Diagram - Air flow volume, duct size, velocity and dynamic pressure Air Ducts Friction Loss Diagram - Major loss diagram air ducts - Imperial units ranging 10 - 100 000 cfm Air Velocities in Ducts - Recommended maximum air velocities in ventilation ducts Air-Duct Sizing - Air flow and required duct area Converting Round Duct Diameter to Area - Converting round duct areas to square feet and square meters Design of Ventilation Systems - A design procedure of ventilation systems, with air flow rates, heat and cooling loads, air shifts according occupants, air supply principles Duct Velocity - Calculate velocities in circular and rectangular ducts - imperial and SI-units - online calculator Ducts - Noise Generation - Air flow and noise generated in ducts Ducts - Noise Generation - Air flow and noise generated in ducts Dynamic Pressure - Dynamic pressure is the component of fluid pressure representing the fluid kinetic energy Equal Friction Method - The equal friction method of sizing ducts is easy and straightforward to use Friction Loss in Ducts - Friction loss or major loss in ducts - equations and online calculator for rectangular and circular ducts - imperial units

Rectangular and Circular HVAC Ducts - Equivalent Diameter - Equivalent diameters for rectangular and circular ducts - air flows between 100 - 50,000 cfm Sizing Circular Ducts - A rough guide to maximum air volume capacity of circular ducts in comfort, industrial and high speed ventilation systems Supporting Ductwork - Ductwork support and recommended spacing between hangers

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Air flow, air velocity and required air-duct area is indicated below:

1 ft/min = 5.08x10-3 m/s 1 ft3/min = 1.7 m3/h = 0.47 l/s 1 ft2 = 0.0929 m2 = 144 in2

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Air velocities in ducts should not exceed certain limits to avoid high pressure losses and unacceptable noise generation. The values below are common guidelines for some typical applications. Air Velocity (m/s) Combustion air ducts 12 - 20 Air inlet to boiler room 1-3 Warm air for house heating 0.8 - 1.0 Vacuum cleaning pipe 8 - 15 Compressed air pipe 20 - 30 Ventilation ducts (hospitals) 1.8 - 4 Ventilation ducts (office buildings) 2.0 - 4.5 Air Ducts Sponsored Links

(ft/s) 40 - 66 3.3 - 9.8 2.6 - 3.3 26 - 49 66 - 98 5.9 - 13 6.5 - 15

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Friction loss (head loss) in standard air ducts are indicated in the diagram below:

The diagram is based on standard air 0.075 lb/ft3 in clean round galvanized metal ducts.

1 inch water = 248.8 N/m2 (Pa)= 0.0361 lb/in2 (psi) = 25.4 kg/m2 = 0.0739 in mercury 1 ft3/min (cfm) = 1.7 m3/h = 0.47 l/s 1 ft/min = 5.08x10-3 m/s 1 inch = 25.4 mm = 2.54 cm = 0.0254 m = 0.08333 ft

Example - Friction Loss in Air Duct

The friction loss in a 20 inches duct with air flow 4000 cfm can be estimated to approximately 0.23 inches water per 100 feet duct as shown in the diagram below. The air velocity can be estimated to approximately 1850 feet per minute.

Minor loss in air ducts based on a summarized minor loss coefficient and air flow velocity can be estimated with the diagram below:

1 Pa = 1 N/m2 = 1.4504x10-4 lb/in2 = 1x10-5 bar = 4.03x10-3 in water = 0.336x10-3 ft water = 0.1024 mm water = 0.295x10-3 in mercury = 7.55x10-3 mm mercury = 0.1024 kg/m2 = 0.993x10-5 atm

Minor loss for some common ductwork components like bends, expansions, inlets and outlets can be estimated with the diagrams below.

Minor Loss Coefficients - Bends

The minor loss coefficients in 90o bends can be estimated with the diagram below.

The minor loss in bends 0 - 180o can be estimated with the equation 0-180 = 90 / 90 where 0-180 = minor loss coefficient for the bend with the actual angle 90 = minor loss coefficient for the 90o bend according the diagram above = angle of the actual bend The minor loss coefficient in a 90o bend like the one below is 1.0. (1)

Minor Loss Coefficients - Expansions

Minor Loss Coefficients - Inlets

Minor Loss Coefficients - Outlets

Losses occur in straight pipes and ducts as major loss and in system components as minor loss. Components as valves, bends, tees add head loss common termed as minor loss to the fluid flow system. The minor loss can be significant compared to the major loss - in fact when a valve is closed or nearly closed the minor loss is infinite. For an open valve the minor loss may often be neglected (a full bore ball valve).

