DISPLACEMENT VENTILATION: Theory and Applications This article is meant to be a brief discussion of Displacement Ventilation.

It will describe the fundamentals behind its use, as well as a couple potential applications, including Healthcare and Schools. For detailed information, refer to the Price Industries DISPLACEMENT VENTILATION DESIGN GUIDE, or contact Michigan Air Products. Theory Airflow in ventilated spaces generally can be classified by two different types; mixing (or dilution) ventilation and displacement ventilation. Mixing ventilation systems (Figure 1) generally supply air in a manner such that the entire room volume is fully mixed. The cool supply air exits the outlet at a high velocity, inducing room air to provide mixing and temperature equalization. Since the entire room is fully mixed, temperature variations throughout the space are small while the contaminant concentration is uniform throughout the zone. Displacement ventilation systems (Figure 2) introduce air into the space at low velocities which causes minimal induction and mixing. Displacement outlets may be located almost anywhere within the room, but have been traditionally located at or near floor level. The system utilizes buoyancy forces, generated by heat sources such as people, lighting, computers, electrical equipment, etc. in a room to remove contaminants and heat from the occupied zone. By so doing, the air quality in the occupied zone is generally superior to that achieved with mixing ventilation.

Displacement ventilation presents an opportunity to improve both the thermal comfort and indoor air quality (IAQ) of the occupied space. Displacement ventilation takes advantage of the difference in air temperature and density between an upper contaminated zone and a lower clean zone. Cool air is supplied at low velocity into the lower zone. Convection from heat sources creates vertical air motion into the upper zone where high level return outlets extract the air. In most cases, these convection heat sources are also the contamination sources, i.e. people or equipment, thereby carrying the contaminants up to the upper zone, away from the occupants. Since the conditioned air is supplied directly into the occupied space, supply air temperatures must be higher than mixing systems (usually above 63 degrees F) to avoid creating uncomfortable drafts. By introducing air at elevated supply air temperatures and low outlet velocity a high level of thermal comfort can be achieved with displacement ventilation.

Displacement Ventilation allows us to employ several key strategies for improved air quality, comfort and energy savings. DV systems provide an increase in the ventilation effectiveness of the air distribution system leading to higher IAQ and reduced energy consumption. Ventilation Effectiveness is defined by ASHRAE Standard 62.1 as: Ventilation Effectiveness (VE) = Concentration return / Concentration breathing zone

ASHRAE states that VE for mixing systems is 1.0, while Displacement Ventilation is 1.2, therefore outdoor air amounts may be able to be reduced, local codes permitting. Energy savings may come from lower air pressure drops associated with DV outlets, increased economizer operation, and increased chiller efficiency. Selection of DV outlets is recommended to have no greater than 40 ft/min outlet velocity, which inherently has lower noise levels. Displacement ventilation is an effective method of obtaining good air quality and thermal comfort in the occupied spaces. DV is usually a good choice in the following cases: Where the contaminants are warmer and/or lighter than the room air. Where the supply air is cooler than the room air. Where the room heights are 9 feet or more. Where low noise levels are desired.

Overhead air distribution may be a better choice than DV in the following cases: Where ceiling heights are below 8 feet. Where disturbances to room airflow are strong. Where contaminants are colder and/or denser than the ambient air. Where cooling loads are high and radiant cooling is not an option.

Healthcare Displacement Air Distribution Air Distribution for Healthcare facilities is much more critical and specialized than for a typical air conditioned ofce space. In addition to accurate control of temperature and velocity in the space to maintain acceptable comfort of the occupants the air distribution system must be able to dilute and effectively remove contamination (odor, airborne microorganisms and viruses) from the space. Traditionally overhead mixing systems have been used to supply sufficient quantity of ventilation air to dilute and carry away contaminants. ASHRAE provides guidelines for minimum air changes of total and outside air for the various types of spaces in a healthcare facility (ASHRAE HVAC Applications Handbook). Displacement ventilation has the potential to signicantly improve contaminant removal as well as provide superior thermal comfort levels in the space. Earlier in this article, it has been pointed out that the ventilation effectiveness of DV systems are greater than overhead systems with typical ventilation effectiveness of 1.2 or higher. Higher ventilation effectiveness translates directly to contaminant removal

resulting in a healthier, cleaner occupied space. Two areas in health care facilities particularly well suited for displacement ventilation are patient rooms and waiting rooms. 1. Patient Rooms: The air distribution system in a patient room (figure 79) must maintain thermal comfort, avoid objectionable drafts and remove contaminants to protect both the patient and visitor from infection. By supplying the ventilation air at low velocity and elevated temperature the DV system maintains comfort conditions. As the supply air is drawn to and up the occupants and equipment contaminants are effectively captured by the thermal plume and carried out of the occupied zone. If the patient room contains a large amount of medical equipment with high heat output, the room load may exceed the limit for the DV system (38 BTU/hr/ft2). In this case the DV system can be combined with radiant cooling to counteract the loads. In this case the DV system is sized to distribute the ventilation air requirement while the radiant cooling system deals with the cooling load.

