Air-Conditioning Systems

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq

zahurul@me.buet.ac.bd

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology

ME 415: Refrigeration & Building Mechanical Systems

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq A/C Systems

Basic Air-Conditioning System

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Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq A/C Systems

Zoned A/C System
In many buildings there is a variety of spaces with different
users and varying thermal loads. When a system is
designed to provide independent control in different
spaces, each space is called a Zone.
Zoning leads 4 broad categories of A/C system:
Unitary, refrigeration-based systems
All-air systems

Air-and-water systems

All-water systems

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq A/C Systems

Air Handling Unit (AHU)

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The functions of the air-handler are to draw in outside air and

return air, mix them, condition the mixed air, blow the air into the
space and exhaust any excess air to outside.
Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq A/C Systems
Window Air-Conditioner

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Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq A/C Systems

Split System

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Compressor/condenser part of the refrigeration system

separate from the evaporator coil and connected by the
refrigerant lines to the air system, which includes the
evaporator. It allows the AHU to be indoors, where it is easier to
maintain and does not need to be weatherproofed. The noise of
the compressor is outside and can be located at some
distance from the AHU.
Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq A/C Systems
All-Air System with Reheat

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Reheat is the simplest system, known for both its reliability and the
down side, its high energy wastage.

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq A/C Systems

All-Air System with Variable Air Volume (VAV)

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More energy efficient than reheat, VAV is a very flexible system

with many virtues. When there is a low load, however, it does offer
challenges for maintaining adequate ventilation air and good room
air distribution.

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq A/C Systems

All-Air System with Bypass

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A variation on the VAV system, the bypass system, is suitable for

providing good control in smaller systems, and for constant flow
over a direct-expansion cooling coil.

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq A/C Systems

All-Air System with Dual-Duct System

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System provides full airflow when the system is on, but, like the
reheat system, suffers from the energy penalty of simultaneous
heating and cooling. A very attractive feature of the dual-duct
system is that there are no reheat coils near the zones, so the
problems of leaking hot water coils is avoided.

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq A/C Systems

All-Water (Hydronic) System
When ventillation is provided through natural ventillation by
openning windows, or other means, there is no need to
duct ventillation air to zones from cental plant.
In all-water system, all processes other than ventillation is
provided by local equipments, FCUs, supplied with hot or
chilled water from a central plant.
Fan Coil units (FCU) consist of a fan and a coil. These can
be used for just heating or for both heating and cooling.

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq A/C Systems

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Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq A/C Systems

Air-Water System
In this system all the primary ventillation air is from a
central sytem, but local units provide additional
conditioning.
The local units are usually supplied with hot or chilled
water.
These systems are particularly effective in perimeter
spaces where high heating and cooling loads occurs.

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq A/C Systems

 Thermal Comfort & Ventilation

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq

zahurul@me.buet.ac.bd

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology

ME 415: Refrigeration & Building Mechanical Systems

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq Thermal Comfort & Ventilation

Steady State Thermal Equilibrium

M=W+C+R+Esk +Eres
M = Metabolic rate (W/m2)
W = Mechanical work performed
C+R = Convective + radiative, or sensible heat loss from skin
Esk = Evaporative heat loss from skin surface
Eres = Evaporative heat loss from respiration
In an air conditioned space, a steady-state thermal equilibrium
is usually maintained between the human body and the indoor
environment.

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq Thermal Comfort & Ventilation

Metabolic Rate, M
Energy release per unit area of skin surface as a result of
oxidative process in the living cell is the metabolic rate. It
depends on the intensity of physical activities.
2
1met=58.24W/m

Mechanical work, W =M, = 0.2 to 0.24

Activity met
Sleeping 0.7
Office work, reading or writing or seated 1.0
Domestic work, cooking 1.6 - 2.0
Walking, 2 mph 2.0
Walking, 4 mph 3.7
Heavy machine work 4.0

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq Thermal Comfort & Ventilation

Seven Factors Influencing Thermal Comfort

1. Activity level
2. Clothing
3. Expectation
4. Air temperature
5. Radiant temperature
6. Humidity
7. Air speed

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq Thermal Comfort & Ventilation

ASHRAE Comfort Zone

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Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq Thermal Comfort & Ventilation

Indoor Design Conditions

As per ASHRAE 55-1992 & 90.1-1999

T (o C) (%)
Summer 23.5 to 26.0 30 to 65
Winter
1. Commercial & public bld. 20.5 to 23.5 20 to 65
2. Health care bld. 20.5 to 23.5 30 to 65

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq Thermal Comfort & Ventilation

Outdoor Air Requirements
to meet metabolic requirements of occupants
to dilute the indoor air contraminants, odors and pollutants
to maintain an acceptable air quality.
to support any combustion process or replace the amount
of exhaust air required in laboratories, manufacturing
processes or rest rooms.
to provide makeup of amount of exfiltrated air required
when positive pressure is to be maintained at the
conditioned space.

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq Thermal Comfort & Ventilation

Outdoor Air as per ASHRAE 62-1992

Application L/s per person
Dining/conference room, office spaces, lounges 10
Retail stores, transport waiting rooms, class rooms 7
Hospitial patient rooms, residences 15
Smoking lounges 30

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq Thermal Comfort & Ventilation

Common Air Contaminants

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Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq Thermal Comfort & Ventilation

Filters for Air Cleaning Devices

1. Viscous impingment type
2. Dry screen type
3. Electrostatic precipitators
4. Air washers

Prof. Dr. M. Zahurul Haq Thermal Comfort & Ventilation