BUILDING AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM

CHAPTER 5:
BUILDING AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION
SYSTEM
The need for heating and cooling for human comfort was likely first
recognized when early humans wandered into a cave to escape summer heat and
winter cold. The need for ventilation was likely recognized when early humans
desired to air out a smoky cave. Since then, humans have continually searched for
ways to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer and breathe fresh air
year round.
There is archeological evidence that as early as 1.5 million years ago,
prehistoric humans began using campfires. At some point thereafter, the campfire
was brought inside caves and huts for cooking and space heating. The central fire
and a central roof opening for smoke to escape was the oldest arrangement. Later
the fire was moved to different parts of a building.
It has only been in the last 100 years that mechanical refrigeration (air
conditioning) has been in use. Before then, the only means of cooling a building
was by natural ventilation, ventilating with fans, or blowing air across large
chunks of ice before introducing the cooled air into the building space.
In this chapter, included are the basic topics selected for introductory course
of building HVAC System and their respective sizing and calculations.

CONTENT:
1. Principle of Air Conditioning
2. Applications of Air Conditioning
3. Types of Air Conditioning Units Commonly Manufactured
4. Environmental Factors affecting Occupant’s thermal Comfort
5. Basic of Refrigeration as applied to Air Conditioning Systems

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 2
BUILDING AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM

1. PRINCIPLE OF AIR CONDITIONING

An air conditioning, or HVAC&R, system is composed of
components and equipment arranged in sequence to condition the air, to
transport it to the conditioned space, and to control the indoor
environmental parameters of a specific space within required limits. Most
air conditioning systems perform the following functions:
1. Provide the cooling and heating energy required.
2. Condition the supply air, that is, heat or cool, humidify or dehumidify,
clean and purify, and attenuate any objectionable noise produced by the
HVAC&R equipment
3. Distribute the conditioned air, containing sufficient outdoor air, to the
conditioned space
4. Control and maintain the indoor environmental parameters–such as
temperature, humidity, cleanliness, air movement, sound level, and pressure
differential between the conditioned space and surroundings—within
predetermined limits
To summarized the main functions of air conditioning system, please
refer to the figure below:

Four (4) main function of Air Conditioning

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 2
BUILDING AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM

Parameters such as the size and the occupancy of the conditioned

space, the indoor environmental parameters to be controlled, the quality
and the effectiveness of control, and the cost involved determine the various
types and arrangements of components used to provide appropriate
characteristics. Air conditioning systems can be classified according to their
applications as (1) comfort air conditioning systems and (2) process air
conditioning systems.

2. APPLICATIONS OF AIR CONDITIONING

Comfort air conditioning systems provide occupants with a
comfortable and healthy indoor environment in which to carry out their
activities. The various sectors of the economy using comfort air
conditioning systems are as follows:
1. The commercial sector includes office buildings, supermarkets,
department stores, shopping centers, restaurants, and others. Many high-
rise office buildings, use complicated air conditioning systems to satisfy
multiple-tenant requirements. In light commercial buildings, the air
conditioning system serves the conditioned space of only a single-zone or
comparatively smaller area. For shopping malls and restaurants, air
conditioning is necessary to attract customers.
2. The institutional sector includes such applications as schools, colleges,
universities, libraries, museums, indoor stadiums, cinemas, theaters, concert
halls, and recreation centers.
3. The residential and lodging sector consists of hotels, motels, apartment
houses, and private homes. Many systems serving the lodging industry and
apartment houses are operated continuously, on a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week
schedule, since they can be occupied at any time.
4. The health care sector encompasses hospitals, nursing homes, and
convalescent care facilities. Special air filters are generally used in hospitals

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 2
BUILDING AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM

to remove bacteria and particulates of sub micrometer size from areas such
as operating rooms, nurseries, and intensive care units.
5. The transportation sector includes aircraft, automobiles, railroad cars,
buses, and cruising ships. Passengers increasingly demand ease and
environmental comfort, especially for long distance travel.

Process air conditioning systems provide needed indoor

environmental control for manufacturing, product storage, or other research
and development processes. The following areas are examples of process air
conditioning systems:
1. In textile mills, natural fibers and manufactured fibers are hygroscopic.
Proper control of humidity increases the strength of the yarn and fabric
during processing. For many textile manufacturing processes, too high a
value for the space relative humidity can cause problems in the spinning
process. On the other hand, a lower relative humidity may induce static
electricity that is harmful for the production processes.
2. Many electronic products require clean rooms for manufacturing such
things as integrated circuits, since their quality is adversely affected by
airborne particles. Relative-humidity control is also needed to prevent
corrosion and condensation and to eliminate static electricity. Temperature
control maintains materials and instruments at stable condition and is also
required for workers who wear dust-free garments.
3. Precision manufacturers always need precise temperature control during
production of precision instruments, tools, and equipment.
4. Pharmaceutical products require temperature, humidity, and air
cleanliness control. High-efficiency air filters must be installed for most of
the areas in pharmaceutical factories to prevent contamination.
5. Modern refrigerated warehouses functions not only to store commodities
and frozen the foods, but also provide relative-humidity control for
perishable foods. Refrigerated storage is used to prevent deterioration.

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 2
BUILDING AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM

Temperature control can be performed by refrigeration systems only, but the

simultaneous control of both temperature and relative humidity in the space
can only be performed by process air conditioning systems.

3. TYPES OF AIR CONDITIONING UNITS COMMONLY MANUFACTURED

1. Window Type Air Conditioners – small package type A/C units consist of
direct expansion refrigeration as cooling system, condenser fan, circulating
fan, and control system. It is understood to serve one space or many units
serving larger space.

Schematic Diagram of Window Type Air Conditioning Unit

2. Split Type Air Conditioners – consist of outdoor unit which are typically
condenser and compressor and the indoor unit that cools air before it is
supplied to the condition space. It is usually installed inside the condition
space.
a. Single-split A/C units – consist of one indoor unit to match one
outdoor unit.

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 2
BUILDING AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM

b. Multi-split A/C units – consist of two or more indoor units to

match one outdoor unit.

Schematic Diagram of Split Type Air Conditioning Unit

3. Roof Top Package A/C – larger package type A/C and are usually
installed outside the condition space typically on the roof top of the
building where it served. Components are:
a. Cooling/heating coil
b. Condenser coil
c. Compressor
d. Circulating fan
e. Condenser fan for air cooled condenser
f. Air intake porch, grilles, and filter
g. Supply air porch
h. Package controller and control panel built in the system

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 2
BUILDING AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM

4. Chilled Water A/C units – consist of refrigeration circuit and chilled water
circuit. The chilled water A/C units are manufactured in small capacity, 3-
15 tons, while the large capacity units are made from 50 to 500 tons of
refrigeration.
a. The refrigeration circuit consist of simple vapor refrigeration
components and its system controller
b. The chilled water circuit consist of package water chiller, chilled
water circulating pump, air handlers such as FCU and AHU,
connecting chilled water piping and system controller.
5. Combined Hot Water and Chilled Water System – known as four-pipe
water system normally consist of hot water lines and the heating coils,
cooled water lines and the cooling coils, circulating pumps, air handlers,
and controlling system.

Schematic Diagram of Centralized Type Air Conditioning Unit

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 2
BUILDING AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM

4. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING OCCUPANT’S THERMAL

COMFORT
Thermal comfort means different things to different people because
individuals have different thermal preferences and sensitivities. Overall
thermal comfort will still vary from person to person, as well as with
activity level, level of clothing, temperature and relative humidity of the
room air, air velocity, types of heating and cooling systems, and types and
materials of construction. Factors affecting occupant comfort relate to the
thermal environment in the space and personally controlled parameters.
Main factors affecting thermal comfort in building are summarized below:
1. Dry bulb temperature - refers to the ambient air temperature. For
design of heating systems, the lower temperature in the winter
design temperature range is 68°F (20°C). In the summer, the upper
limit for the cooling and air conditioning design temperature is 79°F
(26°C). Differences in design temperature limits reflect that people
adjust clothing levels to the season. The body is relatively insensitive
to dry bulb temperature variations in the 68° to 79°F (20° to 26°C)
range, when adjustments in clothing levels are made.
2. Relative Humidity - Indoor air is mixed with water vapor, in
proportions that vary with climate, seasonal and daily weather
conditions, and indoor occupancies. Humidity in air affects the rate
of evaporative heat loss from the body. A high relative humidity will
cause the surrounding air to evaporate less perspiration from the
body, making the occupant feel warmer. A low relative humidity
allows the air to absorb greater quantities of moisture, making the
occupant feel cooler.
The human body is relatively insensitive to moderate
variations (less than about 10%) in indoor relative humidity levels
within the range of about 30 to 70%. Relative humidity levels below

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 2
BUILDING AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM

about 30% cause dryness of skin, cracking of nasal membranes, and

sinus, asthmatic, and allergic reactions in humans. Low humidity
levels result in the generation of static electricity, which is damaging
to electronic equipment. At relative humidity levels below 20%, these
problems increase drastically. In contrast, relative humidity levels
above about 60% are favorable to the survival and proliferation of
bacteria, fungi, and viruses. A relative humidity of 30 to 60% is
optimal.
3. Air Movement - The rate of air movement has a significant bearing
on the sensation of freshness and thermal comfort. The effect of air
movement becomes evident when considering the effect of a fan
during hot weather: a person will sense a lower temperature
sensation standing in front of a fan without there actually being a
decrease in the room air temperature. In the summer, increased air
motion increases the evaporation rate of heat from the body to help
keep it cool. This is why buildings without cooling systems often
employ fans to increase the movement of the air on hot days. On the
other hand, in the winter, a slower rate of air motion is more
desirable, or the occupants will feel too cool from evaporative heat
loss. But even in the winter it is desirable to have some air movement
to keep the air from becoming stagnant.
Other factors affecting Occupant’s comfort:
1. Human heat lost due to convection, evaporation, & radiation in
human bodies.
2. Insulating factor – discomfort due to improper clothing
3. Physiological factors – due to activity, age, and health
4. Noise beyond acceptable limit

