ASSIGNMENT NO 5 DALJEET KAUR THETHI

BUILDING SERVICES ROLL NO. 17112

Q21. Explain the two basic types of Compressors with diagrams.

• A compressor is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume.
• An air compressor is a specific type of gas compressor.
• Compressors are similar to pumps: both increase the pressure on a fluid and both can transport
the fluid through a pipe.
• As gases are compressible, the compressor also reduces the volume of a gas.
• Liquids are relatively incompressible; while some can be compressed, the main action of a pump
is to pressurize and transport liquids.
Two basic types of compressors are:
a) Positive displacement compressors
• In positive displacement compressors, gases are compressed due to the displacement of a
mechanical linkage which reduces its volume.
• First off, a certain amount of gas is passed into a confined space and the volume or space is
subsequently reduced which helps to boost the gas’ pressure levels
• .The gas is then released into a discharge piping or vessel system once the pressure has been
raised.
• If you’re wondering why this displacement is called positive in the first place, then reference can
be made to thermodynamics where a displacement caused by the movement of a piston (as is
the case of a reciprocating compressor) is known to be positive.
• The movement can also be caused by rotation as is the case of a twin helical screw-rotating
machine.
• Consequently, the types of positive displacement compressors are:
1. Reciprocating compressors
2. Rotary compressors

b) Dynamic compressors
• Dynamic compressors are also known as turbo compressors and they depend on a fluid’s inertia
and momentum to bring about its increased pressure levels.
• In their mode of operation, velocity energy is impacted to a stream of gas and this energy is then
converted to pressure energy.
• There are two basic types of dynamic compressors and these are:
1. Centrifugal compressors
2. Axial compressors
Q22. Explain the concept of Air Conditioning the various types of Air Conditioning available. How
would you select the appropriate type of Air Conditioning?

➢ Various types of air conditioning available are:

1. Central Air Conditioners

• A central air conditioner combines the evaporator, condenser, and compressor in a single unit
that is placed on a roof or a concrete slab near the foundation.

• From the unit, ducts running through the exterior wall or roof draw air from inside the house
and return cooled air indoors.

• This type of air conditioner can also be combined with a set of heating coils or a natural gas
furnace inside the building.

2. Ductless, Mini-Split Air Conditioners

• This is a good choice for houses that do not have ductwork.

• The ductless, mini-split systems combine an outdoor compressor and condenser with one or
more indoor air-handling units.

• These units are mounted on the wall with blowers attached.

• Tubing connects the indoor and outdoor units and circulates refrigerant between them.

• Each room in your home will have a separate unit that cools just that room, similar to a window
unit.

• These can be installed without tearing up walls, and allow the temperature to be controlled
independently in each room.

• They can be more energy efficient, but are more expensive if you’re cooling an entire house.

3. Window Units

• These are the most common types of AC units for single rooms.
• All of the components are enclosed in a single box with a single thermostat gauge that is fitted
in a slot made in the wall or window sill where the unit sits.

4. Portable Units

• This is similar to a window system, but it can be moved from room to room.

• It’s self-contained and freestanding on the floor so you can move it from room to room or
apartment to apartment.

• It only uses an outlet to power on and a window to funnel out the exhaust air.

5. Hybrid Air Conditioner

• Hybrid type of AC unit systems alternate between burning fossil fuels and using electricity to
save money and energy while running your system.

• In the summer, the heat pump works as it normally does, pulling heat from your home and
distributing it outdoors.

• In the winter, your hybrid heat pump system works in reverse, pulling heat from the outside
environment and distributing it into your home.

6. Geothermal Heating and Cooling

• As a newer method of heating and cooling, geothermal technology is able to extract the heat
from below the ground and transfer it into your home.

• A geothermal coil is installed deep in the ground and can be used to heat and cool your home.

• In the winter, heat is extracted from the Earth; in the summer, heat is extracted from your home
and distributed back into the ground.

• This is very sustainable, energy efficient, and provides a longer lifespan than other options.

➢ How to select the appropriate type of Air Conditioning?

• Once you know what types of AC units are available, it’s time to decide which one is best for
your home.

• This depends on your budget, square footage, SEER ratings, warranties, and features.

A. Budget:

• The cheapest option is a window or portable AC unit that cools a single room. Of course, this is
also the least effective option. It’ll cool the space similar to a good room fan, but won’t do much
more.
• A ductless system can be cost effective if you’re only cooling a few rooms. If you do a whole
home on a ductless system, it can add up costs very quickly.

• A central air conditioning unit is more expensive, but also more effective and will last longer
than the portable or window options.

• The most expensive option is a geothermal unit, but it could last you nearly the rest of your life.

B. Home Square Footage:

• This should be your first consideration when choosing types of AC units.

• You will need an air conditioner that has the output capacity to cool the entire home it is
intended for.

• The central air conditioners that are installed in your home range from 1.5-ton to 5-ton units.

• A 1,600-square-foot home will generally require a 3-ton air conditioning unit.

• Anything over 5-tons is generally considered a light commercial HVAC unit.

• If your house requires an AC unit of this size, you’ll need to install multiple AC units in tandem.

C. Warranties:

• Good HVAC manufacturers stand behind their products and most systems are designed to last
for 20 years or longer.

• While it is important to consider warranties that have the longest terms, it’s also important to
look at what that warranty covers.

• Units with lifetime warranties may not cover the cost of labor, or may only cover labor-related
expenses during the first year.

