Unit 6: Air Conditioning Systems

Unit objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

• Classify the main comfort air conditioning systems

• Describe the basic configuration for each system
• Understand the summer and winter operating cycles for each
system
• Carry out calculations associated with individual systems

Unit topics

• Unitary systems
• All-air systems
• Air-water systems

Suggested reading

• Jones W P, Air Conditioning Engineering, 3rd Edition, Edward

Arnold, 1985. Chapter 16.
• CIBSE Guide Book B. Sections B2 & B3.
• Jones W P, Air Conditioning Applications, 2nd Edition, Edward
Arnold, 1997. Chapter 2.
• Legg R, Air Conditioning Systems, Batsford, 1991. Chapter 6 &
7.
• Eastop T D & Watson W E, Mechanical Services for Buildings,
Longmans, 1992. Chapter 8.

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6.1 Introduction
In this unit, commonly encountered air conditioning systems are
described and their psychrometric processes associated with heating,
cooling, humidification and dehumidification are presented.

Air conditioning systems can be simply classified as follows:

Unitary systems

All air systems

Air-water systems

Each of these systems is dealt with in detail in the reference text.

Students are recommended to refer to them for a more in-depth
treatment than is the case here.

6.2 Unitary systems

These systems comprise stand alone air conditioning units that
contain all the necessary components to allow heating, cooling and
humidification to be provided to the space in which the units located or
adjacent to its location. There are a number of system configurations
that can be classified under this heading. The following are considered
here:

Self contained, room air conditioners

Split systems

Water loop air conditioning heat pumps

6.2.1 Self contained room air conditioners

These units can be small enough to condition individual spaces, being

positioned in through the wall configurations or, as freestanding units
located in the conditioned space. They may even be located outside
the space being conditioned in the form of much larger capacity units
that can be used to provide conditioned air to large spaces in
buildings. But, these are normally classified as constant volume all air
systems which are dealt with later.

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Fig 6.1

The smaller individual room units have been used extensively all
around the world mainly in residential and hotel applications although,
their use in the UK is limited probably because of their inherent noise
problems.

Each unit contains refrigeration equipment comprising a direct

expansion evaporative coil, an air-cooled condenser, a compressor
and fans. The condenser is placed in the outside air rejecting heat to
atmosphere whilst heat is absorbed from the conditioned space by re-
circulated air from the room being blown across the evaporator coil.

Larger freestanding units, normally located on an outside wall can be

used to air condition small retail units.

6.2.2 Split systems

With this type of system, the condensing unit together with the
compressor is located remotely from the conditioned space. The room
unit contains the evaporator coil and the re-circulation fan. Some units
are configured with the compressor also in the room but with both
arrangements the major advantage over room conditioners is that the
noisy air-cooled condenser fan is located outside of the occupied
space.

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Fig 6.2

The major disadvantage associated with this system is that the room
unit and the condensing unit need to be inter-connected by a
refrigerant circuit, which effectively limits the distance that the external
unit can be sited away from the room unit. This normally is 16 - 17m
horizontally and 10m vertically.

An alternative to split systems that incorporate air-cooled condensers

are those that make use of water-cooled condensers. These units,
instead of having a “DX” condensing coil use a coil that is connected
by a cooling water circuit to a remote cooling tower. With this
arrangement there is no limitation on the length of the cooling water
circuit. This enables more than one space to be treated by the system
rather than having to rely on individual room units.

With both self-contained and split systems the unit only conditions air
which is drawn from the space being treated. There is, therefore, a
need for mechanical ventilation supply and extract in order to provide
fresh air to the occupied zone rather than having to rely on natural
ventilation or even infiltration.

6.2.3 Water loop air conditioning units

This specialist type of air conditioning system makes use of units that
are reversible heat pumps that can provide both heating and cooling to
individual rooms simultaneously, and are mainly applied to buildings
having a large number of relatively small cellular spaces such as
hotels and small office buildings.

