Table of Contents

LIST OF FIGURES……………………………………………………………………………….2
LIST OF TABLES……………………………………………………………………………......2
1.0 TITLE .................................................................................................................................. 3

2.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 3

3.0 OBJECTIVE ........................................................................................................................ 4

4.0 THEORY ............................................................................................................................. 4

5.0 APPARATUS ...................................................................................................................... 6

6.0 PROCEDURE ...................................................................................................................... 8

7.0 RESULT ............................................................................................................................ 10

7.1 SAMPLE CALCULATION ........................................................................................... 11

8.0 DISCUSSION .................................................................................................................... 14

9.0 CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................. 15

10.0 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 16

APPENDICES…………………………………………………………………………………...17
 LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 5.1: Computer Linked Air Conditioning Unit (P.A. Hilton)………………………………6
Figure 5.2: Control Panel ................................................................................................................ 6
Figure 5.3: Schematic Diagram ...................................................................................................... 7

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: The result of experiment ................................................................................................. 10
Table 2: Result for cooling and humidification process ............................................................... 11
Table 3: Result for sensible heating for 1 kW power supply........................................................ 12
Table 4: Result for sensible heating for 0.5 kW power supply..................................................... 12
Table 5: Result for steam and humidification ............................................................................... 13

2
1.0 TITLE
Analysis of Air-Conditioning Process

2.0 INTRODUCTION
Air conditioning is the conditioning of air within a defined space, usually a residence or a
place of business. Conditioning usually involves heating or cooling, humidifying or
dehumidifying, and filtering or cleaning air and controlling its moisture level: conditioning it to
provide maximum indoor comfort. An air conditioner transfers heat from the inside of a building,
where it is not wanted, to the outside. Refrigerant in the system absorbs the excess heat and is
pumped through a closed system of piping to an outside coil. A fan blows outside air over the hot
coil, transferring heat from the refrigerant to the outdoor air. It is because the heat is removed
from the indoor air, the indoor area is cooled.
Air-conditioning is a system giving automatic control of the required environmental
conditions, by method of heating, cooling, humidification, dehumidification, cleaning and
movement of air in the building, vehicles and others. These control conditions may be desirable
to maintain the health and comfort of the occupants or to meet the requirements of industrial
process irrespective of the external climatic conditions.

There are some advantages of air-conditioning system;

 Improved working efficiency, reduce stress and absenteeism
 Increased sales, productivity, comfortless
 Less cleaning materials and furniture last longer
 Suitable environment for plants growth, process, electronic and laboratory areas
 Reduce internal and external pollution
 Less risk of fire or damage due to static electricity caused by dry air

Factors of choosing type of system are;

 Size volume
 Usage
 Arrangement of room, buildings
 Building materials-heat retained

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  Water or air fir releasing heat from condenser
 Noise level of system used
 Reliability, installation, cost and maintenance
 Flexibility or user friendly

3.0 OBJECTIVE
To observe and understand the changes in air properties as it is treated in a basic air-conditioning
unit.

4.0 THEORY
The AC unit has three key parts. These are the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator.
Your unit’s compressor and condenser are typically located in the outside part of the air
conditioning system. Inside the house is where you will find the evaporator. The cooling fluid
reaches the compressor as a low-pressure gas. The compressor squeezes this gas/fluid, and the
molecules in the liquid are packed closer together. The closer the compressor forces these
molecules together, the higher the temperature and energy rise.
This working fluid exits the compressor as a high-pressure, hot gas, and it moves to the
condenser. The outside unit of an air conditioning system has metal fins all around the housing.
These fins work like the radiator on a vehicle, and they help dissipate heat more quickly. When
the fluid leaves the condenser, it is much cooler. It’s also changed from a gas to liquid because of
the high pressure. The fluid makes its way into the evaporator through a minuscule, narrow hole
and when the liquid reaches the other side of this passage, its pressure drops. When this happens,
the fluid begins to evaporate to gas.
As this occurs, the heat is extracted from the surrounding air. This heat is required to
separate the molecules of the liquid into a gas. The metal fins on the evaporator also help
exchange thermal energy with the surrounding air. When the refrigerant leaves the evaporator, it
is once again a low-pressure, chilled gas. The process starts all over when it goes back to the
compressor. There is a fan that’s connected to the evaporator, and it circulates air around the
inside of the property and across the fins of the evaporator. The air conditioner sucks air into the
ducts through a vent. This air is used to cool gas in the evaporator, and as the heat is removed
from the air, it’s cooled. Ducts then blow air back into the house.

