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Chapters 6
AIR – CONDITIONING SYSTEMS
What is Air Conditioning System?
It is the assembly of different components to produce specified (desired) conditions of air in an enclosed
(conditioned) space.

List the basic components of Air Conditioning System.

The basic components of Air Conditioning system includes:
 Cooling/Heating Coil: For Temperature Control
 Humidifier/Dehumidifier: For Humidity Control
 Filters/Driers: For cleaning/drying air
 Deodorizers: For removing odor
 Fans/Blowers with Supply Grills/Louvers: For circulation/distribution of air
 Controls (Eg. Thermostat): For control of all operations
 Ducts: For transport of conditioned & recirculated air
Enlist the commercial & industrial applications of air conditioning
COMFORT AIR-CONDITIONING: MSBTE S-19, 17, W-16
Purpose/Objective: Provide condition of air in an enclosed conditioned space conducive for human
comfort, health and efficiency.
Applications: To provide air conditioning in hotels, homes, offices, hospitals, schools, etc.
COMMERCIAL AIR-CONDITIONING: MSBTE S-19, 15, W-15
The purpose of Commercial Air-conditioning is similar to Comfort Air Conditioning but designed for more
occupants & shorter stay.
Objective/Purpose: It is used in commercial establishments to
i. Provide comfort to people/occupants.
ii. Provide desirable conditions conducive to health and efficiency of the employees.
Applications: To provide
i. Air conditioning for commercial spaces like malls, super markets, hotels, etc.
ii. Air conditioning for banks, theatres, auditoriums, cinemas, hospitals, etc.
iii. Increase workplace productivity by providing conditions conducive to health and efficiency of the
workers.
INDUSTRIAL OR PROCESS AIR-CONDITIONING: MSBTE S-15, W-18, 16
Purpose/Objective: Provide condition of air in enclosed space suitable for industrial process or operation
of machinery/equipment.
Applications:
i. Air conditioning for tool rooms, photo processing labs, data centres, etc.
ii. Air conditioning for textile mills, food processing industry, paper mills, printing, pharmaceutical
industries, etc.
iii. To carry out industrial process most efficiently & economically
iv. To improve product quality.
a) Explain Summer Air-Conditioning system for hot & humid outside conditions (Mumbai/Goa).
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b) Explain the Air-Conditioning system suitable for hot & dry weather (Delhi/Nagpur).
Represent it in Psychrometric Chart. MSBTE S-17, 15, 14, W-18, 17, 15
Summer Air-Conditioning system contains all devices required to produce desired comfort conditions for
summer season. Summer air conditioning is used in two types of weather:
 Hot & Humid Weather (Eg. Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, etc.)
 Hot & Dry Weather (Eg. Delhi, Nagpur, Jaipur, etc.)

a) SUMMER AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR HOT & HUMID WEATHER: (Mumbai/Goa)

In this system, the air is cooled & dehumidified. Summer air conditioning layout for hot & humid outside
conditions involves the components and processes as shown below:
Air Mixing: The outside air flows
through the damper and mixes with the
recirculated air.
Air Filtration: The mixed air passes
through a filter to remove the dirt, dust
and other impurities.
Cooling & Dehumidification Process
1-2: The air now passes through a
cooling coil having temperature well
below the Dew Point Temperature
(DPT) of the air. As a result the air gets
cooled & dehumidified.
Moisture Separation: This cooled & dehumidified air now passes through a perforated membrane and
loses its moisture which is collected in the sump.
Heating (Process 2-3).: The air is made to pass through a heating coil which heats the air to the desired
temperature and relative humidity.
Air Distribution: The conditioned air is supplied to the conditioned space by a fan/blower with or without
ducts.
From conditioned space, a part of the used air is exhausted to the atmosphere. The remaining air is
again conditioned after mixing with outside air. This is repeated again and again.
Note: The humidifier is inoperative in this case .

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AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM FOR HOT & DRY WEATHER: (Delhi/Nagpur/Jaipur)

In this system, the air is cooled & humidified. The outside air flows through the damper and mixes with
the recirculated air. The mixed air passes through a filter to remove the dirt, dust and other impurities.
The air now passes through a cooling coil at a temperature below the DBT of the air and gets
cooled (Process 1-2). Moisture is added to this cooled air (adiabatic humidification Process 2-3) by a
spray type humidifier.
This cooled & humidified air is supplied to the conditioned space by a fan/blower after passing
through water eliminators. From conditioned space, a part of the used air is exhausted to the
atmosphere by the exhaust fan. The remaining air is again conditioned after mixing. This is repeated
again and again.

