Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Introduction
- Page 1 - Introduction
- Page 2 - Central Plant systems
- Page 3 - Room Air conditioning units
- Page 4 - Fan Coil units
- Page 5 - Choosing an A/C system
Air Flow Rates
Heat Gains
- Page 1 - Introduction
- Page 2 - Calculating Heat Gains
- Page 3 - Example 1
- Page 4 - Example 2
- Page 5 - Example 3
Heating & Cooling Coils
- Page 1 - Types of Heating and Cooling Coils
- Page 2 - Heat Transfer in Cooling Coils
Psychrometrics
- Page 1 - Introduction
- Page 2 - Psychrometrics for Air Conditioning
- Page 3 - The Psychrometric Chart
- Page 4 - Psychrometric Properties
- Page 5 - Air Conditioning Plant for Summer and Winter
- Page 6 - Processes – Mixing
- Page 7 - Processes – Cooling and Heating
- Page 8 - Processes – Cooling with Dehumidification
- Page 9 - Processes – Cooling Coil Contact factor
- Page 10 - Processes – Humidification
- Page 11 - Typical Air Conditioning processes.
- Page 12 - Annotation for Psychrometric Chart
- Page 13 - Summer Cycle Psychrometrics
- Page 14 - Winter Cycle Psychrometrics
- Page 15 - Duct and Fan Gains
- Page 16 - Example 1 – Summer Cycle
- Page 17 - Example 2 – Winter Cycle
- Page 18 - Example 3 – Summer Cycle, cooling coil contact factor
- Page 19 - Example 4 – Winter Cycle, humidifier
- Page 20 - Example 5 – Summer Cycle, Lecture Theatre
- Page 21 - Example 6 – Summer Cycle and Winter Cycle, Concert Hall
- Page 22 - Example 7 – Summer Cycle, duct and fan gains, Computer Suite
Displacement Ventilation
Air Conditioning
Introduction to Air Conditioning
Air conditioning may be required in buildings which have a high heat gain and as a
result a high internal temperature.
The heat gain may be from solar radiation and/or internal gains such as people,
lights and business machines.
The diagram below shows some typical heat gains in a room.
If the inside temperature of a space rises to about 25oC then air conditioning will
probably be necessary to maintain comfort levels.
This internal temperature (around 25oC) may change depending on some variables
such as:
type of building
location of building
duration of high internal temperature
expected comfort conditions.
degree of air movement
percentage saturation
In some buildings it may be possible to maintain a comfortable environment with
mechanical ventilation but the air change rate will tend to be high (above about 8 air
changes per hour) which can in itself cause air distribution problems.
Since air conditioning is both expensive to install and maintain, it is best avoided if
possible.
This may possibly be achieved by careful building design and by utilising methods
such as:
o window blinds or shading methods
o heat absorbing glass
oheat reflecting glass
o openable windows
o higher ceilings
o smaller windows on south facing facades
o alternative lighting schemes.
The diagram below shows some of these methods.
If air conditioning is the only answer to adequate comfort in a building then the
main choice of system can be considered.
Full comfort air conditioning can be used in summer to provide cool air (approx.
13oC to 18oC) in summer and warm air (approx. 28oC to 36oC) in winter.
Also the air is cleaned by filters, dehumidified to remove moisture or humidified to
add moisture.
Air conditioning systems fall into three main categories, and are detailed in the
following pages;
1. Central plant systems.
2. Room air conditioning units.
3. Fan coil units.
Central plant systems have one central source of conditioned air which is
distributed in a network of ductwork.
Room air conditioning units are self-contained package units which can be
positioned in each room to provide cool air in summer or warm air in winter.
Fan coil units are room units and incorporate heat exchangers piped with chilled
water and a fan to provide cool air.
There are other forms of air conditioning such as;
Chilled beams
Induction units
Variable Air Volume units
Dual duct systems
Chilled ceiling,
but we will consider the more commonly used methods first.
1.0 Central Plant Systems
A typical central plant air conditioning system is shown below.
Cooling coil Heater Battery
Supply fan
Room
Recirculated air
The system shown above resembles a balanced ventilation system with plenum
heating but with the addition of a cooling coil.
