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Building Utilities 2 Air Conditioning

The document discusses air conditioning systems and their components. It defines air conditioning as simultaneously controlling temperature, humidity, air motion, and purity within an enclosed space. An air conditioning system cools and dehumidifies air, heats and humidifies air, filters air, and circulates air to maintain human comfort and efficiency. The key components of an air conditioning system include a compressor, condenser, evaporator, ductwork, and air distribution outlets. The document also outlines the process for designing an air conditioning system, including determining thermal loads, selecting the appropriate HVAC system and components, and laying out the system design.

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90 views4 pages

Building Utilities 2 Air Conditioning

The document discusses air conditioning systems and their components. It defines air conditioning as simultaneously controlling temperature, humidity, air motion, and purity within an enclosed space. An air conditioning system cools and dehumidifies air, heats and humidifies air, filters air, and circulates air to maintain human comfort and efficiency. The key components of an air conditioning system include a compressor, condenser, evaporator, ductwork, and air distribution outlets. The document also outlines the process for designing an air conditioning system, including determining thermal loads, selecting the appropriate HVAC system and components, and laying out the system design.

Uploaded by

ianyan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BUILDING UTILITIES 2

AIR CONDITIONING
Air Conditioning is defined as the simultaneous control of air temperature, humidity, motion and purity of air in a
confined space.
An air conditioning system is composed of machines for:
1. Cooling and dehumidifying of air
2. Heating and humidifying of air
3. Filtration
4. Air circulation
For the purpose of human comfort and efficiency, regulation of the following items are considered essential:
1. Temperature of the surrounding air
2. Temperature of the surrounding surfaces
3. Relative humidity of the air
4. Motion of the air
5. Odors
6. Dust
The following bases of standards have been found to provide satisfactory conditions in spaces intended for human
occupancy:
1. Heating and humidifying
2. Cooling and dehumidifying
3. Air motion
4. Air supply
Definitions
1. enthalpy - quantity of heat (in BTU/min) in a fluid or gas
2. sensible heat heat (in BTU) absorbed by a substance in changing its temperature without changing its state
3. latent heat (enthalpy of vaporization) heat energy required to change the state of a substance
4. dry bulb temperature temperature of air-water vapour mixture as measured in a normal way via a thermometer
5. wet bulb temperature temperature shown by a thermometer with a wetted bulb rotated rapidly in the air to cause
evaporation of moisture
6. relative humidity ratio indicating the degree of saturation of air with water vapour
7. humidity ratio weight of water vapour in a mixture per pound of dry air
8. dew point temperature at which an air-water vapour mixture will become saturated and begin to yield drops of
condensed water
9. adiabatic saturation introduction of water into unsaturated air to increase humidity ratio, but without transfer of
heat to or from an outside source
10. psychrometer instrument used to measure the moisture content of the air
11. horsepower unit of measure of power developed by an engine at any given moment
12. duct an air-conveying pipe or vessel
13. damper an adjustable sheet metal plate for controlling the flow of air
14. refrigerant a liquid in which energy (heat) in an air conditioning (or refrigeration) system is transferred
15. compressor a device for producing compressed air or other gas; a device that draws vaporized refrigerant
from the evaporator at a relatively low pressure, compacts it and discharges it into the condenser
16. condenser that part of an air conditioning system ( or refrigeration system) in which refrigerant is condensed,
producing heat which is either used to released in the exterior of a cooled space
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17. evaporator that part of an air conditioning system (or refrigeration system) in which refrigerant is vaporized,
binding latent heat and thus producing a cooling effect
18. cooling tower an externally mounted device for cooling warmed water from the air conditioning system by
spraying it over ventilated baffles, causing partial evaporation and resultant cooling
19. fan coil unit a localized air conditioning unit in which air is blown into a room using a built-in fan over coils
20. HVAC acronym for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, the discipline which deals with the design and
installation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning services for a building. This discipline is part of what
mechanical engineers do.
Air Conditioning System (A/C system)
All-season air conditioning system air-conditioning in its full meaning is a system of complete year-round control.
Summer air conditioning involves cooling and dehumidification. Cooling and dehumidification can be achieved
through the following methods:
1. Passing the air through sprays of cold water by adiabatic saturation.
2. Passing the air through a combination of water sprays and cooling coils.
3. Passing the air over refrigeration coils.
Mechanical refrigeration is based on the alternate liquefying and evaporating of a volatile liquid refrigerant with a low
boiling point.
Design considerations in designing an air conditioning system
1. type, usage, hours of occupancy of a building
2. number of occupants and type of activity
3. area, volume and materials of air conditioned space
4. building orientation
5. type of glass and shading used
6. ventilation requirements
7. amount and types of artificial lighting and hours of use
Heat Gain in Buildings
Heat gained from conduction, convection and radiation must be removed by the air conditioning system. Gains in
sensible heat may arise from:
1. heat transmitted through roofs walls, partitions, ceilings, glass; owing to the difference between indoor and
outdoor temperatures
2. Heat of solar radiation striking upon the exterior surface of walls, glass; absorbed by these materials and
conducted into the interior.
3. Heat carried in by infiltrating or ventilating outside air.
4. Heat given off by occupants.
5. Heat given off by lights, motors, fans, cooking, or industrial processes within the confined space.
Distribution System
1. Pressurized - Cold air flows through the pores of suspended ceilings.
2. Duct System air ducts usually made of gauge 16 G.I. sheets are fabricated into rectangular to circular
sections to deliver cold air where it is needed.
Delivery System
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1. Low velocity single duct system


