FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR CONDITIONING

AIR CONDITIONING
The process of altering air supply to control simultaneously its humidity, temperature, cleanliness, and
distribution to meet specific criteria for a space. Air conditioning may either increase or decrease the space
temperature.

HVAC
Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning

REFRIGERATION TON
A ton of refrigeration is a common term used in air conditioning to designate the cooling rate of air-
conditioning equipment. A ton of refrigeration indicates the ability of an evaporator to remove 200 Btu/min
or 12,000 Btu/hr.

MAJOR FACTORS IN HVAC DESIGN

This article presents the necessary concepts for management of heat energy and aims at development of a
better understanding of its effects on human comfort. The concepts must be well understood if they are to
be applied successfully to modi-fication of the environment in building interiors, computer facilities, and
manufacturing
processes.

VENTILATION
Ventilation is utilized for many different purposes, the most common being control of humidity and
condensation. Other well-known uses include exhaust hoods in restaurants, heat removal in industrial
plants, fresh air in buildings, odor removal, and chemical and fume hood exhausts. In commercial
buildings, ventilation air is used for replacement of stale, vitiated air, odor control, and smoke removal.

METHODS OF VENTILATION
Ventilation is generally accomplished by two methods: natural and mechanical. In either case, ventilation
air must be air taken from the outdoors. It is brought into the building through screened and louvered or
other types of openings, with or without ductwork.

Ventilation air may be provided by installing either an exhaust system, a supply system, or both.In occupied
areas where no unusual amounts of heat or odors are generated, such as offices and shipping rooms, a
supply-air system may be provided, with grilles or ceiling outlets located for good distribution. When the
building is tight, a relief system of grilles or ducts to the outside should be provided. But when the relief
system is too extensive, an exhaust fan should be installed for a combination supply and exhaust system.
All air exhausted from a space must be replaced by outside air either by infiltration through doors and
windows or by a fresh-air makeup system. Makeup air systems that have to operate during the winter
season are often equipped with heating coils to temper the cold outside air.

NATURAL VENTILATION
Natural ventilation in buildings is accomplished by use of windows, louvers, skylights, roof ventilators,
roof monitors, jalousies, intake hoods, etc. They should be located to admit fresh air only and not near
sources of smoke, dust, odors, or polluted air from adjacent sources.

MECHANICAL VENTILATION
Mechanical ventilation is often required by various building codes for various applications as follows:
1. Control of contaminants in the work area for health protection and compliance with OSHA standards for
achieving the legal limits set on employee exposure to specific toxic and hazardous substances
2. Fire and explosion prevention for flammable vapors
3. Human comfortremoval of heat, odors, and tobacco smoke
4.. Humidity control
5. Corrosive fumes and noxious gases
MOVEMENT OF AIR WITH FANS
In as much as most ventilation systems are designed as mechanical ventilation systems that utilize various
kinds of fans, a knowledge of the types of fans in use will be of value in selection of ventilation fans. Fans
are used to create a pressure differential that causes air to flow in a system. They generally incorporate one
of several types of impellers mounted in an appropriate housing or enclosure. An electric motor usually
drives the impeller to move the air. These fans may be Inline type, Floor mounted type, Wall mounted type,
Ceiling Suspended type etc.

Two types of fans are commonly used in air-handling and air-moving systems:

- Axial-flow fans are versatile and sometimes less costly than centrifugal fans.

- Propeller-type fans are also axial fans and are produced in many sizes and shapes. Small units
are used for small jobs, such as kitchen exhausts, toilet exhausts, and air-cooled condensers.
- Tube axial fans
- Vane axial fans

- Centrifugal fans are enclosed in a scroll-shaped housing, which is designed for efficient
airstream energy transfer. Centrifugal fans are manufactured with capacities of up to 500,000
ft3 /min and can operate against pressures up to 30 in water gage.

REFRIGERATION CYCLES

(DX) Direct-Expansion type - The compressor takes refrigerant gas at a relatively low pressure and
compressesit to a higher pressure. The hot gas is passed to a condenser where heat is removed and the
refrigerant liquified. The liquid is then piped to the cooling coil of the air handling unit and allowed to
expand to a lower pressure (suction pressure). The liquid vaporizes or is boiled off by the relatively warm
air passing over the coil. The compressor pulls away the vaporized refrigerant to maintain the required low
coil pressure with its accompanying low temperature.
The types of units widely used are as follows:
- Packaged Air Conditioners All associated accessories are assembled in one single unit.
(Window A/c, Roof Top Ducted Units for slightly larger Applications etc.)
- Split Air Conditioners It consists of Outdoor Condensing unit & Indoor Evaporating Unit.
(Decorative Wall Mounted Type, Floor Mounted Type Furred in Cassette Type & Ducted Type
etc.)