For information on balanced ventilation see VENTILATION section.
In winter the heater battery will be on and the cooling coil will probably be switched
off for the majority of buildings.
In summer the heater battery will not need to have the same output and the cooling
coil will be switched on.
A humidifier may be required to add moisture to the air when it is 'dry'.
This is when outdoor air has a low humidity of around 20% to 30%.
In the U.K. low humidities are rare and therefore humidification is sometimes not
used.
In dryer regions humidification is required through most of the year whereas in
tropical air conditioning one of the main features of the system is the ability to
remove moisture from warm moist air.
Dampers are used in air conditioning central plant systems to control the amount of
air in each duct.
It is common to have 20% fresh air and 80% recirculated air to buildings.
In buildings with high occupancy the fresh air quantity should be calculated based
on C.I.B.S.E. data. This may require a higher percentage of fresh air (i.e. more than
20%).
See Ventilation section for examples of fresh air rates. Filters are required to
remove particles of dust and general outdoor pollution.
This filter is sometimes called a coarse filter or pre-filter.
A removable fibreglass dust filter is positioned in the fresh air intake duct or in
larger installation oil filled viscous filter may be used.
The secondary filter, after the mix point, is used to remove fine dust particles or
other contaminant picked up in the rooms and recirculated back into the plant. A
removable bag filter is generally used for this where a series of woven fibre bags are
secured to a framework which can be slid out of the ductwork or air handling unit
(A.H.U.) for replacement.
Air Handling Units
Air handling units (A.H.U.) are widely used as a package unit which incorporates all
the main plant items as shown below.
Pipework, ductwork and electrical connections are made after the unit is set in place
on site.
Since air conditioning plant rooms tend to be at roof level, the larger A.H.U.'s are
lifted into place by crane before the roof is fixed.
In some cases it is usual
to place the fan in front
of (that is upstream of)
the heater battery and
cooling coil.
This is because fans
operate best if the
system resistance is at
the outlet rather than
the inlet of the impeller.
This is shown on the
schematic diagrams
above.
The photograph below shows a typical air handling unit with handles on the doors
for access to equipment.
Dust filter
Cabinet
T
Room Air
Thermostat
Each system has its own advantages and the following is a summary of some of the
main advantages and disadvantages.
1. Noise in rooms is usually reduced if plant room is away from occupied spaces.
2. The whole building can be controlled from a central control station.
This means that optimum start and stop can be used and a weather compensator
can be utilised. Also time clocks can bring air conditioning on and off at appropriate
times.
3.Maintenance is centralised in the plant room. Plant is easier to access.
Fan coil units are similar is some respects to Room Air Conditioners.
1. Sometimes the indoor unit fan becomes noisy, especially when the speed is
changing with in-built controls.
2. Each unit requires maintenance.
3. Long runs of pipework are required.
4. A chiller is still required to produce chilled water therefore they do not save as
much in plant and plant room space as room air conditioners. Also
boilers will be required if heating mode is installed.
5. Fresh air facility may not be installed.
6. Cooling output is limited to about 5 kW.
Example 6 Summer Cycle and Winter Cycle
A Concert Hall measures 40 m x 20 m x 8 m high.
It is to be air conditioned in summer and winter.
Determine the following:
o Air flow rates
o Supply air temperature by calculation in summer and winter.
o Cooling coil contact factor.
o Cooling coil and reheater outputs in summer
o Humidifier output in litres/hour.
DATA:
Indoor condition all year - 22oC dB temperature, 50% saturation.
Outdoor condition summer - 28oC dB temperature, 80% saturation.
Outdoor condition winter - -3oC dB temperature, 80% saturation.
Maximum occupancy - 1000 people.
ADP of the cooling coil - 8oC
Fresh air requirement - 12 l/s/person
Supply air rate - 8 air changes per hour.
Frost off coil temperature - 7oC.
Latent heat gain - 40 W/person
Sensible heat gain in summer - 100 W/person + 20.5 kW fabric, lights,
solar & ventilation gains.