Minor Loss
Pressure drops and minor loss in components correlates with the dynamic pressure and the minor loss can be expressed as ploss = 1/2 v2 or hloss = v2/ 2 g where = minor loss coefficient ploss = pressure loss (Pa (N/m2), psf (lb/ft2)) = density (kg/m3, slugs/ft3) v = flow velocity (m/s, ft/s) (2) (1)

hloss = head loss (m, ft) g = acceleration of gravity (m/s2, ft/s2)

1 psf = 0.00694 psi (lb/in2)

The minor loss coefficient - - ranges values from 0 and upwards. For = 0 the minor loss is zero and for = 1 the minor loss is equal to the dynamic pressure or head. The minor loss coefficient can also be greater than 1 for some components.

Minor Loss Coefficient

The minor loss coefficient can be expressed as: = ploss / (1/2 v2) or = hloss / (v2/ 2 g) (4) (3)

The minor losses in components depends primarily on the geometrical construction of the component and the impact the construction has on the fluid flow due to change in velocity and cross flow fluid accelerations. The fluid properties - in general expressed with the Reynolds number - also impact the minor loss. The head loss information about components is given in dimensionless form and the information is based on experiments.

Minor Loss Coefficient for Piping and Tube Components Minor Loss Coefficients for Air Duct Components

Equivalent Length
The minor loss can be converted to a length equivalent to the length of pipe or tube that would give the same pressure or head loss. Head loss can be expressed as: hloss = (leq / dh) (v2/ 2 g) = friction coefficient leq = equivalent length of pipe or duct (m, ft) dh = hydraulic diameter related to the pipe or tube with the component (m, ft) Equivalent length can also be expressed as: (5)

leq = dh /

(6)

The Total Head Loss of the pipe, tube or duct system, is the same as that produced in a straight pipe or duct whose length is equal to the pipes of the original systems - plus the sum of the equivalent lengths of all the components in the system.

he head loss of a pipe, tube or duct system, is the same as that produced in a straight pipe or duct whose length is equal to the pipes of the original systems plus the sum of the equivalent lengths of all the components in the system. This can be expressed as hloss = hmajor_losses + hminor_losses where hloss = total head loss in the pipe or duct system hmajor_losses = major loss due to friction in the pipe or duct system hminor_losses = minor loss due to the components in the system

(1)

Major Head Loss - head loss or pressure loss - due to friction in pipes and ducts. Minor Head Loss - head loss or pressure loss - due to components as valves, bends, tees and the like in the pipe or duct system.

Summarized Major Losses

The major head loss for a single pipe or duct can be expressed as: hmajor_loss = (l / dh) (v2 / 2 g) where hloss = head loss (m, ft) = friction coefficient l = length of duct or pipe (m) dh = hydraulic diameter (m) v = flow velocity (m/s, ft/s) g = acceleration of gravity (m/s2, ft/s2) (2)

Summarized Minor Losses

Minor head loss can be expressed as: hminor_loss = v2/ 2 g where = minor loss coefficient Since the velocity - v - in equation (2) in general is related to the pipe or duct where the component is located, the sum of the minor losses in a pipe or duct can be expressed as: hminor_losses = (v2/ 2 g) (3) (3)

The minor loss can be calculated by summarizing the minor loss coefficients - and multiplying the sum with the dynamic pressure head.

Total Head Loss in a Single Pipe or Duct

The total head loss for a single pipe can be calculated by using equation (1) and (3): hloss_single = (l / dh) (v2 / 2 g) + v2/ 2 g or hloss_single = ( (l / dh) + ) (v2/ 2 g) (5) (4)

Total Head Loss in Serial Connected Pipes

The total head loss in several serial connected pipes can be calculated by adding the total head loss in each pipe or duct. The total head loss can be expressed as: hloss_serial = [(1 (l1 / dh1) + 1) (v12/ 2 g) + .. + n (ln / dhn) + n) (vn2/ 2 g)] for 1 to n serial connected pipes (6)

ipes in Series
The pressure loss is the sum of the individual losses: dp = dp1 + dp2 + .. + dpn where p = total pressure loss (Pa, psi) p1..n = individual pressure loss (Pa, psi) (1)