Chilled-Water Refrigeration Cycle- In some systems, water is chilled by the refrigerant and circulated to
units in or near spaces to be cooled (Fig. 13.30), where air is cooled by the water.
Two types of chillers are used in this case:
- Air Cooled Chiller (Airflow is used for removing heat from the refrigerant)
These types of chillers are installed in open to sky environment.
- Water Cooled Chiller (Water is used for removing heat from the refrigerant)
If a water-cooled condenser is employed to remove heat from the refrigerant, a water tower (Fig.
13.31) may be used to cool the condenser discharge water, which can then be recirculated back to
the condenser. Where practical, the water condenser and tower can be replaced by an evaporative
condenser as in Fig. 13.32.
Types of Air Handlers used for conditioning the area are as follows:
- Air Handling Units (AHUs) are used for conditioning a larger area. In this case ducts with Grilles
or Diffusers are used to convey the air to the desired area.
- Fan Coil Units (FCUs) are used for conditioning a smaller area or single dwelling units. In this
case either ducts with Grilles or Diffuser are used to convey the air to the desired area or
decorative type units (Unit mounted Grilles) are used.
 BASIC DUCT DESIGN

After air discharge grilles and the air handler, which consists of a heat exchanger and blower, have been
located, it is advisable to make a single-line drawing showing the duct layout and the air quantities each
branch and line must be able to carry.

Of the methods of duct design in use, the equal-friction method is the most practical. It is considered good
practice not to exceed a pressure loss of 0.1 in of water per 100 ft of ductwork by friction. Higher friction
will result in large power consumption for air circulation.

It is also considered a good practice to stay below a starting velocity in main ducts of 900 ft /min in
residences; 1300 ft /min in schools, theaters and public buildings; and 1800 ft /min in industrial buildings.
Velocity in branch ducts should be about two-thirds of these and in branch risers about one half.

Too high a velocity will result in noisy and panting ductwork. Too low a velocity will require
uneconomical, bulky ducts.

The following legends are used to denote various services while making a Duct layout drawing.

SAD - Supply Air Duct

RAD - Return Air Duct
FAD - Fresh Air Supply Duct (Treated, Outdoor Air or Staircase Pressurization ducts)
EAD - Extract Air Duct (Kitchen, Parking, Toilet, Smoke etc.)
FJ - Flexible Joints of Canvass Connection
SA - Sound Attenuators (Silencers)
VAVs - Variable Air Volume Box (These are used to have Cotrolled volume of airflow in the
area.)
VCD - Volume Control Dampers (They are used to control volume of air.)
SD - Splitter Damper (They are used to control volume of air.)
NRD - Non-Return Damper (They are used to have unidirectional airflow.)
FD - Fire Damper (They are used to stop the airflow to/from fire zone in case of fire.)
AD - Access Door (To attend the duct mounted accessories.)

TYPES OF AIR OUTLETS

- DIFFUSERS (Square, Rectangular, Round, Jet Nozzle, Linear Slot Diffuser type etc)
They are used for Supply, Return or Extract Air Application

- GRILLES or REGISTORS: They are used for Supply, Return or Extract Air Application.

- DISC VALVES: They are used for Extract Air Application.

- LOUVERS (Sand Trap Type or Normal type): They are used for Collecting Fresh Air or
Discharging Extract Air from & to atmosphere respectively.

TYPES OF DUCT FITTINGS

- Plenums, Taper, Shoe Piece, Offset, 2-Way or more Duct Fittings, Flexible Round Duct, Canvass
Connection etc.
 BASIC PIPE DESIGN

TYPES OF WATER SYSTEM

Water systems that are part of an air conditioning system and that link the central plant,
chiller / boiler, air-handling units (AHUs), and terminals may be classified into the following categories
according to their use:

CHILLED WATER SYSTEM.