Sensible heat loss in winter - 20 W/m3 air volume (estimated)
Fresh Air Flow Rate
Fresh air rate = 12 l/s/p x 1000 people = 12,000 l/s = 12.0 m3/s
The specific volume at the outside condition may be determined from a
psychrometric chart.
It is approximately 0.88 m3/kg.
Mass flow rate = Volume flow rate / specific volume
Mass flow rate (Fresh Air) = 12.0 / 0.88 = 13.64 kg/s.
Supply Air Flow Rate
The ventilation supply air rate is taken from table B2.3 and is given as 8 air
changes per hour; the mass flow rate can be calculated.
Volume flow rate (m3/h) = Volume of room (m3) x air change rate
(ac/h)
Volume of room (m3) = 40 x 20 x 8 = 6400 m3
Volume flow rate (m3/h) = 6400 (m3) x 8 (ac/h)
Volume flow rate (m3/h) = 51,200 m3/h
Volume flow rate (m3/s) = 51,200 / 3600 = 14.22 m3/s.
Mass flow rate = Volume flow rate / specific volume
The specific volume at the supply condition may be approximated at this
stage from a psychrometric chart. It can be taken as 0.834 m3/kg.
Mass flow rate (Supply Air) = 14.22 / 0.834 = 17.05 kg/s.
Recirculation Air Flow Rate
Recirculation air rate = Supply air rate - fresh air rate
Recirculation air rate = 17.05 - 13.64 = 3.41 kg/s
Fresh Air and Recirc. Ratio.
The ratio by mass is therefore;
Fresh air rate = 13.64 kg/s
Supply air rate = 17.05 kg/s
The ratio of fresh air to total supply air is;
13.64 / 17.05 = 0.8, i.e. 80% fresh air and therefore 20% recirculated air.
where:
H cooling coil = Cooling coil output (kW)
ma = mass flow rate of air (kg/s)
hM = specific enthalpy at condition M (kJ/kg) determined from
psychrometric chart.
hADP = specific enthalpy at condition ADP (kJ/kg) determined from
psychrometric chart
Hs = ma x Cp ( ts - tr )
where:
Hs = Sensible heat loss from room (kW)
ma = mass flow rate of air (kg/s) same as summer rate for
constant volume systems.
Cp = Specific heat capacity of humid air (approx.1.01
kJ/kg degC)
tr = room temperature (oC)
ts = supply air temperature(oC)
( ts - tr ) = Hs / ma x Cp
( ts - tr ) = 128 / 17.05 x 1.01
( ts - tr ) = 7.43 deg.C
ts = 22 + 7.43 deg.C
ts = 29.43 oC say 29.5 oC.
where:
H preheater battery = Preheater battery output (kW)
maf = mass flow rate of fresh air (kg/s)
hP = specific enthalpy at condition P (kJ/kg)
hO = specific enthalpy at condition O (kJ/kg)
H preheater battery = 13.64 ( 13 - 3)
H preheater battery = 136.4 kW
where:
H reheater battery = Reheater battery output (kW)
ma = mass flow rate of supply air (kg/s)
hH = specific enthalpy at condition H (kJ/kg)
hM = specific enthalpy at condition M (kJ/kg)
NOTE:
The heater battery load may be reduced by using other forms of heating
for some of the load, e.g. perimeter convectors or radiators.
The amount of moisture added to the air may be calculated from the following
formula:
where: m moisture added = The amount of moisture or added or steam flow rate
(kg/s)
ma = mass flow rate of air (kg/s)
msS = moisture content at condition S (kg/kg d.a.)
msH = moisture content at condition H (kg/kg d.a.)
m moisture added = 17.05 (0.0074 - 0.0035)
m moisture added = 17.05 (0.0039)
m moisture added = 0.0665 kg/s
m moisture added = 0.0665 litre/s
m moisture added = 0.0665 litre/s x 3600 = 239.4 litres/hour
HEAT GAINS
Introduction
Heat gains from the sun can lead to increases in internal temperatures beyond the
limits of comfort.
This is usually above 24oC dry bulb temperature in the UK.
A software programme such as Hevacomp is often used to determine the internal
summertime temperatures for a building.