Each unit is connected to a 2-pipe system that operates at a constant

flow temperature of 27oC. The return temperature varies depending

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upon the mode of operation of the system. When operating as air

conditioning units, heat is rejected from the condenser by taking water
from the 27 oC flow circuit and returning it to the return water circuit at
38 oC.

A reversing valve in each unit alters the direction of the refrigerant flow
effectively tuning the air conditioning unit into a heat pump. Heat is
supplied by the 27oC flow circuit to the coil across which room re-
circulating air is blown, thereby reducing the water temperature to 19
oC before being given up to the return water circuit.

If the water circuit contains excess heat, the surplus is rejected at the
cooling tower. Conversely, the boiler can make up any deficit in heat.
Plate heat exchangers are incorporated into the circuit to ensure that
the water circuit feeding the units remains “clean”, free from any dirt or
scaling associated with the cooling tower or boiler circuits.

6.3 All air systems

For spaces in buildings where there is a requirement for large
volumetric flow rates of air to be provided e.g. in auditoria, cinemas,
banqueting suites and offices, all air systems are used.

These systems treat air at a central plant and then circulate it

throughout the building in a ducted system. For the majority of the
time, an air conditioning system operates at partial load conditions
and, fundamentally, the variations in load can be dealt with in one of
two ways.

Constant air volume (CAV) systems supply a fixed air flow rate to
conditioned spaces and as the loads within the occupied zones vary
the condition of the supply air state is altered to offset them.

Alternatively, variable air volume (VAV) systems supply air at fixed

condition to conditioned spaces and deal with load variations by
altering the supply air quantity.

The following all air systems will be dealt with here:

Constant volume, single ducted systems;

Dual duct systems;

Multi-zone systems;

Variable air volume systems.

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6.3.1 Constant volume, single ducted systems

Fig 6.3

This type of low velocity system comprises a large central plant

system that is ideally suited to providing air conditioning to a single
large space such as a theatre. They can operate on full fresh air or
with re-circulating and fresh air mixing.

A constant volume flow rate is supplied and changing loads are dealt
with by varying the state of the supply air. Close control over room
temperature can be maintained by re-heat but this is wasteful since full
cooling is being undertaken at the central plant, so chillers and boilers
are operating simultaneously.

In order to reduce wasteful re-heat, in comfort conditioning systems,

where control over room temperature only is provided, the system can
be arranged so that the cooler coil and heater battery operate in
sequence, the heater battery only being used when the cooler coil is
off. This will lead to changes in room humidity levels within the
occupied space. This is acceptable because, as was pointed out in
unit 2, humans are insensitive to changes in humidity unless extreme
conditions occur.

In summer, mixed re-circulated and fresh air is cooled and

dehumidified, re-heated and supplied to the conditioned space. In
winter, mixed re-circulated and fresh air is heated and supplied to the
conditioned space.

This system does offer the advantage of being able to also maintain a
number of spaces, each with varying loads, at their required room
state by the use of one air handling plant. This is made possible by
providing local re-heater batteries close to the conditioned rooms.

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6.3.2 Dual duct systems

Fig 6.4

At the central plant, mixed fresh and re-circulated air is split and flows
at high velocity across a heater battery down a “hot” duct or across a
cooler coil down the “cold” duct.

Each zone being conditioned is fed through a mixing box connected to

each duct. The mixing ratio is thermostatically controlled so that the
varying loads occurring in each zone can be offset by varying the
supply air state. A constant volume flow to each zone is ensured by
the provision of a regulator in each mixing box.

In winter, if the outside air temperature is low enough, then the

necessary cooling at the central plant can be achieved by switching off
the cooling coil and by taking advantage of free cooling. Similarly, in
summer, the heater battery can be switched off.

The supply side of the system is a high velocity system thereby

reducing the problem of having to accommodate two separate “hot”
and “cold” supply ducts. The extract and re-circulating side of the
system operates at low velocity.

