Basics of HVAC System

Introduction to HVAC System

The purpose of HVAC design is both high indoor air quality and energy is both high indoor
air quality and energy efficiency. These dual considerations require an integrated design
efficiency approach. Heating , ventilation, and air conditioning ventilation, system (HVAC)
creates a climate system that allows for maximum comfort by compensating for changing
climatic.

Though more costly to install and more complicated to operate, a chiller plant offers a
number of benefits over a large number of individual packaged cooling units, including
greater energy efficiency, better controllability, cheaper overall maintenance, and longer
life.

What is Psychometric chart..?

 A psychrometric chart is a graphical representation of the processes of air.

Psychrometric processes include physical and thermodynamic properties of Air.
 Provides a graphical representation of air and its properties.
 Knowing any two conditions of air allows the other conditions of the air to be found

Fig 1 : Psychometric
chart
Properties of Air – Psychometric

 Dry bulb temp.

 Wet bulb temp.

 Dew point.

 Moisture content.

 Heating.

 Cooling.

 Humidity.

 De-Humidify

 Dry Bulb Temperature - Tdb

The Dry Bulb temperature, usually referred to as "air temperature", is the air property
that is most commonly used. When people refer to the temperature of the air they are
normally referring to the dry bulb temperature. The Dry Bulb Temperature refers
basically to the ambient air temperature. It is called "Dry Bulb" because the air
temperature is indicated by a thermometer not affected by the moisture of the air.

 Wet Bulb Temperature - Twb

The Wet Bulb temperature is the adiabatic saturation temperature. Wet Bulb
temperature can be measured by using a thermometer with the bulb wrapped in wet
muslin. The adiabatic evaporation of water from the thermometer bulb and the cooling
effect is indicated by a "wet bulb temperature" lower than the "dry bulb temperature"
in the air.
Fig 2 : Dry and Wet bulb Temp.

 Dew Point Temperature - Tdp

The Dew Point is the temperature where water vapour starts to condense out of the air
(the temperature at which air becomes completely saturated). Above this temperature
the moisture stays in the air.

*If the dew-point temperature is close to the dry air temperature - the relative humidity
is high.

*If the dew point is well below the dry air temperature - the relative humidity is low.

Fig 3 : Dew point Temp.

Types of Air Conditioning System

 Direct Expansion – DX System.

A direct expansion air conditioning (DX) system uses a refrigerant vapour

expansion/compression (RVEC) cycle to directly cool the supply air to an occupied space.
DX systems (both packaged and split) directly cools the air supplied to the building
because the evaporator is in direct contact with the supply air.

Fig 4 : DX
System

 Chilled Water System

Chilled water air conditioning systems are commonly used in applications that need
large cooling capacity such as hypermarket, industrial process and commercial air
conditioning such as offices and factories.

This system makes use of water as its secondary refrigerant. Chiller is used to remove
heat from the water which is then circulated through other components to absorb heat
from the space.
 Fig 5 :
Chilled water system

Major types of air conditioning system

 Window AC
 Split AC
 Cassette AC
 Package AC
 AHU (DX & CHW)

Types of HVAC System

There are several major heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system types in wide
spread use today. Most systems in use today fall into one of these categories, or are a
combination or variation of them. Each type of system has advantages and disadvantages

There are two types :

 Air-Cooled Chiller

An industrial air-cooled chiller is a refrigeration system that cools fluids and works in
tandem with a facility’s air handler system. A chiller has four main parts: an evaporator,
compressor, condenser, and expansion valve. Once the water in the air handler system is
used, it becomes warm and is sent back to the chiller. Heat is transferred away from the
water using the chiller’s evaporator. Liquid refrigerant evaporates as it moves over the
evaporator tube, creating a low-pressure gas.

Next, the evaporated refrigerant travels to the compressor where the low-pressure gas is
compressed into a high-pressure gas. The gas then leaves and goes to the air-cooled
condensers. While in the condenser, heat is removed from the chiller by being blown
outside through fans on the side of the condenser.

During this process, the refrigerant changes from a high-pressure liquid to a low-pressure
liquid, this low-pressure liquid is then transferred back to the evaporator where the whole
cycle will repeat itself.

Fig 6 : Air cooled chiller

Advantages :

 Lower installed cost

 Quicker availability
 No cooling tower or condenser pump required
 Less maintenance
 No mechanical room required
 Water-Cooled Chiller

A typical water-cooled chiller uses recirculating condenser water from a cooling tower to
condense the refrigerant.

A water-cooled chiller contains a refrigerant dependent on the entering condenser water

temperature (and flow rate), which functions in relation to the ambient wet-bulb
temperature.

Since the wet-bulb temperature is always lower than the dry-bulb temperature, the
refrigerant condensing temperature (and pressure) in a water-cooled chiller can often
operate significantly lower than an air-cooled chiller. Thus, water-cooled chillers can
operate more efficiently.

Water-cooled chillers typically reside indoors in an environment protected from the

elements. Hence, water-cooled chiller can offer a longer lifespan.

Water-cooled chillers typically represent the only option for larger installations. The
additional cooling tower system will require additional installation expense and
maintenance as compared to air-cooled chillers.
 Fig 7 : Water cooled chiller

Advantages :

 Higher efficiency
 Custom selection in larger sizes
 Large tonnage capabilities
 Indoor Chiller location
 Longer life

Filter Classes

 HEPA Filter

HEPA filters offer the highest level of protection against a variety of airborne particles. They
have the capacity to trap particles that are as small as 0.3 microns and catch 99.97% of
airborne particles. In addition, HEPA filters have a MERV rating of between 17 and 20. This
type of filter, however, usually doesn’t fit residential HVAC systems that have sizing and
airflow restrictions to consider. If you’re keen on getting HEPA filters for your home,
modifications will have to be made by an HVAC contractor.

 Reusable Air Filters

Reusable are filters are washable filters that can simply be cleaned up and used again. This
type of filter is typically more expensive than the disposable kind, and have a low MERV
rating of between one and four. This makes reusable air filters prone to mold or mildew
growth.

 Flat-Paneled Fiberglass Filters

This type of filter is disposable, and is layered with fiberglass and a metal-reinforcing grate.
It also has a low MERV rating, so it won’t do much for your home when it comes to air
purification.

 Pleated Media Filter

These filters are disposable. Typically, they have a MERV rating of between 5 and 13.
However, pleated media filters also have high-efficiency versions that have a MERV rating
between 14 and 16. The design of this type of filter is intended to increase the surface area,
which improves its filtration efficiency as well.

Fig 8 : HEPA filter Fig 9 : Reusable Air Filter

Fig 10 : Flat-Paneled Fiberglass Filter Fig 11 : Pleated Media Filter