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Room Pressurization Differentials
Accounting for Aspect Ratio: The Missing Variable page 1 of 6
William GrecoJuly, 20092404 Greensward N.Warrington, Pa.w2gre@verizon.net
Introduction:
The equations used at present by all known sources, and Consulting A and E firmsfail to take aspect ratio of an opening into consideration during calculation of CFMpressurization requirements.
Modern digital control systems, VFD motor controllers and modulating dampersare the only reason that our pressurization systems work well,
too much air is beingassumed and designed into our systems for doorways and opening differentials whenusing the general velocity head equation.This report and the equations contained herein addresses and theorizes a solution to theaforementioned problem.
Premise:
All pressurization calculations performed up to this date (including the calculationsperformed by the author) have used a general, widely known velocity pressure formulawhich is good for general work if an opening aspect ratio of between 1:1 and 1:5 isassumed, however due to the fact that we are dealing with doorways, autoclave openingsand other long and very narrow openings between pressurized areas which are between50 and 1500 to 1, the general equation in general use is not valid (and many, HVACspread sheets are based on this invalid equation).
A 7’ high x 3’ doorway with a 1/8” opening at both door jambs and head with a½” undercut has an aspect ratio of (door fame and head length) =
36"84"84"aspect ratio36"aspect ratio1,632:1 and = 72:10.125"head and jambs 0.5"door undercut
Such huge aspect ratios render standard velocity head equations useless due to the factthat air is in fact flowing at low velocities due to high reynolds numbers caused by ahigh friction coefficient of entry at the doorways and openings between areas, and notbecause the differentials are low. A high aspect ratio produces a high friction coefficientof entry due to the huge linear distance of the entry edge of a doorway crack opening ascompared to a square opening, high aspect ratios also produce high surface friction areaas opposed to square openings.
 
Room Pressurization Differentials
Accounting for Aspect Ratio: The Missing Variable page 2 of 6
William GrecoJuly, 20092404 Greensward N.Warrington, Pa.w2gre@verizon.net
An autoclave opening that is 30 feet long and ½” wide yields the following:A total of (30 feet x 12 sides) = Linear Entry edge of 360 inchesAn aspect ratio of (30 x 12)/0.5 = 720 to 1 and an area of (360 x 0.5)/144 = 1.25 squarefeet or (360 x 0.5) = 180 in
2
.The same area under consideration using only the general velocity head equation wouldbe considered as a square opening with a 1:1 ratio. This would include (4) sides of only180= 13.416 inches (each side of squareopening).13.416 inches, A linear entry edgeof (13.416 x 4) = 53.66 inches instead of the actual entry edge of 360 inches.Duct sizing is based on what is known as an
equivalent diameter, not onrectangular area
. The reason for this is that there is more surface area creating morefriction on a high aspect ratio duct than on a circular duct of the same area. Ductalatorsand all sizing charts are based on equivalent diameter, and it is this equivalent diameterthat we should be using to determine our required capacity differentials for pressurizationpurposes.
0
The general velocity head equation:HV =113.35where:V = Velocity in feet per minuteH = Velocity Head inches water gage13.35 = specific volume of air at 70F and 29.92 hg (Cubic Feet Per Pound
)
ThenAND
substituting CFM and AREA for velocityCFMCFMV = 13.351096.2 = 4005 = 4005HAreaAreaCFM = 4005HArea
 
 
Room Pressurization Differentials
Accounting for Aspect Ratio: The Missing Variable page 3 of 6
William GrecoJuly, 20092404 Greensward N.Warrington, Pa.w2gre@verizon.net
Most engineering offices usea 0.75 factor to account for friction thus:CFM = 4005HArea0.75(equation-1)and this is the equation that most engineering offices use to calculatepressure differences between conditioned spaces.
Example-1:Calculate the CFM required to maintain a 0.06 inwg differential with a 30 linear footlong x ½ inch wide opening between the an Autoclave Load side and the Mechanicalspace. using the General Velocity Head Equation. (360 x 0.5)/144 = 1.25 square feet
40050.061.250.75= 919.7 CFM920 cfm would be the standard calculated capacity required. This means that 920 cfmmust be made available to be transferred.
Equivalent Diameter Equation- based on Aspect Ratio
Dr. Willis Carrier years ago established the following equation which is found in the
Carrier System Design Manual (which was in it’s 10
th
printing in 1974) pg 2-34-
0.625e0.25e
abd= 1.3(equation-2)a+bwhere:a = the height of an opening or ductb = the width of an opening or ductd= the equivalent diameter of opening or duct
It is this equation that determines the equivalent diameter of differing aspect ratios of openings or conduits on all ductalators used by HVAC designers and engineers.To determine the area that we should be considering for these large aspect ratio openings,Equation-2 should be used first to account for Aspect Ratio then the resultant areaplugged into the the general velocity head equation-1 .
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