BST20531 Introduction Page 1 of 3

0 INTRODUCTION

0.1 INTRODUCTION

0.1.1 Definition of air-conditioning:

Air conditioning is a process of controlling the

- air temperature, heating and cooling
- relative humidity, humidifying or dehumidifying
- ventilation, fresh air mixing
- air movement, human sensation
- air cleanliness, filtration
- room pressure relative to adjacent spaces
of a given space simultaneously in order to provide the occupants with a comfortable
and healthy indoor environment for various activities.

0.1.2 Two types of air conditioning:

Comfort air conditioning - provide people with a comfortable & healthy indoor
environment in residential, commercial and public buildings, various transport
systems and recreation centres, e.g. shopping mall, hotel, office, hospital etc.

Processing air conditioning - provide a suitable enclosed environment for certain

manufacturing process and product storage e.g. factory workshop, scientific
laboratory, computer room, cold storage room, greenhouse, textile mill, printing room
etc.

0.1.3 Advantages of air-conditioning:

• In factories and offices the working efficiency of staff is improved. There is a

reduction in illness and absenteeism.
• Shops and departmental stores increase sales. The cost of the plant will be offset
by extra income from customers.
• Hotels, restaurants, theatres and cinemas receive better patronage.
• There is a reduction in cleaning and decorating activities. Fabrics and furnishings
last longer.
• Many industrial premises need air conditioning to keep plants and processes
working at maximum efficiency.
• Sealed windows reduce traffic noise and entry of air pollutants from outside.
• There is a less risk of fire caused by static electricity owing to low humidity.

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0.2 Central Air-conditioning System (Figure 0.1)

Non-residential buildings are often served by central air-conditioning systems. Figure

0.1 shows a schematic diagram of a typical central air-conditioning system for a
commercial building. The central system here consists of primary system and
equipment (shown with alternate systems) as well as secondary system and equipment.

0.2.1 Primary System and Equipment

In a central system, the primary equipment such as chillers, boilers and associated
pump stations are centrally located outside the conditioned space in a basement or
roof plant room, or a service area located at the mechanical floor of the building.
Sometimes they are located at a central plant room remote from the building, say in
the case of district cooling or district heating.

0.2.2 Secondary System and Equipment

A secondary system delivers the air-conditioning effect to an air-conditioned space.

The secondary system is often called the air-conditioning and distribution system. The
secondary equipment (like heating and cooling coils, fans, filters, distribution
ductwork and terminal units etc.) may be installed either within the conditioned space,
or at a considerable distance away with circulating refrigerant, chilled water, hot
water, steam or electricity providing the necessary thermal energy transfer.

Air-conditioning systems generally equip with the common basic components.

However, they may differ dramatically in physical appearance and arrangement.
Even with the presence of the same components, the manner in which the systems are
controlled and operated may also be quite different. More recently, emphases on
indoor air quality, energy conservation, and other factors like technological
developments on equipment and products, have influenced the final decisions on the
selection, design, installation, operation and control of HVAC systems.

0.3 SUBJECT CONTENTS

0.3.1 BST20531 HVAC Services 1

The course will be concentrated on secondary system and equipment, i.e. air-
conditioning and distribution system. The topics will cover fan, air duct, fan-duct
system, mechanical ventilation systems, filter, coil, humidifier, common air
conditioning systems and space air distribution.

0.3.2 BST20532 HVAC Services 2

This will be on refrigeration, primary system and equipment. The topics will cover
refrigeration cycles and their components, hydronic systems, heat rejection systems as
well as more advanced topic like energy saving and control.

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Primary system with alternatives Secondary system

Figure 0.1 Schematic of Typical Central Air-conditioning System

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