Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Flexible Duct Junction Box Design

Beach, Robert¹  Prahl, Duncan¹  Lange, Rich² 

[1] IBACOS, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA (United States);Applied Science Consultants, LLC, Pittsburgh, PA (United States)

关键词: CFD;    computational fluid dynamics;    ducted mini split systems;    ACCA Manual D;    ACCA Manual D Group 11 fittings;    ducts;    duct fittings;    duct fitting design;    small-diameter ducts;    wire-helix duct;    junction boxes;    box plenums;    k-factors in duct fittings;    fitting pressure drops;   

DOI  :  10.2172/1220913
RP-ID  :  DOE/GO--102013-4297
PID  :  OSTI ID: 1220913
Others  :  Other: 6620

美国|英语

来源: SciTech Connect

【 摘 要 】

IBACOS explored the relationships between pressure and physical configurations of flexible duct junction boxes by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to predict individual box parameters and total system pressure, thereby ensuring improved HVAC performance. Current Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) guidance (Group 11, Appendix 3, ACCA Manual D, Rutkowski 2009) allows for unconstrained variation in the number of takeoffs, box sizes, and takeoff locations. The only variables currently used in selecting an equivalent length (EL) are velocity of air in the duct and friction rate, given the first takeoff is located at least twice its diameter away from the inlet. This condition does not account for other factors impacting pressure loss across these types of fittings. For each simulation, the IBACOS team converted pressure loss within a box to an EL to compare variation in ACCA Manual D guidance to the simulated variation. IBACOS chose cases to represent flows reasonably correlating to flows typically encountered in the field and analyzed differences in total pressure due to increases in number and location of takeoffs, box dimensions, and velocity of air, and whether an entrance fitting is included. The team also calculated additional balancing losses for all cases due to discrepancies between intended outlet flows and natural flow splits created by the fitting. In certain asymmetrical cases, the balancing losses were significantly higher than symmetrical cases where the natural splits were close to the targets. Thus, IBACOS has shown additional design constraints that can ensure better system performance.