2. High velocity dual duct system
3. Induction system
4. Hydroid system
Air Distribution
Correct air distribution contributes as much, or more to the success of an air conditioning system as does any other
single factor. An air conditioning system may deliver the required quantity of conditioned air and still fail to give
satisfactory room conditions because of poor air distribution.
Characteristics of air distribution are:
a. Throw
b. drop
c. air motion
d. temperature
Air Conditioning Equipment and Control The Refrigerating Plant
Refrigerating capacity in tons of refrigeration (TR); TR is the cooling effect obtained when a ton of ice at 32
degrees Fahrenheit melts to water at 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Compressors these are two types:
a. reciprocating; commonly known as piston type
b. centrifugal
Condensers condensers used for liquefying are of three general designs:
a. air-cooled condensers
b. water-cooled condensers
1. double pipe condensers
2. shell and tube condensers
3. shell and coil condensers
c. evaporative condensers; combination of water and air-cooling
1. direct cooling of water
a.) shell and tube heat exchanger
b.) direct expansion coils
c.) submerged coils
2. direct air cooling
3. Indirect cooling
Air Cleaning Equipment
Air may contain large quantities of dust, cinders, soot, smoke, fumes, pollen, dirt, bacteria and odors which, when
inhaled, induce discomfort and disease. These contaminating elements in the air are removed by filtration and air
washing. Filters are used to remove dirt, dust, lint, and other solid materials.
Filters used in air conditioning are of three types:
a. Dry filters These consist of wire frames or panels enclosing felt cotton batting, cellulose packets or Vshaped cleats through which the air is cleaned.
b. Viscous filters consists of a series of metal deflecting plates of screens coated with viscous oil.
c. Automatic viscous filters To ensure more reliable and economical cleaning, automatic viscous filters are
used, consisting of two endless vertical filter curtains which move on wheels at the top and bottom of the
housing.
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Typical design process for an air conditioning system


Schematic Design Phase
Consider the most general combinations of comfort needs and climate characteristics:
a. Activity and comfort need
b. Activity schedule is listed
c. Site energy resources are analyzed
d. Climate design strategies are listed (major consideration: go passive, go active, or combine?)
e. Consider building form alternatives
f. One or several alternatives are sized by rules of thumb
Design Development Phase
The architectural or mechanical engineer will do the following:
a. Establish design conditions.
1. By activity, list the range of acceptable surface temperatures, air motions, relative humidity, and
background noise levels.
2. Establish the schedule of operations.
b. Determine the HVAC zones considering activities, schedule, orientation, internal heat gain.
c. Estimate the thermal loads on each zone.
d. Select the HVAC system.
e. Identify the HVAC components and their locations
f. Size the components.
g. Lay out the system.
Contract Documents Phase
The working drawings are finalized after numerous coordination between the architect and his consultants.
(structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, etc.)

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