Explain Winter Air Conditioning System (for cold & dry weather) with the aid of a neat labelled
sketch. MSBTE W-17, 14
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In winter air conditioning, the air is usually heated & humidified by following the steps listed below:
Mixing: The outside air flows through a damper and mixes with the recirculated air.
Filtration: The mixed air passes through a filter to remove the dirt, dust and other impurities.
Preheating: The air now passes through a preheat coil to prevent the possible freezing of water and to
control the evaporation of water in the humidifier.
Humidification: The preheated air is made to flow through a spray type humidifier to add moisture
adiabatically.
Reheating: The humidified air is passed through a reheat coil to bring the air to the designed temperature.
Now, the conditioned air is supplied to the conditioned space by a fan/blower. From the conditioned space,
a part of the air is exhausted to the atmosphere by the exhaust fans. The remaining part of the used air is
again conditioned after mixing with outside air and this will be repeated again and again.

Psychrometric Chart Representation for Winter Air Conditioning (For Cold & Dry Weather)
What is Year – Round (all - season) air conditioning? Draw a neat layout for it.
MSBTE S-18, 16, W-18, 16, 15, 14
Year-round air conditioning system is capable of maintaining specified conditions within the conditioned
space throughout the year regardless of changing outside conditions. It consists of equipment for both the
summer and winter air conditioning.
The outside air flows through the damper and mixes with the recirculated air. The mixed air passes through
a filter to remove dirt, dust and other impurities.

In summer air conditioning, the cooling coil operates to cool the air to the desired temperature. The
dehumidification is obtained by operating the cooling coil at a temperature lower than the dew point
temperature of air.

In winter air conditioning system, the cooling coil is made inoperative and the heating coil operates to
heat the air. The spray type humidifier is also used in the dry season to humidify the air.
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Differentiate between summer and winter air – conditioning. MSBTE S-16, W-18

COMPARISON SUMMER WINTER

PARAMETERS AIR-CONDITIONING AIR-CONDITIONING
It involves Cooling With De –
Psychrometric Humidification (for hot & humid It normally involves heating with
Process Used weather) & Cooling With humidification (for cold & dry weather)
Humidification (for hot & dry weather)

Equipments Equipments used include cooling coil, Equipments used include heating coil,
Used reheating coil, air filter, blower, etc. humidifier, air filter, blower, etc.
Use It is used in summer season. Eg. Delhi It is used in winter season. Eg. Shimla
Application

Differentiate between comfort and industrial air – conditioning. MSBTE S-18

INDUSTRIAL/PROCESS
PARAMETERS COMFORT AIR-CONDITIONING
AIR-CONDITIONING
To provide conditions in the enclosed
Purpose/ To provide human comfort in an
space suitable for efficient and economic
Function enclosed space.
operation of industrial processes.
Internal Conditions are maintained to suit comfort Conditions are maintained to suit
Conditions of human beings. industrial process requirements
It is used in textile industry, paper
Use or It is used for homes, restraints, theatres,
industry, chemical industry,
Application offices, buildings, etc.
pharmaceutical industry, etc.
Conditions maintained are generally:
Details of Temperature = 21 to 23
0
Conditions maintained vary from process
Conditions Relative Humidity = 40 to 60% to process.
maintained
Air motion = 5 to 8 m / min. clean air.
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What is Unitary air – conditioning? Give its classification. MSBTE S-16

Unitary air - conditioning makes use of air-conditioners including air distribution system which are factory -
assembled entirely. A single air – conditioner may serve if the building is a small one or the space may be
divided into several zones, each being served by a conditioner of small to medium capacity. This system
has the advantage of low initial cost and also flexibility of operation.

Unitary Air – Conditioning may be classified into:

a) Window Air- Conditioning
b) Split Air conditioning
c) Packaged Air conditioning.

Features of Unitary Air Conditioning System:

1) Factory – assembled units.
2) Compact units. Less accessibility.
3) Refrigerating Capacity varies from 1 to 20 tonnes.
4) Installed in or adjacent to the space to be conditioned. Interior controls.
5) Unitary systems are usually window/wall mounted or floor mounted
6) High flexibility. A large house or building may have several such units, permitting each room to be
cooled separately.

What is Central Air – Conditioning? List its important features. MSBTE S-19, 16
When several rooms in the same building require air having approximately the same temperature and
relative humidity, they can usually be air – conditioned more economically from a central system than
unitary systems. This system is generally preferred for load above 25 tonnes and 2000m 3 /min of air flow.
The various parts of central system are field - assembled.

