General Introduction of Air

Conditioning Systems

Prof. T. S. Zhao
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
HKUST

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 Objectives

 List environmental conditions that an air

conditioning system may control;
 Describe where air conditioning is used;
 Sketch the arrangement of the main
components of different types of AC systems;
 Describe the internal environmental
conditions that provide adequate human
comfort.

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 What is AC?
Definition: Air conditioning is the process of
treating air in an internal environment to
establish and maintain required standards of

 temperature,
 humidity,
 cleanliness,
 and motion.

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

How to control AC

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 Air Conditioning
-Applications
 Provide human comfort
 Meet the requirements of controlled
parameters
 Process control
 Computer rooms, clean rooms, medical
facilities, etc..

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Components of AC Systems

38oC
-12oC

27oC 20-22oC

A cooling system is needed A heating system is needed

© T.S. Zhao, 2004
Components of AC Systems

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Unitary AC Systems
-Window type

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Condenser/evaporator

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Window type

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Cooling Principle

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Unitary AC Systems
- Window type

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Unitary AC Systems
-Split Type

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 Split Type AC Layout
Evaporator
Outdoor
Detachable Refrigerant Pipes

Fan
Water Pipe
Fan

Indoor
Condenser Compressor
© T.S. Zhao, 2004
 Independent Ventilation Unit

• Mounted outdoor,
near the external unit.

• Negative pressure
type ventilation.

• Power: 2W.

• Ventilation Capacity:
12m3/h.

• Noise: 22dB
A Independent Ventilation Unit Used in Split Type AC

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Independent Ventilation Unit
• Consists of power adapter,
control board, and centrifugal
fan.

• Powered by the 220V

terminals of external unit.

• Signal cable connected to the

internal unit.

• Automatically start/stop.

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 Independent Ventilation Unit
 Maintain the indoor air quality
 Low cost solution

 Easy to install

 Without additional indoor

noise
 Fully integrated into the AC

system
 Applicable as upgrade kit for

current split type AC system

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Unitary AC Systems

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Unitary AC Systems

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Unitary AC Systems

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 Central AC Systems
Heat

Heat Condensing Heat

water 35oC Outside
air 30oC
Room air 25oC ASH 1
Chilled
water

12oC
Cooling
Chiller tower
ASH 2
Room air 25oC

Room air 25oC ASH 3

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Central AC Systems

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Drain Pan Cooling coil
•Removes •Heat transfer
moisture from air to
condensed refrigerant
from air •Extended
stream surface coil

Condenser

Expansion valve

Controls

Compressor
© T.S. Zhao, 2004
 Heating coil
•Heat transfer
from
refrigerant to
air

Heat pump

Furnace

Boiler

Electric resistance

Controls

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 Blower
•Overcome
pressure drop
of system

Adds heat to air

stream

Makes noise

Performs
differently at
different
conditions (air
flow and
pressure drop)

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 Duct system
(piping for
hydronic
systems)
•Distribute
conditioned
air
•Remove air
from space

Provides
ventilation

Makes noise

Affects comfort

Affects indoor air

quality

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 Diffusers
•Distribute
conditioned
air within
room

Provides
ventilation

Makes noise

Affects comfort

Affects indoor air

quality

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Dampers
•Change
airflow
amounts

Controls outside
air fraction

Affects building
security

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Filter
•Removes
pollutants
•Protects
equipment

Imposes
substantial
pressure drop

Requires
Maintenance

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Controls
•Makes
everything
work

Temperature

Pressure (drop)

Air velocity

Volumetric flow

Relative humidity

Enthalpy

Electrical Current

Electrical cost

Fault detection
© T.S. Zhao, 2004
Central AC Systems

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

© T.S. Zhao, 2004
 Central Equipment - AHU
Air-handling Unit (AHU):
Components: fan, heating coil,
cooling coil, filter, humidifier,
and controlling dampers.

