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Rules of Thumb
Designers frequently use rules of thumb for estimating
component size. These rules are based on engineering facts,
assumptions, and approximations about the way things work.
Its wise to know the basis of these shortcuts to judge the
amount of uncertainty in the rule of thumb analysis.
Many HVAC professionals use the following rule of thumb
for estimating the flow required to provide comfortable conditions in heating or cooling systems.
Q=m
cp t
where
Q = Heat transfer rate (British thermal units per hour)
m
= Mass flow rate (pounds of liquid per hour)
cp = Specific heat of the liquid (Btu/lb-F)
t = Temperature change of the liquid (F)
If flow is measured in gallons per minute (gpm), the rule of
thumb becomes:
Q = 500 gpm t
In this equation, the constant assumes specific gravity, and
the specific heat of the liquid equals one. In other words, the
liquid is water at standard conditions (60F), with no additives.
There isnt much uncertainty in applying it, at least not as
much uncertainty as exists in rules of thumb for determining
pump head, for example.
The total head loss in this system is simply the length multiplied by the friction head loss rate:
Pump head = System length (feet)Unit friction loss rate
(foot pounds per pound of head loss per unit length)
Pump head = 5,000 feet 1.56 feet of head loss
100 feet of length
DECEMBER 2008
Heating
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DECEMBER 2008