Important Features of Central Air- Conditioning

a) Parts are field assembled
b) One unit serves many rooms
c) Central unit is installed outside the conditioned space
d) Components are easily accessible for servicing or repair
e) Ducts are provided to carry conditioned and recirculated air
f) Year round control is provided
g) Large capacity of 25 tonnes or above
h) Large mass flow rate of air is 300-2000 m3/m

Give the classification/types of Central air – conditioning. MSBTE S-17, 15

Central air – conditioning is classed into:
i Direct Cooling type or Direct Expansion (Dx) Central Air Conditioning:
In this system, air to be conditioned is circulated over the cooling (evaporator) coils. The air gets
cooled directly due to the latent heat taken away by the evaporating refrigerant in the coil. This
system is suitable for small capacity plant.
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ii Indirect Cooling type or Chilled Water (or Brine) System:

In this system, air to be conditioned is circulated over the chilled water coils in Air Handling Unit
(AHU). The air gets cooled due to the sensible heat taken away by the chilled water. The chilled
water is cooled in turn by the cooling (evaporator) coils. In other words, it utilises the principle of
indirect cooling. This system more suitable for large capacity air conditioning with fluctuating
cooling requirements.

(Warm)
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State the advantages, limitations (drawbacks) and applications of Central Air- Conditioning.
MSBTE S-18, 16, W-16, 15
Advantages (Merits) of Central Air- Conditioning:
i It easily meets the requirements of fluctuating load (Eg. Theatres, Malls, etc)
ii Low capital cost per TR as compared to total cost of separate units.
iii One unit serves many rooms.
iv It is installed outside the conditioned space.
v Components are easily accessible for servicing or repair
vi Low operating or running cost per TR.
vii Year round control is provided
viii Large capacity of 25 tonnes or above
ix Large mass flow rate of air is 300-2000 m3/min.
x Low Noise & Vibration produces as the unit is located outside.
Limitations (Demerits) or Drawbacks of Central Air- Conditioning:
i All rooms will be affected in case of failure of the unit.
ii Less flexibility as all rooms are maintained at more or less same condition
iii Parts are field assembled. Hence initial cost is high.
iv More Maintenance & Service requirements.
v Ducting required for conditioned and recirculated air. So air distribution is complicated &
expensive.
vi It is not suitable for small capacity air conditioning like residential houses.
Applications of Central Air- Conditioning:
It is used for large capacity applications (25 tonnes and above) as listed below:
i. In Commercial air conditioning (Eg. Theatres, Malls, Hospitals, etc.)
ii. In Industrial Air conditioning (Eg. Textile, Pharmaceutical, Food industries)
iii. In transportation (Eg. Trains, Ships, Aircrafts, etc.)
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Compare Central and Unitary Air- Conditioning. MSBTE S-18, 16, 14, W-16, 17
Parameters Central Air- Conditioning Unitary Air- Conditioning
Assembly Field assembled Factory Assembled
Refrigerating Capacity Large (25 tonnes and above) Lower (Less than 25 tonnes)
Volume of Air Handled Large (2000m3/min and above) Less
Air Distribution Complicated & expensive Simple & Cheap
Outside the conditioned space
Location Located in the conditioned space.
E.g. Basement

Ducting Required Not required.

Construction Complicated & requires ducting Simple & Compact

Initial Cost Higher Lesser

Space Occupied Outside the conditioned space Inside the conditioned space

Operating Cost Lesser per TR More per TR

Maintenance & Service More Less

Noise & Vibration Low High

Rooms conditioned Several Single

Indoor Conditions All the rooms are maintained at more Each room can be maintained at
produced or less same condition different condition
Only the room concerned will be
Effect of Fault/Failure All rooms will be affected
affected.

Condenser Usually Water Cooled Usually Air Cooled

High installation cost due to field Low installation cost as units are
Installation assembly and extensive ducting. factory assembled and no ducting.

Accessibility Easy Difficult

Leak Detection & Difficult Easy
Charging
All rooms are maintained at almost Individual needs of each room can
Individual Room same condition be met

Cooling Load Flexibility Fluctuating Load Almost Constant load

For small capacity air conditioning
For large capacity air conditioning
Application/ Use like residential houses, offices,
like Theatres, Malls, Hospitals
restaurants
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Explain the construction and working of Window/Room Air Conditioner with the aid of a neat
sketch. MSBTE S-19, 17, W-16, 15
Window or room air conditioners have small capacity of 0.5 to 3 TR and are mounted through a window
or wall. They are used to condition the air of one room only.
Note: If the room is bigger in size, then two or more units are used.