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 AHU Components

Filter
Fan

Cooling coil
© T.S. Zhao, 2004
 Central Equipment
Vapor-Compression Chiller

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 Central Equipment
Vapor-Compression Chiller

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Central Equipment
Absorption Chiller

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Central Equipment
Absorption Chiller

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

Central Equipment
Cooling Tower

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 Central Equipment
Cooling Tower
Discharged moist air

Fan
Warm water

Atmospheric
Air

Return water
Make-up water

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

© T.S. Zhao, 2004
© T.S. Zhao, 2004
© T.S. Zhao, 2004
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© T.S. Zhao, 2004
 Distribution System

Some definitions:
 Thermostat--a control device that senses the space
temperature and sends a correcting signal if that
temperature is not within some desired range;
 Humidistat–

 Zone--a conditioned space under the control of a single

thermostat.
© T.S. Zhao, 2004
Classification of Central Systems

 All-water system:
Only water distributed to separate
zones;

 All-air system:
Only air distributed to separate zones

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

All-water AC systems
-Heating

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

All-water AC systems
-Cooling

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

All-water AC systems
-Fan Coil Unit

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

© T.S. Zhao, 2004
Cassette FCU

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

All-water AC systems
-Heating and cooling

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 All-Air AC systems
-Heating and cooling

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 All-Air Systems
Features:
 The major plant is centrally located in unoccupied areas, hence
convenient for selection suitable equipment, operating and
maintenance, noise control.
 No chilled water and condense drain piping, electrical wiring and
filters are located inside the conditioned space.
 Disadvantage: requires additional duct clearance.

Classifications:
 Single-zone system;
 Single-zone system with reheat;
 Variable-volume system (VAV);
 Dual-duct system;
 Multizone system. © T.S. Zhao, 2004
 All-Air Systems
-Single-zone System
The all-air single-zone air-conditioning system is the basic central system
which can supply a constant air volume or a variable air volume at low,
medium or high pressure. Normally, the equipment is located outside the
conditioned space can also be installed within the conditioned area if
conditions permit. The single zone system is controlled at the central plant.

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 All-Air Systems
-Single-zone System With Reheat

Features of Reheat Systems:

 Closely controls space conditions;
 Provide flexibility for both temperature and
humidity control;
 Expensive to operate. © T.S. Zhao, 2004
 All-Air Systems
-Variable Air Volume System (VAV)

Features of VAV:
 Low initial and operating cost;
 Easy and inexpensive to subdivide into new zones;
 No zoning required in central equipment ;
 Disadvantage: Affect air motion of conditioned space; Create
noise © T.S. Zhao, 2004
 All-Air Systems
- Dual-duct System

Features of Dual-Duct System:

 Zoning of central equipment is not required.
 Instant temperature response is achieved because of simultaneous availability
of cold and warm air at each terminal unit.
 No seasonal changeover is necessary.
 Disadvantages: higher initial cost and operating cost. © T.S. Zhao, 2004
All-Air Systems
-Multi-zone System

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

HKUST AC System

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

HKUST AC System

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

HKUST AC System

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

HKUST AC System

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

HKUST AC System

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

HKUST AC System

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

HKUST AC System

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

HKUST AC System

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

HKUST AC System

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

HKUST AC System

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 Human comfort
The human body creates heat when it
metabolizes food. This body is
continuously lost to surroundings by:
 Convection;

 Radiation;

 Evaporation;
 Perspiration
 respiration
The factor that determines whether one feels hot or
cold is the rate of body heat loss.
© T.S. Zhao, 2004
 Human comfort
The rate of body heat is affected by five
conditions:
 Air temperature;

 Air humidity;

 Air motion;

 Temperature of surrounding objects;

 Clothing

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 Human comfort

21oC 27oC

© T.S. Zhao, 2004

 Human comfort

20-22.2oC
24.4-25.5oC

clo- a numerical unit representing a clothing ensemble’s thermal insulation

clo=0.5 – light slacks and short sleeve shirt
clo=0.9 – heavy slacks, long sleeve shirt and sweater or jacket

© T.S. Zhao, 2004