LECTURE 10: AIR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND DUCT DESIGN

MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

BRAC UNIVERSITY
MEE 344
 Teachers

Mohammad Faruk, PhD Mohammad Zillur Rahman

Associate Professor, Lecturer,
Email: mfaruk@bracu.ac.bd Email: zillur.rahman@bracu.ac.bd
Consultation Hours: Consultation Hours: Sunday, 4:10 -
5:05 pm

LECTURE 5: MECHANICAL VENTILATION

 ▪ HVAC Plant
Review
▪ Psychometric Analysis
SIMPLIFIED DIAGRAM OF A HVAC
PLANT

Elements of HVAC Plants

Damper
Filter
Washer
Cooling coil / refrigerant plant
Eliminator plates
Heating coil (with boiler)
Fan
Ducts
Diffusers

How does it work?

Source: google images, (2020)

Psychrometric chart

How far the air is to be cooled is determined from PC

PC Shows thermodynamic properties of moist air

It is the graphic representation of the relationships of

temperature, humidity and vapour pressure

Given Condition: DBT = 25C

RH = 65%

Desired Condition: DBT = 18C

RH = 60%
 ▪ FILTRATION
▪ DUCT DESIGN
Content
▪ MAINTENANCE OF DUCTS
▪ DUCT DESIGN OBJECTIVES
FILTRATION OF AIR

LECTURE 5: MECHANICAL VENTILATION Source: google images, (2020)

FILTRATION OF AIR

Air contains: Dust, airborne particulates-pollen, mold (fungal) spores, animal dander, insect proteins, pesticides, lead, and infectious
bacteria and viruses.

▪ Provide health benefits to the occupants

▪ Efficiency and longevity of the HVAC system

Air filters should have a dust-spot rating between 35% and 80%

▪ Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV) of between 8 and 13.

▪ The higher the rating, the better the protection for equipment & occupants.

Design more filter surface area into ventilation systems.

▪ number of filter changes each year is reduced, thereby reducing cost

▪ static pressure loss is lower, which saves money by reducing the amount of power needed to operate fans and blowers.
Plenum or Balanced system – Air is filtered at the point of
intake

Two types of filters:

Dry Filters
▪ Made of fibrous or porous materials – paper, cloth, fibre, etc.
▪ When they get dirty, they get thrown away

Wet Filters
▪ Made of fibrous or porous materials – metal, glass fibre, etc
▪ Wetted with oil / grease
▪ Can be washed & reused

Source: google images, (2020)

FILTRATION OF AIR

Electronic Filters

Electrode plates remove dust particles by electronically charging the

plates and attracting them

The electronic air cleaner installed in a ventilation system is a highly

effective particulate air filtration system, specifically designed to
remove small particles from the air.

However, many of the most common allergy irritants (mold, pollen,

pet dander, lint and household dust) are fairly large particles
averaging 10 microns and up in size. As larger particles build up on
the metal collection plates, the air cleaner rapidly loses it’s efficiency
and must be frequently cleaned to maintain peak performance.

In addition, larger particle deposits can break off and be blown

through the air cleaner instead of being captured by the unit, or can
cause high voltage arcing which produces a snapping sound in the
duct work.

Source: google images, (2020)

Source: google images, (2020)
INTRODUCTION TO DUCTWORK

HVAC systems use an air distribution or duct system to circulate heated

and/or cooled air to all the conditioned rooms / spaces

Helps to maintain uniform temperatures throughout the building,

efficiently and quietly

The system can be made out of sheet metal, fiberglass duct-board,

insulated plastic, or cloth. Many times, a combination of these materials
is used in the same building.

Source: google images, (2020)

DUCT MATERIALS

Air distribution ducts are commonly constructed from sheet metal, rigid
fiberglass duct board, or flexible nonmetallic duct.

Selection of duct material is based on price, performance, and

installation requirements.

Source: google images, (2020)

IMPORTANCE OF DUCT DESIGN

The efficiency of air distribution system has found to be 60-75% or less

Due to insufficient and/or poorly installed duct insulation and leaks in

the duct system.

Properly designed and installed duct systems can increase efficiencies

of 80% or more

Efficient duct system designs can reduce equipment size, further saving
money for new
or replacement equipment.

Duct systems that leak and/or do not distribute air properly throughout
the building
may make some rooms too hot and others too cold.

Leaky and unbalanced duct systems may force conditioned air outside
and
unconditioned air into the space.

Source: google images, (2020)

IMPORTANCE OF DUCT DESIGN

This increases heating-cooling costs and may also draw humidity, dust,
mold spores, and other contaminants

Poorly designed and installed duct systems can induce back drafting—
spillage of flue gases from combustion appliances

Duct systems that are undersized, are pinched, or have numerous

bends and turns may lead to low air flow rates and high air velocities

Source: google images, (2020)

REPLACEMENT OR MAINTENANCE OF DUCTS

1. Mold
2. Tears or Cracking
3. Extreme Age
4. Inconsistent Household Temperature
5. Excess Humidity
6. Improper Installation
7. Debris in the System

Source: google images, (2020)

DUCT DESIGN OBJECTIVES

▪Provides conditioned air to meet all room

heating and cooling loads.

▪Is properly sized so that the pressure drop

across the air handler is within manufacturer
and design specifications.

▪Is sealed to provide proper air flow and to

prevent air from entering the house or duct
system from polluted zones.

▪Has balanced supply and return air flows to

maintain a neutral pressure in the building.

▪Minimizes duct air temperature gains or losses

between the air handler and supply
outlets, and between the return register and air
handler.

Source: google images, (2020)

SUPPLY DUCT SYSTEMS

Trunk and branch system Air handler

Perimeter loop Central supply plenum
Spider Feeder duct
Radial Main supply duct
Vav Box

Source: google images, (2020)

RETURN AIR TECHNIQUES
Return ducts remove room air and deliver it back to the heating and
cooling equipment for filtering and reconditioning.

Return duct systems are generally classified as either central or

multiple-room return.

Source: google images, (2020)

PLACEMENT OF DUCTS

Air handling unit and air distribution system inside the

conditioned space of the house is the best way to
improve duct system efficiency and is highly
recommended.

-any duct leakage will be to the inside of the house.

- will not significantly affect the energy efficiency of the
heating and cooling system
-air distribution may suffer
-needs minimal insulation

Ducts should not run on exterior walls………..Why?

Source: google images, (2020)

Source: google images, (2020)
 NEXT LECTURE:

Midterm exam

Questions

THANK YOU

LECTURE 4: Mechanical Ventilation