MEC 351 REFRIGERATION &

AIR CONDITIONG
CHAPTER 3: Air Conditioning Systems and Equipment

Prepared by: Ahmad Najmie Rusli

CHAPTER 3 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering,
UiTM Kampus Pasir Gudang.
Email: ahmad7586@johor.uitm.edu.my

Mar 2016
3.0 Table of Contents
3.1 Introduction
3.2 General System Classification
3.3 Air Conditioning Types
3.3.1 Direct Expansion
3.3.1.1 Direct Expansion Air Cooled
3.3.1.2 Direct Expansion Water Cooled
3.3.2 Indirect Expansion
3.3.2.1 Chiller Water System Processes
3.3.2.2 Chiller Water System - Advantages
3.3.2.3 Indirect Expansion Air Cooled
3.3.2.4 Indirect Expansion Water Cooled
3.3.2.5 Chiller Water System - Components
3.0 Table of Contents

3.4 Cooling Tower

3.4.1 Cooling Tower Cooling Water Process
3.4.2 Cooling Tower Water Lost Phenomena
3.4.3 Cooling Tower Types
3.4.4 Cooling Tower Mass & Energy Balance
3.1 Introduction
There are a large number of variations in the types of air
conditioning systems
The planner must consider the features of each type of system and
decide which is the best choice.
The considered variables are;

1. Load changes 3. Space availability

2. Zoning requirements 4. Cost

3.1 Introduction
The equipment can be selected after determine the cooling
load estimation and the other necessary data.
Studying of manufacturers product technical data would
much be of great help.

Figure: Example of technical data from manufacturer

3.2 GENERAL SYSTEM CLASSIFICATIONS

1. Unitary or Central System;

a) A unitary system (Packaged equipment)
System components (fans, coils, refrigeration equipment) are
furnished as an assembled package.
The cooled air is thrown by the high capacity blower, and it
flows through the ducts laid through various rooms.
Able to cool more than two rooms or a larger space at your
home or office.
3.2 GENERAL SYSTEM CLASSIFICATIONS
1. Unitary or Central System;
b) A central or built-up system.
The components are furnished separately and assembled
by the contractor.
Central air conditioning is used for cooling big buildings,
houses, offices, entire hotels, gyms, movie theatres, factories
etc.
In the central air conditioning systems there is a plant room
where large compressor, condenser, expansion valve and
the evaporator are kept in the large plant room.
3.2 GENERAL SYSTEM CLASSIFICATIONS
2. The cooling medium that is used;
There are three possible groups in regard to the medium used.

All-air systems All-water Combined

These systems systems system
use only air for Some time Air-water or
rejecting and called as water-air
picking up heat. hydronic system. combination
These systems systems for
use only water rejecting and
for rejecting and picking up heat.
picking up heat.
3.2 GENERAL SYSTEM CLASSIFICATIONS
3. Zoning systems;
Single zone or multiple zone systems

Single zone system

Air condition only one zone in a building.
A group of rooms be maintained by a single controlling
device eg. AHU/FCU

Multiple zone system

A multiple zone system can satisfactorily air condition a
number of different zones, each with its own
characteristics.
Air Conditioning Types
Wall Mounted
3.3
Ceiling
Pair System
Mounted

Floor Mounted
Air
Split Type
Cooled Ceiling
Mounted /
Cassette
Multi
Direct
System
Expansion Wall/Floor
Mounted

Water Single Roof-top/Floor

Cooled Packaged Mounted
AC Types

Air
Cooled
Indirect
Expansion
Water
Cooled
3.3 Indoor Unit Type

Wall mounted Below ceiling mounted Cassette / ceiling mounted

Floor standing Fan coil Unit (FCU)

3.3.1 Direct Expansion (DX)
Refrigerant work directly to absorb
the heat from refrigerated space and
release the heat to environment

Refrigerated space
3.3.1.1 Direct Expansion (DX) AIR COOLED
Single Packaged
Compact and built in one unit concept.
Capacity from 9,000 to 24,000 Btu/hr.
Noisy.
Poor control of temperature and humidity.
Higher electricity consumption.
Low initial cost

Roof Top Packaged

Compact and built in one concept.
Capacity from 80,000 to 200,000 Btu/hr.
Required ducting for supply & return air.
3.3.1.1 Direct Expansion (DX) AIR COOLED

Split Type Pair System

1 indoor unit (evaporator)
1 outdoor unit (condenser)
Capacity from 9,000 to 60,000 Btu/Hr.
Flexible in control of temp & humidity.

Split Type Multi System

Share 1 outdoor to 2-4 indoor units
Capacity from 19,000 to 38,000 Btu/Hr.
Longer refrigerant conductor to room.
More economical
3.3.1.2 Direct Expansion (DX) WATER COOLED

Package Type - Water Cooled

Compact and built in one concept (Roof-Top)
Water cooled condensing unit in concept.
Capacity from 12,000 to 60,000 Btu/Hr.

