Prediction of Pressure Change in Pressurized Rooms due to External Factors by Using an Equivalent Circuit Network Model

Abstract

We have proposed a new technique for predicting room pressure and duct pressure in pressurized clean rooms. In our technique, the pressure propagation mechanism is replaced with an equivalent electrical circuit network by considering the airflow rate as electrical current, the pressure as electrical potential, and the friction loss as an electrical resistance. In this paper our technique was applied to two pressure change situations caused by external factors. One was pressure change with starting and stopping of the local exhaust ventilation. The other was pressure change with starting of the ventilation equipment. By comparing the predicted results with experimental ones, we verified the validity of our method. Using this technique, the air-conditioning equipment can be evaluated under dynamic usage and the specification of the control devices can be optimized. The effectiveness of any new idea or new control algorithm for maintaining a stable system response can be also examined.