Air conditioning

Air conditioning provides COMFORT condition by

controlling :

• Temperature of air (cooling or heating)

• Humidity of air (dehumidifying or humidifying)
• Movement of air
• Noise level within the accommodation
• Cleanliness of air
To ensure
proper working order of all electrical/electronic equipments
and
for the comfort of the crew
Conditions affecting human comfort:
• Temperature – cool surrounding allows the rate of
heat transfer.
• Humidity – rate of heat transfer (thru evaporation) depends on
partial vapour pressure differential between the object & room temp.
air at low humidity condition can absorb moisture very readily, resulting effective cooling.
extreme low humidity dry air – causes
(1) rapid of drying of skin - itchness
(2) mucus membranes of the of the throat, nostril and lips to dry up - causing discomfort.
Bleeding of the membranes in the nose.

• Air movement – proper circulation and evenly distribution.

- accommodation environment pressure should be
higher than atmospheric pressure for tankers.
• Noise level
• Cleanliness of air – with suitable oxygen content
Basic Terminology (of air)
• Specific humidity (absolute) :
ratio of mass of water vapour to the mass of dry air in a given volume of
mixture.

• Relative Humidity:
mass of water vapour per m3 of air / mass of water vapour per m3 of
saturated air AT THE SAME TEMPERATURE.

• Dew point :
temperature at which condensation starts when air is cooled at constant
pressure.

• Dry bulb temperature :

Temperature of atmospheric air.

• Wet bulb temperature :

Temperature obtained with the thermometer bulb covered with cotton wick
in water.
Ideally for human body comfort :
• Dry bulb temperature * 22 – 27 degree celsius
• Relative humidity * 40 – 60 %
• Air motion * 15 m/min

• Noise level * 45 – 50 dbs

• Cleanliness * no dust particles, fumes & foul odour.
Pleasant sweet smell.
oxygen content sufficient to sustain
life.

* : preferably
Instrument
• Hygrometer aka psychrometer
• 2 thermometers used – dry bulb / wet bulb
• Correct psychrometric chart ( different
altitude and barometric pressure )
 Relative humidity %

Dry bulb temperature line

Wet bulb temperature line

Specific humidity
Relative humidity line

60%
50%
40%

increasing
Dry bulb temperature

Psychrometric Chart

See Page 33
Dry Bulb : 27 deg C
Wet bulb : 27 deg C
Wet bulb : 14 deg C
Wet bulb : 19 deg C

IDEALLY , temperature : 22 – 27 Deg C ; Relative humidity : 40 – 60 %

 ACCOMMODATION AIR CONDITIONING PLANT Fresh air
Recirculation
intake
air

Condenser

Expansion valve

Filter element
Cooling water in / out

Evaporator
Bulb

Steam heating
Steam supply coils

Humidifier
Refrigerant Fan
compressor

Port Starboard
: Refrigerant flow
side side
 sensor
ACCOMMODATION AIR CONDITIONING PLANT Fresh air Recirculation
intake air

Thermostat

Condenser / Receiver
Solenoid
Expansion valve
stop valve
Drier Filter element
Cooling water in / out
Sight glass
Evaporator
Bulb
Oil separator

Oil return to
compressor sump Steam heating
Steam supply coils
HP pressure switch

Oil pressure switch

Humidifier
Refrigerant Fan
compressor LP pressure switch

Port Starboard
: Refrigerant flow
side side
See Notes, Page 32
 Air Conditioning Plant

Recirculation from accommodation

Dampers

S
Fresh air from outside

M F C H Hu Fa Cabin

Door

M – Mixing of fresh air and return air Hu – Steam spray for humidification
F – Filter element Fa – Circulation fan
C – Cooling coil (evaporator coils after expansion valve) S – Sound trap / Silencer
H – Steam heating coils (for winter application)
Types of air filter :
• Oiled meat type
• Throw away type
• Washable nylon or plastic type (commonly
used nowadays)

• Purpose : To ensure air cleanliness before

reaching the AHU.
Refrigeration system for cargo
• Direct expansion grid system
• Direct expansion battery cooling system
• Brine grid cooling system
• Brine battery cooling system
Direct Expansion Grid System

Cargo hold

Grid

compressor

Condenser

See Page 45
Direct Expansion Battery Cooling

Cargo hold

evaporator

compressor

Condenser

fan

See Page 46
Brine cooling system – use of a secondary refrigerants

Advantages:
• Reduces the use of expensive primary refrigerant
• Reduces the use of more robust piping system for high
pressure
• Allows multilevel installations
• Allows a wide range of temperature controls
Brine – Mixture of calcium chloride and water
Specific gravity 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.265 1.27 1.28
15 deg C

Operating
temperature -21 -23 -26 -29 -32 -34
Deg C

Freezing
temperature C -30 -32 -35 -37 -41 -43
Deg C

Specific heat 0.685 0.678 0.671 0.667 0.661 0.658

Kcal / kg

page 24
and
page 49
Brine Grid Cooling
Brine
Grid
Cargo hold

compressor

Condenser

Brine
circulating
pump

expansion
valve See Page 47
Brine Battery Cooling
brine
evaporator
cargo hold

compressor

Condenser

brine
circulating
pump

expansion
valve See Page 48