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Air Conditioning

Note Book for Marine Engineer AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM: The air conditioning system on the ship has a refrigeration cycle, which is same as the refrigeration system. The compressors, condensers, expansion valves, filters, dryers etc. are exactly same as any other refrigeration unit. However, the evaporator system for the air conditioning system is called an air handling unit or !H" for short. !n !H" controls temperature, humidity, dampers sound, cleans the air, mixes fresh air in controlled amount and provides for the circulation of air through the accommodation. #e circulation air from accommodation

$resh !ir M $ & H Hu

$a

&a'in

(oor

M ) & ) H ) Hu )

Mixing of fresh air and return air. &ooling coil *evaporator coil after expansion. valve+ %team heating coil *for winter application+ %team spray for humidification *for winter application+

$ ) $ilter element $a ) &irculating fan or damper % ) %oundtrap to reduce noise level

Objective of a Ship board Air Conditioning !"ant: Main o',ectives are to maintain a suita'le indoor temperature and humidity at the expected outdoor conditions and internal air conditioning loads. !dditionally, we need to supply enough fresh air for the well 'eing of the crew -and passengers when applica'le.. Air conditioning provide# co$fort condition# b% contro""ing: a. Temperature of air -heating and cooling application., '. Humidity of air -humidifying or de humidifying., c. Noise and fumes and d. Movement of air through the accommodation. These parameters are controlled in !H", which is operated differently for cooling and heating applications. Air Conditioning !roce##: Most air conditioning processes are steady flow processes and these are illustrated on the psychrometric chart. !ir is commonly heated / humidified in winter and cooled / dehumidified in summer. Coo"ing in A&': $or cooling, as the air passes over the cooling coils in the !H", the temperature of air drops to the desired level. !t the same time some moisture is condensed and humidity is thus reduced. The air at this point, ,ust leaves the cooler is called saturated. This is not a comforta'le state, and if we perspiring the saturated air will not remove the moisture from skin to feel comforta'le. However, as the chilled saturated air leaves the cooler and goes through the various distri'utions ducting it picks up heat and its a'ility to accept more moisture increases. The condition of air at this point should 'e more accepta'le for human comfort. &eating in A&': $or heating, air passes over steam heating coils in !H"0 the temperature of air is raised to desired level. #elative humidity is reduced. !ir after heater is too dry. %o, some moisture is added at the humidifier to make it more comforta'le 'efore supply to the rooms. Coo"ing !roce## in Chart 1. Environment condition outside. 2. &ooling to saturation temperature. 3. &ooling and dehumidifying. 4. Heating to comfort 5one. Engineer M. A. Hamid 1 &eating !roce## in Chart 16 Environment condition outside. 26 Heating. 36 Heating and humidifying to comfort 5one. 7 (esign point.

Air Conditioning
Note Book for Marine Engineer 7. (esign point. 809 :09 709 409 30 9 #elative humidity %pecific humidity 2 3 4 )* +< 12& 1>& ,* 22& 27 & 3?& (ry 'ul' temperature &onstant entropy =ine ( 1

;et 'ul' temp. &ooling with dehumidification Heating without humidification Heating with humidification

!#%chro$etric Chart: The relation in air 'etween the temperatures -dry 'ul' and wet 'ul' temp., the a'solute humidity, the relative humidity, the saturation and other items explained in a chart. %uch chart is called a psychrometric chart. The vertical lines represent air temperature in o&. The hori5ontal lines represent a'solute humidity in kg of water@kg of dry air. The top most curves is 1??9 relative humidity curve or the saturation curve. The 'ottom line gives the condition of 'one dry air i.e. a'solute and relative humidity are 5ero at all temperatures. Co$fort -one: (ry 'ul' temp. A 22 B 27 & #elative humidity A 40 B 60 9 !ir motion A 15 m @ min. ;et 'ul' temp. &ooling with dehumidification Heating without humidification Heating with humidification 2 !SYC&ROMETRIC C&ART 3 4 )* +< ,* 22& 27 & 3?& (ry 'ul' temperature &onstant entropy =ine 7 1 &omfort Cone %pecific humidity

