Document DGQaK7jO5r40xm774k85n8KdB
248
CHAPTER 16
1965 Guide And Data Boole,
precise work. These are based on a standard gravitational?? acceleration of 32.1740 ft per (sec) (sec) and are as follows:
1 Standard Atmosphere " 14.696 ib per sq. in. 29.921 in. mercury at 32 F * 33.96 ft water column at 68 F
For most ordinary purposes, the following figures are of ample accuracy:
1 Atmosphere 14.7 lb per sq in. = 29.9 in. mercury ** 34.0 ft (408 in.) water column
air-conditioning engineers are called upon to measure the
flow of air more often than that of other gases, and usually
the air b measured at or near atmospheric pressure. Under
this condition, the air can be treated substantially as an
incompressible fluid which implies that simplified formulas
can be used with sufficient precision for the solution of
many problems.1*
-;
Instruments for measurement of fluid velocity are shown in
Table 4, together with their rangeof application and precision.
Manometer tubes should be chemically clean. The bore : Thermal Anemometers b not important, except insofar as it affects the meniscus
through wetting or surface tension. Bores of at least */i< j Measurementoflow air velocities (0-100 fpm) b particularly
in. for rough, and H hi. for more precise, measurements difficult. Frequently, the flow pattern b very unstable, causing
are recommended. liquids other than water are sometimes' the mass turbulence level to be of the same order of magnitude
used for low-pressure measurement and, when this is done, as the velocity. However, useful data can be obtained with
the readings must be corrected for the density of the fluid.; any of several instruments now available, if they are main
For measuring: pressure differences of a few inches of- : tained in calibration and the user understands their operation
water, or -less,' U-gages are often set at an angle for scale and limitations.1* Several types of thermal anemometers, both
amplification. In many gages of this type, commonly termed directional and non-directional, are applicable to thb range,
draft gages or inclined manometers, only one tube of small but have questionable accuracy at the lower end. Virtually
bore is used and the otfaer leg is replaced by a reservoir. all of the non-directional instruments suffer the additional
The scale is calibrated to read in inches of water, and it is handicap^of being unable to distinguish between large scale
necessary: to use a fluid having the same gravity as that turbulence and the mass velocity of the air.
for. which the. gage was originally .calibrated, or to apply a
If a suitable sensing element b heated electrically at a
correction if another fluid-is -used. Such gages may be fixed - rate and exposed to an air stream, the temperature
checked one against another. For more accurate calibration difference' between the element and the stream becomes a
the gage may be checked against a micromanometer or . a measure of velocity by calibration. In the hotwire ane
calibrating device known as a book' gage " The accuracy mometer, a very fine heated wire is employed-as a resist
of a draft gage is dependent on the dope of a tube, and ance-thermometer element whose temperature may be de
consequently the base of the gage must be leveled care termined accurately.n,w,u` In1 the heated-bulb thermometer
fully. It is not desirable to use a slope of less than 1. in type, a heating wire b wound around the bulb of a mercury-
10. Where pressures are read under extreme conditions of in-glass thermometer, and the temperature difference be^
temperature, and calibration is possible only at normal-tem tween tins thermometer and a similar unheated one serves
perature, it b necessary to correct for the change in density as an index of air - speed." The heated-thermocouple ane
of the liquid in the manometer.11 For measuring low-pres mometer b calibrated to give velocity in terms of the dif
sure -differences to within 0.001 in. of water, veiy sensitive ferential emj between' heated and unheated thermo-junc
micromanometers are available, such as the' Illinois of tions exposed to an air stream.1'-* Combined measurements
Wahlen,** and the Emswiler.** Various1 instrument manu of air temperature and velocity are particularly useful for
facturers are also prepared to furnish accurate micromanom- air distribution studies, and automatic recording poten?
etera.
trimeters or resistance-thermometer devices facilitate spa
Pressure Gages
tial traverses. A correct calibration of thermal anemometers requires consideration of the effects of temperature, hu
The Bourdon b the most common type of pressure gage) and its appearance probably is familiar to anyone having an acquaintance with power plants or laboratories.v The essential element of such a gage is the Bourdon tube, a metal tube of oval cross-section curved along its length to , form an almost complete circle. One end is closed and the other b connected to the vessel in which the pressure is
midity, and pressure upon the: air properties which in? fluence convective heat transfer.* With sensing elements of ample shapes for which convection .data. are known, thermal anemometers may be designed, both thermally and electrically, for desired characteristics. Directional sen sitivity b controllable. Thermal anemometers are convenient and practical for low velocities.
to be measured. With an-increase of pressure, the tube The Kata Thermometer tends to straighten,-and vice versa. The resulting motion '1
of the closed end b communicated by suitable linkages to
Another instrument useful for studying air currents in
a needle moving over a graduated dial. -If the range is., free spaces b the Kata thermometer. Thb is essentially
above about 20 psi,.such gages are.usually calibrated by an alcohol thermometer with a very large bulb, and with
means of a dead weight teeter, whereby known pressures only two scale divisions etched on its stem. On the Low
are produced in a fluid by imposing known weights on. a <! Kata these divisions are 95 and 100 F; on the High Kata
piston of known area. Suction gages and. pressure gages ' they are 125 and 130 F. In use, the instrument is heated,
with, ranges below about 20 psi are ordinarily calibrated - usually in a water bath, until the alcohol has risen suf
against mercury manometers. Gages are commonly set -to - ficiently above' the upper calibration on the stem. It b read accurately at or near the pressure of .probable use. ' then thoroughly dried, and placed at the point at which
Gages of several different types or qualities are-available the air velocity b to be measured. The time in seconds
on the market.14
required for the temperature to drop from the upper to
the lower scale division b observed. From thb cooling time
FLUID VaOCITY MEASUREMENTS
The theory of various means for measuring the flow of fluids b discussed in Chapter 6, Fluid Flow. Heating and
and the calibration factor inscribed on each Kata - ther mometer, the air velocity can be calculated or determined, from a chart. The Kata thermometer is also used in de-' termining the cooling power of the atmosphere, since it.