In a chilled water system, water is first cooled in the water chiller - the evaporator of a reciprocating,
screw, or centrifugal refrigeration system located in a centralized plant to a temperature of 40 to 50F (4.4
to 10.0C). It is then pumped to the water cooling coils in AHUs and terminals in which air is cooled and
dehumidified. After flowing through the coils, the chilled water increases in temperature up to 60 to 65F
(15.6 to 18.3C) and then returns to the chiller. Chilled water is widely used as a cooling medium in central
hydronic air conditioning systems. When the operating temperature is below 38F (3.3C), inhibited
glycols, such as ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, may be added to water to create an aqueous solution
with a lower freezing point.

EVAPORATIVE-COOLED WATER SYSTEM.

In arid southwestern parts of the United States, evaporative cooled water is often produced by an
evaporative cooler to cool the air.

HOT WATER SYSTEMS.

These systems use hot water at temperatures between 450 and 150F (232 and 66C) for space and process
heating purposes.

DUAL-TEMPERATURE WATER SYSTEM.

In a dual-temperature water system, chilled water or hot water is supplied to the coils in AHUs and
terminals and is returned to the water chiller or boiler mainly through the following two distribution
systems:
- Use supply and return main and branch pipes separately.
- Use the common supply and return mains, branch pipe, and coil for hot and chilled water supply
and return.
The changeover from chilled water to hot water and vice versa in a building or a system depends mainly on
the space requirements and the temperature of outdoor air. Hot water is often produced by a boiler;
sometimes it comes from a heat recovery system, which is discussed in later chapters.

CONDENSER WATER SYSTEM.

In a condenser water or cooling water system, the latent heat of condensation is removed from the
refrigerant in the condenser by the condenser water. This condenser water either is from the cooling tower
or is surface water taken from a lake, river, sea, or well. For an absorption refrigeration system, heat is also
removed from the solution by cooling water in the absorber. The temperature of the condenser water
depends mainly on the local climate. Water systems also can be classified according to their operating
characteristics into the following categories:

CLOSED SYSTEM.
In a closed system, chilled or hot water flowing through the coils, heaters, chillers, boilers, or other heat
exchangers forms a closed recirculating loop. In a closed system, water is not exposed to the atmosphere
during its flowing process. The purpose of recirculation is to save water and energy.

OPEN SYSTEM.
In an open system, the water is exposed to the atmosphere. For example, chilled water comes directly into
contact with the cooled and dehumidified air in the air washer, and condenser water is exposed to
atmosphere air in the cooling tower. Recirculation of water is used to save water and energy.
WATER VELOCITY AND PRESSURE DROP
The maximum water velocity in pipes is governed mainly by pipe erosion, noise, and water hammer.
Erosion of water pipes is the result of the impingement of rapidly moving water containing air bubbles and
impurities on the inner surface of the pipes and fittings. When pipes are being sized, the optimum pressure
drop , commonly expressed in feet (meters) of head loss of water per 100 ft of pipe length (_p in pascals of
pressure drop per meter length), is a compromise between energy costs and investments. At the same time,
the age corrosion of pipes should be considered. Generally, the pressure drop for water pipes inside
buildings is in a range of 1 ft / 100 ft to 4 ft /100 ft (100 to 400 Pa/m), with a mean of 2.5 ft /100 ft (250
Pa/m) used most often. Because of a lower increase in installation cost for smaller-diameter pipes, it may
be best to use a pressure drop lower than 2.5 ft /100 ft (250 Pa/m) when the pipe diameter is 2 in. or less.
Age corrosion results in an increase in the friction factor and a decrease in the effective diameter. The
factors that contribute to age corrosion are sliming, caking of calcareous salts, and corrosion. An open
water system or a closed water system that is connected with an open expansion tank, all the pressure
differences between two points or levels, and pressure drops across a piece of equipment or a device are
expressed in feet of water column or psi (head in meters of water column or pressure loss in kPa). The total
or static pressure of water at a certain point in a water system is actually measured and expressed by that
part of pressure which is greater or smaller than the atmospheric pressure, often called gauge pressure, in
feet of water column gauge or psig (meters gauge or kPa _ g).

PIPING MATERIAL
For water systems, the piping materials most widely used are steel, both black (plain) and galvanized
(zinc-coated), in the form of either welded-seam steel pipe or seamless steel pipe; ductile iron and cast iron;
hard copper; and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

PIPING DIMENSIONS
The thickness ranges from Schedule 10, light wall, to Schedule 160, very heavy wall. Schedule 40 is the
standard for a pipe with a diameter up to 10 in. (250 mm). For instance, a 2-in. (50-mm) standard pipe has
an outside diameter of 2.375 in. (60.33 mm) and an inside diameter of 2.067 in. (52.50 mm). The nominal
pipe size is only an approximate indication of pipe size, especially for pipes of small diameter.

