NA-04-3-2 - Pressure Drop and Acoustical Application Guidelines for HVAC Plenums (RP-1026) PDF

New equations derived from the recent ASHRAE-sponsored research project RP-1026 will enable HVAC system designers to better predict aero-acoustic performance of sheet metal plenums. This paper deals primarily with the aerodynamic performance of flow-through plenums and presents new total pressure drop equations for some of the most common plenum configurations. Comparisons are made between these equations, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses, and hand-calculation methods. The practical uses of plenums are discussed along with prescriptive rules of thumb to help designers implement plenums effectively into their systems for aerodynamic and acoustical benefits.

Units: I-P