• Some warranties may have various timeframes for different parts or components, so it’s
important to ask details about what the warranty does and does not cover.

D. Energy Saving Features

• Air conditioners have been cooling homes for decades, but only recently have they become
significantly more efficient.

• There are a few energy-saving features that are important to look for:

1. Variable speed motors:

• This feature maximizes the efficiency of airflow because they are able to operate at multiple
different speeds depending on the needs of your system at any given time.
 2. Automatic fan delay switch:

• This allows the air handler to run for a brief amount of time after each cooling cycle in order to
make use of any remaining cool air by pushing it into your home’s living spaces.

• This way, it’s not left sitting in the system.

3. Thermal expansion valves:

• When more cooling is required, the valve increases the flow of refrigerant. When less cooling is
required, the valve restricts the flow of refrigerant. This allows your air conditioner to minimize
energy consumption while still keeping your home comfortable.

4. Two-stage cooling:

• Some air conditioners that have compressors with two different cooling outputs (high and low).
This way, on milder days, the low setting is used and allows your air conditioner to consume less
energy. On hotter days, the high setting is used in order to keep up with your home’s demands.
It allows you to be more in control of your home’s settings and your monthly costs.

E. Protect Your Unit

• If you have anything more than a window or portable unit, your air conditioning unit will likely
be a big investment. Protecting it is a critical part of maintaining your unit for years to come. The
best way to protect your unit is to follow three critical steps:

1. Buy the best unit for your space

2. Have it professionally installed
3. Give your system the regular maintenance it needs to perform at its best.

Q23. Explain Cooling Towers and its Functions.

Cooling towers are used to remove heat from a building.

• Cooling a stream of water to a lower temperature using evaporation does this.

 • Large cooling towers are usually used in industries like power plants, petroleum refineries and
various manufacturing facilities.

• They vary in size from large hyperboloid structures to smaller ones on the rooftops of shopping
centers, hospitals or universities.

• However, the most common application of a cooling tower is inside an HVAC system for cooling
buildings.

• An HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) cooling tower is used to dispose unwanted
heat from a chiller.

• HVAC use of a cooling tower pairs the cooling tower with a water-cooled chiller or water-cooled
condenser.

• Cooling towers vary in size and design based on the cooling load of a building.

• The cooling load is determined by the size of a building from which heat needs to be extracted.

• The other factor that affects this design is the relative humidity of the air.

• This is determined by the location of the building.

• Types of cooling tower:

1. Cooling towers by build

2. Heat transfer method

3. Air flow generation method

Q24. Explain the basic concept of Chiller based AC Systems. Discuss merits and demerits of each
location.

• Chiller based AC systems:

• Commercial buildings use Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems to
dehumidify and to cool the building.
• Modern commercial buildings seek efficient HVAC systems and components as part
of broader initiatives centered on building performance and sustainability.
• Chillers have become an essential HVAC component of a wide variety of commercial facilities,
including hotels, restaurants, hospitals, sporting arenas, industrial and manufacturing plants,
etc.
• In general, a chiller facilitates the transfer of heat from an internal environment to an external
environment.
• This heat-transfer device relies on the physical state of a refrigerant as it circulates through the
chiller system.
• Certainly, chillers can function as the heart of any central HVAC system.

➢ Working of chiller based AC system:

• A chiller works on the principle of vapor compression or vapor absorption.
• Chillers provide a continuous flow of coolant to the cold side of a process water system at a
desired temperature of about 50°F (10°C).
• The coolant is then pumped through the process, extracting heat out of one area of a facility
(e.g., machinery, process equipment, etc.) as it flows back to the return side of the process
water system.
• A chiller uses a vapor compression mechanical refrigeration system that connects to the process
water system through a device called an evaporator.
• Refrigerant circulates through an evaporator, compressor, condenser and expansion device of
a chiller. A thermodynamic process occurs in each of above components of a chiller.
• The evaporator functions as a heat exchanger such that heat captured by the process coolant
flow transfers to the refrigerant.
• As the heat-transfer takes place, the refrigerant evaporates, changing from a low-pressure liquid
into vapor, while the temperature of the process coolant reduces.
• The refrigerant then flows to a compressor, which performs multiple functions.
• First, it removes refrigerant from the evaporator and ensures that the pressure in the
evaporator remains low enough to absorb heat at the correct rate.
• Second, it raises the pressure in outgoing refrigerant vapor to ensure that its temperature
remains high enough to release heat when it reaches the condenser.
• The refrigerant returns to a liquid state at the condenser.
• The latent heat given up as the refrigerant changes from vapor to liquid is carried away from
the environment by a cooling medium (air or water).
➢ Types of Chillers:

• As described, two different cooling mediums (air or water) can facilitate the transfer of the
latent heat given up as the refrigerant changes from vapor to liquid. Thus, chillers can use two
different types of condensers, air-cooled and water-cooled.
• Air-cooled condensers resemble the “radiators” that cool automobile engines. They use a
motorized blower to force air across a grid of refrigerant lines. Unless they are specially
designed for high-ambient conditions, air-cooled condensers require ambient temperatures of
95°F (35°C) or below to operate effectively.

• Water-cooled condensers perform the same function as air-cooled condensers, but require two
steps to complete the heat transfer. First, heat moves from refrigerant vapor into the condenser
water. Then, the warm condenser water is pumped to a cooling tower where the process heat is
ultimately discharged to the atmosphere.