The outside diameter of extruded copper is standardized so that the outside diameter of the copper
tubing is 1/8 in. (3.2 mm) larger than the nominal size used for soldered or brazed socket joints.

As in the case with steel pipes, the result is that the inside diameters of copper tubes seldom equal
the nominal sizes. Types K, L, M, and DWV designate the wall thickness of copper tubes: type K is
the heaviest, and DWV is the lightest. Type L is generally used as the standard for pressure copper
tubing. Type DWV is used for drainage at atmospheric pressure.
The following legends are used to denote various services while making a Piping Layout drawing.

CHWS - Chilled Water Supply Pipe

CHWR - Chilled Water Return Pipe
CDWS - Condensor Water Supply Pipe
CDWR - Condensor Water Return Pipe
CD - Condensate Drain Pipe
IV - Isolating Valve (Gate Valve, Butterfly Valve etc.)
BV - Balancing Valve (DRV, FODRV, VODRV etc.)
NRV - Non Return Valve
YS - Y-Strainer
U - Unoin
PG - Pressure Gauge
T - Thermometer
TP - Test Point\
AAV - Automatic Air Vent
DV - Drain Valve

VALVES, PIPE FITTINGS, AND ACCESSORIES

Types of Valve
Valves are used to regulate or stop the water flow in pipes either manually or by means of automatic
control systems. Valves used in automatic control systems are called control valves,

Hand-operated valves are used to stop or isolate flow, to regulate flow, to prevent reverse flow, and to
regulate water pressure. The basic construction of a valve consists of the following a disk to open or close
the water flow; a valve body to seat the disk and provide the flow passage; a stem to lift or rotate the disk,
with a handwheel or a handle and corresponding mechanism to make the task easier; and a bonnet to
enclose the valve from the top.

Based on the shape of the valve disk, the valve body, or its function, commonly used valves can
be classified into the following types:

Gate Valves. The disk of a gate valve is in the shape of a gate or wedge, Gate valves are used either fully
opened or closed, an on/off arrangement. They are often used as isolating valves for pieces of equipment or
key components, such as control valves, for service during maintenance and repair.

Globe Valves. They are so named because of the globular shape of the valve body .Globe valves have high
flow resistances. They can be opened or closed substantially faster than gate valves. Globe valves are used
to throttle and to regulate the flow. They are sometimes called balancing valves. They are deliberately
designed to restrict fluid flow, so they should not be used in applications for which full and unobstructed
flow is often required.

Check Valves. Check valves, as their name suggests, are valves used to prevent, or check, reverse
flow. There are basically two types of check valves: swing check and lift check. A swing check
valve has a hinged disk In a lift check valve, upward regular flow raises the disk and opens the
valve, and reverse flow pushes the disk down to its seat and stops the backflow. A swing check
valve has a lower flow resistance than a lift check valve.

Plug Valves. These valves use a tapered, cylindrical plug disk to fit the seat. Plug valves may be used for
throttling control during the balancing of a water system.

Ball Valves. These valves use a ball as the valve disk to open or close the valve. As with plug
valves, they vary from fully open to fully closed positions within a quarter-turn. As with gate valves,
ball valves are usually used for open/ close service. They are less expensive than gate valves.

Butterfly Valves. A butterfly valve has a thin rotating disk. Like a ball or plug valve, it varies
within a quarter-turn from fully open to fully closed. They are primarily used as fully open or fully closed,
but they may be used for throttling purposes.

Balance Valves. These valves are used to balance the water flow in a water system. There are two
kinds of balancing valves: manual balance valves and automatic balance valves. A globe valve can
be used as a manual balance valve. A manual balance valve can also be a valve with integral pressure
taps for flow measurement and a calibrated port to adjust the flow. An automatic balancing
valve is also called an automatic flow-limiting valve. There is a moving element that adjusts the
flow passage area according to the water pressure differential across the valve.

Pressure Relief Valves. These valves are safety valves used to prevent a system that is over pressurized
from exceeding a predetermined limit. A pressure relief valve is held closed by a spring or rupture member
and is automatically opened to relieve the water pressure when it rises above the system design working
pressure.