It is therefore necessary to determine the amount of solar radiation that is
transmitted into buildings through; windows, walls, roof, floor and by admitting
external air into the building.
Several measures can be adopted to reduce solar radiation in buildings.
These are external and internal shading and by careful building design.
Natural vegetation such as tall trees can also reduce solar heat gains.
Window areas can be reduced although natural day lighting is important in northern
latitudes in winter so there is a limit to glass reduction.
Buildings can be orientated so that there is less window area facing directly south.
These are just some of the ways to reduce solar radiation.
The method adopted uses the CIBSE guide A (2006) and CIBSE Guide J (2002) .
The Tables that are referred to are CIBSE guide A (2006) Solar cooling loads in Tables
5.19 to 5.24.
CIBSE Guide J (2002) Air and Sol-air temperatures in Table 5.36 (London), Table 5.37
(Manchester) and Table 5.38 (Edinburgh)
This set of Tables is in Appendix A6 at the end of the guide. Table 5.36 (London)
starts at page A6-121.
If internal gains are to estimated then CIBSE Guide A (2006) Table 6.4 to 6.17 are
also required.
It would be helpful to have these Tables close by, to complete the calculations.
An example of a heat gain claculation is given in CIBSE Guide A (2006) section 5.8.2
example 5.3.
Heat gains through solid ground floors are minimal and can be neglected.
1.0 Sensible Transmission Through Glass
This is the Solar Gain due to differences between inside and outside temperatures.
In very warm countries this can be quite significant.
This gain only applies to materials of negligible thermal capacity i.e. glass.
Qg = Ag . Ug (to- tr) ........ eqn. 1
Where;
Qg = Sensible heat gain through glass (W)
Ag = Surface area of glass (m2)
Ug = 'U' value for glass (W/m2 oC) (see CIBSE guide A (2006) Table 3.23
to 3.32).
to = outside air temperature (oC). Can be obtained from CIBSE Guide J
(2002) - Tables 5.36 to 5.38 for various months and times in the day.
tr = room air temperature (oC)
Internal gains can account for most heat gain in buildings in the U.K.
These gains are from occupants, lights, equipment and machinery, as detailed
below.
Sensible LatentHeat
Conditions Typical building Heat Gain Gain
(Watts) (Watts)
Seated very light work Offices, hotels, apartments 70 45
Moderate office work Offices, hotels, apartments 75 55
Standing, light work; walking Department store, retail store 75 55
Walking standing Bank 75 70
Sedentary work Restaurant 80 80
Light bench work Factory 80 140
Athletics Gymnasium 210 315
OCCUPANTS - Sensible and latent heat gains can be obtained from CIBSE Guide A
(2006) - Table 6.3.
Typical gains are shown below.
LIGHTING – Average power density from CIBSE Guide A (2006) - Tables 6.4.
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT - PC’s and Monitors - CIBSE Guide A (2006) - Tables 6.7 and
6.8.
Laser Printers and Photocopiers - CIBSE Guide A (2006) - Tables 6.9 and 6.10
Electric Motors – CIBSE Guide A (2006) - Table 6.13 and 6.14.
Lift Motors – CIBSE Guide A (2006) - Table 6.15.
Cooking equipment – CIBSE Guide A (2006) - Table 6.17.
Q int. = Heat from Occupants + Heat from Lighting + Heat from Electrical
Equipment + Heat from Cooking
This is the unsteady-state heat flow through a wall due to the varying intensity of
solar radiation on the outer surface.
In the calculation of this heat flow use is made of the concept of sol-air
temperature, which is defined as;
the value of the outside air temperature which would, in the absence of all radiation
exchanges, give the same rate of heat flow into the outer surface of the wall as the
actual combination of temperature difference and radiation exchanges.
