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Cooling airflow design calculations for UFAD.

Author(s) : BAUMAN F., WEBSTER T., BENEDEK C.

Type of article: Article

Summary

In this article the authors present new design guidance for underfloor air distribution (UFAD) cooling airflow calculations in interior zones based on a recently developed design tool. The design tool predicts required cooling airflow rates and the amount of stratification in the occupied zone for a range of design conditions. Results are shown for swirl and variable area diffusers, two of the most frequently installed diffusers in interior zones. The design tool also compares UFAD airflows with conventional overhead airflows for equivalent design and comfort conditions. The design tool accounts for heat transfer to the underfloor supply plenum, which can be a significant portion of the total cooling load. This allows the calculation of the plenum inlet temperature (air handler leaving temperature) to maintain a desired diffuser supply temperature. Preliminary guidance for perimeter zones is presented based on full-scale testing results. Ongoing research is scheduled to complete the development of the cooling airflow design software tool in 2008. In particular, the research will investigate the development of improved models for predicting the room cooling load ratio and the effects of air leakage. The completed design tool will include a perimeter zone model, user interface and further validation.

Details

  • Original title: Cooling airflow design calculations for UFAD.
  • Record ID : 2008-0795
  • Languages: English
  • Source: ASHRAE Journal - vol. 49 - n. 10
  • Publication date: 2007/10

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