TAQATI NOTES FOR

UNIT 4: HEATING, VENITLATION AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS

(HVAC)
Topics

 Identify energy saving opportunities in heating systems

 Calculate energy consumption of ventilation equipment given operating characteristics
 Identify energy saving opportunities in cooling systems
 Explain the purpose of an economizer and how it can save energy
 Determine the efficiency of various HVAC equipment
 Identify ways to improve the operating efficiency of cooling tower
 Calculate cooling efficiency based on heat and energy transfer among components of the
vapor
 compression cycle
 Determine the efficiency of a basic absorption cycle
 Demonstrate an understanding of the application of the 3 affinity laws as applied to motors
and drives
 Demonstrate the use of the psychrometric chart in determining thermodynamic properties of
air with
 Humidity
 Demonstrate the use of Heating Degree Days and Cooling Degree Days is estimating annual
energy
 consumption associate with space heating and cooling equipment
 Calculate heat transfer potential from waste heat recovery opportunity
 Identify alternative primary components in different ventilation systems
 Calculate thermal energy flow given specific parameters
 Calculate HVAC energy consumption given operating parameters
 Explain Demand Control Ventilation and how it can save energy
 Calculate energy savings for ventilation heat recovery given operating parameters
WHAT IS HVAC? FUNCTIONS OF HVAC

SIMPLE HVAC SYSTEMS

REFRIGERANT PROPERTIES

For different refrigerants, there are different values for condenser pressure, condenser temperature,
and evaporator pressure and evaporator temperature.

SOME INFORMATION ABOUT REFRIGERANTS

VAPOR COMPRESSION
CYCLE
Working of VPC
STEP 1: COMPRESSION
The refrigerant (for example R-717) enters the
compressor at low temperature and low pressure. It is
in a gaseous state. Here, compression takes place to
raise the temperature and refrigerant pressure. The
refrigerant leaves the compressor and enters to the
condenser. Since this process requires work, an
electric motor may be used. Compressors themselves
can be scroll, screw, centrifugal or reciprocating types.
STEP 3: THROTTLING AND EXPANSION
When the refrigerant enters the throttling valve, it
expands and releases pressure. Consequently, the
temperature drops at this stage. Because of these
changes, the refrigerant leaves the throttle valve as a
liquid vapor mixture, typically in proportions of
around 75 % and 25 % respectively.
Throttling valves play two crucial roles in the vapor
compression cycle. First, they maintain a pressure
differential between low- and high-pressure sides.
Second, they control the amount of liquid refrigerant
entering the evaporator.
STEP 2: CONDENSATION
The condenser is essentially a heat exchanger. Heat is
transferred from the refrigerant to a flow of
water. This water goes to a cooling tower for cooling
in the case of water-cooled condensation. Note that
seawater and air-cooling methods may also play this
role. As the refrigerant flows through the condenser, it
is in a constant pressure.
STEP 4: EVAPORATION
At this stage of the Vapor Compression Refrigeration
Cycle, the refrigerant is at a lower temperature than its
surroundings. Therefore, it evaporates and absorbs
latent heat of vaporization. Heat extraction from the
refrigerant happens at low pressure and temperature.
Compressor suction effect helps maintain the low
pressure.
There are different evaporator versions in the market,
but the major classifications are liquid cooling and air
cooling, depending whether they cool liquid or air
respectively.
CHILLER

Chillers are large energy

consumers

Combine evaporator,
condenser and
compressor into a single
unit

Usually electric motor

driven ( gas-engine
drive, dual-drive)

Working of a Chiller Performance values (peak efficiency)

COOLING TOWER

Cooling towers work by evaporating water into the atmosphere.

2300+ kJ of heat go into the atmosphere for each kilogram of water evaporated.

Location of Cooling Tower in a Chiller

HEATING

FANS

Fan efficiency guidelines

Temperature Control Strategies Relative Humidity Control For Comfort

HUMIDITY CONTROL
AIR DELIVERY (SECONDARY SYSTEMS)

VAV HVAC SYSTEMS

POWER AND ENERGY IN AIR CONDITIONING

PERFORMANCE MEASURES - EER and COP

HEATING SEASONAL PERFORMANCE FACTOR

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
ABSORPTION CHILLERS

GAS ENGINE DRIVEN CHILLERS

SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
CEM REVIEW PROBLEMS
Q1. A 250 ton chiller has COP of 4.2. If the chiller is running at full capacity, what is the load (in kW)
of the chiller?
a. Cannot be determined
b. 841 kW
c. 1050 kW
d. 209 kW

Answer = D. The Coefficient of Performance is the Powermoved/Powerinput. With a 250 ton chiller,
this machine is capable of moving 250 tons of cooling, therefore the Powerinput would be:
4.2=Pm/Pi
4.2=250 tons/Pi
Pi = 59.52 tons
But “tons” must be converted into kW to answer the question. A “ton” is a rate of energy
flow equal to 12,000 BTUs per hour and we also know that 1 kW = 3412 BTUs/hour. Thus the amount
of kW can be found by:
=(59.52 tons)(12,000 BTU/hr*ton)(kW/3412BTU/hr)
=209 kW

Q2. The refrigerant in a vapour compression air conditioner is always in the vapour state.
(A) True (B) False

Answer: (B) False

Q3. An absorption chiller system with a COP of 0.8 is powered by hot water that enters at 90°C and
leaves at 80° C at a rate of 2 L/s. The chilled water operates on a 5°C temperature difference and the
condenser water on a 10°C temperature difference. Calculate the water flow.
(A) 0.8 L/s
(B) 1.6 L/s
(C) 3.2 L/s
(D) 3.6 L/s
(E) 2.4 L/s

Answer: (C)
q = LPS x 4.2 x DT
q in = (2)(4.2)(90-80) = 84 kW
q out = COP x q in = 0.8 x q in = 67.2 kW
67.2 = (LPS)(4.2)(5)
LPS out = 3.2 LPS
Q4. 5000 L/s of air leaves an air handler at 10°C. It is delivered to a room at 18°C. How many kW of air
conditioning capacity was lost in the ductwork? (A) 48 kW (B) 20 kW (C) 36 kW (D) 60 kW (E) 3 kW

Answer: (A)
q = LPS x 1.2 x DT
= 5000 x 1.2 x 10 = 48,000 W = 48 kW

Q5. Given the parameters below, estimate the percent outside air in this simple single zone heating
system. Outside Air Temperature = 5 °C Return Air Temperature = 22 °C Mixed Air Temperature= 18.3
°C (A) 27.2 % (B) 21.8 % (C) 36.5 % (D) 5.0% (E) 86.5 %

Answer: (B)
% = (RAT – MAT)/(RAT – OAT)
= (22 – 18.3)/(22 – 5) = 21.8%