This document discusses air conditioning ducts. It describes the functions of ducts as transmitting air from air handling units to conditioned spaces and properly distributing air. Ducts are classified by velocity, pressure, and air type. General design rules include conveying air directly to save space and power, avoiding sudden changes in direction, and keeping the aspect ratio close to 1. Factors affecting duct design include heat gain/loss and friction. Common duct materials are GI sheet, aluminum, stainless steel, and fiberglass. Dynamic losses occur due to changes in air direction or velocity. The two main duct design methods are the velocity reduction method and equal pressure drop method.

1. Subject – Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Topic – A.C. DUCT
Presented By :- Dhruv Shah

2. Functions of Duct
 The function of duct is to transmit the air
from air handling unit to the space to be air
conditioned.
 The conditioned air must be properly
distributed to provide comfort zone
conditions.
 Duct systems are also used to bring cooled or
warm air to the proper distribution points
where several rooms are to be conditioned.

3. Classification of ducts
 According to the velocity of duct : Low velocity and
higher velocity duct. When velocity of air is upto 750
m/min and more than 750 m/min.
 According to pressure : Low pressure, high pressure
and medium pressure. When static pressure is less
than 50 mm of water, 50-150 mm of water and 150-
250 mm of water.
 According to type of air : Supply air duct, return air
duct and Fresh air duct.

4. General rules for duct design
1. Air should be conveyed as directly as possible to save
space, power and material
2. Sudden changes in directions should be avoided.
When not possible to avoid sudden changes, turning
vanes should be used to reduce pressure loss
3. Diverging sections should be gradual. Angle of
divergence ≤ 20 degree.
4. Aspect ratio should be as close to 1.0 as possible.
Normally, it should not exceed 4
5. Air velocities should be within permissible limits to
reduce noise and vibration
6. Duct material should be as smooth as possible to
reduce frictional losses

5. Factors affecting design of duct
1. Heat gain or heat loss from duct
2. Aspect ratio : It should not be more than 8
for rectangular duct.
3. Duct Friction
4. Type of fitting

6. Duct Materials
 GI Sheet
 Aluminium
 Stainless steel
 Fibre glass, GFRP

7. What is dynamic losses in duct?
 Whenever there is a change in direction or
velocity in the flow through the duct is known
as dynamic loss.
 It is due to:
1. Change in direction of flow through bends,
elbows
2. Sudden change in area due to enlargement,
contraction etc.

8. Duct design methods
 Velocity reduction methods
 Equal pressure loss (Friction loss) methods

9. Velocity reduction method
 In this method, velocities in the ducts are assumed
that they decreases as the flow proceeds.
 The pressure drops are calculated for these velocities
for respective branches from main duct.
 The pressure at the outlet is adjusted by dampers.
 This is easiest method and velocities can be adjusted
to avoid noise.
 In this method, considerable experience is required for
selection of velocities.

10. Equal pressure drop method
 In this method, the size of duct is decided to
give equal pressure drop per meter length in
all ducts.
 If layout of duct is symmetrical and same
length then this method gives equal pressure
drop and no damper is required.
 In case run at different lengths then shortest
will give minimum pressure drop and require
heavy damper at outlet.