Mixing boxes can be mounted at the perimeter wall below windows

but, are more commonly associated with ceiling distribution systems
and, therefore, are positioned in the suspended ceiling zone. There is
a need to accommodate the mixing box and to allow for an adequate
vertical distance between the box and the room air outlet position in
order to ensure a smooth airflow. This means that the suspended
ceiling zone needs to be as deep as possible.

Another function of the mixing box is to reduce the static pressure from
the high velocity supply duct so that the mixed air can be delivered to

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the space at low velocity rates.

These systems are not as widely used as they used to be mainly

because of their high capital and running costs associated with the
need to provide a considerable amount of ductwork and fan power.
Accommodating equipment and ductwork can also be problematic.
Care has to be taken in order to ensure that noise breakout from the
high velocity side of the system does not occur within the conditioned
zones.

Nevertheless, dual duct systems do provide the possibility for either

full cooling or full heating to be made available with variable amounts
of fresh air being provided to each zone.

Fig 6.5

In summer, outside air Os mixes with re-circulated air R and at

condition Ms. It passes through the supply fan incurring a gain that
raises the temperature to Ms. Usually, the heater battery is switched off
in the summer and M’ is the state of the air flowing down the “hot”
duct.

Air flowing across the cooling coil in the “cold” duct is cooled and
dehumidified to state C. Gains occurring in the cold duct raises the
temperature to C’.

At each mixing box, air from the “hot” duct at M’ is mixed proportionally
with air from the “cold” duct at C’ to offset the gains and the supply air
state can be obtained by using the room ratio line associated with
each zone.

In winter, outside air Ow is mixed with re-circulated air at Rw and, the

resulting state at Mw which rises to C on passing through the supply
fan. The cooler battery being switched off, the air supplied in the “cold”
duct is then at this state C.

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Fig 6.6

Air passing down the “hot” duct and over the heater battery is supplied
at state Hw. Mixing then takes place locally and the Supply State
determined once again by the use of the room ratio lines associated
with the loads occurring within each zone.

6.3.3 Multi-zone units

At the central plant, a multi-zone unit containing a “hot” and “cold”

deck allows mixed fresh and re-circulated air to pass over the coils.
The dampers on each deck supply individual zones with varying
proportions of “hot” and “cold” air in order to offset the changing loads
in each zone. This low velocity system is only suited to situation that
allow the central plant to be located close to each of the conditioned
spaces.

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Fig 6.7

The summer and winter operating cycles can be represented on the

psychrometric chart in a similar fashion to that of dual duct systems.
The main difference is that mixing takes place at the central plant with
a multi-zone unit rather than at the conditioned zone in the case of
dual duct systems.

6.3.4 Variable air volume systems

These systems have become increasingly popular mainly because of

their need for small central plant and the potential for savings in
energy consumption compared with constant air volume systems.

Fig 6.8
The principle of supplying air to the occupied zone at constant

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condition normally around 12oC db, and offsetting changing loads by

varying the supply air quantity means that flow rates are reduced. This
has the effect of reducing fan power and there is also no need for
wasteful re-heat.

It is at the air terminals that control over the supply air quantity takes
place. Turndown is achieved by the use of either fixed geometry or
variable geometry terminals. The basic VAV system requires only a
cooling coil, fan and mixing dampers in order to provide cooling to
internal zones within a building, which may be suffering sensible heat
gains continually throughout the year.

Perimeter zones on the other hand need to offset fabric losses in

winter. Since there is no inherent means of providing heating to these
perimeter zones, two practical methods of dealing with problem are
used. In one, a low-pressure radiator or finned tube heating system is
provided at the perimeter. The other involves the inclusion of re-
heaters at the terminal units provided in the perimeter zones. The re-
heaters and VAV terminals operate in sequence and are, therefore,
more efficient than the former method. There is one drawback to this
approach though. Since, the VAV terminal equipment is normally
located in the suspended ceiling void the air being distributed into the
space at high level means that the heating provided is not, ideally, at
low level below windows to offset the cold downdraughts.

All the occupied zones must be provided with the minimum amount of
fresh air even when the VAV terminal units are operating at maximum
turn down which, can be as low as 30%.

Fig 6.9

In this situation, the proportional mixing of fresh air and re-circulated

air is normally varied at the central plant. This together with the free
cooling that can be achieved in winter by increasing the proportion of
fresh air means that the system does operate by handling large

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quantities of fresh air for much of the year.

The psychrometric processes associated with VAV systems are

similar to those of dual duct systems the difference being that the
supply air state remains constant and varying loads can lead to
varying room humidity, as the supply air quantity varies. This is shown
below.

Summer and winter operating cycles

The summer and winter cycles associated with a VAV system serving
a number of zones that are provided with re-heaters at the terminal
units. In summer the heater battery at the central plant is switched off,
and in winter the cooler coil is also switched off.

Fig 6.10

6.4 Air-water systems

Water being approximately 100 times denser than air and having a
specific heat four times greater means, that water is 400 times more
effective than air in conveying heat and cooling. In situations where

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large air supply quantities are not required, air-water systems may
effectively be used. The following systems will be dealt with here:

Fan coil unit systems

Induction unit systems

Chilled beam

Displacement ventilation systems

Both fan coil unit systems and induction unit systems were developed
for use mainly as perimeter systems in office buildings. Fan coil unit
systems are becoming increasingly popular for a number of building
applications. Perimeter induction unit systems on the other hand are
no longer favoured having been replaced in the UK by other systems
such as VAV systems.

With air-water systems heating and cooling, water flow and return
circuits are piped around the building from a central boiler and water
chilling plant. Each individual terminal unit being connected to the
water circuits.

6.4.1 Fan coil unit systems

These are effectively small individual air handling units, which are
located in the conditioned room. They are normally positioned at the
perimeter wall below windows although, they can also be positioned in
the suspended ceiling void.

The simplest form of fan coil unit takes in room air and cools it by
passing it over a chilled water cooler coil before supplying it back into
the occupied space. There is no provision for treated fresh air and in
this regard, reliance is placed upon natural ventilation or even
infiltration. This is generally considered to be unacceptable in the UK.

Alternatively, fresh air can be introduced into the back of the unit
through the outside wall. There are problems with this method. They
are associated with noise and the ingress of dirt.

The method usually adopted in the UK is to supply fan coil unit

systems with primary air that has been conditioned at a central plant
and which is circulated around the building in a low velocity ducted
system. Primary air is introduced to the occupied space and mixes
with room air. The individual room units then further condition this
mixture. This means that the primary air and exhaust air systems do

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not need to handle the total air volume as in the case of all-air systems
since, re-circulation effectively takes place within the room. These
systems also offer the capability of ensuring that variable room
conditions can be maintained simultaneously in each zone.

If dehumidification is provided by means of including a cooler coil in

the central plant then, the fan coil units are enabled to undertake
sensible cooling only. This means that they can operate “dry” without
the need for condensate lines.

The performance of the unit depends upon airflow rate through the
unit, the entering air temperature, coil capacity and chilled water
temperature and flow rate. Capacities between 0.5 and 5kW are
normally available.

Fig 6.11

Fan coil units have a sheet metal casing that house one or two coils
and fans, inlet and supply grilles and, in some units filters are
provided.

The fans can be multi-speed providing high, medium and low

capacities thereby enabling a “boost” and “turn down” facility to be
used.

In countries where there is a need to provide cooling only throughout

the year, fan coil units which have a single coil connected to a chilled
water circuit only are commonly used.

In countries where there are distinct seasonal conditions occurring,

single coil units can also be used together with a two-pipe
arrangement. The operation can be changed from one of cooling to
one of heating mode by connecting the coil to a chilled water circuit

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and then to a heating circuit using the same pipework. This is known
as a changeover system.

Because of the more temperate climate that exists in the UK, it is

difficult to establish when changeover should take place. Also, it is a
feature of the UK climate that because of building orientations effects,
spaces can require heating during one part of the day whilst later may
require cooling. This is particularly the case in winter, when low
outside air temperatures can be associated with high solar gain when
the sun shines on the facade of the building.

A better solution and, one that is adopted in the UK, is to provide both
a cooling and heating coil in each fan coil unit together with two flow
sets of flow and return pipes. One a chilled water circuit and the other
a heating system - this is known as a 4-pipe system.

6.4.2 Induction unit systems

Fig 6.12

With these systems, primary air that has been centrally conditioned is
ducted to each unit by a high velocity system and discharges through
a set of nozzles in the unit. This induces secondary room air to enter
the unit and after flowing over the secondary coil in the unit mixes with
the primary air prior to being supplied into the room. Thus re-
circulation takes place in the unit and not at the central plant as in the
case of fan coil unit systems. An extract system also needs to be
provided.

A variety of induction unit systems are available and these include 2

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pipe changeover and non-changeover systems and 4 pipe systems.

In summer, outdoor air Os is cooled to W and then supplied as primary

air to the occupied space. A fan and duct gain raises the temperature
to P prior to being discharged into the space. Air at room state R is re-
circulated through the unit and is cooled by the secondary coil to R’.
The line P-R’ represents the mixing of primary air and room air. The
room ratio line can establish the supply air state S.

Fig 6.13

In winter, outside air is pre-heated, humidified by either a steam or

water injection humidifier and then re-heated at the central plant, whilst
re-circulated air from the room is cooled at the secondary coil from R-
R’. The line R’-P represents the mixing line and the supply state S
once again is associated with the room ratio line.

Fig 6.14

6.4.3 Chilled beam and displacement ventilation systems

This system developed in Scandinavia, which is beginning to be

adopted in the UK, is used to provide cooling whilst reducing
significantly the energy consumption associated with air conditioning
systems.

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The chilled beams comprise of a metal enclosure that contains pipe

coils or finned tubes that carry chilled water and/or LTHW circuits.
They are positioned at ceiling level normal to the window wall and they
can be used in conjunction with room partitions.

A ducted air supply may also be incorporated into the beams but there
are a number of examples in the UK where chilled beam systems
have been combined with displacement ventilation systems. These
supply air at around 19oC at low velocity through low level terminals or
floor swirl diffusers. Some systems make use of a floor void to
circulate air to the occupied space thus reducing the amount of
ductwork required.

Displacement ventilation systems create a natural airflow pattern from

low level within the space where cool incoming air mixes with the room
air and is then heated by the room occupants and equipment. The
warm air rises to high level and is extracted at typically at 26oC to
28oC. An air change rate of 3 air changes per hour is normally
provided by these systems.

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Tutorial questions

6.1 A central plant air conditioning system comprising a pre-heater,

cooling coil, steam humidifier, re-heater and fan section
supplies 100% treated fresh air to a space that is maintained at
21oCdb, 50% saturation throughout the year.

The summer and winter outdoor design conditions are 28oCdb,

19.5oCwb and -4oC saturated respectively. A sensible heat gain
of 18.7kW and a latent heat gain of 8kW occur in summer and
in winter the space experiences a sensible heat loss of 12kW
and a latent heat gain of 8kW.

If the supply air temperature in summer is 8oCdb below the

room condition, the apparatus dew point temperature is 7oC
and in winter the temperature of the air leaving the pre-heater
and re-heater is 15oC and 29oC respectively, determine the
following:

i) the contact factor of the cooling coil commenting upon its

practicality
ii) the cooling load
iii) the summer re-heater load commenting upon the need
for re-heat
iv) the winter loads on the pre and re-heaters and hence,
the total heating load
v) the rate of moisture addition taking place at the
humidifier

Comment on the effects on summer and winter cycles if re-

circulation was adopted as part of the air condition system
strategy.

