BLD61304

BUILDING SERVICES TECHNOLOGY

WEEK 2:
1) MECHANICAL AND AIR-CONDITIONING
SYSTEMS
(HVAC SYSTEM)

PREPARED BY: DR. KJ KAM

 1.0 HEATING

1.0 Heating – used in cold climate country

• Boiler system/heat pump to heat water (heat
transfer medium)
• Heating can also be provided from electricity
(heater coil as heat transfer medium)
 2.0 VENTILATION

2.0 Ventilation – a process that replacing air in any

space to control the temperature.
• Includes both extract/supply of air, to provide
adequate fresh air in an enclose space
• To remove unpleasant smells, excessive moisture
and heat
• Desiccant an be used to remove excessive moisture
in a cupboard. Types of desiccants includes silica
gel, molecular sieve, activated alumina and etc..
 2.0 VENTILATION
3 Types of ventilations

Natural Ventilation
• Without the aid of mechanical system
• Opening
• Building layout
• Passive design

Mechanical Ventilation
• 2.1 - Fan
• 2.2 - Air conditioning
• Active design

Hybrid or Mixed-mode ventilation

• Design of buildings + Mechanical ventilation integrated
 2.0 VENTILATION

• VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS
Control of ventilation rates – normally based on
recommendations by authorities or code of
practice.
• e.g. BS 5720
2.0 VENTILATION
 2.0 VENTILATION

Conversion from “m³/hour per person” to “air

changes per hour”

FORMULA: Air supply rate/Room volume x nos. occupants

Example 1
A private office of 30 m³ volume designed for 2
people.

Calculation: 43/30 x 2 = 2.86 air changes per hour

 2.1 FANS

2.1 FANS

• Provide the motive for air movement

(imparting static energy or pressure and kinetic energy or
velocity)
• Its capacity for air movement depends on
Type of fan
Size
Shape
Number of blades
Speed
 2.1 FANS

Types of fan
1. Cross-flow or tangential
2. Propeller
3. Axial flow
4. Centrifugal
2.1 FANS

Tangential or cross-flow fan

2.1 FANS

Propeller fan
 2.1 FANS

Bifurcated axial flow fan

Axial flow fan

 2.1 FANS

Centrifugal fans
 2.1 FANS

• Basic law of fan capabilities (at a constant air density):

1. Volume of air varies in direct proportion to the fan

speed, i.e.
Q2/Q1 = N2/N1

where,
• Q = volume of air (m3/s)
• N = fan impeller (rpm)
 2.1 FANS

2. Pressure of, or resistance to, air movement is

proportional to fan speed squared, i.e.

P2/P1 = (N2)²/(N1)²

where,
• P = pressure (Pa)
• N = fan impeller (rpm)
 2.1 FANS

3. Air and impeller power is proportional to fan

speed cubed, i.e.

W2/W1 = (N2)³/(N1) ³

where,
• W = power (W or kW)
• N = fan impeller (rpm)
 2.1 FANS

Example 2
A fan of 2kW power discharges 4 m³/s with
impellers rotating at 1000 rpm to produce a
pressure of 250 Pa. If the fan impeller speed
increases to 1250 rpm, calculate Q, P and W.
 2.1 FANS

1. Q2/Q1 = N2/N1  Q2/4 = 1250/1000

therefore, Q2 = 5 m³/s

2. P2/P1 = (N2)²/(N1)²  P2/250 = (1250) ² / (1000) ²

therefore, P2 = 391 Pa

3. W2/W1 = (N2)³/(N1) ³  W2/2 = (1250) ³ / (1000) ³

therefore, W2 = 3.9 kW
 2.2 AIR CONDITIONING (REFRIGERATION)

2.2 Air Conditioning (Refrigeration)

• Removes thermal energy from a low-
temperature region and transfers heat to a
high-temperature region through a medium
(refrigerant: gas/liquid)
• Refrigeration cycle may be classified as
2.2.1 vapour compression
2.2.2 vapour absorption
 2.2 AIR CONDITIONING (REFRIGERATION)
Refrigeration cycle

2. Condenser

High pressure High pressure

liquid gas

3. Expansion valve 1. Compressor

Low pressure Low pressure

liquid gas

4. Evaporator
 2.2 AIR CONDITIONING (REFRIGERATION)

COMPONENTS
1.) Compressor
Motorized equipment that circulates coolant through the
system.

a) Reciprocating compressor
• Positive displacement compressor –taking low
pressure refrigerant & reducing it to achieve compression
• Most widely used because of wide range of size and design
• Increase the pressure of the air by reducing the volume
• Gas extracted into cylinder in piston stroke, discharge valve
opens when compressed.
b) Centrifugal compressor
• Dynamic compressor which depends on
transfer of energy from rotation of the impeller
• Vanes (center of impeller) draws low pressure refrigerant (gas) into the system;
kinetic energy increased when impellers rotates to create compression effect.

c) Screw compressor
• Positive displacement compressor
• Consist of two rotors within a casing where
the rotors compress the air internally
• Void is created at the low pressure on the other end, low pressure refrigerant
(gas) is drawn into the void between the rotors. It is progressively compressed as
it moves to the discharge port.
• Once reaching the predetermined volume ratio, compressed refrigerant is
discharged.
 2.2 AIR CONDITIONING (REFRIGERATION)

2.) Condenser
• Part of the system that pressurizes refrigerant to cool it
by changing it from a vapor to a liquid
3.) Expansion valve
• Controlling pressure of refrigerant
4.) Evaporator
• A system of coils that, when filled with cold refrigerant,
it cools the air around it.
• Convert low pressure liquid refrigerant into low
pressure vapour refrigerant. (evaporation process)
 2.2.1 VAPOUR COMPRESSION
REFRIGERATION
2.2.1 vapour compression refrigeration
• Absorbs and removes heat from the space to
be cooled and subsequently rejects that heat
else where
• Principle: In common, refrigerant media will
be in…
Gas Form  Liquid Form
2.2.1 VAPOUR COMPRESSION
REFRIGERATION
 2.2.1 VAPOUR COMPRESSION
REFRIGERATION
• Refrigerant enter compressor in thermodynamic
state… called saturated vapour
• The gas (refrigerant) is compressed to high
pressure , its temperature is raised
• Compressed air in thermodynamic stated to be
condensed with cooling water/air
• Hot gas (refrigerant) condensed into liquid
through coil in the condenser by emitting the heat
 2.2.1 VAPOUR COMPRESSION
REFRIGERATION
• Expansion valve helps to reduce pressure &
resulting in lower temperature of the liquid
(refrigerant)
• The Liquid refrigerant absorb heat from the
surrounding air through evaporator coil and
manifesting in cold surface
• Liquid changes its state into gas state
• The cycle continue with the compressor pumps
the refrigerant through out the system
 2.2.2 VAPOUR ABSORPTION
REFRIGERATION
2.2.2 vapour absorption refrigeration
• Is similar to vapour compression system, the
different is in the method of compression
• This system requires less amount of electricity
BUT large amount of heat
• No compressor, instead of absorber
• The absorber consist of water; where the
refrigerant, ammonia, dissolved
2.2.2 VAPOUR ABSORPTION
REFRIGERATION
 2.2.2 VAPOUR ABSORPTION
REFRIGERATION
• In the generator, a mixture of ammonia and water will
be heated up; increase in temperature and pressure
to produce hot vapour
• Hot ammonia vapour flow into a separator/rectifier
for separation of ammonia and water
• The refrigerant at high pressure and temperature
then enters condenser where it is cooled by water
and its pressure and temperature reduces
• The refrigerant from Gas state changes into liquid
state and heat emitted
 2.2.2 VAPOUR ABSORPTION
REFRIGERATION
• Refrigerant (in liquid state) enters the
evaporator where it produces the cooling
effect. Heat absorption occurs towards the
refrigerant
• The refrigerant leaves the evaporator in
vapour state and then enter absorber, where
it is absorbed by absorbent, water and
compressed by the pump
• The cycle continue
Thank You
HOMEWORK

• Find out the differences between vapour

compression refrigeration & vapour
absorption refrigeration.
- Prepare in 400 words ( 1 page of A4)
- Discussion in upcoming tutorial