1
| Measurement .and.lnstniments
249
Table 4 ... ..Measurement of Velocity
AppRceffon
ftaofpa
PimUsr
(imitofioo*
j Hot-wire anemometer
(a) Low air velocitieej'di-
rectiooal and nondirectional available
6-1,000
1-20%' Accuracy of some types not good at lower end of range
2 Kata thermometer ' '
(b) High air velocities,.. ,
Lowair velocities in rooms; non-directional -
up to 60,000 5-300
1-0.01%
5-15% Awkward to use; affected by ra diation
3 Smoke puff or air-borne Lowair velocities in rooms; . - highly directional
5-50
10-20% Awkward to use but valuable in tracing air movement
4 gwinpng-vanetypeane- Air velocities in rooms, at
monaster
outlets, etc;-directional-'
30-24,000
5 Veaturi-type multiply- Low air,velocities in rooms ; 100-2,000 with micromanom
'ing pitot tube '
and ducts; directional
eter; 180-2,000 with draft gages'
5% . ..1-5%
Not well suited for duct readings; needs periodic check calibration
Accuracy falls off at low end of range; requires calibration
6 Revolving-vane type ae- Moderate air velocities in ,. v ,
mometer
*. ducts-and rooms; some
what directional.
100-2,000
5-20%
Extremely subject to error with variations in velocities with space
or time; easily damaged; needs periodic calibration
7. pitot tube
8 Impact tube and sidewall or other static tap
Std instrument for meas urement of duct velocities and pressures
180-10,000:- with' micromanometer; 600-10,000 with
draft gages; 10,000 up with manometer.
High velocities, small, ,120-10,000 - with tmiiroma^"
tubes and where air direc . nometer; 600^10,000 " with
tion may be variable
draft'gages; 10,000 up with
manometer
1;5%: Accuracy faUs'ofTat low end of
range
- . , >.
\~s%
' Accuracy depends upon' constan cy of static pressure across stream section
loses heat by radiation and convection when dry, and-,by radiation, convection, and evaporation when the bulb' js equipped with a wetted cloth covering'.* To' minimize* the effect of radiation, the Kata thermometer b also made with
a silvered bulb. '
Airborne Solid Tracer Techniques
i} '
Another useful'device for very low velocities b to time the
rate of movement of a smoke puff, feather dr piece.of .lint:
Thb technique, like the Kata thermometer, b well suited'to
velocity measurement in an open space, but not particularly
adaptable to measurements in ductwork..
:
Smoke b a qualitative tool which is very useful in study?,
in; sir movements.! Satisfactory smoke can [be obtained
from titanium tetrachloride (which, however, is very ir
ritating to
membranes) or by miring potassium chlo
rate and powdered sugar (a nonirritating smoke) and firing
the mixture with-a mutdi. Thb latter process evolves con
siderable heat, and it should be confined in a pan away
from flammable materials.-The titanium tetrachloride,smoke
lends itself to spot determinations, particularly for leakage
through casings and ducts, as it can. be easily handled in
a small pistol-like' ejector. The fumes of aqua ammonia
and of sulfuric add, if permitted to mix, form,a. white
precipitate which b useful for some purposes. Two bottles,
one containing ammonia, water and the -other add, are
connected to a common nozzle by. means of rubber tubing.
Ah b forced over the surfaces of the liquids in.'the bottles
by means of a syringe/ and the two streams, upon mixing
at the nozzle, form a white
:
A satisfactory test smoke may! also be made by bubbling an air stream through ammonium hydroxide and then
through muriatic acid:" Smoke tubes, smoke, candles,1- and!
smoke bombs are available for studying airflow patterns.
Deflecting'Vane Anemometer
' 'The'deflecting.vane'anemometer consists of a pivoted vane enclosed in a case. Air exerts a pressure on the vane as it', passes through the instrument from' an upstream to a downstream opening. The movement"of the vane b resbted by a hair spring and a damping magnet. The instru ment gives instantaneous readings of directional velocities on an indicating scale. With fluctuating velocities, it b necessary to average visually the swings of the needle, to obtain average velocities. Thb instrument b very useful for studying motion of the air in a room," and in locating'objec tionable-drafts. Various attachments are ayaii&ble.such' as the double tube arrangement for determining velocities in ducts, and a device for measuring static pressures.' Each instrument, and the. attachments for it, must receive in dividual calibration.' For determining average velocity 'in a duct, it b necessary to traverse the duct asisdone when
using the Pitot tube.' '
PrbpeUer or Revolving Vane Anemometer
y'
The'propeller or revolving vane'anemometer consists'of a-light revolving wind-driven wheel connected' through::a gear train to a set of recording dials that read' the; linear feet of air'passing in a1 measured-length'of'time. It b -made in- various rises,- 3 in., 4 in., and 6in. being most common! Each instrument - requires individual calibration:: At'-low velocities the-friction'drag of the mechanism is' consider!
able. In order-- to compensate for this, a gear'train: that overspeeds is commonly used: For thb reason the correc tion b often- additive at the lower range and1 subtractive at the upper range,-with theleast correction in the middle
range of velocities. Most of these are not sensitive' enough
for use below 200 fpm: