TDP Psychrometric Processes

Technical Development Program (TDP)
CHVAC Equipment South Asia Pacific
HVAC : TECHNICAL
CSDC
Applied Psychrometrics DEVELOPMENT
(Advanced Application) PROGRAM
TDP_CSDC_M102(A)
DESCRIPTION AND SCOPE:
An understanding of the material in this module will provide general
engineering practices on the application of HVAC psychrometric
processes for buildings and process-related industries.
The derivation of the configuration of specific application is the main
objective(s), and it will relate to the air-water-vapor mixtures in our
environment. Sharing of the experiences gained in specific
application on the psychrometric processes will provide engineering
means for the development of HVAC & processes cooling industries.
• Understand the built environment psychrometric

properties of space.
• Application of the psychrometric chart
• Use the psychrometric chart to understand the
applied and advanced air conditioning and industrial
processes
• Understand how the required or design processes can
be incorporated into a psychrometric chart and plot
process diagram with feasibility and reliability
investigation.
Contents
# Description of Document Page
Prefaces with category and Chapters. 1 Introduction &Basic Review
To identify the proper coverage of 2 Basic Applicable Formulae
each Chapter and synchronize with
3 Typical Psychrometric Charts
the presentation pptx file.
4 Applied Psychrometric Processes.
5 Summary
6 Reference & Appendix
Prepared By :
Wong Fook Kee, Tommy TDP_CSDC_M102(A)
07/Nov/2021 (Rev A.)
Regional Training Manager
Page | 1
Chapter 1. Introduction & Basic Review

1.1 General Concepts:
The basic mechanical refrigeration process is the process of how we transfer and
transmit thermal (heating / cooling) energy from lower temperature environment to higher
temperature stage, usually this is referred to ambient or atmospheric environment.
Basic learning objectives:
• Understand the built environment psychrometric properties of space.
• Application of the psychrometric chart
• Use the psychrometric chart to understand the applied and advanced air conditioning
and industrial processes
• Understand how the required or design processes can be incorporated into a
psychrometric chart and plot process diagram with feasibility and reliability
investigation.
Let’s define the original implementation of the word : REFRIGERATION.
Figure 1.1 : Definition of REFRIGERATION and the prospect of it for further understanding.
1.2 Basic Review : Psychrometric Processes:

There are Seven psychrometric properties (available physically) :
i) Dry-bulb temperature,
ii) Wet-bulb temperature,
iii) Enthalpy,
iv) Specific Volume,
v) Relative Humidity,
vi) Specific Humidity,
vii) Dew-point Temperature.
Please refer to Figure 1.2 for more details on the psychrometric chart.
There are Eight Psychrometric Processes available physically:-
i) Sensible Cooling,
ii) Sensible Heating,
iii) Humidification,
iv) Dehumidification,
v) Cooling with Humidification,
vi) Cooling wit Dehumidification,
vii) Heating with Humidification,
viii) Heating with Dehumidification.
Please refer to Figure 1.3 for more details on the psychrometric chart.
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Figure 1.2 : Psychrometric chart : with respective physical & mechanical properties as shown. There
are Seven of them : Dry-bulb / Wet-bulb temperature, Enthalpy, Specific Volume, Relative Humidity,
Specific Humidity, Dew-point Temperature.
Figure 1.3 : Psychrometric chart : with respective physical processes as shown. There are Eight of
them : Sensible Cooling, Sensible Heating, Humidification, Dehumidification, Cooling with
Humidification, Cooling with Dehumidification, Heating with Humidification, and Heating with
Dehumidification.
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We have learned and aware of several physical processes available in our

environment through the above Figure 1.2 & Figure 1.3, whether appear theoretically
or ideal environment. Due to the comfortability requirement of the built-environment,
engineers and scientist have designed & built some devices of which able to achieve
or improve the quality of built-environment.
There are some workout examples or equipment listed below for your reference.
i) Humidifier & Dehumidifier,
ii) Rotary Air-to-Air Heat Exchanger – Total Heat Thermal Wheel,
iii) Stationary Air-to-Air Heat Exchanger – Total Heat Thermal Wheel,
iv) Heat pipes,
v) Heat Recovery Units,
vi) Evaporative Cooling Equipment,
vii) Air-conditioners : Cooling + Dehumidification,
viii) Air-Washer Cooling / Heating Unit,
ix) Heating + Humidification Unit,
x) Cooling Tower (Wet-type).
xi) Gas Heater Unit,
Please refer to following Figure 1.4 for more details of the processes & equipment
shown on the psychrometric chart.
Figure 1.4 : Psychrometric processes with available units or systems : Heating / Cooling,
Humidification / Dehumidification, Heat Thermal Wheel, Air-conditioners, etc.
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Chapter 2 : Basic Applicable Formulae,

