Calculating water and air flow rates - Part 2

126-201301

Source HEINRICH

Objective(s): To be able to calculate transmitted flow rates by knowledge of thermal

capacities and differences between flow and return temperature, with water and air.

Author(s): Patrick Delpech, Philippe Fouques

Translator(s): Richard Pinder

Advice:
The training difficulty of this lesson is NVQ Level (Vocational Certificate) to HND
Level (Associate’s Degree).
This E-book, part 2 of “Calculating water and air flow rate – Part 1” deals with the
use of the principal formula useful in our professional sector. Its understanding is
essential when dealing with the design and operation of new and existing systems.
Before studying this chapter download and print the PDF exercise. Write down your
answers to the exercise before checking the corrections on-line.

Training lesson requirement(s) :

“Calculating water and air flow rates – Part 1”

Contents:

1) Calculation of water flow in heating and cooling

2) Calculation of air flow in heating and cooling
3) Calculation of water temperatures in heating and cooling
4) Calculation of air temperature
5) Formulas
6) Exchangers
7) Power, flow and temperature differences with exchangers
8) Summarising exercises
 1) Calculation of water flow in heating and
cooling training - NVQ level

Source HEINRICH

The formula P = qv × 1.16 × ΔT allows us to calculate heating and cooling capacities transmitted
by water. But we can use it to calculate required water flows for the supply of a given capacity:

With:
– qv in [m3/h]
– P in [kW]
– 1.16: Volumetric heat of water in [kWh / m3 K]
– ∆T: Range of temperature loss or gain of water

This is not a new formula but a re-adjustment taking into account what we know and what we are
looking for (in this case flow).

 QUESTION

Question 1:
What water flow in [m3/h] is heated by 10 [°C] (50°F) if we supply 120 [kW]?

Answer 1:
qv = P / (1.16 × ΔT)
qv = 120 / (1.16 × 10) = 10.3 [m3/h]
___________________________________________________
____________________
 QUESTION

Question 2:
What water flow in [m3/h] is cooled down by 10 [K] if we take out 120 [kW]?

Answer 2:
10.3 [m3/h]
Explanation:
qv = P / (1.16 × ΔT)
qv = 120 / (1.16 × 10) = 10.3 [m3/h]
___________________________________________________
____________________

 QUESTION

Question 3:
What water flow in [m3 /h] allows the transmission of 25[kW] at a regime of 80/60 [°C] (176°F /
140°F)?

Answer 3:
1.08 [m3/h]
Explanation:
ΔT= 80 [°C] – 60 [°C] = 20 [K]
qv = P / (1.16 × ΔT)
qv = 25 / (1.16 × 20) = 1.08 [m3/h]
___________________________________________________
____________________

 QUESTION

Question 4:
What water flow, in [m3 /h], allows the transmission of 25 [kW] of cooling at a regime of 6/12 [°C]
(42.8°F / 53.6°F)?

Answer 4:
3.6 [m3 /h]
Explanation:
ΔT= 12 [°C] – 6 [°C] = 6 [K]
qv = P / (1.16 × ΔT)
qv = 25 / (1.16 × 6) = 3.6 [m3/h]
 ___________________________________________________
____________________

When working with small equipment, it’s better to calculate flow in [l/h].

With:
– qv in [l/h]
– P in [W]
– 1.16: Volumetric heat in [Wh / l K]
– ∆T: Range of temperature loss or gain of water

 QUESTION

Question 5:
What water flow, in [l/h], allows the transmission of 1800 [W] of heating at a regime of 80/60 [°C]
(176°F / 140°F)?