Clearly state any assumption that need to be made and, as part

of your answer, complete the summer and winter cycles on a
psychrometric chart.

(Ans. 0.91, 66.8kW, 9.38kW, 44.6kW, 32.8kW, 77.4kW, 6.9gs-1)

6.2 A central plant comprising a fresh air inlet, a re-circulation air

mixing chamber, cooling coil and fan supplies air to two zones
within a building each of which has a zonal re-heater battery.

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The two zones are held at 21oCdb 50% saturation when the
outdoor air state is 28oCdb, 19.5oCwb in summer and -2oC
saturated in winter. fresh air, 30% by mass, is continuously
provided to each zone.

If the contact factor of the cooler coil is 0.85 and the off-coil
state is 10oCdb, determine

i) the summer supply state to each zone

ii) the summer cooling load
ii) the loads on the zonal re-heaters in summer
iii) the winter states
iv) the total winter heating load

if the zones experience the following loads

Zone 1 Zone 2
Summer:
Sensible heat gain 25kW 20kW
latent heat gain 10kW 5kW
Winter:
Sensible heat loss 15kW 10kW
latent heat gain 5kW 5kW

(Ans. 15oCdb 0.0068kg/kg, 10oCdb 0.0068kg/kg, 98.26kW, 0

and 20.4kW, 32oCdb 0.0064kg/kg, 28oCdb 0.0064kg/kg,
98.85kW)

6.3 A central plant multi-zone unit provides air conditioning to two

spaces within a building that are both maintained at 21oCdb
50% saturation continuously.

In summer, re-circulated air, 70% by mass, mixes with fresh air

and passes proportionally across the “cold” and “hot” decks, the
“hot” deck having been switched off. Similarly, in winter the
mixed air stream passes across both the decks with the “cold”
deck being switched off.

The “cold” deck contact factor is 0.83 and the leaving air
temperature is 10ocdb in summer and in winter the maximum
leaving air temperature at the “hot” deck is 30oCdb.

If the outdoor design states are 28oCdb 22oCwb in summer and

–4oC saturated in winter, determine the following:

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i) the apparatus dew point temperature

ii) the summer supply condition to each space
iii) the total cooling load on the “cold” deck in summer
iv) the total heating load on the “hot” deck in winter

The following loads are associated with each space.

Space1 Space2
Summer: SHG = 40kW SHG = 30kW
SHG = 5kW LHG = 7.5kW
Winter: SHL=7.5kW SHG = 7.5kW
LLHG = 5kW LHG = 7.5kW

Take the specific heat of humid air as 1.02 kJ/kgK.

6.4 A large single sports hall is conditioned by a constant volume

system, which consists of a pre-heater, steam humidifier,
cooling coil, re-heater and fan. In order to save energy, fresh
air, 30% by mass, is mixed with return room air in both heating
and cooling seasons. The contact factor and apparatus dew
point of the cooling coil are 0.8 and 11.0°C respectively.

Design data
Outdoor Indoor Room
Summer: 30°Cdb; 24°Cdb; SHG = 80kW
22°Cwb 50% saturation SHG = 20kW
Winter: 1°Cdb; 20°Cdb; SHL=32kW
saturated 50% saturation LLHG = 18kW

i Determine the supply air state and calculate the cooling

load in summer.

ii Determine the supply air state and calculate the heating

load in winter.

iii Calculate the amount of moist vapour needed to

humidify the hot supply air in winter heating mode.

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Outline solutions

Q6.1

According to the information given, the system would be like this:

+ - +

We have to make the first assumption: It is a CAV system, which

means the airflow rate calculated will be used for winter, as the same
fan is on operation.