The mass flow rate is the same in all pipes: m = m1 = m2 = .... = mn (1b) where m = mass flow (kg/s, lb/s)

Pipes in Parallel
The pressure loss is the same in all pipes: dp = dp1 = dp2 = .... = dpn (2) The total mass flow is the sum of the flow in each pipe: m = m1 + m2 + .. + mn (2b)

The pressure drops in the equations above can be substituted with a generic expression for pressure drop like the D'Arcy-Weisbach equation

Converting Head to Pressure

Converting head in feet to pressure in psi

Pump curves in feet of head can be converted to pressure - psi - by the expression: p = 0.434 h SG where p = pressure (psi) h = head (ft) SG = specific gravity
Converting head in meter to pressure in bar

(1)

Pump curves in meter of head can be converted to pressure - bar - by the expression: p = 0.0981 h SG (2)

where h = head (m) p = pressure (bar)

Converting head in meter to pressure in kg/cm2

Pump curves in meter of head can be converted to pressure - kg/cm2 - by the expression: p = 0.1 h SG where h = head (m) p = pressure (kg/cm2) (2b)

Converting Pressure to Head

Since pressure gauges often are calibrated in pressure - psi or bar, it may be necessary with a conversion to head - feet or meter, commonly used in pump curves.
Converting pressure in psi to head in feet

h = p 2.31 / SG where h = head (ft) p = pressure (psi)

(3)

Converting pressure in bar to head in meter

h = p 10.197 / SG where h = head (m) p = pressure (bar)

(4)

Converting pressure in kg/cm2 to head in meter

h = p 10 / SG where

(4b)

h = head (m) p = pressure (kg/cm2)

Example - Converting Pump Head - feet - to Pressure - psi

The pressure - psi - of a water pump operating with head 120 ft can be expressed as: p = (120 ft) 1 / 2.31 = 52 psi

Feet of Head Water to psi

Feet Head psi 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 0.43 0.87 1.30 1.73 2.17 2.60 3.03 3.46 3.90 4.33 8.66 12.99 17.32 21.65 25.99 30.32

Feet Head psi 80 90 100 120 140 160 180 200 250 300 350 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 34.65 38.98 43.31 51.97 60.63 69.29 77.96 86.62 108.27 129.93 151.58 173.24 216.55 259.85 303.16 346.47 389.78 433.0

water at 62oF

It is often necessary to adapt the pump capacity to a temporary or permanent change in the process demand. The capacity of a centrifugal pump can be regulated either at

constant speed, or varying speed

Capacity Regulating by Varying Speed

Speed regulating is energy efficient since the energy to the pump is reduced with the decrease of speed. The speed of the pump can be varied with

hydraulic/hydrostatic drives - hydraulic coupling between input and output shaft speed ratio 5 to 1 is controlled by adjusting the volume of oil in the coupling mechanical drives - belt and sheave drive eddy current drive/clutch - magnetic coupling transfer load torque between input and output shaft variable speed drives - inverters - AC drives - adjustable frequency drives - operates by varying the frequency and voltage to the electric motor

The change in power consumption, head and volume rate can be estimated with the affinity laws.

Capacity Regulating by Constant Speed

Capacity can be regulated at constant speed by

throttling bypassing flow changing impeller diameter modifying the impeller

Throttling

Throttling can be carried out by opening and closing a discharge valve.

Throttling is energy inefficient since the energy to the pump is not reduced. Energy is wasted by increasing the dynamic loss.
Bypassing Flow

The discharge capacity can be regulated by leading a part of the discharge flow back to the suction side of the pump. Bypassing the flow is energy inefficient since the energy to the pump is not reduced.
Changing the Impeller Diameter

Reducing the impellers diameter is a permanent change and the method can be used where the change in process demand is not temporary. The method may be energy efficient if the motor is changed and the energy consumption reduced. The change in power consumption, head and volume rate can be estimated with the affinity laws.
Modifying the Impeller

The flow rate and the head can be modulated by changing the pitch of the blades. Complicated and seldom used.

Pump Regulation and Power Consumption

Power consumption of some of the regulating methods are compared in the figure below:

No pump is perfect with 100% efficiency. The energy lost in friction and hydraulic losses are transformed to heat - heating up the fluid transported through the pump.