Answer 5:
77.6 [l/h]
Explanation:
ΔT= 80 [°C] – 60 [°C] = 20 [K]
qv = 1,800 / (1.16 × 20) = 77.6 [l/h]
___________________________________________________
____________________

 QUESTION

Question 6:
What water flow, in [l/h], allows the supply of 3,200 [W] of cooling if it cools down from 12 to 7
[°C] (53.6°F / 44.6°F)?[/

Answer 6:
551.7 [l/h]
Explanation:
ΔT= 12 – 7 = 5 [K]
qv = 3,200 / ( 1.16 × 5) = 551.7 [l/h]
___________________________________________________
____________________
 2) Calculation of air flow in heating and
cooling training - A level

Source KIMO

The formula P = qv × 0.34 × ΔT allows us to calculate heating and cooling capacities transmitted
by air. But we can use it to calculate required air flows for the supply of a given capacity:

With:
– qv in [m3/h]
– P in [W]
– 0.34: Volumetric heat of air in [kWh/m3.K]
– ∆T: Range of temperature loss or gain of air

 QUESTION

Question 1:
What air flow is heated by 10 [K] if we supply 2,500 [W]?

Answer 1:
735 [m3/h]

Explanation:
qv = P/(0.34 × ΔT)
qv = 2,500/(0.34×10) = 735 [m3/h]
 QUESTION

Question 2:
What air flow having received 35 [kW], has been heated from – 6 [°C] (21.2°F) to 15 [°C] (59°F)?

Answer 2:
4,902 [m3/h]

Explanation:
35 [kW] = 35,000 [W]
ΔT= 15 [°C] – (-6 [°C]) = 21 [K]
qv = P /(0.34 × ΔT)
qv = 35,000/(0.34 × 21) = 4,902 [m3/h]

 QUESTION

Question 3:
What air flow at 25 [°C] (77°F) supplies a heating capacity of 4.5 [kW] to a room maintained at 20
[°C] (68°F)?

Answer 3:
2,647 [m3 /h]

Explanation:
The air flow blown at 25 [°C] (77°F) will cool down in the room (which is at 20 [°C] (68°F)) due to
its heat loss called « thermal losses ».
This cooling down from 25 (77°F) to 20 [°C] (68°F) will correspond to the supply to the room of a
heating capacity of air of 4.5 [kW].
4.5 [kW] = 4,500 [W]
ΔT= 25 [°C] – 20 [°C] = 5 [K]
qv = 4,500/(0.34 × 5) = 2,647 [m3/h]

 QUESTION

Question 4:
 What air flow at 18 [°C] (64.4°F) allows the transmission of 3,000 [W] of cooling to a room at 25
[°C] (77°F)?

Answer 4:
1,261 [m3 /h]

Explanation:
The air flow blown at 18 [°C] (64.4°F) will heat up in the room (which is at 25 [°C] (77°F)) due to
its heat gain (sun & electrical equipment) called « air conditioning loads ».
This heat increase from 18 [°C] (64.4°F) to 25 [°C] (77°F) will correspond to the supply to a room
of 3 [kW] of cooling capacity.
ΔT= 25 [°C] – 18 [°C] = 7 [K]
q v = 3,000/(0.34×7) = 1,261 [m3/h]

 QUESTION

Question 5:
What air flow at 35 [°C] (95°F) allows the transmission of 12 [kW] to a room at 20 [°C] (68°F)?

Answer 5:
2 353 [m3/h]

Explanation:
The air flow blown at 35 [°C] (95°F) will cool down in the room (which is at 20 [°C] (68°F)) due to
its heat loss called « thermal losses ».
This cooling from 35 [°C] (95°F) to 20 [°C] (68°F) will correspond to the supply to the room of a
heating capacity of 12 [kW].
ΔT = 35 [°C] – 20 [°C] = 15 [K]
q v = 12,000/(0.34 × 15) = 2,353 [m3/h]
 3) Calculation of water temperatures in
heating and cooling - NVQ level

Source SIKA

The formula P = qv × 1.16 × ΔT allows us to calculate heating and cooling capacities transmitted
by water. But we can use it to calculate temperature differences to which water is subjected for a
given capacity gained or lost:

With:
– ∆T: Range of temperature loss or gain of water
– P in [kW]
– qv in [m3/h]
– 1.16: Volumetric heat of water in [kWh / m3 K]

This is not a new formula but a re-adjustment taking into account what we know and what we are
looking for (in this case temperature difference).

