Integral Thermo-Anemometers for Average Temperature and Airflow Measurement in Ducts, at Anemostat Outlets and in Ventilation Grilles

Abstract

When creating ventilation systems, it is important to correctly calculate the volumes of air inflow and outflow. If an error is made in the calculation or a redistribution of air flows is required, measurements are indispensable. The existing methods for determining the air flow rate by using point measurements in the cross-section are laborious and time-consuming, and taking readings at different time points introduces a significant error into the result. A. M. Pidhornyi Institute of Mechanical Engineering Problems of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine has developed a new hot-wire anemometer whose use greatly simplifies the measuring process. This device allows one to measure the average values of temperature and air velocity (flow rate) in the cross-section of air ducts or at the inlets and outlets of grilles and anemostats, and can be used in real time to monitor and control air flow rate and temperature in ventilation systems. The probe of the hot-wire anemometer is a metal shell with guides on which a sensitive element is laid. Its principle of operation is to change the heat transfer coefficient at different air leakage velocities. The anemometer is preliminarily calibrated in laboratory conditions at various velocities. There has been obtained a calibration dependence that can be used to measure the air flow rate at the inlets and outlets of air distribution devices and directly in the air ducts. To improve the measurement accuracy, it is necessary to provide the 90° angle of airflow leakage on the hot-wire anemometer probe. For this, special air collectors and air flow rectifiers are used.