Buildings Engineering Systems

Ahmed Hassan
 Introduction to HVAC system

• All air system, higher energy conservation, (better air control, free heat transfer media, easy to handle, low heat capacity,
inefficient heat transfer, requires more space, not easy to retrofit)
• All water system (higher heat capacity, higher transfer rates, requires less volume, easy to retrofit, water is not free, needs
higher pumping power, not easy to handle due to water leakage.
• Air-Water system-Combines ups ad downs of both, applied in very large buildings, especially sky scrappers
 All Air HVAC system

Advantages
1-Air is easy to handle
2- Air is free to use
3-Less power required to flow air compared to water system
4-Good control on temperature and humidity
Disadvantages
1-Air has lower thermal conductivity and lower heat capacity which decreases heat transfer rate
2-Air needs larger volume
3-Not easy to retrofit due to larger space requireents
Applications
In smaller and medium buildings
Classifications
1-Single duct system
2-Multiple duct system
Single duct system are further divided into
1-Constant volume single zone system
2-Constant volume variable zone system
3-Variable air volume system
1-Single duct constant volume single zone system
 2-Single duct constant volume multi-zone system
space is conditioned by temperature and humidity of air

• Advantages
• Relatively small space requirement
• Excellent temperature and humidity control
• Proper ventilation and air quality in each zone
• High energy consumption by first cooling and then heating
 Single duct variable volume multi-zone systems
space is conditioned by amount air flow rate

• Low cooling energy consumption due to absence of reheat coil

• Low fan power consumption due to controlled flow rate
• Less humidity control
• At lower cooling loads lower volume flow rate can cause air quality problem
 Dual Duct Constant Volume multi-zone Systems

Advantages
• 1. Since total airflow rate to each zone is constant, it is possible to maintain proper IAQ and room air distribution.
• 2. Cooling in some zones and heating in other zones can be achieved simultaneously
• 3. System is very responsive to variations in the zone load, thus it is possible to maintain required conditions
precisely.
• Disadvantages
• 1. Occupies more space as both cold air and hot air ducts have to be sized to handle all the air flow rate, if required.
• 2. Not very energy efficient due to the need for simultaneous cooling and heating of the air streams.
 Dual Duct Variable Volume Systems

• Draw it as an exercise in practical session

 All water System
• Advantages
• 1. The thermal distribution system requires very less space
• 2. Individual room control is possible, and at the same time the system offers all the benefits of a large central system.
• 3. Since the temperature of hot water required for space heating is small, it is possible to use solar or waste heat for
winter heating.
• 4. It can be used for new as well existing buildings (retrofitting).
• 5. Simultaneous cooling and heating is possible with 4-pipe systems
• Disadvantages
• 1. Requires higher maintenance compared to all air systems, particularly in the conditioned space.
• 2. Draining of condensate water can be messy and may also create health problems if water stagnates in the drain tray.
This problem can be eliminated, if dehumidification is provided by a central ventilation system, and the cooling coil is
used only for sensible cooling of room air.
• 3. If ventilation is provided by opening windows or wall apertures, then, it is difficult to ensure positive ventilation
under all circumstances, as this depends on wind and stack effects.
• 4. Control of humidity, particularly during summer is difficult using chilled water control valves.
• Applications
• Larger buildings
• Retrofit buildings
• Individual control buildings
Classifications

Two Pipe system

 Four Pipe All water System

• Draw and explain as work in practical session

 Hybrid Air-Water System

• Used in the largest buildings

• Combines features of low space requirements and higher heat transfer rates of water
• Exploits the possibility of using free heat transfer media i.e. air
 Advantages and Disadvantages

• Advantages
• 1. Individual zone control is possible.
• 2. It is possible to provide simultaneous cooling and heating
• 3. Space requirement is reduced compared all air systems.
• 4. Positive ventilation can be ensured under all conditions.
• 5. Cooling coil operates dry and its life thereby increases and have no problems related to odours or fungal
• 6. The conditioned space can sometimes be heated with the help of the heating coil and secondary air, thus avo
supply of primary air during winter.
• 7. Service of indoor units is relatively simpler compared to all water systems.
• Disadvantages
• 1. Operation and control are complicated due to the need for handling and controlling both primary air and seco
water.
• 2. In general these systems are limited to perimeter zones.
• 3. The secondary water coils in the conditioned space can become dirty if the quality of filters used in the room
not good.
• 4. Since a constant amount of primary air is supplied to conditioned space, and room control is only through the
of room cooling/heating coils, shutting down the supply of primary air to unoccupied spaces is not possible.
• 5. If there is abnormally high latent load on the building, then condensation may take place on the cooling coil o
secondary water.
• 6. Initial cost could be high compared to all air systems.