SOL-AIR TEMP,
. I . cos a . cos n + Is
hso
teo = ta + ( ) ........ eqn. 4.1
where
teo = sol-air temperature (oC)
ta = outside air temperature (oC)
= absorption coefficient of surface
I = intensity of direct solar radiation on a surface at right angles to the rays
2
of the sun. (W/m )
a = solar altitude (degrees)
n = wall-solar azimuth angle (degrees)
2
Is = intensity of scattered radiation normal to a surface (W/m )
2
hso = external surface heat transfer coefficient (W/m oC)
The U.K. values of sol-air temperature are found from CIBSE Guide J (2002) Table 5.36
(London), Table 5.37 (Manchester) and Table 5.38 (Edinburgh).
Table 5.36 (London) starts at page A6-121.
4.2 Thermal Capacity
The heat flow through a wall is complicated by the presence of thermal capacity, so
that some of the heat passing through it is stored, being released at a later time.
Thick heavy walls with a high thermal capacity will damp temperature swings
considerably, whereas thin light walls with a small thermal capacity will have little
damping effect, and fluctuations in outside surface temperature will be apparent
almost immediately.
The thermal capacity will not affect the daily mean solar gain but will affect the
solar gain at a particular time.
The particular time of a solar gain is normally the time of the maximum gain.
The heat gain arrives at the inside of a thick wall some time after the sun hits the
outside surface of the wall.
This time lag is .
2. The variation from the mean solar gain is subject to both a decrement factor and
time lag.
The heat gain through a roof uses the same equation as for a wall as shown below.
Q+Roof = A U [( tem - tr) + f ( teo - tem)] ........ eqn. 5
6.0 Ventilation and/or Infiltration Gains
Ventilation or fresh air supply loads can be added to either the room or central plant
loads but should only be accounted for once.
+ Qint. 3. Internal
Heat gains may be calculated and displayed in table form as shown below.
Heat Gain from Watts %
1. Sensible transmission through glass
2. Solar gain through glass
3. Internal
4. External walls
5. Roof
6. Ventilation
Total 100%
2
Heat gain per m floor area =
Heat gain per m3 space =
Latent Gains
Latent heat gains are calculated so that the Total heat gain can be determined to
complete a psychrometric chart.
Total heat gain = Sensible heat gain + Latent heat gains
Also Latent heat gains are required to size Chillers.
Latent heat gains are comprised of latent gain from occupants and from natural
infiltration fresh air.
Latent heat gains from occupants can be obtained from CIBSE Guide A (2006) - Table 6.3
shown above.
Example 1
The room shown below is to be maintained at a constant environmental
temperature of 21oC for a plant operation of 12 hours per day.
The room is on the intermediate floor of an Library located in London latitute
51.7oN.
The internal construction is lightweight demountable partitions, lightweight slab
floors and suspended acoustically treated ceilings, shading is intermittent.
Calculate the maximum sensible cooling load in the room in July
The outside air temperature (to) may be found from CIBSE Guide J (2002) - Tables
5.36 page A6-127 (July 4th).
The maximum value ocurrs at 16.00 hrs. and is 25.4oC.
DATA:
Occupants = 100
Infiltration = 0.5 air changes per hour
Building classification = lightweight,
Building response = fast.
External wall 'U' value = 0.45 W/m2oC, internal insulation, neglect time
lag through wall.
External wall colour = light.
External wall decrement factor f = 0.65
Glass type & 'U' value = clear 6mm, double glazing, U = 2.80 W/m2oC
Window blinds = internal blind..
Lighting = 30 Watts / m2 floor area
Heat gain from machinery and equipment = 4000 Watts
NOTE: It should be noted that this total heat gain is used to size central plant items
such as Chillers, Condensers and Cooling Towers.
Cooling coils are sized usually with a pschrometric chart.
Answer
Areas:
Area of window = 1.2 x 1.7 = 2.04 m2.
Total area of glass = 2.04 x 12No. windows = 24.48 m2.
Area of glass facing South = 12.24 m2.
Area of wall facing South = 22.0 m x 4.0 m high = 88 m2 less glass =
88 - 12.24 = 75.76 m2.
Floor area = 22 x 14 = 308m2.
Room volume = 308 x 4 = 1232 m3.
Gains:
1. Sensible transmission through glass Qg = Ag Ug (to - tr)
Qg = 24.48 x 2.8 (25.4 – 21)
Qg = 301.6 Watts
Example 2
DATA:
Occupants = 80
Lighting = 35 Watts / m2 floor area
Infiltration = 0.4 air changes per hour
Building classification = lightweight with fast response.
