BBSE3004: Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

http://www.hku.hk/bse/bbse3004/

Air Conditioning Systems

Dr. Sam C M Hui
Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Hong Kong E-mail: cmhui@hku.hk

Contents
Five Basic Subsystems Classification of Air Conditioning Systems

System Selection

Five Basic Subsystems

Five subsystems or loops
Air-side Chilled water Refrigeration equipment Heat rejection Controls

33 oC, 28 oC

33 oC

27 oC

25 oC

Conditioned space

33 oC, 28 oC

33 oC

27 oC

25 oC

13 oC

13 oC

Air side system

33 oC, 28 oC

Chilled water system

27 oC 12 oC

33 oC

25 oC

12 oC

oC

7 oC

13 oC

13 oC

33 oC, 28 oC

Refrigeration equipment
33 oC 27 oC 12 oC 25
oC

10 oC 12 oC
49 oC

oC

7 oC

oC

38 oC

13 oC

13 oC

33 oC, 28 oC

Heat rejection
33 oC 27 oC 12 oC 25
oC

10 oC 12 oC
49 oC 35 oC 35 oC

7 oC

7 oC

3 oC

38 oC

29 oC 29 oC

13 oC

13 oC

33 oC, 28 oC

Control Loop

33 oC

27 oC 12 oC

25

oC

10 oC 12 oC
49 oC 35 oC 35 oC

7 oC

7 oC

3 oC

38 oC

29 oC 29 oC

13 oC

13 oC

Five Basic Subsystems

Remarks:
Not all systems use all five loops
Such as DX (direct expansion) has no chilled water

Heat and humidification are part of the Airside Temperatures are representative only

Classification of A/C Systems

Three generic types:
Centralised all air systems
Such as CAV, VAV, dual duct

Partially centralised air/water systems

Such as FCU, induction units, chilled beams/ceilings

Local systems
Such as window-type units, Split-type packages

Number of zones: single zone or multi-zone

Classification of A/C Systems

Classification proposed by Mr. S K Wang
Individual systems (no air duct), such as
Room air-conditioners Package terminal air-conditioner (PTAC) systems

Space (Space-conditioning) systems, such as

Two-pipe or four-pipe fan coil systems
Often with separate outdoor ventilation air & heat recovery Standard sizes 02, 03, 04, 06, 08, 12 (200-1200 cfm)

Water-source heat pumps (WSHP)

Individual room air-conditioning system

Primary air fan coil unit system

Water-source heat pump system

Classification of A/C Systems

Classification proposed by Mr. S K Wang
Packaged systems
Air is cooled directly by DX (direct expansion) coil and heated by direct-fired gas or electric heaters Rooftop, split and indoor units
Single-zone CAV packaged systems VAV packaged systems VAV reheat packaged systems Fan-powered VAV packaged systems

Common in USA/Canada

Variable-air volume (VAV) package system

VAV box

VAV reheat box

Fan-powered VAV box

Classification of A/C Systems

Central systems
Single-zone CAV central systems Single-zone CAV clean room systems CAV zone-reheat central systems VAV central systems VAV reheat central systems Fan-powered VAV central systems Dual-duct VAV central systems Dual-duct CAV central systems

A single-zone CV clean room system

A dual-duct VAV central system

A dual-duct VAV central system: Mixing VAV box and operating diagram

Classification of A/C Systems

Other systems
VRV or VRF (variable refrigerant volume/flow) systems
Similar to multi-split systems

Displacement ventilation Underfloor air conditioning Ice-storage or chilled-water systems Desiccant cooling systems Chilled beams and ceilings

System Selection
Selection criteria
Temp., humidity, space pressure requirements Capacity requirements Redundancy Spatial requirements First cost Operating cost Maintenance cost Reliability Flexibility Life cycle analysis

System Selection
System constraints
Performance limitations (temp., humidity, etc) Available capacity Available space (for plants & distribution) Available utility source Building architecture Construction budget Noise levels Aesthetics and visible components

System Selection
Selection report to address
Design goal(s) Criteria for selection Important factors Other goals

HVAC system selection matrix (see examples)

Score and grading for each design option

System Selection
System analysis & selection
Central and decentralised systems Primary equipment
Refrigeration plant Air and water delivery Heating equipment (if any)

Space requirements
Equipment rooms (4-9% of floor area), e.g. for chillers Fan rooms, vertical shafts Equipment access

System Selection
Design considerations
Air distribution methods
Upward or downward air flow Perforated ceiling Side wall inlets Use of jet nozzles

Ceiling plenums Pipe systems & insulation Heat rejection methods (air-cooled/water-cooled) Controls (stand alone or BEMCS)