2. Waiting Rooms: Waiting rooms pose a special challenge to the air distribution system. Occupancy in the room can vary greatly and the health status of the occupant is not known. People in the waiting area could be extremely infectious or on the other hand extremely susceptible to infection. Obviously infection control is a priority consideration of the air distribution system but comfort condition must also be maintained. Displacement ventilation is again ideally suited to this application (figure 82). Fresh clear air is distributed directly to the occupants and contaminants removed with the thermal plumes. Unless seated directly in front of a displacement outlet, occupants will also experience a high level of thermal comfort. School Displacement Air Distribution Because Displacement Ventilation is a flexible technology, it can be applied throughout the school, adapting to the requirements of spaces as diverse as classrooms and gymnasiums. Low level, heat seeking air flows around obstacles in a space, ensuring only occupied zones are cooled and supplied with clean fresh air. Applications in schools include classrooms, gymnasiums, assembly halls, libraries, cafeterias, and even kitchens.

1. Gymnasiums: Because Displacement Ventilation only cools the occupied zone, it is perfectly suited for the high ceilings and large open spaces of the gymnasium. A mixing system would typically cool the entire space, leading to increased energy consumption. The rugged construction of the DV diffusers means they can handle abuse taken in the gymnasium, such as repeated impacts from a basketball. Optional heavier gauge faces are also available. Diffusers can be aesthetically integrated into the design of the gymnasium, and their effectiveness is not compromised when placed behind bleachers or similar areas, mounted high in the wall or the ceiling of the gymnasium. 2. Assembly Rooms: Displacement Ventilation and Underfloor Air Distribution are ideal for theaters and auditoriums. Fresh air supply is delivered directly to the occupants. Because only the occupied space is cooled, energy is not wasted cooling the significant lighting load. The quiet nature of Displacement contributes to the quality of the artistic environment. The RFTD twist diffuser or RFDD Displacement Diffusers integrate almost seamlessly into the floor of the theatre and deliver air directly to the occupants. Typically one diffuser is used for each 2 or 3 occupants which allows for the highest level of indoor air quality while keeping velocities sufficiently low as to be draft-free. 3. Library: Libraries have unique design considerations because they are generally mixed use spaces with areas for computer use, book storage, reading and meetings. With an access floor, optimizing these spaces as the building evolves is simplified. Wiring for offices and computer stations is easily changed, diffusers are simply relocated to where they are needed, often without having to modify ductwork. Because of this, Underfloor Air Distribution or Displacement Ventilation are a great choice. 4. Cafeteria / Kitchens: Displacement Ventilation ensures that clean, fresh air is delivered to kitchen and cafeteria occupants where it is needed. In the kitchen, the low velocity air does not disrupt the function of the exhaust hoods. The cooling load is also decreased, as heat generated by cooking equipment rises to the ceiling rather than being recirculated throughout the room. In the cafeteria, Displacement Ventilation offers a more comfortable environment and adapts to the changing nature of the space. 5. Classrooms: Below are a couple examples of applying Displacement Ventilation to classrooms.

Summary Displacement Ventilation is an alternative air distribution system that is redefining HVAC system performance standards for engineers and owners across North America. It delivers superior indoor air quality, excellent thermal comfort, low noise levels, and can result in reduced energy consumption. Contact Michigan Air Products to discuss how to apply Displacement Air Distribution on your next project. Overhead Mixing Systems: 55F Supply Air Mixes the entire space Diffusers drive air motion via high velocity supply air Uniform temperature throughout the space Distributes contaminants evenly throughout the space Conditions the entire room Displacement Ventilation Systems: 65 to 68F Supply Air No mixing in space Heat sources drive air motion via thermal plumes Stratified temperature above occupied zone Contaminants are removed from the breathing zone by the thermal plumes Only conditions the occupied zone

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