Summer operation

1 Plot the states for outdoor and room air (Os, R) and ADP on
the psychrometric chart
2 Draw a line ADP-Os
3 As the supply temperature is 8C lowere, hence t ss = 13Cdb
4 Calculate RRL and draw it from R to meet t ss = 13Cdb . Obtain
the state of supply air: g ss = 5.7 gss=5.7g/kgair
5 Draw a horizontal line representing sensible reheat from
t ss = 13Cdb to meet ADP-Os line at WS, which is after coil
state, t ws = 9 Cdb

6 Calculate contact factor:

tos − t ws 28 − 9
CF = = = 0.91
tos − t ADP 28 − 7

7 Determine airflow rate during the summer operation

SHG 18.7
m= = = 2.29kg / s
c(t r − t s ) 1.02 × 8

According the schematic diagram, the air at the fan is at

supply 13Cdb. From psychrometric chart, its specific volume is
Vos = 0.82 m3/kg

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Hence volumetric flow rate:

Vs = Vos × m = 0.82 × 2.29 = 1.88m 3 / s

This volumetric rate will be maintained in winter too, as this

is assumed to be CAV

8 Find enthalpy change from OS to WS, this is due to cooling

coil.

Qcooling = m(hos − hws ) = 2.29 × (55.5 − 26) = 67.6kW

(there are some inevitable errors due to drawing lines.

Hence 66.8 kW and 67.6 kW all acceptable)

9 Find enthalpy change from WS to SS, this is due to reheating

coil.
Qreh = m(hss − hws ) = 2.29 × (30 − 26) = 9.2kW

Winter operation

10 The fan is running at the same speed hence produces the

same volumetric flow rate. But the state is different,

Vow = 0.86m 3 / kg

we need to convert this volumetric flow rate into mass flow

rate.

m = Vs / Vow × m = 1.87 / 0.86 = 2.17 kg / s

11 Calculate RRL, and draw the line from R to meet t sw = 29 Cdb

at SW.

12 Drew a horizontal line representing reheating from SW to

T15Cdb

13 Plot outdoor air state OW and draw a horizontal line

representing sensible preheating to T=15Cdb.

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14 At the T=15Cdb is where 15C vapour is added, assuming

spraying tap water, an easiest measure to humidify supply
air.

15 Find vapour content difference

G = m( g 2 − g1 ) = 2.17 × (5.7 − 2.8) = 6.3g / s

16 Find enthalpy change from OW to preheat, this is due to

reheating coil.

Q preh = m(h1 − how ) = 2.17 × (22 − 3.7) = 39.7 kW

17 Find enthalpy change from WS to SS, this is due to reheating

coil.
Qreh = m(hss − hws ) = 2.17 × (44 − 29.5) = 31.5kW

18 Total is the sum of these two, as the spray is latent

Q = 39.7 + 31.5 = 71.2kW

Comment 1:

There are some discrepancies between the results here and those at

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 Ventilation and air conditioning [D11VE]

the end of the questions. This was because of using psychrometric

chart to find figures. A tiny tilt of the lines leads to a slight different
result. But in engineering, a small degree of uncertainty is always
inevitable and acceptable.

Comment 2:

It is assumed as CAV, in which the fan runs constant speed. If you

calculate the heat supply to the room in winter mode, you will find
that supplying 2.17kg/s air at 29 Cdb provides more heat needed for
12kW losses from the space.

The cure is that in Summer the room temperature does not need to
be 21, but 24Cdb. A fan slower is in place. Hence in winter mode, the
supply will be just right.

Or alternatively, supply the air at a lower temperature. Instead of

29Cdb, but 27 or so. Surely the reheating line rises a little. Therefore
a little more moisture is needed.