2.1 General Formulae
As mentioned in Chapter 1, the processes as tabulated in the psychrometric chart
are the basic design / calculation approach to achieve the built-environment
comfortability, and the basic consideration of such approach is through
thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics implementation, i.e. through the
analytical analysis of control volume, control surfaces, closed system, extended
open system.
Please refer to the following list of applicable formulae for HVAC system application
and calculation.
Figure 2.1: Typical Psychrometric Calculation Formulae. Please refer to Carrier’s Air-Conditioning
Handbook, Chapter 1, Psychrometrics.
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2.2 Simplified Application Formulae

The folloiwng calculation formula reference to the psychrometrics, with some modification
of physical properties of air & water vapor contents.
Figure 2.2: Typical Psychrometric calculation formula with air + water vapor simplification. Mainly on
the ease of enthalpy calculation and the air-conditioning processes.
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Chapter 3 : Typical Psychrometric Charts.

3.1 General Psychrometric Chart.
Typical Psychrometric Chart – Sea Level
Normal Temperature (Imperial Units) – Figure 3.1 and SI Unit Measurement System
– Figure 3.2
Also attached in Figure 3.4, the chart with higher temperature application.
Figure 3.1 : Typical ASHRAE Recommended Psychrometric Chart – with Imperial Unit Measurement
System. (Sea-level, Normal temperature application)
Figure 3.2 : Typical ASHRAE Recommended Psychrometric Chart – with SI Unit Measurement
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Figure 3.3 : Typical ASHRAE Recommended Psychrometric Chart – with Imperial Unit Measurement
System. At Sea-level of high temperature scale.
3.2 General Psychrometric Chart.

Equipment manufacturer’s approaches about psychrometrics.
Figure 3.5 : Typical Carrier Corp. Recommended Psychrometric Chart – with Imperial Unit
Measurement System. (Sea-level, Normal temperature application)
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Figure 3.6 : Typical Carrier Corp. Recommended Psychrometric Chart – with SI Unit Measurement
Figure 3.7 : Typical Carrier Corp. Recommended Psychrometric Chart – with SI Unit Measurement
System. (Sea-level, Normal temperature application) – General practical calculation forms.
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3.3 Special Different Format of Psychrometric Chart.

Typical Psychrometric Chart – Sea Level (aka) Mollier Diagram
Normal Temperature (SI Metric Units)
Figure 3.8 : Special purpose psychrometric chart : Also known as Mollier Diagram or Chart
Technical Comparison of Psychrometric Chart verses Mollier Diagram

Normal Temperature (Metric SI Units)
Figure 3.9 : Main comparison : Mollier Diagram is formed by Rotating + Flipping of original
psychrometric chart.
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Chapter 4 : Applied Psychrometric Processes.

4.1 Normal Air-conditioning Process.
Heating and cooling process. Normally refer to as sensible cooling or sensible
heating processes.
Figure 4.1 : Heating and Cooling Processes as plotted in psychrometric chart.
Heating and cooling with humidification processes
.
Figure 4.2 : Heating and Cooling with Humidification Processes as plotted in psychrometric chart.
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Figure 4.3 : Cooling with Adiabatic Humidification & Air-Mxing (Outside air and return air) Processes
as plotted in psychrometric chart.
With the combination of the psychrometric processes as shown in Figure 4.1, 4.2 &
4.3, the following (Figure 4.4) is the final process line of the air-conditioning of the
built-environment occupant space.
Figure 4.4 : Complete air-conditioning processes of built-environment for human occupant space as
plotted in psychrometric chart.
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4.2 Normal Air-conditioning Process : Details of Cooling and Mixing.
In Air Handling System, air stratification results from improper mixing of air inside the
given chamber. This result is difficulty in operating the Air Handler as well as running
the unit effectively and maintaining Indoor air quality. In recent times problems is
even more serious since the ventilation requirement mandated by ASHRAE
Standard is calling for pumping more fresh air inside the building.(Please refer to
Figure 4.5 & 4.6 for more details)
In the Plenum (Figure 2.2), Outside Air (OA) and Return Air (RA) are mixed until it
reaches the accurate temperature to be distributed to the area requiring temperature
control. Outside Air (OA) is the hot or cool air that the blower in the HVAC generates
and supplies to the Plenum, which then distributes the air to the room. As fresh hot
or cool air goes into the room, the existing cool or hot air in the room is drawn back
by the air collection box in the Plenum and is known as Return Air (RA). Using a
diverter, the Return Air is then directed towards the Outside Air for processing.
A high-quality air mixers (plenums or chambers) doesn’t allow air stratification due to
unmixed air, as its braiders mix air at a consistent speed, thereby eliminating
chances of having unmixed air in the Plenum. Air stratification refers to the layering
of air due to which much electrical and mechanical energy is wasted to overcome its
effect. Estimates advises that an average of 20 percent of energy is wasted because
of air stratification. Hence, it’s prudent to have an air mixer that has a special control
mechanism for heavy mixing while, at the same time, having acoustical media to
obstruct noise coming out of the machine.
plotted in psychrometric chart. With the fresh air (outside air) mixing with return air.
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plotted in psychrometric chart. With the fresh air (outside air) mixing with return air and their
respective physical & mechanical properties.
4.2 Regenerative Heat Recovery (Rotary / Stationary).

A regenerative heat exchanger, or more commonly a regenerator, is a type of heat
exchanger where heat from the hot fluid is intermittently stored in a thermal storage
medium before it is transferred to the cold fluid. To accomplish this the hot fluid is
brought into contact with the heat storage medium, then the fluid is displaced with
the cold fluid, which absorbs the heat. (Refer to Figure 4.7, 4.8(a), 4.8(b) for more
details)
In regenerative heat exchangers, the fluid on either side of the heat exchanger can
be the same fluid. The fluid may go through an external processing step, and then it
is flowed back through the heat exchanger in the opposite direction for further
processing. Usually, the application will use this process cyclically or repetitively.
Regenerative heating was one of the most important technologies developed during
the Industrial Revolution when it was used in the hot blast process on blast
furnaces. It was later used in glass and steel making, to increase the efficiency
of open hearth furnaces, and in high pressure boilers and chemical and other
applications, where it continues to be important today.
In rotary regenerators, or thermal wheels, the heat storage "matrix" in the form of a
wheel or drum, that rotates continuously through two counter-flowing streams of
fluid. In this way, the two streams are mostly separated. Only one stream flows
through each section of the matrix at a time; however, over the course of a rotation,
both streams eventually flow through all sections of the matrix in succession. The
heat storage medium can be a relatively fine-grained set of metal plates or wire
mesh, made of some resistant alloy or coated to resist chemical attack by the
process fluids, or made of ceramics in high temperature applications. A large amount
of heat transfer area can be provided in each unit volume of the rotary regenerator,
compared to a shell-and-tube heat exchanger - up to 1000 square feet of surface
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can be contained in each cubic foot of regenerator matrix, compared to about 30

square feet in each cubic foot of a shell-and-tube exchanger.[6]
Figure 4.7 : Complete Regenerative Heat Recovery (Rotary) Unit : air-to-air processes of built-
environment for human occupant space as plotted in psychrometric chart
Figure 4.8(a) : Complete Regenerative Heat Recovery (Rotary) Unit : Building exhaust heat recovery
built-up with desiccant recovery wheel, install in-series with heat wheel, air -to-air processes of built-
environment for human occupant space as plotted in psychrometric chart .
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Figure 4.8(b) : Complete Regenerative Heat Recovery (Rotary) Unit : Building exhaust heat recovery
built-up with desiccant recovery wheel, install in-series with heat wheel, air -to-air processes of built-
environment for human occupant space as plotted in psychrometric chart.
In a fixed matrix regenerator, a single fluid stream has cyclical, reversible flow; it is
said to flow "counter-current". This regenerator may be part of a valveless system,
such as a Stirling engine. In another configuration, the fluid is ducted through valves
to different matrices in alternate operating periods resulting in outlet temperatures
that vary with time. For example, a blast furnace may have several "stoves" or
"checkers" full of refractory fire brick. The hot gas from the furnace is ducted through
the brickwork for some interval, say one hour, until the brick reaches a high
temperature. Valves then operate and switch the cold intake air through the brick,
recovering the heat for use in the furnace. Practical installations will have multiple
stoves and arrangements of valves to gradually transfer flow between a "hot" stove
and an adjacent "cold" stove, so that the variations in the outlet air temperature are
reduced.
It has a multilayer grating structure in which each layer is offset from the adjacent
layer by half a cell which has an opening along both axes perpendicular to the flow
axis. Each layer is a composite structure of two sublayers, one of a high thermal
conductivity material and another of a low thermal conductivity material. When a hot
fluid flows through the cell, heat from the fluid is transferred to the cell wells and
stored there. When the fluid flow reverses direction, heat is transferred from the cell
walls back to the fluid.
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Figure 4.9 : Complete Regenerative Heat Recovery (Stationary) Unit : Building exhaust heat recovery
built-up with desiccant / Lint filter, for air -to-air processes of built-environment for human occupant
space as plotted in psychrometric chart.
4.3 Face-and-By-Pass Configuration.
A ‘process’ that appears to be somewhat under-utilised in comfort HVAC is face and

bypass. This is not really a single process but a combination (most frequently) of a
cooling and dehumidifying process with a mixing process where some of the air
passes around the cooling coil and then mixes back in with the air that has been
cooled and dehumidified. If applied appropriately, face and bypass can usefully
reduce the energy used in ‘reheat’ processes commonly applied to provide close
control of supply temperature and humidity.
This process is shown in Figure 4.10. For a bypassed cooling coil, the position of the
mixed point M will be determined by the proportions of the air that has passed
through the coil, B, to the air that has simply bypassed the coil A.
Face and bypass dampers are standard control dampers assembled either one
over the other, beside each other at right angle from each other. The units are
interconnected or interlocking for simultaneous blade(s) projected action(s), typically
causing one damper to open while the other closes. (Figure 10(a))
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Figure 4.10(a) : Complete Face-and-By-pass Unit : By-pass the mainstream and further mixing with
another free-stream of air flow at different construction and design criteria.
Figure 4.10(b) : Complete Face-and-By-pass Unit : By-pass the mainstream and further mixing with
another free-stream of air flow to adjust/control the humidity and water contents of the mixed air that
deliver to the room in the later stage.
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4.4 Desiccant Heat Recovery Systems.
Desiccant HVAC systems remove moisture from outdoor ventilation air before it
enters a conditioned space. A wheel that contains a desiccant turns slowly to pick up
humidity from incoming air and discharge that humidity to the outdoors.
A desiccant system can be combined with a conventional air conditioning system in
which the desiccant removes humidity, and the air conditioner lowers air
temperature. Desiccant materials can be dried, or regenerated, by adding heat.
Applications All types of buildings
• Best circumstances include: (1) need for humidity control, (2) high latent load, (3)
low thermal energy cost versus high electric energy cost, and (4) need for dry
cooling coils and duct work to avoid microbial growth. Active Desiccant Wheel
(Source: Greening Federal Facilities) Design Notes
• Desiccant systems are typically paired with Energy (Enthalpy) Recovery Ventilation
or Heat Recovery Ventilation equipment.
Desiccant dehumidification is widely used in cold room applications, but one concern
of cold store operators is that, with traditional desiccant dehumidifiers, the returning
air is at a higher temperature than the air in the cold store.
Figure 4.11 : Complete Desiccant Heat Recovery Systems : With Dehumidification Function, as
indicated in psychrometric chart.
Notes:-
i) The humidification controls unit(s) can be of any heating (latent or sensible) medium, e.g.
hot water, low pressure steam injector, heat-pipe, and electric heater.
ii) The interlocking system must in place to ensure the safety of the occupants and building
premises owners,
iii) Certain amount of water vapor will be absorbed through the heat recovery medium of the
thermal wheel, there is an additional requirement on the removal of water vapor in the
medium as and when required, and should be included in the service and maintenance
routine schedule.
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4.5 Air Washer Systems

Application of air washer:-
An air washer is a piece of equipment that is designed to improve air quality by
scrubbing the air that moves through it and adjusting humidity levels to keep the
environment consistent. Air washers are used as part of climate control and air
quality systems.
It is important to select the right equipment, as an underpowered device will not be
able to keep up with air flow and equipment not designed for applications with high
levels of particulates may fail due to overloading.
Air washer with air primarily employed in industrial air-conditioning applications, e.g.
tobacco industries, textile industries, automobile paint shop filtering system. etc. It
applies the sprays or atomize to minute water vapor or droplets to wash away air
dust impurity at the same filter making the humidifying and dehumidifying of the air
stream.
Air Washer equipment is effective in the removal of certain types of odors and dirt
from the air stream, in the application where cooling coil or heating coil could
become clogged with airborne solid particles, it requires minimum service and
maintenance.
The above setup could be of hydraulically open system and thus prevent problems in
piping design and system balancing the air flow and water flow through the unit is
parallel and the water return with gravity feed-in is usually employed, as such the
pipe sizes may tend to be larger as compared to closed system, such as chilled
water piping system.
The following Figure 4.12 showed an air washer is a device for conditioning air. In an
air washer air comes in direct contact with a spray of water and there will be an
exchange of heat and mass (water vapour) between air and water. The outlet
condition of air depends upon the temperature of water sprayed in the air washer.
Hence, by controlling the water temperature externally, it is possible to control the
outlet conditions of air, which then can be used for air conditioning purposes.
Figure 4.12 : Complete Air Washer System / Unit(s) Setup : External pump is required to ensure the
mechanical forced circulation of water spray through the nozzles with appropriate atomization.
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In the air washer, the mean temperature of water droplets in contact with air decides
the direction of heat and mass transfer. As a consequence of the 2nd law, the heat
transfer between air and water droplets will be in the direction of decreasing
temperature gradient. Similarly, the mass transfer will be in the direction of
decreasing vapor pressure gradient. For example,
Figure 4.13 : Complete Air Washer System / Unit(s) Setup : With Humidification / Dehumidification
Function, as indicated in psychrometric chart.
a) Cooling and dehumidification: Tw < T(DPT). Since the exit enthalpy of air is less
than its inlet value, from energy balance it can be shown that there is a transfer of
total energy from air to water. Hence to continue the process, water has to be
externally cooled. Here both latent and sensible heat transfers are from air to water.
This is shown by Process O-A.
b) Adiabatic saturation: Tw = T(WBT). Here the sensible heat transfer from air to
water is exactly equal to latent heat transfer from water to air. Hence, no external
cooling or heating of water is required. That is this is a case of pure water
recirculation. This is shown by Process O-B. This the process that takes place in a
perfectly insulated evaporative cooler.
c) Cooling and humidification: T(DPT) < Tw < T(WBT). Here the sensible heat
transfer is from air to water and latent heat transfer is from water to air, but the total
heat transfer is from air to water, hence, water has to be cooled externally. This is
shown by Process O-C.
d) Cooling and humidification: T(WBT) < Tw < T(DBT). Here the sensible heat
transfer is from air to water and latent heat transfer is from water to air, but the total
heat transfer is from water to air, hence, water has to be heated externally. This is
shown by Process O-D. This is the process that takes place in a cooling tower. The
air stream extracts heat from the hot water coming from the condenser, and the
cooled water is sent back to the condenser.
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e) Heating and humidification: Tw > T(DBT). Here both sensible and latent heat
transfers are from water to air, hence, water must be heated externally. This is
shown by Process O-E. Thus, an air washer works as a year-round air conditioning
system. Though air washer is a and extremely useful simple device, it is not
commonly used for comfort air conditioning applications due to concerns about
health resulting from bacterial or fungal growth on the wetted surfaces. However, it
can be used in industrial applications.
Notes :
i) The centralized station air washer may be designed and manufactured for
delivery of air stream from 2,000CFM to 20,000CFM for rotary
construction,
ii) For larger centralized plant, it may extended or customed-built to
rectangular cross-section unit(s), with air delivery range of 25,000CFM to
170,000CFM.
The air washer works by continuously moving a supply of air over chilled water and
pushing the air out to cycle it through a room or building. Humidity is pulled out of the
air as it reaches the dew point by passing over the cold water. In addition, impurities
in the air such as pollen and dust precipitate out. The air exiting the machine is drier
and cooler. It also contains fewer particulates, making it safer and more comfortable
to breathe. In climates where the air is extremely dry, an air washer can work to
increase humidity. It can also contribute to the development of dry skin and may
damage objects kept in the environment. The air washer removes particulates from
the air and adds an injection of humidity to keep the climate at a steady humidity
level for increased comfort. Environments like museums and archives need precise
climate control to protect their collections and an air washer can help with this.
4.6 Cooling Towers.

Cooling tower :
A cooling tower is a thermal heat rejection device that rejects heat at higher
temperature to the atmosphere through the cooling of a coolant stream, usually a
water stream to a lower temperature. Cooling towers may either use
the evaporation of water to remove process heat and cool the working fluid to near
the wet-bulb air temperature or, in the case of closed circuit cooling towers or dry
cooling towers, rely solely on ambient air to cool the working fluid to near the dry-
bulb air temperature using radiators or condenser of the chiller.
Common applications include cooling the circulating water used in oil
refineries, petrochemical and other chemical plants, thermal power stations, nuclear
power stations and HVAC systems (water-cooled condensers or heat exchangers)
for cooling buildings. The classification is based on the type of air induction into the
tower: the main types of cooling towers are natural draft and induced draft cooling
towers. Please refer to the following Figure 4.14 of the heat transfer process in the
cooling tower.
Cooling towers vary in size from small roof-top units to very large hyperboloid
structures (as in the adjacent image) that can be up to 200 metres (660 ft) tall and
100 metres (330 ft) in diameter, or rectangular structures that can be over 40 metres
(130 ft) tall and 80 metres (260 ft) long. The hyperboloid cooling towers are often
associated with nuclear power plants,[1] although they are also used in some coal-
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fired plants and to some extent in some large chemical and other industrial plants.
Although these large towers are very prominent, the vast majority of cooling towers
are much smaller, including many units installed on or near buildings to discharge
heat from air conditioning.
Figure 4.14 : Typical colling tower heat rejection process with the mixing of water droplets verses the
ambient air flow in different direction.
Application in cooling towers

Cooling and HVAC units typically use evaporative cooling through
either counterflow or crossflow systems, this can be further broken down to direct
and indirect evaporative cooling.
Counterflow
Figure 4.15 : Typical colling tower heat rejection process – Counter flow construction.
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In counterflow systems, water is dispersed evenly over the fill while air is drawn
directly upwards into it. The uniform dispersal of water is vital for even, effective
cooling; customed designed and uses specialized nozzles and a pressurized water
distribution system to facilitate this.
Crossflow
Figure 4.16 : Typical colling tower heat rejection process – Cross-flow construction.
In crossflow systems, the air is drawn perpendicularly across falling water. In this
system, no pressurized nozzles are necessary to facilitate the falling water, instead
passing through a distribution basin.
Direct evaporative cooling
Figure 4.17 : Typical colling tower heat rejection process – Direct evaporative cooling (Counter-flow)
construction.
Direct evaporative cooling systems put the process fluid, typically water, into direct
contact with air. Water flows through fill as a fan draws air across it, facilitating the
transfer of heat from the warm water to the cooler air. This is the system used in open-
air cooling towers.
This type of cooling tower may in-turn to increase the height to capable of natural
convection of the ambient air flow, eliminate the mechanical draft device and make a
fan-less cooling tower, for the methodology of construction for green building energy
management.
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Indirect evaporative cooling
Figure 4.18 : Typical colling tower heat rejection process – Indirect evaporative cooling (Counter-flow)
construction, closed circuit of the hot-side coolant.
Indirect evaporative cooling systems keep the process fluid out of direct contact with
air. Instead, it is pumped through coils, with water flowing across the coils. Water
absorbs heat from the process fluid through sensible heat transfer from the coil or
piping. This process minimizes the potential for contamination and reduces overall
maintenance on the cooling unit. Incorporated with closed circuit coolers/condensers
and evaporative heat exchangers utilize this form of cooling.
4.7 Running AroundCoils.
A running-around coil is a type of energy recovery heat exchanger most often

positioned within the supply and exhaust air streams of an air handling system, or in
the exhaust gases of an industrial process, to recover the heat energy. Generally, it
refers to any intermediate stream used to transfer heat between two streams that are
not directly connected for reasons of safety or practicality. It may also be referred to
as a running-around looping system, a pumping-around coils or a liquid coupled heat
exchanger system.
The system comprises two or more multi-row finned tube coils connected to each
other by a mechanical drafted pumped pipework circuit. The pipework is charged
with a heat exchange fluid, normally water, which picks up heat from the exhaust air
coil or the pre-cooled coils and gives up heat to the supply air coil before returning.
Thus, heat from the exhaust or pre-cooled air stream is transferred through the
pipework coil to the circulating fluid, and then from the fluid through the pipework coil
to the supply air stream.
The use of this system is generally limited to situations where the air streams are
separated, and no other type of device can be utilised since the heat recovery
efficiency is lower than other forms of air-to-air heat recovery. Gross efficiencies are
usually in the range of 40 to 50%, but more significantly seasonal efficiencies of this
system can be very low, due to the extra electrical energy used by the pumped fluid
circuit.
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The fluid circuit containing the circulating pump also contains an expansion vessel,
to accommodate changes in fluid pressure. In addition, there is a fill device to ensure
the system remains charged. There are also controls to bypass and shut down the
system when not required, and other safety devices. Pipework runs should be as
short as possible and should be sized for low velocities to minimize frictional losses,
hence reducing pump energy consumption.
The pumped fluid will have to be protected from freezing and is normally treated with
a glycol based anti-freeze. This also reduces the specific heat capacity of the fluid
and increases the viscosity, increasing pump power consumption, further reducing
the seasonal efficiency of the device. For example, a 20% glycol mixture will provide
protection down to −10 °C (14 °F) but will increase system resistance by 15%.
For the finned tube coil design (normal practice is copper-tube with alumimium fin
construction), there is a performance maximum corresponding to an eight- or ten-row
coil, above this the fan and pump motor energy consumption increases substantially
and seasonal efficiency starts to decrease. The main cause of increased energy
consumption lies with the fan, for the same face velocity, fewer coil rows will
decrease air pressure drop and increase water pressure drop. The total energy
consumption will usually be less than that for a greater number of coil rows with
higher air pressure drops and lower water pressure drops.
Please refer to the following Figure 4.19 and Figure 4.20 for more details.
Figure 4.19 : Typical running-around-coils heat rejection/recovery process – With indication on

psychrometric chart.
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Figure 4.20 : Typical running-around-coils heat rejection/recovery process, incorporated with re-
circulating cooling coils : With indication on psychrometric chart.
The following Figure 4.21 is the complete setup construction drawing and layout for
the application of running-around-coil installation for humidity and temperature
controls and cumulated concept of energy management.
Figure 4.21 : The complete built-up drawings and layout of running-around-coils heat
rejection/recovery process application installed in air handing units.
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4.2 Centralized Chiller Plant Configuration : Safety.

Mechanical ventilation requirement of centralized chiller plant room.
Open-type compressor : ensure the motor heat rejection(s) are included in the
ventilation load calculation methodology.
Hermetic-type : normal mechanical room calculation is sufficient.
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Figure 4.5 : Typical centralized chiller plant layout for the application of District Cooling Plant with
proper mechanical ventilation equipment compliance with ASHRAE 15 and ASHRAE 34.
4.3 Recommendation on Refrigerants.

Refrigerants can be classified into several groups based on composition
New Definition and Standards, (Figure 4.6)
Page | 29
Figure 4.6 : ASHRAE 34, with current established refrigerant group A2L & B2L for the advancement
to apply LOW GWP refrigerant.
The fluorocarbon group can be broken down into two groups, single element
compounds and mixtures. The ones containing chlorine are being phased out
because of the impact chlorine has on the environment. So the ones of the future are
the ones with fluorine.
Describe the azeotropic and zeotropic blends, and how some zeotropic blends act
like azeotropic. Be sure to explain how this changes the saturation temperature
since the two are a mixture and not a single compound. This will be very important in
the next module, when systems using these refrigerants are plotted on the p-h
diagram. You do not need to get into bubble point, dew point, and glide here if you
will be doing module two of this series. (Figure 4.7)
Page | 30
Figure 4.7 : Recommendation on the HVAC application of refrigerants.
Selection of refrigerants (Figure 4.8(a) & (b))
Basically, will be the safety, performance, costs, environmental impacts.
Types available : HFC, HFO, HCFO, Hydro-carbon, Ammonia, Water.
Figure 4.8(a) : Basic consideration in the application of refrigerant in HVAC. – Safety, Performance,
Economics and Environment concerns
Figure 4.8(b) : Basic consideration in the application of refrigerant in HVAC. – LOW Global Warming
Potential (GWP).
We are required to compliance in accordance with Kigali Protocol – which fix the
phase-out/phase-down for Developed Countries and Developing Countries (Figure
4.9(a) & (b))
Page | 31
Figure 4.9(a) : Phase-Out timing and suggested actions by various countries in Kigali Protocol.
Figure 4.9(b) : Global HFC Phase-Down Effective January 1, 2019 by various countries in Kigali
Protocol.
Refrigerant Pressure Relief Valves/Devices :
Recommend having piping connection and exhaust to ambient, outside of the plant
room.(Figure 4.10)
Figure 4.10 : Proper location and piping connection of refrigerant pressure relief valves – installed on
evaporators and condensers.
Page | 32
Refrigerant Pressure Relief Valves/Devices :