The temperature rise can be calculated as dt = Ps (1 - ) / cp q where dt = temperature rise in the pump (oC) q = volume flow through the pump (m3/s) Ps = brake power (kW) cp = specific heat capacity of the fluid (kJ/kgoC) = pump efficiency = fluid density (kg/m3) (1)

Typical relation between the centrifugal pump flow, efficiency and power consumption, is indicated in the figure below:

Example - Temperature rise in water pump

The temperature rise in a water pump working at normal conditions with flow 6 m3/h (0.0017 m3/s), brake power 0.11 kW and pump efficiency of 28% (0.28), can be calculated as dt = (0.11 kW) (1 - 0.28) / (4.2 kJ/kgoC) (0.0017 m3/s) (1000 kg/m3) = 0.011 oC If the flow of the pump is reduced by throttling the discharge valve, the temperature rise through the pump will increase. If the flow is reduced to 2 m3/h (0.00056 m3/s), the brake power is slightly reduced to 0.095 kW and pump efficiency reduced to 15% (0.15), the temperature rise can be calculated as dt = (0.095 kW) (1 - 0.15) / (4.2 kJ/kgoC) (0.00056 m3/s) (1000 kg/m3) = 0.035 oC With the standard documentation provided by a manufacturer it should be possible to express the temperature rise as a function of volume flow as shown in the figure below:

Centrifugal Pumps (Roto-dynamic pumps)

The centrifugal or roto-dynamic pump produce a head and a flow by increasing the velocity of the liquid through the machine with the help of a rotating vane impeller. Centrifugal pumps include radial, axial and mixed flow units. Centrifugal pumps can further be classified as

end suction pumps in-line pumps double suction pumps vertical multistage pumps horizontal multistage pumps submersible pumps self-priming pumps axial-flow pumps regenerative pumps

Positive Displacement Pumps

The positive displacement pump operates by alternating of filling a cavity and then displacing a given volume of liquid. The positive displacement pump delivers a constant volume of liquid for each cycle against varying discharge pressure or head. The positive displacement pump can be classified as:

Reciprocating pumps - piston, plunger and diaphragm Power pumps Steam pumps Rotary pumps - gear, lobe, screw, vane, regenerative (peripheral) and progressive cavity

Selecting between Centrifugal or Positive Displacement Pumps

Selecting between a Centrifugal Pump or a Positive Displacement Pump is not always straight forward.
Flow Rate and Pressure Head

The two types of pumps behave very differently regarding pressure head and flow rate:

The Centrifugal Pump has varying flow depending on the system pressure or head The Positive Displacement Pump has more or less a constant flow regardless of the system pressure or head. Positive Displacement pumps generally gives more pressure than Centrifugal Pump's.

Capacity and Viscosity

Another major difference between the pump types is the effect of viscosity on the capacity:

In the Centrifugal Pump the flow is reduced when the viscosity is increased In the Positive Displacement Pump the flow is increased when viscosity is increased

Liquids with high viscosity fills the clearances of a Positive Displacement Pump causing a higher volumetric efficiency and a Positive Displacement Pump is better suited for high viscosity applications. A Centrifugal Pump becomes very inefficient at even modest viscosity.
Mechanical Efficiency

The pumps behaves different considering mechanical efficiency as well.

Changing the system pressure or head has little or no effect on the flow rate in the Positive Displacement Pump Changing the system pressure or head has a dramatic effect on the flow rate in the Centrifugal Pump

Net Positive Suction Head - NPSH

Another consideration is the Net Positive Suction Head NPSH.

In a Centrifugal Pump, NPSH varies as a function of flow determined by pressure In a Positive Displacement Pump, NPSH varies as a function of flow determined by speed. Reducing the speed of the Positive Displacement Pump pump, reduces the NPSH

Significant differences between pumps, compressors, blowers and fans are summarized below

Pumps

A pump is a machine for raising a liquid - a relatively incompressible fluid - to a higher level of pressure or head.

Compressors

A compressor is a machine for raising a gas - a compressible fluid - to a higher level of pressure.

Blowers

A blower is a machine for moving volumes of a gas with moderate increase of pressure.

Fans

A fan moves large amounts of gas with low increase in pressure.

he volume of fresh air (make up air) required for proper ventilation is determined of the size and use of the space.