809 :09 709 409

#elative humidity 9 30 9

Co$fortab"e environ$ent for $o#t peop"e: Most people feel comfort when environment temperatureA 22 B 27 &. Most people feel comfort when relative humidity A 40 B 60 9. Most people feel comfort when air speed A 15 m @ min. Specific &.$idit% or Ab#o".te &.$idit%: The amount of the mass of water vapour contained in one kg -or unit mass. of air is called the moisture content or specific humidity or a'solute humidity. This refers to the amount of water vapour in dry air and it is a measure of the mass of water vapour present in a unit mass of dry air. This ratio is called either specific or a'solute humidity . ) mv @ ma -kg water vapour @ kg dry air. 2

Engineer M. A. Hamid

Air Conditioning
Note Book for Marine Engineer (ry air contains no water vapour, and thus its specific humidity is 5ero. !s water vapour or moisture is added to dry air, its specific humidity increases. However, if the temperature is kept constant, there will 'e a stage when no further water vapour can 'e added to the air. !t this point the air is said to 'e saturated. Re"ative &.$idit%: #elative humidity is the ratio of moisture content in air -m v. to the maximum amount of moisture in air -m g. at the same temperature in a comfort level. The amount of moisture in the air has a definite effect on how comforta'le we feel in an environment. However, the comfort level depends more on the amount of moisture the air holds -m v. relative to the maximum amount of moisture the air can hold at the same temperature -mg.. The ratio of these two Duantities is called the relative humidity . ) mv @mg ) EFvG @ -#vT.H @ EFgG @ -#vT.H ) Fv @ Fg, where Fg ) FsatIT. ;ith increase in temperature the a'ility of air to accept moisture increases. &onversely, with decrease of temperature the a'ility of air to accept moisture decreases. ;hen air is saturated relative humidity is 1??9.

E/p"ain 0ith rea#on# 0h% re"ative h.$idit% #ho."d not be too high or too "o01 The amount of humidity in the air affects the rate of evaporation of perspiration from the 'ody. Normal humidity 4? B :?9 gives rapid evaporation of perspiration making people to feel comfort. Too high h.$idit% prevents the evaporation of perspiration from the 'ody. %o, 'ody does not cool first and people feel uncomforta'le. Too "o0 h.$idit% causes rapid evaporation of perspiration. %o, people feel uncomforta'le. Jn extreme cases, it leads skin cracking. !s the air is dry it acts like 'lotting paper a'sor's all moisture of the room causing skin to dry and rough. Sat.rated Air: %aturated air is defined as air that holds the maximum possi'le weight of water vapour at a particular temperature. Jt is said to 'e of 1??9 relative moisture or 1??9 relative humidity. The most relia'le way to measure relative humidity in air contained space is to use a wet and dry 'ul' thermometer. Dr% Air: !ir with relative humidity of less than :?9 is called dry air. Moi#t Air: !ir with relative humidity at :?9 and over is called moist air. !ir in refrigerated cham'er is cold and moist. !ir in winter is cold and dry. !ir in desert is warm and dry. !ir in tropics is warm and moist.

De0 !oint Te$perat.re: This is defined as the temperature at which condensation 'egins if the air is cooled at constant pressure. (ew point temperature Tdp is the saturation temperature of water corresponding to the vapour pressure. Tdp ) T satIpv. Dr% 2."b Te$perat.re: This refers to the ordinary temperature of atmospheric air. 3et 2."b Te$perat.re: ;et 'ul' temperature refers to the temperature measured when the thermometer 'ul' is covered with a cotton wick saturated with water and air is 'lown over it. ;hen unsaturated air passes over the wet wick, some of the water in the wick evaporates. !s a result, temperature of the water drops, creating a temperature difference 'etween the air and water. !fter a while, the heat loss from the water 'y evaporation eDuals the heat gain from the air, and the water temperature sta'ili5es. The thermometer reading at this point is called the wet 'ul' temperature. De#cribe ho0 the te$perat.re# of re"ative h.$idit% of individ.a" roo$# are $ea#.red .#ing a hand he"d in#tr.$ent1 ! sling psychrometer is used to get the dry 'ul' temperature and wet 'ul' temperature. The instrument consists of two thermometers, a wet 'ul' and a dry 'ul'. The wick on the sling psychrometer must 'e of cotton or fa'ric prefera'ly white. %ample air is 'lown over the wet and dry 'ul' thermometer 'y turning the psychrometer with handle. By using the two temperatures in ta'le or psychrometric chart relative humidity of individual rooms are measured. De#cribe ho0 h.$idit% i# contro""ed 0ithin pre#cribed co$fort "eve"1 ;hen air leaves the cooler it 'ecomes saturated. ;hen this air passes through various distri'ution lines it gains in temperature and increases the acceptance of moisture so increases humidity. Engineer M. A. Hamid 3

