OVERVIEW OF ACMV DESIGN

Case study for Warehouse ACMV Design

Abstract
By evaluating the ACMV design for a warehouse, we will discuss the design principles and
consideration used. This paper is not to present detailed calculations, but instead provides the
reader information as to what calculations are needed and the process /resources to perform
the said calculations

DONNY MATTHEW CALPO GABRIEL, PME

donnygabriel@gmail.com | +65 9389 5128
Table of Contents
I. Cooling Load Estimates ......................................................................................................................... 2
A. Desired condition .............................................................................................................................. 2
B. Sensible Cooling ................................................................................................................................ 2
C. Latent Cooling ................................................................................................................................... 2
D. Total Cooling ..................................................................................................................................... 3
E. Rule of Thumb ................................................................................................................................... 3
II. Ventilation Design ................................................................................................................................. 3
A. Supply Air Design .............................................................................................................................. 3
B. Fresh Air Design ................................................................................................................................ 3
C. Exhaust Air Design............................................................................................................................. 3
D. Duct Sizing ......................................................................................................................................... 4
III. Piping Design ..................................................................................................................................... 4
A. Water Piping ..................................................................................................................................... 4
B. Refrigerant Piping ............................................................................................................................. 4
IV. Appendices ........................................................................................................................................ 5
I. Cooling Load Estimates
Energy transfer from hot to cold. Cooling load is the amount of energy rejected from an area to
be able to reach the desired condition. Each of the contributing factors analyzed that an estimated
amount may be determined.

A. Desired condition

The Singapore Standard Code of Practice for Air-Conditioning and Mechanical Ventilation
in Buildings (SS 553 : 2016) specified that comfort air conditioning temperature varies
from 23°C to 25°C, with a humidity not exceeding 65%.

ASHRAE Std 55-2013, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy indicates
a range of 20°C to 28°C. ASHRAE Std 62.1-2016, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air
Quality recommends a humidity of lower than 65% to avoid microbial growth1.

Taking the nominal value, we are to set our temperature design conditions at 24°C and
50% relative humidity (RH)

B. Sensible Cooling

Sensible cooling is a process of heat rejection where there is a difference in dry bulb
temperature. It is where a person can “feel” and “sense” the cooling process.

Sensible Cooling can be determined through:

1. Radiant Load
a. Walls, Roof, Partitions, Floors
2. Equipment Load
3. Lighting Load
4. Human Occupancy

Sensible cooling rates of common items are in ASHRAE Handbook-Fundamentals 2017

Chapter 18.

C. Latent Cooling

Latent cooling is a process of moisture rejection from air. It is where there is a difference
in humidity.

Sensible Cooling can be determined through:

1. Equipment Load
2. Human Occupancy

1
https://www.ashrae.org/File%20Library/Technical%20Resources/Technical%20FAQs/TC-02.01-FAQ-92.pdf
 Latent cooling loads of human occupancy are in ASHRAE Handbook-Fundamentals 2017
Chapter 18.

D. Total Cooling

Total Cooling is the sum total of sensible and latent cooling loads. It is the amount of
energy need to expel from an area to reach the desired room conditions.

E. Rule of Thumb

By comparing various projects on various industries, a nominal figure can be determined.

HVAC - Equations, Data, and Rules of Thumb, 2nd Ed (Malestrom) with various figures is
shown in Appendix I. A variant of the rule of thumb in tabular form as used by the author
in Appendix II.

II. Ventilation Design

A. Supply Air Design

Supply air design is the determination of supply air flowrate. This is the amount of
conditioned air needed for cooling.

Enthalpy is the relationship of the quantity of air and its capacity to transfer energy.

Design conditions : 24°C / 50% RH

Room condition enthalpy : 72.32 kJ/kg
Enthalpy at saturation point : 47.83 kJ/kg
Enthalpy (ΔH) : 24.49 kJ/kg

24.49 kJ/kg ≈ 250 cfm/TR should be the minimum supply air flowrate for a given area.

B. Fresh Air Design

Fresh air requirement is determined using ASHRAE Std 62.1-2016, Ventilation for
Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. We are to compare the requirements based on area vs
breathing requirements and use the higher value. Table 6.2.2.1 specifies the Minimum
Ventilation Rates for Breathing Zones as indicated in Appendix III.

C. Exhaust Air Design

Exhaust air requirement is determined using ASHRAE Std 62.1-2016, Ventilation for
Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. Table 6.5 specifies the Minimum Exhaust Rates as indicated
in Appendix IV. Alternatively, SS 553 – 2013 Table 5 also specifies the required exhaust
 rate requirements as presented in Appendix V, considering that the areas are naturally
ventilated.

D. Duct Sizing

Factors affecting duct design

• Vibration
• Noise
• Pressure Drop
• Material Cost

It is important to find balance within the named factors. Depending on the needs of the
project, adjustment on compromise is necessary. The author recommends using the
pressure-drop-calculation method for most duct sizing needs, to which the ducts are to
be sized within 0.8 to 1.0 Pa/m.

Duct sizing chart is shown on Appendix VI.

III. Piping Design

A. Water Piping

There are many considerations for chiller and cooling tower differences. This paper will
not discuss the details on which will be the optimal settings for each application. A good
read is from McQuay2. For the purposes of discussion, we shall set the temperature
difference of the chilled water system at 5°C, while the condenser water system at 5.5°C.

Similar to the ducting system, the piping system is sized based on the pressure drop per
unit measure of pipe length. The author, with a maximum velocity of 2.2m/s, uses a
consideration of 300Pa/m.

Appendix VII shows pipe sizing table.

B. Refrigerant Piping

Refrigerant piping is by manufacturer’s recommendation.

2
http://www.mcquaytw.com/Engnews/Engineering_14.pdf
IV. Appendices

A. Appendix I
B. Appendix II
C. Appendix III
D. Appendix IV
E. Appendix V
 F. Appendix VI3

3
AHRAE Fundamentals Handbook Chapter 21 Fig 9
 G. Appendix VII4

4
AHRAE Fundamentals Handbook Chapter 22 Fig 4 and 5
H. Appendix VIII
Overview of ACMV Design
Case study for Warehouse ACMV Design