AEMA-2203 (Fall 2022)

Principles of Maintenance
[SECTION 4]

Lab Report 8:
SPLIT UNIT
AIR CONDITIONER

Student name and ID:

Fouad Noorhossain – 60102591

Lab Experiment Date: 11th October, 2022

Instructor: Mr. Jamel Mezghani

Mechanical Engineering Technology

 INTRODUCTION AND THEORY

Figure 1: Air conditioning system diagram

A Basic Air conditioner is simply a cooling system for a room or an interior space, that

lowers the temperature of the space with the help of heat exchanging principle. The main/major

components of an AC system are the Compressor, condenser, expansion valve and the

evaporator. Where the condenser and the evaporator are the heat exchangers. A Split-system air

conditioner is a unit with the condenser and compressor placed outdoors, and an indoor unit

containing the evaporator.

Working: A split system air conditioner works by pumping a refrigerant gas through the

unit's cooling circuit with the help of the compressor (outdoor). As the gas pumps through the

condenser, it cools down and condenses into a liquid. This liquid is called the refrigerant, that

circulates between all the main components. The expansion valve regulates the flow of the

refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant is then pushed into the evaporator (before it passes through the

expansion valve), expanding and changing back into a gas. Hence, providing a cool air indoor.
 OBJECTIVES

1. The objective of this lab is to identify and understand the functions of the main

components of a Split unit AC.

2. To study how to perform a preventive maintenance of a split unit AC.

Q1) Identification of parts:

Figure 2: Split AC unit parts identification

Q2) List of components and their Functions:
Component name Quantity Function Photo
The compressor is
responsible for circulating
Compressor 1 the refrigerant between the
evaporator and condenser
coils

Cools the refrigerant and

Evaporator 1
absorbs the heat

Regulates the flow of the

Expansion valve 1 refrigerant into the
evaporator

Air Filter is used to remove

Air Filter 1 dust and particles out of the
air in the evaporator

Converts the high-pressure

Condenser 1 gas to liquid using heat
exchanging phenomenon

Refrigerant
(Specially designed 1 cylinder Refrigerant cycles through
fluid that can change your air conditioner,
(measured it changes from a liquid to a
from liquid to gas or
on gas and absorbs and releases
gas to liquid easily,
amounts) heat throughout the process.
due to its very low
boiling point)

Helps in heat exchanging

phenomenon.
Fan 2 Blows out cool air in case of
evaporator and blows out
hot in case of condenser
Q3) Routine checks on split unit AC:
 Inspect and clean the air filter, at least Once a week.

 Check the indoor and outdoor units for noise and vibration (condenser and evaporator)

 Check the temperature of the outdoor and indoor units.

 Check refrigerant pipe connection for signs of leakage.

 Check and clean indoor unit condensate tray and drain.

 Check suction & discharge operating pressure.

 Check the refrigerant level.

 Repair air filter if damaged

LEARNINGS AND OBSERVATIONS

 The Condenser and the Evaporator are both heat exchangers, the Evaporator sits inside

the room being cooled whereas the condenser sits outside the property.

 The compressor circulates a refrigerate in the pipe work which cycles between all of the

main components.

 The refrigerate entering the evaporator is a low temperature, low pressure and liquid-

vapor mixture, that flows in side of the pipe. The fan that is moving the ambient air of the

room from the outside of the pipe, moves through as cold air due the heat exchange

between through the pipe.

 The refrigerate that is moving inside the pipes of the evaporator, picks up more and more

heat, the more it travels through those pipes. The refrigerate becomes completely gas by

the time it exits the evaporator.

 If the refrigerate fails to be in completely gas state, before reaching the compressor. It

may damage the compressor (because of the presence of liquid droplets). This can be

controlled by a bulb which is filled with another refrigerate, connected to the expansion

valve.

 The refrigerate temperature should be higher than the atmospheric temperature in the

condenser side, because otherwise, the heat exchange between the outside atmosphere

and the system may not take place. The heat may then remain in the system, and cause

problems.

 If, maintenance of AC is not done properly. The cooling system loses efficiency and poor

indoor air quality.