The table below indicates recommended air change rates (air changes per hour) in some common types of rooms and buildings: Air Change Rates -n(1/hr) min 4 12 - 15 8 - 15 20 4 - 10 6 - 10 20 - 30 6 - 10 15 - 20 10 - 15 12 - 15 8 - 15 12 20 - 30 20 - 30 15 - 20 4 - 10 8 - 12 6 - 10 12 -15 12 6 - 10 6 - 10 4-6 2-4

Building / Room All spaces in general Attic spaces for cooling Auditoriums Bakeries Banks Barber Shops Bars Beauty Shops Boiler rooms Bowling Alleys Cafeterias Churches Club rooms Clubhouses Cocktail Lounges Computer Rooms Court Houses Dental Centers Department Stores Dining Halls Dining rooms (restaurants) Dress Shops Drug Shops Engine rooms Factory buildings, ordinary

Air Change Rates Building / Room -n(1/hr) Factory buildings, fumes and moisture 10 - 15 Fire Stations 4 - 10 Foundries 15 - 20 Galvanizing plants 20 - 30 Garages repair 20 - 30 Garages storage 4-6 Homes, night cooling 10 - 18 Jewelry shops 6 - 10 Kitchens 15 - 60 Laundries 10 - 15 Libraries, public 4 Lunch Rooms 12 -15 Luncheonettes 12 -15 Nightclubs 20 - 30 Malls 6 - 10 Medical Centers 8 - 12 Medical Clinics 8 - 12 Medical Offices 8 - 12 Mills, paper 15 - 20 Mills, textile general buildings 4 Mills, textile dye houses 15 - 20 Municipal Buildings 4 - 10 Museums 12 -15 Offices, public 3 Offices, private 4 Police Stations 4 - 10 Post Offices 4 - 10 Precision Manufacturing 10 - 50 Pump rooms 5 Restaurants 8 - 12 Retail 6 - 10 School Classrooms 4 - 12 Shoe Shops 6 - 10 Shopping Centers 6 - 10 Shops, machine 5 Shops, paint 15 - 20 Shops, woodworking 5 Substation, electric 5 - 10

Building / Room Supermarkets Town Halls Taverns Theaters Turbine rooms, electric Warehouses Waiting rooms, public

Air Change Rates -n(1/hr) 4 - 10 4 - 10 20 - 30 8 - 15 5 - 10 2 4

Note that in many cases local regulations and codes will govern the ventilation requirements. The fresh air supply to a room can be calculated as q=nV (1) where q = fresh air supply (ft3/h, m3/h) n = air change rate (1/h) V = volume of room (ft3, m3)

Example - Fresh Air Supply to a Public Library

The fresh air supply to a public library with volume 1000 m3 can be calculated as Q = (4 1/h) (1000 m3) = 4000 m3/h

Air Volume Calculator

20

No. of Changes per Hour (1/h) Room Volume (m3, ft3)

200

Volumen del aire va a ser 100 veces mas que el volume del cuarto

he volume of fresh air (make up air) required for proper ventilation is determined of the size and use of the space.

The table below indicates recommended air change rates (air changes per hour) in some common types of rooms and buildings: Air Change Rates -n(1/hr) All spaces in general min 4 Attic spaces for cooling 12 - 15 Auditoriums 8 - 15 Bakeries 20 Banks 4 - 10 Barber Shops 6 - 10 Bars 20 - 30 Beauty Shops 6 - 10 Boiler rooms 15 - 20 Bowling Alleys 10 - 15 Cafeterias 12 - 15 Churches 8 - 15 Club rooms 12 Clubhouses 20 - 30 Cocktail Lounges 20 - 30 Computer Rooms 15 - 20 Court Houses 4 - 10 Dental Centers 8 - 12 Department Stores 6 - 10 Dining Halls 12 -15 Dining rooms (restaurants) 12 Dress Shops 6 - 10 Drug Shops 6 - 10 Engine rooms 4-6 Factory buildings, ordinary 2-4 Factory buildings, fumes and moisture 10 - 15 Fire Stations 4 - 10 Foundries 15 - 20 Galvanizing plants 20 - 30 Garages repair 20 - 30 Garages storage 4-6 Homes, night cooling 10 - 18 Jewelry shops 6 - 10 Kitchens 15 - 60 Laundries 10 - 15 Libraries, public 4 Building / Room

