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Air Conditioning System
Air Conditioning System
Air Conditioning System
Conditioning
System
Air Conditioning System
Air conditioning for people is the control of temperature, humidity, air movement and air cleanliness, heat radiation sometimes [e.g. by chilled ceiling ], normally
with mechanical means, to achieve human thermal comfort. . See http://fridge.arch.uwa.edu.au/topics/thermal/index_thermal.html for thermal comfort and related
topics.
Air conditioning systems can be categorized according to the means by which the controllable cooling is accomplished in the conditioned space. They are further
segregated to accomplish specific purposes by special equipment arrangement.
In selecting a suitable air conditioning system for a particular application, consideration should also ven to the following:-
3 Central chilled water air conditioning systems - All Water Systems, including cooling towers which can also be applied to systems 1, 2 above
4 Direct expansion Systems [i.e. direct expansion of refrigerant, without the chilled water cooling medium ]
4.1 Window air conditioners
4.2 Unitary and Rooftop Air Conditioners
4.3 Split type and package air conditioning systems
4.4 Heat pumps
System Advantages
1. The central plant is located in unoccupied areas, hence facilitating operating and maintenance, noise control and choice of suitable equipment.
2. No piping, electrical wiring and filters are located inside the conditioned space.
3. Allows the use of the greatest numbers of potential cooling seasons house with outside air in place of mechanical refrigeration.
5. Gives a wide choice of zonability, flexibility, and humidity control under all operating conditions.
7. Allows good design flexibility for optimum air distribution, draft control, and local requirements.
System Disadvantages
1. Requires additional duct clearance which can reduce the usable floor space.
3. Accessibility to terminals demands close cooperation between architectural, mechanical and structural engineers.
Fig 1b. shows the control of chilled cooling coil and fan
-Heat balance: The amount of heat extracted out of the air conditioned room (by the cooling system, exhaust air systems, building leakage, must be equal to the
amount of heat generated inside the room (by human being, electrical appliances, etc.) and transferred into the room (by conduction through the building
envelope, radiation via the glass, hot air leakage into the room through gaps in windows, doors, fresh air introduced into the room, etc.) i.e. Total kW going into
room = Total kW going out of the room.
-Air balance: The mass flow rate of the air going into the room = The mass flow rate of air going out of the room. Fresh air coming into the room : 2.5 l/s per
person, non-smoking, 5 l/s per person for smoking accommodation, good indoor air quality (IAQ) is important.
The all-air single-zone air conditioning system is the basic central system which can supply a constant air volume or a variable air volume at low, medium or
high pressure. Normally, the equipment is located outside the conditioned space but can also be installed within the conditioned are if conditions permit.
Typical applications include:-
Fig 1.2
The variable air volume system compensates for varying cooling loads by regulating the volume of cooling air supplied through a single duct.
Simple VAV systems typically cools only and have no requirement for simultaneous heating and cooling in various zones.
Fig 1.3a
(b) Variable Air Volume – Reheat
It integrates heating at or near the terminal units. It is applied to systems requiring full heating and cooling flexibility in interior and exterior zones.
Heating is turned on when the air flow reaches a predetermined minimum.
Fig 1.3b
Advantages
a) When combined with a perimeter heating system, it offers inexpensive temperature control for multiple zoning and a high degree of simultaneous
heating-cooling flexibility.
b) Capital cost is lower since diversities of loads from lights, occupancy, solar and equipment of as much as 30% are permitted.
c) Virtually self-balancing.
d) It is easy and inexpensive to subdivide into new zones and to handle increased loads with new tenancy or usage if load does not exceed the original
design simultaneous peak.
The dual-duct system employs two air ducts to supply cold air and warm air to a mixing terminal unit which proportions the cold and warm air in response to
a thermostat located in the conditioned space. The system is well suited to provide temperature control for individual spaces or zones.
Fig 1.4
3. Instant temperature response is achieved because of simultaneous availability of cold and warm air at each terminal unit.
Disadvantages
The multi-zone system applies to a relatively small number of zones served by a single, central air-handling unit. Different zone requirements are met by
mixing cold and warm air through zone dampers at the central air handler in response to zone thermostats.
Fig. 1.5
1. Easy to balance.
3. The maximum sensible cooling capacity following changeover to the winter cycle when chilled water is no longer circulated to the room terminal.
The water side consists of a pump and piping to convey water to heat transfer surfaces within each conditioned space. The water is commonly cooled by the
introduction of chilled water from the primary cooling system and is refereed to as the secondary water loop. Individual room temperature control is by
regulation of either the water flow through it or the air flow over it.