VALVE CONNECTIONS AND RATINGS

The type of connection used between a valve and the pipes is usually consistent with the type of
joint used in the pipe system. A water piping system with flanged joint requires a valve with flanged
ends.
The commonly used types of valve connection are as follows:

Threaded ends. These connections are mainly used for small pipes with diameters from to 2 in.
(6 to 50 mm). Threaded-end valves are usually inexpensive and simpler to install.

Flanged ends. These connections are commonly used for larger pipes ( in. or 63 mm and
above). Flanged ends are more easily separated when necessary.

Welded ends. Steel valves, when used at higher pressure and temperature, are often connected
with welded ends. Welded ends exhibit the fewest instances of leakage.

Grooved ends. These connections use circumferential grooves in which a rubber gasket fits and
are enclosed by iron couplings. Butterfly valves are often connected with grooved ends.

Soldered ends. Bronze valves in copper piping systems use soldered ends. Tin-alloy soldering is
the type of soldering commonly used. Lead soldering cannot be used in a potable water system
because it will contaminate the water.

VALVE MATERIALS
Valve materials are selected according to their ability to withstand working pressure and temperature,
their resistance to corrosion, and their relative cost.
The most commonly used materials for valves are as follows:

Bronze. It has a good corrosive resistance and is easily machined, cast, or forged. Bronze is
widely used for water valves up to a size of 3 in. (75 mm) because of its high cost

Cast iron and ductile iron. These materials are used for pressure-containing parts, flanges, and
glands in valves 2 in. (50 mm) and larger. Ductile iron has a higher tensile strength than cast iron.

Steel. Forged or cast steel provides a higher tensile strength as well as toughness in the form of resistance
to shock and vibration than do bronze, cast iron, and ductile iron. Steel is used in applications that require
higher strength and toughness than bronze and ductile iron can provide.
Trim materials. These include the elements and components that are easily worn as well as those parts that
need to be resistant to corrosion, such as the disk, seating elements, and stem. Stainless steel, stellite (a kind
of cobalt-chromium-tungsten alloy), and chromium-molybdenum steel are often used for trim material in
valves.

PIPE FITTINGS AND WATER SYSTEM ACCESSORIES

Water pipe fittings include elbows, tees, and valves. Water pipe elbows and tees are often made of
cast iron, ductile iron, or steel. Pressure losses due to the water pipe fittings are usually expressed in
terms of an equivalent length of straight pipe, for the sake of convenience Water system accessories include
drains, strainers, and air vents. Drains should be equipped at all low points of the system. Arrangements
should be made so that a part of the system or individual components can be drained rather than draining
the entire system. A condensate drain pipe is always required for cooling and dehumidifying coils.
Galvanized steel is often used for this purpose. It is usually piped to a plumbing drain or other suitable
location. A condensate drain pipe should be insulated so as to avoid surface condensation. Water strainers
are often installed before the pumps, control valves, or other components to protect them from dirt and
impurities.

WATER SYSTEM PRESSURIZATION ANDTHE PRESENCE OF AIR

Water System Pressurization Control

For an open water system, the maximum operating gauge pressure is the pressure at a specific point
in the system where the positive pressure exerted by the water pumps, to overcome the pressure
drops across the equipment, components, fittings, and pipes plus the static head due to the vertical
distance between the highest water level and that point, is at a maximum.

In a closed chilled or hot water system, a variation in the water temperature will cause an expansion
of water that may raise the water pressure above the maximum allowable pressure. The purposes
of system pressurization control for a closed water system are as follows:
_ To limit the pressure of the water system to below its allowable working pressure
_ To maintain a pressure higher than the minimum water pressure required to vent air
_ To assist in providing a pressure higher than the net positive suction head (NPSH) at the pump
suction to prevent cavitation
_ To provide a point of known pressure in the system

Expansion tanks, pressure relief valves, pressure-reducing valves for makeup water, and corresponding
controls are used to achieve water system pressurization control. There are two types of expansion tanks for
closed water systems: open and closed.

