Currently there is no reliable and accurate method available for building pressure control due to the difficulties of accurate airflow measurement. Recently, a fan airflow station was developed that measures the fan airflow using the fan head, fan speed, and fan curve. Both the fan speed and the fan head can be measured accurately using existing sensors and transducers. Therefore, the accuracy of the fan airflow station depends on the accuracy of the fan curve. An experimental method has been developed to determine the in situ fan curve without interrupting the normal system operations. This paper presents the theoretical background, experimental methodology, implementation procedures, and verification results in the laboratory as well as existing buildings.

Keywords:
pressure control, flow measurement, fans, structural engineering, ventilation
Topics:
Air flow, Errors, Pressure
1.
Yuill, D. P., Redmann, N. K., and Liu, M., 2002. “Development of Fan Airflow Station for Airflow Control in VAV Systems.” Proceedings of ASME Solar Energy Conference, ISEC 2003, Big Island, Hawaii, 2003.
2.
Liu
,
M.
,
Zhu
,
Y.
,
Claridge
,
D. E.
, and
White
,
E.
,
1997
, “
Impact of Static Pressure Set Level on HVAC Energy Consumption and Indoor Conditions.
”
ASHRAE Trans.
,
221, Pt. 2
, pp.
221
–
228
.
3.
Damiano
,
L.
,
Dougan
,
D.
, and
Solberg
,
D. W.
,
1990
, “
Measurement for the Control of Fresh Air Intake
,”
ASHRAE J.
,
32
(
1
), pp.
46
–
51
.
4.
Elovitz
,
D. M.
,
1995
, “
Minimum Outside Air Control Methods for VAV Systems
,”
ASHRAE Trans.
,
101, Pt. 2
, pp.
613
–
618
.
5.
Gardne
,
F. T.
,
1988
, “
Part Load Ventilation Deficiencies in VAV Systems.
”
J. Heating/Piping/Air Cond.
, February, pp.
89
–
100
.
6.
Hall, J. D., Mudarri, D., and Werling, E., 1996. “Energy Cost and IAQ Performance of Ventilation Systems and Controls,” Proceedings of Paths to Better Building Environments, ASHRAE, pp. 151–160.
7.
Brother
,
P. W.
, and
Warre
,
M. L.
,
1986
, “
Fan Energy Use in Variable Air Volume Systems
,”
ASHRAE Trans.
,
92, Pt. 2B
, pp.
19
–
29
.
8.
Taylor
,
S. T.
,
2002
, “
Comparing Economizer Relief Systems
,”
ASHRAE J.
,
42
(
9
), pp.
32
–
42
.
9.
Cohen, T., 1994, “Providing Constant Ventilation in Variable Air Volume Systems,” Proceedings of ASHRAE IAQ 93 Conference, Operating and Maintaining Buildings for Health, Comfort, and Productivity, Philadelphia, PA.
10.
Kettle
,
J. P.
,
1995
, “
Minimum Ventilation Control for VAV Systems-Fan Tracking vs. Workable solutions
,”
ASHRAE Trans.
,
101, Pt. 2
, pp.
625
–
630
.
11.
NEBB, 1986. “Testing Adjusting Balancing Manual of Technicians,” National Environmental Balancing Bureau.
12.
Liu, M., 2002, “Variable Speed Drive Volumetric Tracking (VSDVT) for Airflow Control in Variable Air Volume (VAV) Systems.” ASME J. Sol. Energy Eng.
13.
Kline
,
S. J.
, and
McClintock
,
F. A.
,
1953
, “
Describing Uncertainties in Single Sample Experiments
,”
Mech. Eng. (Am. Soc. Mech. Eng.)
,
75
, pp.
3
–
8
.
Copyright © 2005
 by ASME
You do not currently have access to this content.