The inducting system is designed for use in perimeter rooms of multi-storey, multi-room building that may have reversing sensible heat characteristics. It is
especially adapted to handle the loads of skyscrapers with minimum space requirements for mechanical equipment.
In the induction system, ducted primary air is fed into a small plenum chamber where its pressure is reduced by means of a suitable damper to the level
required at the nozzles. The plenum is acoustically treated to attenuate part of the noise generated in the duct system and in the unit. The primary air is then
delivered through nozzles as high velocity jets which induce secondary air from the room and over the secondary coil.
Induction units are usually installed at a perimeter wall under a window. Some hotel rooms are provide with induction coils.
Fig. 2.1
The induction system employs air ducts to convey treated air with higher pressure levels and of the right adjustable quantities to various cooling/heating coil
units. These coil units are built in with induction nozzles such that when high pressure air goes through them, air room the room is inducted across the fin
surface of the water-circulated coils. This inducted air stream is either cooled or heated after passing through the coil, and then mixed with the air coming out
of the nozzle. The right quantity of high pressure air is adjusted automatically in response to a thermostat located in the conditioned space. The system is well
suited to provide temperature control for individual spaces or zones.
Advantages
2. Separate sources of heating and cooling for each space available as needed to satisfy a wide range of load variations.
3. Low distribution system space required as a result of reducing the air supply by use of secondary water for cooling and high velocity air design.
5. Dehumidification & filtration performed in a central plant room remote from conditioned space.
7. Minimal maintenance required for individual induction units which have no moving parts, i.e. no fans
8. Air duct dimensions are smaller than VAV systems or CAV systems
10. No fan comes together with the coil, making the conditioned space quiet.
Disadvantages
2. The primary air supply is usually constant with no provision for shutoff.
4. Higher energy consumption due to increased power required by the primary pressure drop in the terminal units.
The fan-coil system is similar to the inducting system, with the induction unit replaced by the fan-coil unit. The basic elements of the fan-coil units are a
finned-tube coil and a fan section. The fan section recirculates air continuously from within the perimeter space through the coil which is supplied with either
hot or chilled water. Auxiliary air may be delivered to the conditioned space for dehumidification and ventilation purposes.
Fig 2.2a
Fig 2.2b
2. The air velocity is fairly constant regardless of the primary air quantity.
3. Primary air can either connect directly to fan-coil unit or supply the room separately.
In two-pipe systems for induction coil, fan-coil or radiant panel systems, the water distribution circuit consists of one supply and one return pipe. The
secondary water is cold in summer and intermediate seasons and warm in winter. The primary air quantity is fixed and the primary air temperature is varied
in reverse proportion to outside temperature to provide the necessary amount of heating during summer and intermediate seasons. During winter cycle
operation, the primary air is preheated and supplied at about 10°C to provide a source of cooling.
Fig 2.3
Advantages
Disadvantages
1. Less capable of handling widely varying loads or providing widely varying choice of room temperature than four-pipe systems.
Three-pipe systems for induction coil, fan-coil and radiant panel systems have three pipes to each terminal unit, a cold water pipe, a warm water pipe and a
common return. These systems are rarely used today because they consume excess energy.
Fig 2.4
Four-pipe systems have a cold water supply, cold water return, warm water supply and warm water return. The terminal unit usually has two independent
secondary water coils, one served by hot water, the other by cold water. The primary air is cold and remains at the same temperature year-round.
Fig 2.5a
Fig 2.5b
Advantages (as compared with two-pipe systems)
2. Simpler to operate (No summer-winter changeover and primary air reheat schedule).
Disadvantages
System Advantages
System Disadvantages
2. No humidification is provided.
Fig 3.1a
Fig 3.1b
Fig 3.1c
3.2 Central chilled water air conditioning system with fan coils and other devices
In this system, the following circuits do not mix with each other, and heat exchange is performed via various metal surfaces:-
-the chilled water circuit – nominally 12 deg .C entering water chiller, 7 deg. C leaving chiller, i.e. nominally 7 deg .C entering fan coil units [FCU] /air
handling unit[AHU] /primary handling unit[PAU]- for treating fresh air, 12 deg. C leaving these devices – chilled water pumps move water through this
circuit – CH. W. F- chilled water flow ;
- CH. W. R- chilled water flow return.