 QUESTION

Question 1:
By how many degrees will 5 [m3/h] of water cool down circulating in a heating unit of 100 [kW]?

Answer 1:
17.2 [K] or 17.2 [°C]
Explanation:
ΔT = P / ( 1.16 × qv)
ΔT = 100 / ( 1.16 × 5) = 17.2 [K] or 17.2 [°C]
 QUESTION

Question 2:
What is the outlet temperature of 2 [m3/h] of water which enters at 60 [°C] in a boiler of 50 [kW]?

Answer 2:
81.6 [°C]
Explanation:
ΔT = P / (1.16 × qv)
ΔT = 50 / ( 1.16 × 2) = 21.6 [K] or 21.6 [°C]
In the boiler the water heats up; the outlet temperature is:
60 [°C] + 21.6 [°C] = 81.6 [°C]

Very important remark:

If you have not already done so, study the correction of the previous exercise. Note that we did
not directly try to discover the temperature at the water outlet of the boiler, but firstly to
calculate the ΔT by which the water heated up.
In fact, trying to calculate straightaway the temperature at the boiler outlet or other outlet
increases the chances of making a mistake.
It is always better to first calculate the ΔT then to ask oneself how to use it (heating up or
cooling down).

 QUESTION

Question 3:
 Complete the table:

Answer 3:

 QUESTION
 Question 4:
After having calculated the ΔT, determine the outlet temperature of 2 [m 3/h] of water flowing in at
15 [°C] in a chiller of 20 [kW]?

Answer 4:
6.4 [°C]
Explanation:
ΔT = P / ( 1.16 × qv)
ΔT = 20 / ( 1.16 × 2) = 8.6 [K] or 8.6 [°C]
In the chiller water cools down:
Outlet temperature: 15 [°C] – 8.6 [°C] = 6.4 [°C]

 QUESTION
 ANSWER

Question 5:
By how many degrees do 90 [l/h] of water cool down in a radiator of 2100 [W]?

Question 5:
By how many degrees do 90 [l/h] of water cool down in a radiator of 2100 [W]?

Answer 5:
20.1 [K] or 20.1 [°C]
Explanation:
ΔT = P / ( 1.16 × qv)
ΔT = 2100 / ( 1.16 × 90) = 20.1 [K] or 20.1 [°C]

 QUESTION

Question 6:
After having calculated the ΔT, determine the water outlet temperature of a cooling unit of 1 750
[W] fed by 180 [l/h] of water at 6 [°C]?

Answer 6:
14.4 [°C]
Explanation:
ΔT = P / ( 1.16 × qv)
ΔT = 1 750 / ( 1.16 × 180) = 8.4 [K] or 8.4 [°C]
In the chiller, water heats up.
Outlet temperature: 6 [°C] + 8.4 [°C] = 14.4 [°C]
 4) Calculation of air temperature training - A
level)

The formula P = qv × 0.34 × ΔT allows us to calculate heating capacities transmitted by air.

But we can use it to calculate temperature differences to which air is subjected for a given
capacity gained or lost (if the evolution is without condensation):

With:
– ∆T: Range of temperature loss or gain of air
– P in [W]
– qv in [m3/h]
– 0.34: Volumetric heat of air in [Wh/m3.K]

 QUESTION

Question 1:
By how many degrees [K] do 520 [m3/h] of air heat up, when passing through a heating unit of
4,000 [W]?

Answer 1:
ΔT = 4,000/(520 × 0,34) = 22.6 [K]

 QUESTION
 Question 2:
What is the temperature of air at the outlet of a heating unit of 40 [kW] which heats up 2,600
[m3/h] of air initially at -5 [°C] (23°F)?