Air Conditioning
Note Book for Marine Engineer Jn case of heating, a controlled water spray controls the humidity 'efore leaving the unit. Jf the moisture is more in the fresh air after cooling in !H" is condensed and the humidity level is received.

3hat do %o. $ean b% co$fort 4one5 Most people feel comforta'le when environment temperature is 'etween 22 B 27& and relative humidity 40 B 609. This area of psychrometric chart is known as comfort 5one in air conditioning system. Co$pare ) different $ethod# of h.$idif%ing the circ."ating air1 $ollowing systems are used to humidify circulating air in the air conditioning system. 1. 3ater #pra%: ;ater is added into the air at constant enthalpy, no heat is added. ;e have control over the humidity. 2. 3ater drop on rotating di#c: !s a'ove. 3. Stea$ #pra% #%#te$: ;ater as well as steam is added into the air, no control over humidity of the air. E/p"ain ho0 acco$$odation air te$perat.re i# contro""ed1 !H" provides comfort condition 'y controlling temperature of air 'y heating or cooling application. $or cooling, air passes over the cooling coils in the !H", the temperature of air, drops to the desired level. $or heating, steam coils, using steam from engine room is used. !lso air temperature can 'e increased 'y passing cooling grid -shut down. and only 'lower will run. Ite$i4e the preventive $aintenance 0hich nece##ar% to an a.to$atic contro" of an a6c p"ant1 ! num'er of automatic controllers are provided in the air conditioning system to maintain automatic controls. 1. Ther$o#tat#: ! thermostat contains an operating control, which starts and stops the system in the reDuired temperature. 2. &.$idi#tat#: ! humidistat is the control device in a humidity control system. 3. Air f"o0 contro": !ir flow control and regulator regulates the volume of air and temperature. 4. Refrigerant contro": This comprises the thermostatic expansion valve, solenoid valve, high and low pressure cut out device of compressor. (1 Maintenance: a. &ontrollers should 'e cali'rated and contractor should 'e checked regularly. '. !ny dame of sensor ca'le should 'e checked. De#cribe the preca.tion #ho."d be ta7en to en#.re the #%#te$ i# free of infection: Bacteria and micro organism are responsi'le for infection. To keep the system free of infection air must 'e cleaned. !ir can 'e kept free of infection 'y following meansA 1. Keep the air filter clean and replace when necessary. 2. Keep the ducting, duct 'ends, el'ows clean. 3. Feriodically inspect and clean the !H" coils. 4. Freventive action should 'e taken during cleaning of deck with sea water, when arrives the ship in populated and industrial area. 7. Keep the drain of !H" clear and clean. :. ;ater must 'e checked, renewed periodically and remove deposits / sludge. 8. Froper air change should 'e maintained 'y damper. S.gge#t ho0 individ.a" roo$ te$perat.re $a% be adj.#ted and 0hat effect on h.$idit%1 Sing"e d.ct: %ingle duct has an electric or steam heating coil locally in the air terminal unit. The ad,ustment is done on this heater to maintain the individual room temperature. Do.b"e d.ct: The dou'le duct system has hot and cold air supply, so ad,ustment is done 'y mixing air to o'tain reDuired temperature. Temperature has direct effect on humidity, with the rise in temperature degree of humidity decreases and vice versa. &o0 the 8.antit% of air #.pp"ied to each co$part$ent i# deter$ined and contro""ed1 Luantity of air supplied to each compartment is determined 'y the si5e or volume of compartment. "sage of space like smoke room, galley etc. is controlled 'y circulating the volume of space. !lso, the Duantity is determined 'y the num'er of change per hour and vary with the usage of conditioned space. Golume ) velocity x area Engineer M. A. Hamid 4

Air Conditioning
Note Book for Marine Engineer Gelocity of air supply for a given duct si5e or vice versa can 'e determined.

