This calculation program on Excel makes it possible to dimension and carry out the calculation of the pressure losses on the ductworks and air distribution systems.

AeroDuct can be distributed with calculation in English system (e.g., ounces, pounds, inches, and feet) and common units in the metric system (e.g., grams, kilograms, meters, and centimeters). .

It applies in all types of duct and holds account particularly on the operating conditions and specific Characteristics on the ductworks, such as:

• The temperature of the air conveyed
• The level of altitude or is located the installation
  
• The nature of the various types of materials used (steel ductwork, copper, PVC, built walls, etc)
  
• The geometrical shapes of ductworks (circular, quadrangular, oblong)
  
• The various types of pressure loss coefficients
  
• Le contrôle des vitesses silencieuses de passage d'air.
  
• The control of air speeds.
  

Complementary modules of calculations are incorporated in the program, such as:

• K-factor editor of the local pressure loss
• Equivalent K-factor calculator.
  
• Calculator for evaluation of the motorized power of the ventilator, according to the calculated load.
  

The calculation program is equipped with a customized command bar giving access to the various procedures, boxes of calculation and macro commands.

The working files are created separately making it possible to reduce the data storage.

The working file can be made up of various computation sheets. You can from the same file, to insert a new computation sheet or to duplicate the computation sheet in progress for the study of a similar ductwork and to make the complementary modifications thereafter.

If you forget some elements from the ductwork, you can add lines of calculation anywhere, without deteriorating the phases of calculations.

You can also choose the unit of pressure of your choice in the study:

• Pa (Pascal)
  
• Pounds per square foot (lbf/sq ft) = 47.88026 Pa
  
• Torr / mm Hg (133.3226 Pa)
• Inches w.g (248.6 Pa)
  
• kPa ( = 1000 Pa)
  
• Psi (Pound per square inch (lbf/sq. in) = 6894.757 Pa)

AeroDuct can be distributed with calculation in Metric system or English unit.

For each sheet of the table of calculation, the presentation is done, such as:

In basic display:

The hygienic airflow or smoke extract systems are indicated generally in the standards on a air mass of reference of 0.0746 lb/ft^3 (1,200 kg/m3) - (equivalent to: 68°F (20°C) - 40%)

The basic airflow is corrected automatically in function:

• Of the altitude of the site.
• Of the leakage rate of air estimated in the ductworks.
• Of the temperature of airflow in the ductwork compared to the basic temperature taken into account in the calculation of the installation or the airflow of reference.
  

The real speed of the airflow in the ductwork is carried out from the corrected airflow.

A displaying in yellow of the cell concerned indicates speeds of air higher than the quiet values recommended in the installations at low pressure.

It is highly advised to envisage a coefficient of safety margin:

• The assemblies are often badly carried out, blocking partially the passage of the fluid.
  
• An estimated dusty ductwork can be considered.
  
• With the ageing of the ductwork, a possible corrosion can increase the pressure losses by friction.

In total displaying, the table visualizes in complement:

• Indices of surface roughness.
• The air density.
• The dynamic viscosity of the air.
• The Reynolds number.

All the colour cells of calculation are programmed.

Air speeds recommended

Installations "low pressure" (maximum Speed 1550 to 2000 Ft/min - 8 to 10 m/s)

Installations "high pressure" (speeds of air > to 2000 ft/min - 10 m/s) - Ejector-convectors, Variable Air Volume Systems (VAV) or variable Induction units, etc.

• It is recommended to leave in the main ducts at a speed of 3940 to 4300 ft/min (20 to 22m/s).
• The main and secondary ducts are generally calculated on a basis of 0.0034 In.wg (0.85 Pa).
• The boxes are selected on the basis of acceptable noise level when the pressure at the entry of the boxes is of 3 In.wg (750 Pa).
• The reduction speed can cause a renewal speed.
  
  Dual-Duct VAV Systems (average or high pressure)
  
  
• The circuit of the cold air ducts is calculated for 100% of the necessary flow.
• On the other hand, for the hot air ducts, one admits 50% to 75% of the cold air flow according to thermal loads.
• The variation between the temperature of the buildings in summer and the air in the cold air duct is 50 to 55.5 °F (10 to 13°C).
• In summer, the temperature of the hot air in the duct is maintained at least with +5.4°F (+ 3°C) above the average temperature of the air outlet.

The air velocity in the ducts cannot exceed a certain value. It results a minimal section of ducts below from which it is misadvised going down for following reasons:

• Increase the noise of rustle of the air in the strait ducts and especially on the level of the deviations.
• Increase the pressure losses and the energy consumed by the ventilator.
  

Example: a reduction in half of the section doubles the air velocity increases the pressure losses and the absorptive power by the ventilator by a factor 4.

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