Answer 2:
40.2 [°C] (104,4°F)

Explanation:
40 [kW] = 40,000 [W]
ΔT = 40,000/(2,600 × 0,34) = 45.2 [K]
Outlet temperature: -5 [°C] + 45.2 [°C] = 40.2 [°C] (104,4°F)

 QUESTION

Question 3:
To what temperature does a heating unit of 27 [kW] raise an air flow of 1,800 [m 3/h] at -15 [°C]
(5°F)?

Answer 3:
29.1 [°C] (84.2°F)

Explanation:
27 [kW] = 27,000 [W]
ΔT = 27,000/(1,800 × 0.34 ) = 44.1 [K]
Outlet temperature: -15 [°C] + 44.1 [°C] = 29.1 [°C] (84.2°F)

 QUESTION

Question 4:
The initial temperature of an air flow of 1,600 [m3/h] being -10 [°C] (10°F), to what temperature
will it be brought by a heating unit of 28 [kW]?

Answer 4:
41.5 [°C] (105.8°F)

Explanation:
28 [kW] = 28,000 [W]
ΔT = 28,000 / (1,600 × 0.34) = 51.5 [K]
Outlet temperature: -10 [°C] + 51.5 [°C] = 41.5 [°C] (105.8°F)
N.B.:
The formula ΔT = qv/(0.34 × P) can be used on cooling units only if they do not produce
condensation on the coil.

In fact, when air is in contact with a cold panel, a part of the vapour it contains condenses (see
the course “General presentation of air conditioning – open access”).
The formula ΔT = qv/(0.34 × P) is therefore no longer correct, because it only deals with
temperature change without change of physical state.
5) Formulas training – NVQ level
 6) Exchangers training – NVQ level
Exchangers are units of equipment that allow the transfer of heat (or cold) from a circuit called « primary »
to a circuit called « secondary » without the primary circulating fluid being in direct contact with the
secondary circulating fluid. The exchange surface which separates the primary fluid from the secondary
fluid is usually metal.
The word “exchanger” can be used in a very general way. Thus, a radiator is an exchanger. It allows the
transfer of the heat contained in the water to the air of the room, without there being direct contact between
the water and air.

We specifically identify:

 Water/air exchangers (radiators, air handling coils, coils of convector ventilators)

Symbolisation:

 Water/water exchangers

In these, the fluide circulating is water.

The primary side brings the energy.

 On a heating heat exchanger, the primary side is the hottest side.

 On a cooling heat exchanger, the primary side is the coldest circuit.

Water/water heat exchangers allow the separation of 2 circuits which must not mix:

 By their nature (e.g.: recycled water circuit on boiler / domestic water circuit)

 By their temperatures (e.g.: primary water « super heated » at more than 110 [°C] (230°F) / secondary water «
low temperature » at less than 110 [°C] (230°F)).

 By their pressures (primary or secondary circuit at very high pressure)

When the primary and secondary pressure differences are moderate, the exchangers are plate type
exchangers.

Source ALFA-LAVAL

When the primary and secondary pressure differences are very substantial, the exchangers are tube type or
welded plate exchangers.
 Source BLOKSMA-FRYER

 QUESTION
 ANSWER

Question 1:
What is the temperature regime of the Bloksma-Fryer heat exchanger above?
On the primary side?
On the secondary side?

Question 1:
What is the temperature regime of the Bloksma-Fryer heat exchanger above?
On the primary side?
On the secondary side?

Answer 1:
– Primary temperature regime: 180/140 [°C] (356/284°F)
– Secondary temperature regime: 90/135 [°C] (194/275°F)

Water/water heat exchanger symbols:

 7) Power, flow and temperature differences
with heat exchangers training - A level
In our sector of work, when we talk of heat exchanger power, we talk interchangeably of “primary” and
“secondary” power, which we consider as equals.
Put another way, we consider that the total power lost on the primary is recuperated by the secondary.