Open Expansion Tank

An expansion tank is a device that allows for the expansion and contraction of water contained in a
closed water system when the water temperature changes between two predetermined limits. Another
function of an expansion tank is to provide a point of known pressure in a water system. An open expansion
tank is vented to the atmosphere and is located at least 3 ft (0.91 m) above the highest point of the water
system. Makeup water is supplied through a float valve, and an internal overflow drain is always installed.
A float valve is a globe or ball valve connected with a float ball to regulate the makeup water flow
according to the liquid level in the tank. An open expansion tank is often connected to the suction side of
the water pump to prevent the water pressure in the system from dropping below the atmospheric pressure.
The pressure of the liquid level in the open tank is equal to the atmospheric pressure, which thus provides a
reference point of known pressure to determine the water pressure at any point in the water system. The
minimum tank volume should be at least 6 percent of the volume of water in the system Vs, ft3 (m3). An
open expansion tank is simple, more stable in terms of system pressure characteristics, and low in
cost. If it is installed indoors, it often needs a high ceiling. If it is installed outdoors, water must be
prevented from freezing in the tank, air vent, or pipes connected to the tank when the outdoor temperature
is below 32F (0C). Because the water surface in the tank is exposed to the atmosphere, oxygen is more
easily absorbed into the water, which makes the tank less resistant to corrosion than a diaphragm tank (to be
described later). Because of these disadvantages, an open expansion tank has only limited applications.
FIGURE 7.7 Open expansion tank.

Closed Expansion Tank

A closed expansion tank is an airtight tank filled with air or other gases. When the temperature of the water
increases, the water volume expands. Excess water then enters the tank. The air in the tank is compressed,
which raises the system pressure. When the water temperature drops, the water volume contracts, resulting
in a reduction of the system pressure. To reduce the amount of air dissolved in the water so as to prevent
corrosion and prevent air noise, a diaphragm, or a bladder, is often installed in the closed expansion tank to
separate the filled air and the water permanently. Such an expansion tank is called a diaphragm, or bladder,
expansion tank. Thus, a closed expansion tank is either a plain closed expansion tank, which does not have
a diaphragm to separate air and water, or a diaphragm tank.

For a water system with only one air-filled space, the junction between the closed expansion tank and the
water system is a point of fixed pressure. At this point, water pressure remains constant whether or not the
pump is operating because the filled air pressure depends on only the volume of water in the system. The
pressure in a closed expansion tank during the initial filling process or at the minimum operating pressure is
called the fill pressure pfil, psia. The fill pressure is often used as the reference pressure to determine the
pressure characteristics of a water system.

Size of Diaphragm Expansion Tank

If a closed expansion tank with its filled volume of air is too small, the system pressure will easily
exceed the maximum allowable pressure and cause water to discharge from the pressure relief valve, thus
wasting water. If the closed tank is too large, when the water temperature drops, the system pressure may
decrease to a level below the minimum allowable value and cause trouble in the air vent. Therefore,
accurate sizing of a closed expansion tank is essential.
FIGURE 7.8 Closed expansion tank for a water system. (a) Diaphragm expansion tank in a chilled water
system.
(b) Diaphragm expansion tank in a hot water system. (c) Plain closed expansion tank.

Pump Location
The location of the pump in a water system that uses a diaphragm expansion tank should be
arranged so that the pressure at any point in the water system is greater than the atmospheric pressure.
In such an arrangement, air does not leak into the system, and the required net positive suction
head (NPSH) can be maintained at the suction inlet of the water pump A water pump location commonly
used for hot water systems with diaphragm expansion tanks is just after the expansion tank and the boiler In
this arrangement, the pressure at the pump suction is the sum of the water pressure and the fill pressure. In
another often-used arrangement, the diaphragm expansion tank is moved to the highest point of the water
system, and the pump is still located after the boiler. In a chilled water system, the location of the chilled
water pump is usually before the water chiller, and the diaphragm expansion tank is usually connected to
the suction side of the water pump.

Air in Water Systems

In a closed recirculated water system, air and nitrogen are present in the following forms: dissolved
in water, free air or gas bubbles, or pockets of air or gas. The oxygen in air that is dissolved in water is
unstable. It reacts with steel pipes to form oxides and corrosion. Therefore, after air has been dissolved in
water for a long enough time, only nitrogen remains as a dissolved gas circulating with the water.

Penalties due to Presence of Air and Gas

The presence of air and gas in a water system causes the following penalties for a closed water system
with a plain closed expansion tank:
_ Presence of air in the terminal and heat exchanger, which reduces the heat-transfer surface
_ Corrosion due to the oxygen reacting with the pipes
_ Waterlogging in plain closed expansion tanks
_ Unstable system pressure
_ Poor pump performance due to gas bubbles
_ Noise problems
There are two sources of air and gas in a water system. One is the air-water interface in a plain closed
expansion tank or in an open expansion tank, and the other is the dissolved air in a city water supply.