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CHAPTER 31
1955 Guide
Table 2. Recommended Return Intake Face Velocities
Intake Location
Undercutting of doors (through undercut area).......
Velocity Over Gross Area
P PM
800 up 600-800 400-600 200-300 200-300
RETURN AND EXHAUST INTAKES
The selection of return and exhaust intakes depends on: (1) velocity in occupied zone near intake; (2) permissible pressure drop through intake;
and (3) noise.
1. Velocity. The control of the room air motion for the maintenance of comfort conditions depends on the proper selection of the supply outlets. The effect of air flow through return intakes upon air movement in the room is slight. Air handled by the intake approaches the opening from all directions and its velocity decreases rapidly as the distance from the opening increases. Therefore, drafty conditions will rarely be encountered near return intakes. Recommended return intake face veloci ties are given in Table 2.
2. Permissible Pressure Drop. The permissible pressure drop will depend on the choice of the designer. Table 3 gives pressure drop through plain lattice intakes as a function of free area and face velocity.
Proper pressure drop allowance should be made for control or directive devices.
3. Noise. The problem of noise generated by return intakes is the same as that for supply outlets. In computing resultant room noise levels from the operation of an air conditioning system, the return intake must be included as a part of the total grille area. The major difference between the supply outlets and' return intakes is the frequent installation of the latter at ear level, mien so located, it is recommended that the return intake velocity be not in excess of 75 percent of the maximum per missible outlet velocity.
The location of return and exhaust intakes does not critically affect air motion, unless room air velocities in the occupied zone near the intake exceed comfort limits. The locations of return or exhaust intakes are, how ever, important for obtaining the desired room temperature equalization.
Ceiling locations for exhaust outlets are recommended for bars, kitchens, lavatories, dining rooms, club rooms, etc. where warm air will rise to the ceiling level. In heating installations, location of the return grilles in the ceiling or high on the wall is not recommended, as it may result in stratifica tion of the conditioned air, and--depending on the relative location of supply and return outlets--in short-circuiting. (Refer to section Outlet
Location and Selection). Some ceiling outlets combine the supply and return openings in a single
Table 3. Approximate Pressure Drops for Lattice Return Intakes Inches Water Gage--Standard Air
Per Cent Free Area
50 60 70 80
400
0.06 0.04 0.03 0.02
500
0.09 0.06 0.05 0.03
Face Velocity, Ffm
600 700 800
0.13 0.17 0.22 0.09 0.12 0.16 0.07 0.09 0.12 0.05 0.07 0.09
900
0.28 0.20 0.15 0.11
1000
0.35 0.24 0.18 0.14
Air Distribution
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Fig. 15. Air Distribution Methods for Theaters, Churches, and Auditoriums
unit. This method is used for heating as well as for cooling applications. However, the application for heating is more critical and requires considera tion of ceiling height, amount of outside wall area, and number of air changes required. In some cases, stratification of warm air may cause short.circuiting. (Refer to section Outlet Location and Selection).
Floor locations of returns are used in heating installations for ceiling or side wall supply. When located so that air is drawn across exposed walls, the performance of the system may be somewhat improved. In general, floor locations tend to collect dirt and refuse.
Wall and door locations of exhaust outlets depending on their elevation, have the characteristics of either floor or ceiling returns. In large buildings with many small rooms, the return air may be brought through door grilles or door undercuts into the corridors, and then to a common return or ex haust. The pressure drop through door returns should not be excessive; otherwise the air distribution to the room may be seriously unbalanced with the opening or closing of the doors. Outward leakage through doors or windows cannot be counted upon for dependable results.
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SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS
For theaters and auditoriums the air distribution methods used are the downward distribution system with ceiling diffusers, and the horizontal distribution system with ejector nozzles or wall diffusers. Fig. 15 shows both methods. Ceding distribution is accomplished by ceiling outlets under
main ceiling and balcony. It is indicated when main ceiling or balcony is
cut up by architectural treatment or beams. The only critical points are under the balcony, and (occasionally) above the very rear of the balcony, where ceiling heights are low and where direct impingement of air is some times a hazard.
Wall or ejector distribution is particularly applicable for relatively long and narrow theaters. It is essential with this type of distribution that there
Winter convection current
Fig. 16. Distribution Methods for Small Rooms A. Satisfactory for cooling. Unsatisfactory for heating in severe climates where the outside temperature
consistently below 40 F, and single glass and uninsulated walls are prevalent. Performance approximately that of A when small diffusers are used in bottom of the duct.
C- Satisfactory for cooling. Satisfactory for heating if direct radiation is properly controlled.
anrw' ^isfactory for both cooling and heating. The air should be discharged slightly away from the wall d for low velocities, should be fanned out parallel to the wall.