 QUESTION

Question 1:
For the plate heat exchanger below, what is the power supplied by the primary side?
What is the power received by the secondary side?

Answer 1:
150 [kW]

Explanation:
We accept that the totality of the power loss on the primary is recuperated by the secondary.
This means that the efficiency of heat exchangers is 100% (negligible thermal losses).

 QUESTION

Question 2:
For the heat exchanger below, what is the power supplied by the primary side?
What is the power received by the secondary side?
What is the power of the heat exchanger?
 Answer 2:
418 [kW]

Explanation:
Let’s calculate the power of the primary side:
P = qv x 1.16 x ΔT
P = 12 x 1.16 x (80 – 50)
P = 418 [kW]
We accept that the totality of the power loss on the primary side is recuperated by the secondary side.
This means that the efficiency of heat exchangers is 100%. (Negligible thermal losses)
Pprimary = Psecondary = Pexchanger = 418 [kW].

 QUESTION

Question 3:
For the heat exchanger below, what is the flow in circulation on the secondary side?

Answer 3:
9 [m3/h]

Explanation:
In the last exercise we calculated the power of the heat exchanger:
P = 418 [kW].
We know that:
qv = P/(1.16 x ΔT)
ΔT on secondary side is 55 – 15 = 40 [K]
The flow on the secondary side is therefore:
qv = 418/(1.16 x 40) = 9 [m3/h]
 QUESTION

Question 4:
For the heat exchanger below, what is the flow in circulation on the secondary side?

Answer 4:
49.3 [m3/h]

Explanation:
Let’s calculate the power of the primary side:
P = qv x 1.16 x ΔT
P = 37 x 1.16 x (80 – 60)
P = 858 [kW]
Pprimary = Psecondary = Pexchanger = 858 [kW]
We know that:
qv = P/(1.16 x ΔT)
ΔT on the secondary is 70 – 55 = 15 [K]
The flow on the secondary side is therefore:
qv = 858/(1.16 x 15) = 49.3 [m3/h]

 QUESTION

Question 5:
For the heat exchanger below, what is the water outlet temperature on the secondary side?
 Answer 5:
85.4 [°C]

Explanation:
Let’s calculate the power of the exchanger on the primary side:
P = qv x 1.16 x ΔT
P = 21 x 1.16 x (110 – 80)
P = 974 [kW]
Pprimary = Psecondary = Pexchanger = 974 [kW].
We know that:
ΔT = P / (1.16 x qv)
ΔT on the secondary is :
974/(1.16 x 33) = 25.4 [K]
The outlet temperature on the secondary side is therefore:
60 + 25.4 = 85.4 [°C]

 QUESTION

Question 6:
For the heat exchanger below, what is the water outlet temperature on the primary side?

Answer 6:
53.8 [°C]

Explanation:
Let’s calculate the power of the exchanger on the secondary side:
P = qv x 1.16 x ΔT
P = 7 x 1.16 x (60 – 15)
 P = 365 [kW]
Pprimary = Psecondary = Pexchanger = 365 [kW].
We know that:
ΔT = P/(1.16 x qv)
ΔT on the primary = 365/(1.16 x 12) = 26.2 [K]
The outlet temperature on the primary side is therefore:
80 + 26.2 = 53.8 [°C]

 QUESTION

Question 7:
For the heat exchanger below, what is, in [m3/h], the flow in circulation on the primary side?

Answer 7:
1.15 [m3/h]

Explanation:
Let’s calculate the power of the exchanger on the secondary side:
860 [l/h] = 0.86 [m3/h]
P = qv x 1.16 x ΔT
P = 0.86 x 1.16 x (55 – 15)
P = 39.9 [kW]
Pprimary = Psecondary = Pexchanger = 39.9 [kW].
We know that:
qv = P/(1.16 x ΔT)
ΔT on the primary is 80 – 50 = 30 [K]
The flow on the secondary side is therefore:
qv = 39.9/(1.16 x 30) = 1.15 [m3/h]
 8) Summarising exercises training - HND
level

 QUESTION

Question 1:
What is the power of the above heating unit (coil)?