External wall surface texture = dark.
External wall thickness = 300mm,internal insulation, decrement
factor is 0.27, neglect time lag through wall.
Blinds = Internal
Heat gain from machinery and equipment = 3000 Watts
External Walls - ‘U’ value = 0.35
W/m2oC.
Area of wall facing South West = 18.0 m x 3.0 m high = 54 m2 less glass = 54 -
10.2 = 43.8 m2.
Floor area = 18 x 16 = 288m2.
Room volume = 288 x 3 = 864 m3.
Gains:
(dark façade) Q Wall = 43.8 x 0.35 [( 26.7 – 21) + 0.27 ( 47.1 – 26.7)]
Q Wall = 15.33 [ 5.7 + 5.51 ]
Q Wall = 171.9 Watts
The heat gain in the previous example was 88.8 W/m2 floor area and the total was
27,377 Watts .
The heat gain in this example is 86.4 W/m2 floor area and the total is 24,884.5
Watts.
The value of sensible heat gain can be used in a psychrometic chart to determine
the cooling coil size in an Air Handling Unit (AHU).
South
Example 3
The Restaurant shown below is to be maintained at a constant environmental
temperature of 22oC for a plant operation of 12 hours per day.
The Restaurant area is on the ground floor of an Single storey building located at
51.7oN.
The internal construction is lightweight partitions, concrete hollow slab floors and
suspended ceilings.
Calculate the maximum sensible cooling load in the Restaurant area in July.
7.7 m
14.0 m
Male Female
Toilet Toilet
9.5 m
Lobby
Restaurant
Reception
Entrance
PLAN
Areas:
Area of window = 1.4 x 2.0 = 2.8 m2.
Total area of glass = 2.8 x 10No. windows = 28.0 m2.
Area of glass facing South = 14.0 m2.
Gains:
4. External wall
Find information from CIBSE Guide A (2006) Table A3.49.
Wall is type 8(e) and the decrement factor is 0.42, time lag is 8.8 hours, ‘U’
value 0.52 W/m2oC.
If the maximum solar heat gain is at 12.30 pm and the time lag is 8.8 hours then the
time of the relevant sol air temperature is;
12.50 - 8.8 = 3.7 say is at 4.00 am.
teo = sol-air temperature when Tabulated cooling load (qsg) is at 04.00 hrs. CIBSE
Guide J (2002) - Table 5.36, dark wall, South facing gives 10.4 oC.
A correction can be applied to this since we are using outside air temperature
(to) of 28oC.
The tabulated maximum outside air temperature (to) from CIBSE Guide J
(2002) - Table 5.36 page A6-127 (July 4th) ocurrs at 16.00 hrs. and is 25.40C.
The difference in outside temperatures is; 28 – 25.4 = 2.6 oC.
The actual sol air temperature (teo) to use in this example is; 2.6 oC + 10.4 oC
= 12.8 oC
The heating elements are normally manufactured with copper tubes, with the
extended surfaces, or fins, being of aluminium or sometimes copper. The most
common type of finning arrangements are the spirally wound and the rectangular fin.
Heating coils may be used with hot water or steam as the heat transfer media whilst
frost pre-heaters usually have electric heating elements. Cooling coils are classified
as being either of the water or the direct expansion type depending on the media
flowing through the tubes.
A heating coil is shown below.
In water coils, hot or chilled water or brine circulates through the tubes of the coil
either emitting or absorbing sensible heat as the air flows over the fins attached to the
outside surfaces. Usually the flow of water and air are in opposite directions to each
other, this being known as counter-flow heat exchanger. This configuration gives
maximum heat transfer.