Building / Room Lunch Rooms Luncheonettes Nightclubs Malls Medical Centers Medical Clinics Medical Offices Mills, paper Mills, textile general buildings Mills, textile dye houses Municipal Buildings Museums Offices, public Offices, private Police Stations Post Offices Precision Manufacturing Pump rooms Restaurants Retail School Classrooms Shoe Shops Shopping Centers Shops, machine Shops, paint Shops, woodworking Substation, electric Supermarkets Town Halls Taverns Theaters Turbine rooms, electric Warehouses Waiting rooms, public

Air Change Rates -n(1/hr) 12 -15 12 -15 20 - 30 6 - 10 8 - 12 8 - 12 8 - 12 15 - 20 4 15 - 20 4 - 10 12 -15 3 4 4 - 10 4 - 10 10 - 50 5 8 - 12 6 - 10 4 - 12 6 - 10 6 - 10 5 15 - 20 5 5 - 10 4 - 10 4 - 10 20 - 30 8 - 15 5 - 10 2 4

Note that in many cases local regulations and codes will govern the ventilation requirements. The fresh air supply to a room can be calculated as

q=nV where

(1)

q = fresh air supply (ft3/h, m3/h) n = air change rate (1/h) V = volume of room (ft3, m3)

Example - Fresh Air Supply to a Public Library

The fresh air supply to a public library with volume 1000 m3 can be calculated as Q = (4 1/h) (1000 m3) = 4000 m3/h

Air Volume Calculator

4

No. of Changes per Hour (1/h) Room Volume (m3, ft3)

1000

Air Change Rate - Imperial Units

Air change rate per hour can be expressed in imperial Units as n = 60 q / V where n = air change rate per hour q = fresh air flow through the room (Cubic Feet per Minute, cfm) (1)

V = volume of the room (Cubic Feet)

Air Change Rate - SI Units

Air change rate expressed in SI-units: n = 3600 q / V where n = air change rate per hour q = fresh air flow through the room (m3/s) V = volume of the room (m3) (2)

Example - Air Change Rate SI Units

With an air flow of 3 m3/s in a 20000 m3 room the air flow rate can be calculated as n = 3600 (3 m3/s) / (20000 m3) = 0.54

In a garage or workshop where exhaust gases like Carbon Monoxide (CO) and NOx from vehicles are very dangerous, proper ventilation of the area is very important. Garages or workshops with floor areas more than 500 ft2 (50m2) should always have mechanical ventilation with fans. Smaller garages can have natural ventilation with evacuation of air through ducts with larger area than 0.2% of the floor area.

Required Air Changes per Hour

As a general rule of thumb the minimum

air changes per hour in a storage garage should be least 4 to 6 air changes per hour in a repair garage or workshop should be at least 20 to 30

The fresh air supply to the garage can be calculated as Q=nV where Q = total fresh air supply (m3/h) (1)

n = required air changes per hour (h-1) V = volume of the garage (m3)

CO Emission
The fresh air requirement in a garage can also be calculated using the CO emission from the vehicles in the garage. qCO = (20 + 0.1 l1) c1 + 0.1 c2 l2 where qCO = CO emission (m3/h) c1 = capacity of parked cars in the garage l1 = mean driving distance for cars in the parking garage c2 = numbers of cars driving through the garage l2 = mean driving distance for cars driving through the garage The required fresh air supply can be estimated with Q = k qCO where Q = required fresh air supply (m3/h) k = application coefficient The application coefficients used are

(2)

(3)

k = 2 where people are in the garage temporarily k = 4 where people are in the garage permanently - service shops or similar

Example - Fresh air supply to a garage

A Storage Garage

The fresh air supply to a storage garage with 10 cars, floor area 150 m2, volume 300 m3 and a mean driving distance for the cars of 20 m, can be calculated as:
Required air changes per hour

Fresh air supply due to air change requirement of 4 per hour can be calculated as Q = (4 1/h) (300 m3)

= 1200 m3/h
CO emission

CO emission can be calculated as qCO = (20 + 0.1 (20 m)) (10 cars) = 220 m3/h CO Required air flow due to CO emission can be calculated as Q = 2 (220 m3/h) = 440 m3/h air Comparing the two calculations - the fresh air supply should be 1200 m3/h.
A Repair Garage