4
 This process continues until the inside air of your home or business reaches the desired
temperature. When the thermostat senses that the interior temperature is at the desired level, it
shuts the air conditioner off. When the room heats up again, the thermostat turns the air
conditioner back on until the preferred ambient temperature is achieved again.

Most air-conditioning process can be modeled as steady-flow processes, and thus the
mass balance relation ̇ in = ̇ out can be expressed for dry and water as

Mass balance for dry air: ∑ ̇a= ∑ ̇ a (kg/s)

Mass balance for water: ∑ ̇w=∑ ̇w or ∑ ̇ a⍵ = ∑ ̇ a⍵

Disregarding the kinetic and potential energy changes, the steady-flow energy balance
relation ̇ in = ̇ out can be expressed in this case as:
̇ in + ̇ in +∑ ̇ h = ̇ out + ̇ out +∑ ̇h

The work term usually consists of the fan work input, which is small relative to the other
term in the energy balance relation.

5
 5.0 APPARATUS

1. Computer Linked Air Conditioning Laboratory Unit (P.A. Hilton)

Cooling
Fan Area

Control
panel

Water
Container

Figure 5.1: Computer Linked Air Conditioning Unit (P.A. Hilton)

2. Control Panel

Figure 5.2: Control Panel

6
3. Schematic Diagram

Figure 5.3: Schematic Diagram

7
6.0 PROCEDURE

The unit was started by having the suction fan running and the screen displayed the master
Menu. Wait till Program 1 showed the process data displayed on a schematic layout of the
system. Program 2 displays the properties of the treated on the psychometric chart. This
experiment was divided into 4 stages and the procedure is done one by one;

Stages 1 - No Process

In these stages it acted as the control data. All the data and psychometric chart before the
experiment had been print out and used as the reference and comparison data. In stages 1, as the
Computer Linked Air Conditioning Laboratory Unit was activated the initial data were taken by
printing the data and psychometric chart from the computer. Then, the data were written in the
result of data table and print out. The difference between the temperatures in and out was
calculated and recorded.

Stages 2 - Cooling and Dehumidification.

In stage 2, the compressor of the refrigeration was activated allowed the temperature to
cool down at the range of 18°C-20°C and stabilized. After 5 minutes the data was taken and
printed out. As the temperature started to stabilized, the time taken for the system collecting the
100ml of water were taken from the first drop until the last drop of 100ml. Then, the rate of
condensation process was calculated and recorded in the table.

Stages 3 - Sensible Heating

In stages 3, here there were two kind of data needed, first the one that get from activated
of pre-heated at 1kW and second from both of activation of pre-heater which at 0.5kW and the
re-heater. For the first data as the air flow inside, the pre-heater was activated by clicking the
first switch on. Then it was let to activate for next 5 minutes. After that the data was print out.

8
The difference between the temperatures in and out was calculated and recorded. When it
finished, preheater was activated with preheated leave activated, hence the total power need to
preheat and re-heated were 1.5kW and then leave for another 5 minutes. Then the data were
printed. The difference between the temperatures in and out were calculated and recorded.

Stages 4 - Steam Humidification.

In stage 4, all water heaters were switched on to boil the water. When steam is produced,
only 3 kW of heat was switched on to maintain the steam and allowed 5 minute. The data
and psychometric chart were printed. Then, the amount of steam introduced, the change in
relative humidity, and the corresponding rise of temperature were calculated.