Refrigeration
pipework
Evaporator
DX coil as
Latent heat is absorbed by the air stream
Airfrom
On the refrigerant as the
refrigerant
evaporator
evaporates. With this type of coil, as with steam, there is no distinction made
When direct expansion coils are used they become the evaporator of the refrigeration
cycle, and may be termed either ‘dry’ or ‘flooded’. In the ‘dry’ DX coil only a
sufficient quantity of refrigerant is introduced to operate in the predominantly vapour
state. In the ‘flooded’ DX coil most of the coil is filled with liquid refrigerant and
although this is more efficient, it is not used so much in air-conditioning since the
additional refrigerant is expensive.
Evaporator coils come in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the type of
installation, the amount of cooling capacity needed, and the manufacturer. They are
constructed of aluminium finned copper tubing. The copper tubing runs perpendicular
to the aluminium fins, making U-turns back and forth until the desired coil size is
achieved. Added cooling capacity without an increase in length and width is
accomplished by adding more rows of copper tubing.
All evaporator coils must have a drain pan to collect the water that condenses as the
air flowing across the coil cools. The water can drain away by gravity or be pumped
away.
The cooling effect that takes place inside the coil requires a pressure drop in the
refrigerant. This drop can be accomplished in a number of ways: capillary tube,
piston or orifice, or thermostatic expansion valve.
A capillary tube is a thin copper tube of predetermined length into which the
compressed liquid refrigerant is pumped. The length of the tubing causes the pressure
drop and subsequent cooling effect of the refrigerant.
A piston or orifice blocks the flow of refrigerant and forces it through a tiny hole,
creating the needed pressure drop.
A thermostatic expansion valve meters the flow of refrigerant to meet the cooling
demand of the coil. It determines this demand by way of a sensing bulb attached to
the outlet tube on the coil. Because it can meter the flow to meet demand, the
expansion valve can keep the coil at optimum cooling potential.
Because the cooling coil is an integral part of the air distribution system, its geometry
— size, number of rows, fin spacing, and fin profile — contributes to the airside
pressure drop and affects the sound power level of the fans. (Fan power needed to
circulate air through the duct system may warrant extra sound attenuation at the air
handler.)
Water Removal
Moisture in air can condense in the air stream or when the air impinges upon a solid
cool surface. This can happen at sharp bends where water collects in a puddle at the
lower surface on the ductwork. A drain can be fitted on vertical sections of
ductwork to remove water that has collected. Ducts can also be insulated in areas
where condensing moisture is likely to occur.
In hospitals and other situations water in ducts is to be avoided since bacteria can
multiply in warm moist conditions.
Psychrometrics
Introduction
The aim of this section of the notes is to allow students to size air conditioning
plant such as;
cooling coil, heater battery and humidifier.
The notes are divided into several sections as follows:
PSYCHROMETRY FOR AIR CONDITIONING
THE PSYCHROMETRIC CHART
EXAMPLES OF PSYCHROMETRIC PROPERTIES
AIR CONDITIONING PLANT FOR SUMMER & WINTER
BASIC PROCESSES
TYPICAL AIR CONDITIONING PROCESSES
ANNOTATION AND ROOM RATIO
SUMMER AND WINTER CYCLES
EXAMPLES
The first section deals with Psychrometry for air conditioning and discusses
some properties of moist air.
A simplified psychrometric chart is shown for familiarisation, and some examples
of how to find air properties are provided.
A diagram of an air conditioning system is shown in schematic form in the
section entitled AIR CONDITIONING PLANT FOR SUMMER & WINTER.
Before sizing takes place the student should also understand the processes that
take place in air conditioning systems.
There are four basic processes for summer and winter air conditioning systems.
The following basic processes are explained:
1. Mixing
2. Sensible Cooling and Heating
3. Cooling with Dehumidification
4. Humidification
The section on Typical Air Conditioning Processes shows winter and summer
schematic diagrams and psychrometric charts.
There are some more details that may be useful to the designer of air
conditioning systems.
Further information is as follows: Annotation, Room ratio
When the processes have been superimposed onto a psychrometric chart then
calculations may commence.
These are as detailed in the following sections of the notes.
Summer and Winter Cycles
1. Summer cycle psychrometrics
2. Summer cycle calculations
3. Winter cycle psychrometrics
4. Winter cycle calculations
5. Duct and Fan gains.
The final section is seven examples of plant sizing using psychrometric charts.