-refrigerant circuit – refrigerant compressors move the refrigerant through this circuit
-cooling water circuit - nominally 35 deg .C entering water cooling tower , 30 deg. C leaving cooling tower, i.e. nominally 30 deg .C entering condenser of
chiller assembly, 35 deg. C leaving condenser of chiller assembly – Condenser water pumps move condenser water through this circuit. See attached diagram
and See http://www.ekingair.com/Screw.files/frame.htm
A water cooling tower cools the water entering it from 35 deg. C to 30 deg. C nominally. The warmer water is sprayed inside the cooling tower admidst the
stream of an upward air flow produced by the fan at the top of the tower. The air stream going out carries water particles. These water particles should not be
taken into buildings, to avoid Legionnaire disease to occur. Condenser water pumps move condenser water through this circuit. Water in this circuit has to be
treated. There is water loss to atmosphere in using cooling towers. For cooling towers, see http://www.engnet.com.tw/lc/A2.HTM , and
http://www.engnet.com.tw/lc/LRC-SAS.HTM
4.1 Direct expansion Systems [i.e. direct expansion of refrigerant , without the chilled
water cooling medium ] -Window Air Conditioners
A window unit is an encased assembly designed primarily for mounting in a window, through a wall, or as a console. These units are designed for comfort
cooling and to provide delivery of conditioned air to a room either without ducts or with very short ducts. They include a prime source of refrigeration,
dehumidification, means for circulating and cleaning air, and may also include means for ventilating, and/or exhausting and heating.
Fig 4.1a
Fig 4.1b
Fig 4.1c
Fig 4.1d
In a window air conditioner, the indoor unit and outdoor unit of the split system is put into one single unit. The refrigerant compressor now is part of the
machine locating at the window area. Since this compressor gives out most noise, among other components, the window unit will make the room acoustically
inferior to other air conditioning systems. Fresh air exchange for the room can be provided by :-
-(1) setting the “ventilator” switch of the window air conditioner to “open” position
-(2) installing a ventilating extract fan in the room to extract room air to outside – caution- not to oversize the fan
-(3) naturally leaking of air in and out of the room
See http://www.aep.com/energyinfo/res_html/recrefr.htm and
http://www.aep.com/energyinfo/res_html/recroom.htm
4.2 Direct expansion Systems [i.e. direct expansion of refrigerant , without the chilled water cooling medium ] -Unitary and Rooftop Air Conditioners
Fig 4.2
• These are commonly air-cooled units.
• The units are the floor – standing type designed for installation outdoors or on the roof.
• A supply air duct and a return air duct are to be connected to the cooling unit.
• Application: For general air conditioning of stores, residences, schools, offices, etc. particularly suitable for single flat building with extensive floor
areas.
• A remote controller should be installed on an easily accessible wall, incorporating a temperature selection switch & thermostat.
4.3 Direct expansion Systems [i.e. direct expansion of refrigerant , without the chilled water cooling medium ] - Split type and package air conditioning systems
• package air conditioning systems - Factory assembled (floor mounting) package, placed indoor, containing direct expansion coil, controls, fan and
compressor, with the condenser remotely placed outdoor ; commonly used in Hong Kong for restaurants, café shops, factories, etc
Fig 4.3a
Fig 4.3b
• split air conditioning systems - Factory assembled (ceiling mounting) indoor unit of fan and direct expansion coil, controls, with the condensing
unit [i.e. compressor and condensing coil ] remotely placed outdoor ; commonly used in Hong Kong for café shops, small offices, some domestic
units, etc
Case study – see http://arch.hku.hk/teaching/project/project302.html
4.3.1. The basic concepts of a split air conditioning system [ Small system]
a. A split air conditioning system consists of an indoor unit and an outdoor unit connected together by refrigerant pipes. The refrigerant circulates between
these 2 units [i.e. 2 parts of the system] to take heat from indoor to outdoor, by firstly having heat of the room air absorbed into the refrigerant via an air-
refrigerant heat exchanger which is the indoor unit, then conveying the heat to the outdoor unit for disposal. See
http://www.aep.com/energyinfo/res_html/reccent.htm
b. The indoor unit comprises a finned coil and a fan which is driven by an electric motor. Refrigerant is circulated inside the finned coil to the outside unit
and then back to the indoor unit. The fan pulls or pushes air around the outer surfaces of the coil inside the indoor unit, taking warm air from the room and
injecting cooled air into the room in summer. The refrigerant has no direct contact with air. So the heat of the room air is transferred into the refrigerant in the
indoor unit. Inside the coil, refrigerant evaporates, and the indoor unit is therefore commonly called an evaporator by the engineers. The indoor unit is wall-
mount or ceiling mount unit.