Answer 1:
58 [kW]

Explanation:
P = qv x 1.16 x ΔT
P = 5 x 1.16 x (75 – 65) = 58 [kW]

 QUESTION

Question 2:
What is the blown air flow in the above air handling unit (AHU)?

Answer 2:
6,318 [m3/h]

Explanation:
The power supplied by the water was recuperated by the air.
58 [kW] = 58,000 [W]
We know that with air:
qv = P / (0.34 x ΔT)
 ΔT = 20 – (-7) = 27 [K]
qv = 58,000/(0.34 x 27) = 6,318 [m3/h]

 QUESTION

Question 3:
What is the heated air flow in the AHU below?

Answer 3:
20,470 [m3/h]

Explanation:
Let’s calculate the power supplied by the heating coil:
P = qv x 1.16 x ΔT
P = 15 x 1.16 x (80 – 60) = 348 [kW]
The power supplied by the water was recuperated by the air.
348 [kW] = 348,000 [W]
We know that with air:
qv = P/(0.34 x ΔT)
ΔT = 35 – (-15) = 50 [K]
qv = 348,000 / (0.34 x 50) = 20,470 [m3/h]

 QUESTION

Question 4:
What is the water flow in the heating coil in the AHU below?
 Answer 4:
6.2 [m3/h]

Explanation:
Let’s calculate the power received by the air:
P = qv x 0.34 x ΔT
P = 12,000 x 0.34 x (28 – (-7)) = 142,800 [W]
The power received by the air was supplied by the water.
142,800 [W] = 142.8 [kW]
We know that for water:
qv = P / (1.16 x ΔT)
ΔT = 80 – 60 = 20 [K]
qv = 142.8 / (1.16 x 20) = 6.2 [m3/h]

 QUESTION

Question 5:
What is the temperature of the blown air in the AHU below?
 Answer 5:
31.4 [°C]

Explanation:
Let’s calculate the power supplied by the water:
P = qv x 1.16 x ΔT
P = 4.5 x 1.16 x (80 – 60) = 104.4 [kW]
The power supplied by the water was received by the air.
We know that for air:
ΔT = P / (0.34 x qv)
104.4 [kW] = 104,400 [W]
ΔT = 104,400/ (0.34 x 8,000) = 38.4 [K]
The air outlet temperature is therefore:
38.4 – 7 = 31.4 [°C]

 QUESTION

Question 6:
What is the return temperature of the water of the heating unit (coil) of the AHU below?

Answer 6:
67.8 [°C]

Explanation:
Let’s calculate the power received by the air:
P = qv x 0.34 x ΔT
P = 4,500 x 0.34 x (20 – (-5)) = 38,250 [W]
The power received by the air was supplied by the water.
We know that for water
ΔT = P / (1.16 x qv)
38,250 [W) = 38.3 [kW]
ΔT = 38.3/(1.16 x 2.7) = 12.2 [K]
 The temperature at the water outlet is therefore:
80 – 12.2 = 67.8 [°C]

 QUESTION

Question 7:
What is the heated air flow in the AHU below?

Answer 7:
2 396 [m3/h]

Explanation:

Let’s calculate the power supplied by the heating coil:

P = qv x 1.16 x ΔT
950 [l/h] = 0.95 [m3/h]
P = 0.95 x 1.16 x (80 – 60) = 22 [kW]
The power supplied by the water was recuperated by the air.
22 [kW] = 22 000 [W]

We know that for air:

qv = P / (0.34 x ΔT)
ΔT = 20 - (-7) = 27 [K]
qv = 22 000 / (0.34 x 27) = 2 396 [m3/h]