The fresh air supply to a repair garage with 10 cars, floor area 150 m2, volume 300 m3 and a mean driving distance for the cars of 20 m, can be calculated as:
Required air changes per hour

Fresh air supply due to air change requirement of 4 per hour can be calculated as Q = 20 (300 m3/h) = 6000 m3/h
CO emission

CO emission can be calculated as qCO = (20 + 0.1 (20 m)) (10 cars) = 220 m3/h CO Required air flow due to CO emission can be calculated as Q = 4 (220 m3/h) = 880 m3/h air Comparing the two calculations the fresh air supply should be 6000 m3/h.

Local Codes

Local regulations and codes must always be adapted. Is important not to underestimate the traffic in the garage and the required air flow.

NOTE! CO is very dangerous!

Alternative Systems
A typical solution for smaller garages is shown below.

The fresh air is supplied through openings in the outside wall. Polluted air is evacuated through openings close to the floor and the roof. In larger buildings and garages it is common to use air from the ventilation systems in the surrounding buildings as fresh air supply to the garages.

Air with room temperature (or the temperature after the heat recovery unit) is supplied to the garage. Polluted air is evacuated through openings close to the floor and the roof.

arbon monoxide is a odorless, tasteless, colorless and toxic gas. Carbon monoxide is produced as a by-product of combustion. Any combustion process, fuel burning appliance, vehicle or other device has the potential to produce carbon monoxide gas. Carbon monoxide is dangerous because it inhibits the blood's ability to carry oxygen to vital organs such as the heart and brain. Inhaled CO combines with the oxygen carrying hemoglobin of the blood and forms carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) which is unusable for transporting oxygen. Health effects of various concentration of carbon monoxide: CO Concentration Exposure (ppm)1 (hours) Perceptible Sickness3) 0.5 600 1000 1 200 600 2 100 300 4 50 150 6 25 120 2) 8 25 100

Deadly4) 2000 1600 1000 400 200 150

1)

ppm - parts per million - is defined as the mass of the component in solution divided by the total mass of the solution multiplied by 106 (one million)
2)

The maximum exposure allowed by OSHA in the workplace over an eight hour period is 35 ppm.
3)

Typical sickness symptoms are mild headache, fatigue, nausea and dizziness.

4)

A CO concentration of 12-13.000 ppm is deadly after 1-3 minutes. A CO concentration of 1600 ppm is deadly after one hour.

Concentration of CO in the air (ppm) 9

Inhalation Time

Toxic Symptoms ASHRAE recommended maximum allowable concentration in living area. The maximum exposure allowed by OSHA in the workplace over an eight hour period. Slight headache, tiredness, fatigue, nausea and dizziness. Serious headache-other symptoms intensify. Life threatening after 3 hours. Dizziness, nausea and convulsions. Unconscious within 2 hours. Death after 2-3 hours. Headache, dizziness and

Short term exposure

35

8 hours

200

2-3 hours

400

1-2 hours

800 1,600

45 minutes 20 minutes

Concentration of CO in the air (ppm)

Inhalation Time

Toxic Symptoms nausea. Death within 1 hour. Headache, dizziness, nausea. Death within 1 hour. Headache, dizziness, nausea. Death within 25-30 minutes. Death within 1-3 minutes

3,200 6,400 12,800

5-10 minutes 1-2 minutes 1-3 minutes

Estimated heat loss from 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Offices, apartments, hotels ... Entrance halls, vestibules ... Industrial buildings ... Houses .. Public buildings ..

by infiltration are indicated in the charts below.

Infiltration Heat Loss from Buildings - Chart (pdf)

Infiltration rates through various Types of Wall Construction

Infiltration Rates (cu.ft per foot of crack per hr.) Wall Type Wind Velocity (mph)

5 10 15 20 25 30 Frame Wall with lath and plaster or wallboard 0.03 0.07 0.13 0.18 0.23 0.26 Brick Wall, 8 1/2" plain 2 4 8 12 19 23 Brick Wall, 8 1/2" plain with plaster or wallboard 0.02 0.04 0.07 0.11 0.16 0.24 Brick Wall, 13" plain 1 4 7 12 16 21 Brick Wall, 13" plain with plaster or wallboard 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.04 0.07 0.10