MEC551

Problem Based Learning/ Complex Engineering Problem

Assignment Description

Commence Date: 5th November 2019

Course Outcomes
This assignment is established to achieve these Course Outcomes:

CO1 Describe the principles of heat transfer mechanisms, combustion, refrigeration and air
conditioning systems in its fundamental aspect with relation to existing energy systems [PO1,
LO1, SS1]{C2}.
CO2 Analyse principles of energy mechanisms to solve a wide range of thermal engineering
problems [PO2, LO3, SS1]{C4}.
CO3 Develop solutions for mathematical models and propose appropriate results for thermal
engineering applications [PO3, LO3, SS1]{C6}.

Objective

The objective of this assignment is for students to conduct probabilistic design calculations of an air
conditioning system covering the relevant topics in MEC551 Thermal Engineering.

Problem Statement

You are tasked to finalize the design and operation of an air-conditioning system for the WISMA
TUNWAN building, as shown in Figure A.

System Analysis

Figure A. System schematic of the centralized chiller system for the WISMA TUNWAN building

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The WISMA TUNWAN building houses a large hall for multi-purpose functions and its air-
conditioning system is a centralized chiller system. Chilled water exits the chiller at 1oC, but the
effects of pumping and ambient heating increases the water temperature to 4oC as it enters the Air
Handling Unit (AHU) of the DATC. The chilled water cools the air coming from the hall and then
returns to the chiller system.

In the AHU of the WISMA TUNWAN building, chilled water enters at 4oC and exits at 10oC at a flow
rate of 13 litres per minute. Air from the hall is to be cooled from its initial temperature of 38oC.

The chiller system operates based on the vapour compression refrigeration cycle with a single stage
compression and a water-cooled condenser The isentropic efficiency of the compressor is assumed
at 88%. The evaporator design is based on the shell-and-tube multipass heat exchanger. The
refrigerant enters and exits through the shell at its saturation temperature, while the chilled water
flows through the tube and exits the evaporator at 1oC.

For this air-conditioning system:

1. List 5 possible heat load causes (and its standard quantities) from the hall when it is being
used for a specific function, ie. exhibition, wedding, seminar etc. [CO1]
2. Assuming that the heat loss to the surrounding during the heat exchange process in the AHU
is 10% from the emitted heat transfer rate, plot the changes in air exit temperature if the air
flow rate into the AHU ranges from 10,000 to 20,000 litres per minute. Then, identify the
suitable operating range for the air flow into the AHU to meet the standard comfort
temperature requirement. [CO2]
3. If the surface temperature of the pipe carrying the chilled water return (CWR) is assumed
steady and uniform at 10oC along the pipe length, plot the heat transfer rate profile at the
outer surface of the CWR pipe under surrounding conditions of natural convection current
effect and wind effect of 2 ms-1, 4 ms-1 and 6 ms-1 velocities. The effective CWR pipe length is
19 meters with a pipe diameter of 25 cm. [CO3]
4. Plot the prediction of the chilled water temperature at the inlet of the chiller under similar
surrounding conditions. [CO2]
5. Select a commercial refrigerant (other than R134a) and provide a list of important properties
for the refrigerant. Then, assign the suitable operating pressures of the chiller system based
on all known operating conditions of the chiller system. Explain the choice of pressures.
[CO1]
6. Identify a specific multipass heat exchanger for the system. For one chosen case of chilled
water inlet temperature from Q4, as well as using the LMTD method, discuss the overall heat
transfer coefficient, U, profile of the evaporator if the effective surface area changes from 2m2
to 20m2. Choose the plot intervals accordingly. [CO3]
7. For one chosen case of chilled water inlet temperature from Q4, determine the mass flow rate
(in kg/s) of the refrigerant and calculate the Coefficient of Performance for the chiller system.
Also assume the refrigerant exits the condenser as saturated liquid. [CO2]
8. The cooling water temperature exiting the condenser was measured at 38oC and returns to
the condenser at 28oC with a flow rate of 10 litres per minute. At the cooling tower, the inlet
air humidity is 70%. Plot the saturated air exit temperature profile from the cooling tower if
the air flow rate changes from 20,000 to 100,000 litres per minute. [CO2]

For all cases, the surrounding temperature can be assumed at 30oC.

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Report (technical writing)

Your team (max 4 members) must prepare a technical written report that is presented as according
to the course outcome for each part.

Question Course Outcome Marks

1 CO1 5%
2 CO2 10%
3 CO3 25%
4 CO2 10%
5 CO1 10%
6 CO3 20%
7 CO2 10%
8 CO2 10%
100%

The report must be submitted in two phases:

First phase: submit solutions to Questions 1 to 4 by 12.00pm on Friday 22nd of November

2019. Second phase: submit solutions to Questions 5 to 8 by 12.00pm on Friday 20th
December 2019.

Please refer to the report rubrics in the attachment.

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 RUBRIC ASSESSMENT

Scale 1 2 3 4 5
Total Marks
Criteria Poor Acceptable Excellent
 The principles and
 The principles and  The principles and fundamentals are well
fundamentals are poorly fundamentals are describe and are
correlated with the moderately describe correlated with the
problem given. and are correlated with problem given.
[CO1,  Making many errors in the problem given.  All relevant heat transfer
15%
PO1] applications of heat  Make some but tolerable and thermodynamics
transfer and errors in applications of principles and concepts
thermodynamics heat transfer and are accurately and
principles and concepts. thermodynamics comprehensively
 principles and concepts. demonstrated and
applied.
 Correct and complete
 Correct interpretation of
interpretation of all
 Contain certain erroneous all results but lack
results.
elements in insightfulness. Insightful,
 Draw Insightful,
interpretations, supported and
thoughtful, supported and
discussion, and conclusion comprehensive
[CO2, comprehensive
of the thermal discussions or conclusions 40%
PO3] discussions or conclusions
engineering. of the thermal
of the thermal
 Only a very general engineering.
engineering.
discussion is made.  Have some useful
 Use and technically sound
recommendations.
recommendations.

 Substantially define the  The mathematical and
 Errors in integrating
mathematical model and problems statement are
mathematical solutions
[CO3, its problem statement well correlated
and problem statement. 45%
PO3]  Fairly define the solution  Has given a comprehensive
 No solution propose for
of given problem solution for the given
the given problem
statement problem

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 UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN MEKANIKAL
40450 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Tel. : 03-5543 6268 Fax: 03-5543 5160

Report Assessment

Assignment’s Title : ________________________________________________________

Groups’ Name : ________________________________________________________

Leader’s Name : ________________________________________________________

Member’s Name : 1) _______________________________________________________

2) _______________________________________________________

3) _______________________________________________________

Scale 1 2 3 4 5
Level Poor Acceptable Excellent

Question Course Outcome Max. Marks Scale Given Marks

1 CO1 5%
2 CO2 10%
3 CO3 25%
4 CO2 10%
5 CO1 10%
6 CO3 20%
7 CO2 10%
8 CO2 10%
100%

COURSE OUTCOME ACIEVEMENT SUMMARY

COURSE OUTCOME MAXIMUM MARKS GIVEN MARKS

CO1 15%
CO2 40%
CO3 45%
TOTAL 100%

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