NCE2106

ENGINEERING UTILITIES 2:
MODULE : VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING IN BUILDINGS

I. INTRODUCTION For evaporative coolers, it is actually dependent on the

II. DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSEMENT humidity of the air at a given month and location. For
III. INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES places with dry climate all year round such as the inner
IV. THEORIES AND CONCEPTS areas of Australia, evaporative coolers are more commonly
V. ASSESSMENT used since the low humidity allows the water vapor to be
VI. REFERENCES maximized in absorbing the heat and given the proper
ventilation, will allow for quicker air circulation.
Basic Selection method for Air conditioners (Window and
Split Types) The table for evaporative cooling capacities are given
below
Accurate sizing of the cooling capacities of air conditioners
are done using various formulas, charts and even table
that are available in the mechanical code. However from
experience, certain rule of thumbs can be developed from
this concept and be made available to lay persons for a lot
simpler applications.

As discussed earlier, air conditioners are generally

classified in to two types:
1. Refrigirant
2. Evaporative

For refrigerant types selecting the type of air conditioners
are always taken with the amount of its cooling capacity
(which is often presented as HP or Watts) But the cooling
capacity or air conditioners are in terms of BTU and KJ.
Basic tables for selecting the appropriate window type air
conditioner are given below
The table clearly shows that humidity has an important
effect in the cooling efficiency of evaporative coolers.
Manufacturers of evaporative coolers must also be
responsible to provide tabulated cooling capacities of their
product for the convenience of the end users. An example
of the capacity of an evaporative coolers are given in the
table below:

The values listed above are for typical office and residential
use. It is also meant that the cooling capacity ratings are
meant to make the room cold.

Example 1:
A 5m x 6m bedroom is to be installed with a window type
aircon. What is the appropriate rating to be installed there?

Solution:
From the table 2.0HP is appropriate for 25-35m2
Example 2: Determine the temp drop for 320 at 60% humidity we have

A barangay covered court is to be used as a graduation 35−30 30−25

= ; X32 = 270C at 60% humidity
venue for the local school. If the dimensions of the 35−32 30− X
barangay hall is 75m x 35m how many 9000cu.m coolers
will be utilized for this purpose. Monthly humidity during Determine the temp drop for 320 at 70% humidity we have
graduation month is 60% and the average monthly temp is
300C 35−30 31.5−26.5
= ; X32 = 28.50C at 70% humidity
35−32 31.5− X
SOLUTION:
Determine the temp drop for 320 at 66% humidity we have
From the manufacturer, the cooling capacity of their
9000cu.m fan is 70-75m2. 70−60 28.5−26.5
= ; X32 = 27.90C at 66% humidity
70−66 31.5− X
Area to be cooled: 75m x 35m = 2625m2
X32 = 27.90C
taking the cooling area to be 70 for each fan
2625
=37.5 pcs or 38units
70

The expected temp drop is taken from the cooling capacity

table to be as follows:

From the table it is expected that at 60% humidity, the

temperature will be lowered to 250C.

Caution:
In order to maximize the cooling capacity, make sure that
maximum air circulation is attained.

EXAMPLE 3:
A veranda is 2m x 10m and it is open at three sides, if the
average air temperature is 32 0C and the humidity is 66%.
Determine the cooling capacity if the appropriate coolers
are used

SOLUTIONS

Since both 32 and 66% are not explicit in this table,

iterations will have to be made.