Q6.3

SUMMER CYCLE

Plot 'O' & 'M' and draw 'OR'

m R t R + mo t o = mm t m tm = (0.7X21)+(0.3x28)=23.1°Cdb
then plot 'M'

plot off-coil start point 'W’ (10.0°Cdb, 92% saturation),

draw 'MA' through 'W' to 100% saturation curve at ADP:

tm − tw
CF = = 0.83 ; ADP = 7.3°Cdb &
tm − t A

Unit 6 - 24 Heriot-Watt University

6: Air Conditioning Systems

Plot tSR1 & tSR2 after determining RRL's (taking into

account that 2K fan & duct gain):

40 30
RRLR1 = = 0.89 ; RRLR 2 = = 0 .8
40 + 5 30 + 7.5

tSR1 = 13°Cdb, 80%

tSR2 = 10°Cdb, 90%

Mass flow rates can be found from: SHG = m×c×( tr - ts)

SHG 40
m= ; for room1 m1 = = 4.9 kg/s
c(t r + t s ) 1.02 × (21 − 13)
30
for room2 m2 = = 2.67 kg/s
1.02 × (21 − 10)

the diagram shows that all air going to zone 2 is completely

from cool duct.

But for zone 1, there is a mixing by both cold and hot ducts
Since: ms t s = mht h + mc t c ; ms = mh + mc

mst s − ms tc 4.9 × 13 − 4.9 × 10

mh = = = 1.12 kg/s;
t h − tc 23.1 − 10
mc = ms − mh = 4.9 − 1.12 = 3.78 kg/s

Therefore the total flow rate at the AHU=3.78+2.67=6.45kg/s

The summer sensible cooling load =

mC p (tm − tw ) = 6.45 × 1.02 × (23.1 − 10) = 86.2 kW

The summer total cooling load =

m(hm − hw ) = 6.45 × (47. − 27) = 129 kW

WINTER CYCLE

Plot state point 'O' on the chart, draw line 'OR' from
m R t R + mo t o = mm t m tm =0.7x21 + 0.3x(-3)=13.5C
plot 'M' on line OR

Determine RRL for both rooms

7.5 7.5
RRLR1 = = 0.6 RRLR 2 = = 0.5
7.5 + 5 7.5 + 7.5

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 Ventilation and air conditioning [D11VE]

From chart
tSMR1 = 27°Cdb, 0.0062kg/kg d.a.
tSMR2 = 24.5°Cdb, 0.0062kg/kg d.a.

for zone 1:
7 .5
ms1 = = 1.25 kg/s & tc=tm=13.5C
1.02 × (27 − 21)

ms1t s1 + ms tc 1.25 × 27 + 1.25 × 13.5

mh = = = 3.1 kg/s
t h − tc 30 − 13.5

for zone 2:
7 .5
ms 2 = = 2.1 kg/s & tc=tm=13.5C
1.02 × (24.5 − 21)

m2 s t2 s + m2 stc 2.1 × 24.5 + 2.1 × 13.5

mh = = = 4.8 kg/s
th − tc 30 − 13.5

Total mass over the hot deck: 3.1+4.8=7.9kg/s

load on heaters= mC p (t s − tr ) = 7.9 × 1.02 × (30 − 13.5) = 133 KW

Unit 6 - 26 Heriot-Watt University

6: Air Conditioning Systems

6.5

Outline solution

Summer:
m R t R + mo t o = mm t m tm =(0.7X24)+(0.3x30)=25.8°C
ADP = 11.0°C
Contact factor = 0.8.
Calculate off coil temperature: tw =14.0°C

Using the RRL, get ts =16.5°C

SHG 80
m= = = 10.46kg / s
c(t r + t s ) 1.02 × (24 − 16.5)

Winter:
SHL = mc(t s − t r ) = 10.46 × 1.02 × (t s − 20); t s = 22.9 °C
There is a need for adding moist.
∆g = g r − g g = 0.0068 − 0.006 = 0.0008 kg/kg.d.a.
Total moist=0.0008*10.46=8.4g/s water vapour is to spray into
the air.

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 Ventilation and air conditioning [D11VE]

Unit 6 - 28 Heriot-Watt University