Construction: Window AC is the simplest air conditioner with all components factory assembled in a
single box type casing. It can be divided into two parts:
 Indoor Part (or Room Side)
(Air Filter, Evaporator/Cooling Coil, Fan/Blower, Grills/Louvers)
 Outdoor Part (or Condensing Side)

(Compressor, Condenser, Condenser Fan)

Working: The working of Window air conditioner can be explained with the help of the 3 major air circuits:-
Location: This type of AC is usually mounted or installed in a window/wall.
Room Air Circuit: The air from an indoor space to be cooled is drawn continuously through a filter over the
cooling (evaporating) coils by a blower/fan. The air is thus cleaned and cooled/dehumidified due to the
cooling produced by evaporating refrigerant in the cooling coil. This conditioned air is discharged back into
the same indoor space by the blower.
A thermostat is provided with the evaporator to measure the temperature of room air. It switch on the
compressor/fan motor if the temperature rises above the desired temperature and switch it off if
temperature falls below the set temperature.
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This continuous process of drawing, cooling, and recirculation of the conditioned air keep the indoor space
at the desired conditions.
Outside Air Circuit (Condenser Cooling Medium): The condenser fan forces atmospheric air to flow over
the condenser coils. The vapor refrigerant in the condenser coils dissipate the heat to atmospheric air and
gets converted to the liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant is now sent to evaporator through the
Capillary Tube (Expansion Device).
Fresh Air (Ventilation) Circuit: To maintain air purity in the indoor space, fresh outdoor air is made to
enter through the air damper, cooled and mixed with room air.

Explain the construction and working of Split Air Conditioner with the aid of a neat sketch. List its
advantages/benefits. MSBTE S-18, 17, W-17, 15
Construction:
In Split Air Conditioner, the condensing unit is split from the indoor air handling part and located outside the
conditioned space and hence the name. It, thus, consists out of two separate units:
 Outdoor Condensing Unit- Compressor, Condenser & Condenser Fan
 Indoor Air Handling Unit- Air Filter, Evaporator or Cooling coils, Blower/Fan, Grills, Controls
The indoor and outdoor units are factory assembled. Both units are connected by suction and liquid lines
during installation.
Capacity: Sp lit A/C are availab le with co o ling cap acitie s rang ing fro m 1 to 3 To nne s.

Location: The indoor unit is located on brackets provided on walls near to ceiling. The outdoor unit is
located outside but close to the conditioned space.

Application: Sp lit A/Cs are p re fe rre d in re sid e ntial o r o ffice air co nd itio ning as it is q uie t in o p e ratio n,
e ne rg y e fficie nt and d o no t o ccup y us e ful sp ace .

Advantages/ Benefits/ Merits of Split Air Conditioning:

a) Higher cooling capacity
b) Quiet or silent operation.
c) More energy efficient
d) Lower operating cost.
e) Doesn’t require large holes in the wall or expensive ducts.
f) Indoor part is located near to ceiling and do not consume valuable room space.
g) Outdoor Condensing unit can be located quite away from conditioned space. So it is easy to
maintain and keep clean.
h) These units allow spot air conditioning that operates independently of a central system, allowing
efficient, economical control for only occupied areas.

Disadvantages/ Drawbacks of Split A/C:

a) More complicated construction.
b) It is not suitable for homes with limited balcony/yard space.
c) Initial installation cost is higher.
d) Pressure loss in suction/liquid lines.
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Explain the construction and working of Packaged Air Conditioner with the aid of a neat sketch. List
its advantages/benefits. MSBTE S-18, 17, W-17, 15
Packaged Air Conditioner or Vertical Packed Units:
Packaged air conditioners are factory assembled, self-contained air conditioning units with all of its
essential components encased in a single unit. This single unit contains all of the parts in one outdoor
unit that sits on either the roof or to the side of a property.
Capacity/Location: Packaged air conditioner are bigger in the capacity range of 5 to 20 TR and are
located outside and adjacent to the space to be conditioned.
Application: This unit is very useful for conditioning of commercial space like restaurant, bank, small
office, etc.
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Features (Advantages) of Packaged Air Conditioner:

a) Higher Capacity as compared to Split Units
b) Efficiency - Packaged units are assembled in factories and hence more efficient than split
systems.
c) Easy Installation - As packaged units are only one single unit, they are easier to install.
This results in less expensive installation cost & space occupied.
d) Less Invasive - Because the package unit is one all-inclusive unit, there is no need for
additional refrigerant lines.
e) Good SEER – SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which in this unit
ranges from 13 to 18, and is considered a good rating.
f) Quiet - As the entire system is located outside, it is totally silent in operation.