See http://www.daikin.be/home.nsf/fFRM?ReadForm
The refrigerant compressor, which usually is installed inside the outdoor unit, is pumping the refrigerant through the indoor unit and the outdoor
unit. [ In the split system therefore the compressor – generating noise when pumping refrigerant- is located outdoor, inside the outdoor unit] The
refrigerant takes up energy as it goes through the indoor unit, and rejects energy to the outside atmosphere as it goes through the outdoor unit.
Energy rejected is the sum of the energy taken indoor plus the energy consumed by the compressor in pumping the refrigerant through the
refrigerant circuit. This refrigerant circuit is a closed circuit, and if pipe joints are well installed , no leakage of refrigerant should occur.
d. Air circuits for the indoor environment. The air passing through the indoor unit is cooled, say to 15 deg. C, before recirculated back to the room. A
large part of air heated up in the room, say to 25 deg. [ Note : Design room temperature is 23 deg C in general for human comfort ] then goes back to the
indoor unit for cooling. A small part of room air is extracted to outside by an exhaust fan, with an amount of fresh outside air coming in to replenish this
amount exhausted. Now this make up air can be supplied by connecting a small air duct from an external opening to the indoor unit. See diagram attached
If heat rejection in the outdoor unit is taken care by cooling water , there would be a saving of 30% of energy. In urban areas,. cooling water can be provided
by fresh water cooling towers. The water cooling tower can be placed at the top of a building, with a pump drawing water from it to circulate the condensing
water to the outdoor units of the split system. After taking up heat from the outdoor unit, with an increase of unusually 5 deg. C, condensing water is
circulated back to the cooling tower for cooling again. Of course the finned coil f the outdoor unit has to be replaced by a water –cooled condenser. See
“water cooling tower” below.
Another efficient option is to have a few additional valves and controls added to the basic split system to make it to serve as a heat pump system in winter.
That is, the refrigerant will do a reverse job in taking heat from outside , and rejecting it to the indoor environment. Thus the refrigerant goes through a
reversed cycle by taking heat from outside and rejecting heat to the room. One unit of energy for pumping the refrigerant will cause 4 units of energy to be
taken from outside, i.e. ,totally 5 units of energy, into the room. For heat pumps, see http://www.spec-net.com.au/hitachi/reverse1.htm,
http://www.nrc.ca/irc/cbd/cbd195e.html , http://www.heatpumpcentre.org/tutorial , http://www.iaheatpump.org/winter.html ,
http://www.heatpumpcentre.org/tutorial/buildings.htm ,
h. Direct expansion air conditioning equipments consist of factory-matched refrigeration cycle components for inclusion is air-conditioning systems which are
field designed to meet the needs of the user. The following list of variations is indicative of the vast number of types of unitary air conditioners presently
available.
The term ‘heat pump’, as applied to a year-round air conditioning system, commonly denotes a system in which refrigeration equipment is used in such a
manner that heat is taken from a heat source and given up to the conditioned space when heating service is wanted, and is removed from the space and
discharged to a heat sink when cooling and dehumidification are desired.
The air-to-air heat pump is the most common type of heat pumps. It is particularly suitable for factory-built unitary heat pumps, and has been widely used for
residential and commercial application. Air is used as the heat source and heat sink. Extended surface, forced convection heat transfer coils are normally
employed to transfer the heat between the air and the refrigerant. When selecting or designing an air-source heat pup, two factors in particular must be taken
into consideration:
The water-source heat pump uses water and air as the heat source or heat sink depending on the mode of operation. When cooling, water is used as the heat
sink, and the heat pump operates as a water-cooled air conditioner. When heating, water is used as the heat source and the equipment operates as a water
chiller.
The water-source heat pump is suitable for many types of multi-room buildings, including office buildings, hotels, schools, apartment buildings,
manufacturing facilities and hospitals.
Advantages
1. Affords opportunity for energy conservation by recovering heat from interior zones and/or waste heat and by storing excess heat from daytime
cooling for night time heating.
2. No wall openings required.
5. Energy for the heat pumps can be metered directly to each tenant.
6. Total life cycle cost frequently compares favourably to central systems when considering relative installed cost, operating costs, and system life.
Disadvantages
1. Space required for boiler, heat exchanger, pumps and heat rejector.
2. Higher initial cost than for most other multiple-packaged unit systems.
3. Reduced air flow can cause the heat pump to cycle cutout. Good filter maintenance is imperative.