9
7.0 RESULT
Sensible Heating
Cooling and
No Steam Dehumidification
Process 1 kW 0.5 kW Humidification
5 min 100 ml

T1 ( TA d ) 28.9 29.7 29.7 30.1 30.6 30.8

T2 ( TA w ) 25.7 26.0 26.1 26.8 26.1 26.1

T3 ( TB d ) 29.5 42.9 45.8 38.5 30.6 30.8

T4 ( TB w ) 29.0 31.7 32.2 32.3 27.8 33.8

T5 ( TC d ) 28.9 29.2 30.8 37.9 16.8 16.7

T6 ( TC w ) 25.4 29.6 30.2 38.0 20.8 19.7

T7 ( TD d ) 29.1 29.0 37.5 37.8 17.0 16.8

T8 ( TD w ) 25.7 29.1 31.2 38.2 19.2 18.7

T9 ( T 1) x x x x 19.9 19.2

T10 ( T 2 ) x x x x 71.2 80.9

T1 1 ( T 3 ) x x x x 42.1 43.1

T1 2 ( T 4 ) x x x x 3.8 4.1

QP x 982.7 1018.2 x x

Qr x 0 541.4 x x

Qb x x x x

Pevap ( P1 ) x x x x 180.8 184.7

Pcond ( P3 ) x x x x 997.5 1028.1

ma 211.5 210.4 207.8 216.4 216.4

mr x x x x 0.0 0.0

Time x x x x 5 min 15 min 40 sec

Drain water
x x x x 100 ml
(ml)

Table 1: The result of experiment

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7.1 SAMPLE CALCULATION

Cooling and Dehumidification Process

Identify the cooling rate of process

Experimental value Theoretical value

Q = ma CP ∆T

Ma = 0.2164 kg/s
Cp = 1.005 kJ/kg. OC The value of cooling rate for theoretical
∆T = T5 - T3 cannot be calculated since value of mr is
= 16.8 - 30.6 = -13.8 OC not given / stated
։ Q = (0.2162)(1.005)(-13.8)
= -3.001 kW

Amount of moisture removed from the air

Experimental value Theoretical value

mc = ma ( w3 - w2 )

mc is measured From psychometric chart :

ma = 0.2164 kg/s
w3 = 24.4 g/kg dry air
w2 = 15.5 g/kg dry air

: mc = (0.2164)(15.5-24.4)
= -1.926 kg/s

The rate of condensation removed from the beginning of cooling process

Time , t = 15.40 min x 60

= 924 sec

100ml 1x10 6 m 3
Rate of condensation = X
924 sec 1ml
3
m
= 1.08 x10 7
s

Table 2: Result for cooling and humidification process

11
Sensible Heating Process (1kW)

Identify the cooling rate of process

Experimental value Theoretical value

Qh = ma CP ∆T
Qh = ma ( h2 - h1 )
ma = 0.2104 kg/s
Cp = 1.005 kJ/kg. OC From psychometric chart :
∆T = T3 - T1 h2 = 110 kj/kg
= 42.9 - 29.7 = 13.2 OC h1 = 81 kj/kg

։ Q = (0.2104)(1.005)(13.2) : Qh = (0.2104)(110-81)
= 2.79 kW = 6.10 kW

Table 3: Result for sensible heating for 1 kW power supply

Sensible Heating Process (0.5 kW)

Experimental value Theoretical value

Qh = ma CP ∆T Qh = ma ( h2 - h1 )
ma = 0.2078 kg/s From psychometric chart :
Cp = 1.005 kJ/kg. OC h2 = 111 kj/kg
∆T = T3 - T1
h1 = 80.99 kj/kg
= 45.8-29.7 = 16.1 OC

։ Q = (0.2078)(1.005)(16.1) : Qh = (0.2078)(111-80.99)
= 3.36 kW = 6.24 kW

Table 4: Result for sensible heating for 0.5 kW power supply

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Steam and humidification

Identify the cooling rate of process

Experimental value Theoretical value

Q = ma CP ∆T
Qh = ma ( h2 - h1 )
Ma = 0.2042 kg/s
Cp = 1.005 kJ/kg. OC From psychometric chart :
∆T = T3- T1 h2 = 108 kj/kg
= 38.5 - 30.1 = 8.4 OC h1 = 85.5 kj/kg