For other accessories which are optional installation for the chillers.(Figure 4.11)
Figure 4.11 : Proper location and piping connection of refrigerant pressure relief valves – installed on
accessories, such as pumping-down units and lubrication assembly.
Refrigerant Detection and Monitoring System :
To maintain, control, monitor the refrigerants leakage level as compare to NORMAL
oxygen level between the Control range : 19.5% ~ 20.5%
Recommendation : An oxygen sensor to be installed to protect personnel. Sensor
should be able to detect the depletion of oxygen in the plant room less than 19.5%
volume oxygen per ASHRAE 15.
Figure 4.12 : Proper Chiller Plant Room Refrigerants Management System with sensors, actuators
and controls terminals, monitoring activities.
Application for low evaporative pressure refrigerants.(Around atmospheric pressure)
Page | 33
Rupture Disc and Fusible Plugs.
Application for high evaporative pressure refrigerants. (At pressure higher than
atmospheric ratings.)
Refrigerant Pressure Relief Valves/Devices.
The following table to show that nearly all applicable refrigerants in HVAC industries
are DENSER (HEAVIER) than AIR + Water vapor mixtures, as such they will
precipitate at the level lower than the air or attach to the lower surface on the chiller
plantroom.
Page | 34
Due to these properties, we need to avoid to work on the low level (500mm and
below).
Figure 4.13 : Typical chiller plant room installation of refrigerant management systems for monitoring
and controls..
Page | 35
and controls – Recommendation of minimum requirements and controls/monitoring flow charts.
As for the chiller plant room refrigerant management system, proper interlocking with
the plant room or building ventilation is required to provide the required functionality
during the emergency incident.
Page | 36
Typical piping for the pressure relief valves exhaust.
and controls – Outdoor consideration.
The following please find the recaps the refrigerant issue and shows the industry
trend by product lines.
It is interesting to note that some of the natural refrigerants like ammonia and
propane, for example, are being reevaluated for use as refrigerants.
Page | 37
Chapter 5 : Summary.
Page | 38
Chapter 6 : References and Appendices.

References and Appendix.
Page | 39

TDP Psychrometric Processes

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TDP Psychrometric Processes

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Technical Development Program (TDP)

CHVAC Equipment South Asia Pacific

• Understand the built environment psychrometric

Chapter 1. Introduction & Basic Review

1.2 Basic Review : Psychrometric Processes:

We have learned and aware of several physical processes available in our

Chapter 2 : Basic Applicable Formulae,

2.2 Simplified Application Formulae

Chapter 3 : Typical Psychrometric Charts.

3.2 General Psychrometric Chart.

3.3 Special Different Format of Psychrometric Chart.

Technical Comparison of Psychrometric Chart verses Mollier Diagram

Chapter 4 : Applied Psychrometric Processes.

Figure 4.1 : Heating and Cooling Processes as plotted in psychrometric chart.

Heating and cooling with humidification processes

4.2 Normal Air-conditioning Process : Details of Cooling and Mixing.

4.2 Regenerative Heat Recovery (Rotary / Stationary).

can be contained in each cubic foot of regenerator matrix, compared to about 30

4.3 Face-and-By-Pass Configuration.

A ‘process’ that appears to be somewhat under-utilised in comfort HVAC is face and

4.4 Desiccant Heat Recovery Systems.

4.5 Air Washer Systems

4.6 Cooling Towers.

Application in cooling towers

Direct evaporative cooling

Indirect evaporative cooling

4.7 Running AroundCoils.

A running-around coil is a type of energy recovery heat exchanger most often

Figure 4.19 : Typical running-around-coils heat rejection/recovery process – With indication on

4.2 Centralized Chiller Plant Configuration : Safety.

4.3 Recommendation on Refrigerants.

Refrigerant Pressure Relief Valves/Devices :

Application for low evaporative pressure refrigerants.(Around atmospheric pressure)

Rupture Disc and Fusible Plugs.

Typical piping for the pressure relief valves exhaust.

Chapter 6 : References and Appendices.

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