&o0 air change and co$pen#ation for air "o## i# achieved5 Jn the air conditioning system ventilation is provided for changing the air in a work place. !ir changes and compensation of air loss is achieved 'y proper ad,ustment of damper. !mount of air change should 'e according to accommodation rules. Identif% 9 condition#: 0hich re8.ire to be contro""ed indicating 0h% contro" i# nece##ar%1 1. Air te$perat.re: &ool air reduces the temperature of surrounding surfaces and increases the rate of radiation. !n atmospheric temperature 'elow 2?o& and a'ove 3?o& give a feeling ranging from slight discomfort to serious in,ury. 2. &.$idit%: Humidity is controlled 'ecause the rate of heat transfer 'y evaporation depends on the relative humidity. !ir with low humidity can readily a'sor' the moisture from the 'ody, this increases heat dissipation. ;hen humidity is high, the moisture is not so easily evaporated and cooling effect of 'ody is reduced. 3. Air $ove$ent: Movement of surrounding air greatly influences heat dissipation 'y the 'ody. Froper circulation of air indoors is necessary for ensuring comfort. &old air draughts are unpleasant. &omfort air velocity should 'e 17 m @min. 4. ;enti"ation: To ensure comfort, the spaces should 'e adeDuately ventilated and the air should 'e clean, odorless and free of 'acteria. E/p"ain ho0 re"ative h.$idit% can be deter$ined .#ing a #"ing h%gro$eter and p#%chro$etric chart1 %ling hygrometer is an instrument of dry 'ul' thermometer and wet 'ul' thermometer. This gives the reading of dry 'ul' temperature -d't. and wet 'ul' temperature -w't.. The difference 'etween dry 'ul' and wet 'ul' temperatures gives an indication of humidity. Now, using the psychrometric chart and interpreting the value of d't and w't, we can get the relative humidity. $rom the chart, the intersection point of constant dry 'ul' temperature line and constant wet 'ul' temperature line gives relative humidity of air. #elative humidity 809 3? ;et 'ul' temp -w't. 2? 17 1? ? 7 &onstant entropy =ine 7 1? 17 22 27 & (ry 'ul' temperature -d't. 7 27 :09 709 409 30 9 %pecific humidity

3hat $aintenance i# re8.ired to contro" noi#e and heat "o##6gain in the a6c #%#te$ d.cting5 The following measures are taken to control noise levels and heat loss or gain in ducting. a. M'structions in ductwork upstream and downstream of fans must 'e removed. High velocity air striking sharp metal o',ects inside ducts and metal edges on gills are a ma,or source of noise. '. %ome ducting work incorporate ductwork flexi'le inlet and outlet connections to the fan housing for maintaining and isolating fan housing. c. Electrical motors should 'e oiled 'efore startup and during routine maintenance. d. Noise level can 'e eliminated 'y insulating the duct work. e. Ensure that 'elts tension is correct and the driven pulleys are fitted as close to the fan and motor 'earings as possi'le. &o0 h.$idit% i# contro""ed5 &ontrol of humidity means the control of moisture content in air. Humidity is controlled 'yA Engineer M. A. Hamid 7

Air Conditioning
Note Book for Marine Engineer a. &.$idif%ing proce##: in humidifying process moisture content is increased. Jn marine practice, humidification is done 'y addition of low pressure steam. Jt increases the moisture content, this increases the relative humidity. '. Deh.$idif%ing proce##: (ehumidification of air is accomplished 'y contact with initially dry cold surface i.e. an air cooler. The surface temperature must 'e lower than the dew point of the air so that moisture may precipitate.

Engineer M. A. Hamid

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