։ Q = (0.2042)(1.005)(8.4) : Qh = (0.2042)(108-85.5)
= 1.72 kW = 4.59 kW

Amount of moisture evaporated

Experimental value Theoretical value

mc = ma ( w2 - w1 )

The theoretical value for moisture remove From psychometric chart :

cannot be calculated because there is no ma = 0.2042 kg/s
mr value stated. W2 = 26.6 g/kg dry air
W1 = 21.1 g/kg dry air

: mc = (0.2042)(26.6-21.1)
= 1.12 kg/sec

∆w = w2 - w1
= 26.6-21.1
= 5.5 g/kg dry air

∆Tdry = T3-T1 -
= 38.5 - 30.1
= 8.4 OC

∆Twet = T4-T2
= 32.3 - 26.8
= 5.5 oC

Table 5: Result for steam and humidification

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8.0 DISCUSSION

Based on experiment that have been conducted, there are 4 process involve for the air
conditioning experiment which are no process, sensible heating, steam humidification and
cooling dehumidification and involve several parameters that need to be calculated by referring
to the data collected. For example, the cooling rate, the amount moisture neither absorbs nor
release to the surrounding for each process that involve in air conditioning. The air-vapour was
treated same for all experiment with constant Cp value which is 1.005 kJ/kg.oC. For ‘no process’,
the data was taken as indicator for the properties of air as it enters the air-conditioning unit.

In cooling and dehumidification process, compressor was switch on to cool the air until it get a
stable temperature between 18oC-20oC. The experimental value for cooling rate was -3.001 kJ/s
while the theoretical value was not calculated because the value for mr was not stated due to
machine that does not function properly. The value of cooling rate was negative because it
released some heat in order to. The amount of moisture released to the air was 1.926 kg/sec.

In sensible heating process, the temperature of air was increased by supplying power with input 1
kW by passing through the air over the heating coil. The heat transfer value for experimental was
2.79 kW while the theoretical value much higher which is 6.10 kW with percentage error about
54.26%. Compared to power supply of 0.5 kW, the heat transfer much greater compared to when
using 1 kW power. The heat transfer amount for experimental was 3.36 kW while the theoretical
value was 6.24 kW.

During steam and humidification process, moisturizer or humidity was added by switch on the
water heater to boil the water so that steam and air that passes through were mixed together. This
process was start by supplying 5 kW into the air conditioning system. As the steam start
produced, the power reduced into 3 kW. When the air is passed through the steam injector , the
moisturizer from the steam injector was evaporated and absorbed by the air with rate of 1.12
kg/sec. The amount of steam introduced was 1.72 kJ/s for experimental value while the
theoretical value was 4.59 kJ/s as shown in table 4 with percentage error of 62.53%. The change
in relative humidity for this process was 5.5 g.kg dry air while the corresponding rise
temperature was 5.5oC.

14
The actual result may vary for experimental and theoretical result. This may cause by error such
as human error. For example, the timing error. This occur when a person not have stopped the
time at the exact moment where it need to stop. Not only that, there are error in taking wet bulb
temperature. This is because for a wet bulb temperature there is additional effect by water
reservoir. This caused a minimal contact between air that flow and the thermometer. Thus
temperature was affected.

9.0 CONCLUSION
From the experiment, conclusions were made. It is important to know how to take a reading from
psychometric chart. This is because; by knowing the two variables (wet and dry bulb
temperature) other property such as enthalpy and specific humidity can be identified from
psychometric chart.

15
10.0 REFERENCES

Eastop & McConkey, Applied Thermodynamics for Engineering Technologists 5th Edition,

Prentice Hall, 1993;

Michael J. Moran, Howard N. Shapiro, Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics,

Published by John Wiley & Sons, 2012.

M. M. Rathore, Thermal engineering, Tata McGraw-Hill Education, New Delhi,2010;

Yunus A. Vengeland Micheal A. Boles, Thermodynamics An Engineering Approach, 7th

Edition in SI units, The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2011.

Y.A. Cengel and M.A. Boles; Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach,

McGraw-Hill, 8th Edition, 2015.

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APPENDICES

17