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 2
BUILDING AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM

5. BASIC OF REFRIGERATION AS APPLIED TO AIR CONDITIONING

SYSTEMS
The five commercially available refrigeration cycles are: Vapor compression,
Absorption, Gas cycle, Steam jet and Thermoelectric, of which the most popular is
the Vapor Compression cycle.
The basic refrigeration cycle is similar for many refrigeration and
air‐conditioning applications. All four components (compressor, condenser,
expansion valve and evaporator) are steady flow devices. The kinetic and potential
energy changes of the refrigerant are usually small compared to the work and heat
transfer, and are therefore neglected.

The Vapor Compression Cycle

Main components of this refrigeration cycle are discussed below:
1. Compressor - In this stage, the refrigerant enters the compressor as a gas
under low pressure and having a low temperature. Then, the refrigerants
compressed adiabatically, so the fluid leaves the compressor under high
pressure and with a high temperature and high velocity.

2. Condenser - The refrigerant with high pressure, high temperature gas

releases heat energy and condenses inside the "condenser" portion of the

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 2
BUILDING AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM

system. The condenser is in contact with the hot reservoir of the

refrigeration system. (The gas releases heat into the hot reservoir because of
the external work added to the gas.) The refrigerant leaves as a high
pressure, high temperature liquid.

3. Throttling (Expansion) Valve - The liquid refrigerant is pushed through a

throttling valve, which causes it to expand. As a result, the refrigerant now
has low pressure and lower temperature, while still in the mixed
phase. (The throttling valve can be either a thin slit or some sort of plug
with holes in it. When the refrigerant is forced through the throttle, its
pressure is reduced, causing the liquid to expand.

Example cross section of an Expansion Valve

4. Evaporator - The low pressure, low temperature refrigerant enters the
evaporator, which is in contact with the cold reservoir. Because a low
pressure is maintained, the refrigerant is able to boil at a low
temperature. So, the liquid absorbs heat from the cold reservoir and
evaporates. The refrigerant leaves the evaporator as a low temperature, low
pressure gas and is taken into the compressor again, back at the beginning
of the cycle.

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 2
BUILDING AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM

For analysis of energy transfer, presented below is the P-h diagram

for the cycle:

Cycle and Process Diagram for a Vapor Compression Cycle

Processes involved:
Process 1-2: Isentropic compression in a compressor
In an ideal vapor-compression refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant
enters the compressor at state 1 as saturated vapor and is compressed
isentropically to the condenser pressure. The temperature of the refrigerant
increases during this isentropic compression process to well above the
temperature of the surrounding medium.
Process 2-3: Constant-pressure heat rejection in a condenser
The refrigerant then enters the condenser as superheated vapor at
state 2 and leaves as saturated liquid at state 3 as a result of heat rejection to
the surroundings. The temperature of the refrigerant at this state is still
above the temperature of the surroundings.
Process 3-4 Throttling in an expansion device
The saturated liquid refrigerant at state 3 is throttled to the
evaporator pressure by passing it through an expansion valve or capillary
tube. The temperature of the refrigerant drops below the temperature of the

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 2
BUILDING AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM

refrigerated space during this process. No work or heat is harnessed during

this process.
Process 4-1: Constant-pressure heat absorption in an evaporator
The refrigerant enters the evaporator at state 4 as a low-quality
saturated mixture, and it completely evaporates by absorbing heat from the
refrigerated space. The refrigerant leaves the evaporator as saturated vapor
and reenters the compressor, completing the cycle.
With the refrigerating effect of the cycle, heat can be then absorbed
from a warm room to perform an air conditioning process. Similarly, Heat
can be supplied in a cold room if the system is to be used as a heat pump.

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 2
BUILDING AIR CONDITIONING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM

NAME: _________________________________ DATE: ____________

SR CODE: _____________
SECTION: _____________
RESEARCH WORK
In engineering handwriting, list down, enumerate and make necessary
figures of different elements of air conditioning system in below research
problems:

1. Enumerate and identify all the source of heat load in an occupancy building as a
fundamental of cooling equipment sizing.

2. Make a comparative research of all types of air conditioning system as used in

building cooling equipment.

3. Enumerate and identify all the psychrometric processes as applied in air

conditioning processes. Include necessary equations where necessary

4. Per group of 5 students, select a type of air conditioning system used as a

building cooling equipment. Discuss in the class the equipment involved in such
system, the working principles in delivering a conditioned air inside the room and
process diagram of the system selected.

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 2