Split Type Water Cooled

Split water cooled condensing unit.
Capacity from 10,000 to 70,000 Btu/Hr.
3.3.2 Indirect Expansion (IDX)
Indirect expansion air conditioning system typically
called as chiller water system.
Refrigeration cycle work indirectly to
absorb the heat from refrigerated
space and release the heat to
environment.

Refrigerated
space

Chiller water work as refrigerant to absorb the heat. Heat

were absorbed by refrigeration cycle at the evaporator.
3.3.2.1 Chiller Water System - Processes
1. The function of a chiller is to produce chilled water (water
refrigerated to about 44F [6.7C].
2. Chilled water is then pumped in pipes (CHWS) from the chiller to
indoor units such as AHU, FCU and others.
3. Chilled water coils filled with circulating chilled water, while the air
forces to pass thru the coil and produce the cool air.
4. Heat absorbed from the room flows out with the (now warmer)
chilled water (CHWR) exiting the cooling coils and returning to the
chiller plant.
5. At the chiller, heat removed from the returning chilled water is
rejected to the condenser via the refrigeration cycle.
6. The condenser can be air or water cooled.
3.3.2.2 Chiller Water System -Advantages

Chilled Water System

can solve crowded
condenser installed
for split type air
conditioning
3.3.2.2 Chiller Water System -Advantages
Chilled Water System
centralized the heat
removal and
absorption by using
single plant or single
space.
3.3.2.3 Chiller Water System AIR COOLED

Small Air Cooled Chiller

Capacity from 18,000 Btu/Hr to 138,000 Btu/Hr.
Air blow down heat absorbed by refrigerant at the
condenser.

Large Air Cooled Chiller

Capacity from 1,500,000 Btu/Hr to 6,000,000 Btu/Hr.
Air blow down heat absorbed by refrigerant at the
condenser.
3.3.2.3 Chiller Water System AIR COOLED
Schematic diagram Air Cooled CHW
3.3.2.4 Chiller Water System WATER COOLED
Small Water Cooled Chiller
Capacity from 720,000 Btu/Hr to 1,800,000 Btu/Hr.
Cooling water absorb heat at condenser and release at cooling
tower.

Medium Water Cooled Chiller

Capacity from 1,800,000 Btu/Hr to 6,000,000 Btu/Hr.
Cooling water absorb heat at condenser and release at cooling
tower.

Large Water Cooled Chiller

Capacity from 6,000,000 Btu/Hr to 24,000,000 Btu/Hr.
Cooling water absorb heat at condenser and release at cooling
tower.
3.3.2.4 Chiller Water System WATER COOLED
Schematic diagram Water Cooled CHW
3.3.2.5 Chiller Water System - Components

Refrigeration cycle for

indirect air
conditioning system in
chiller plant is vapor
Compressor compression
refrigeration cycle

Evaporator

Throttle valve

Condenser

Figure: Component of refrigeration cycle in Chiller Plant

3.3.2.5 Chiller Water System - Components

Piping & pumps in chiller plant AHU Room Cooling and ventilation
3.4 Cooling Tower

1. The cooling tower is the equipment that provides a steady supply of

cooling water to a water cooled condensers in a refrigeration plant.
2. Typically uses in Chiller Plant.
3. It transfers heat from the condenser water to the atmospheric air by
the evaporation of a small percentage of the condensing water
into the atmosphere.
3.4 Cooling Tower

Cooling tower in UiTM Campus Pasir Gudang

3.4 Cooling Tower

Figure: Cooling Fan Figure: Inside of the Cooling Tower

3.4 Cooling Tower
3.4.1 Cooling Tower Cooling Water Process

1. Hot water from the condenser is

pumped to the top of the cooling tower
and sprayed down into the tower.
2. Internal baffles called fills, break up
the water into finer droplets, thus
increasing the surface area for faster
cooling.
3. The cooled water collects in the sump
and is then recirculated to the
condenser.
3.4.2 Cooling Tower - Water Lost Phenomena
Water is lost due to: propeller sprays
fan
1. The evaporative cooling
2. Drift loss results from
upward air carrying the fill
water droplets away.
outdoor
3. Blowdown loss results
air
from draining off to
prevent a continual
accumulation of minerals sump
The losses require addition 85F 95F
of makeup water to the [29C] [35C]
to
sump, controlled by a float
condenser makeup from
valve level. water condenser
3.4.3 Cooling Tower - Types
1. Mechanical draft - Uses power-driven fan motors to force or draw air through the tower.

Mechanical - Crossflow
The air flow is directed
perpendicular to the water flow.
Gravity water distribution allows
smaller pumps and maintenance
while in use.

Mechanical - Counterflow
The air flow is directly opposite to
the water flow.
Breakup of water in spray makes
heat transfer more efficient.
3.4.3 Cooling Tower - Types
2. Natural draft - Utilizes buoyancy via a tall chimney tower.

1. Warm, moist air naturally rises due to the

density differential compared to the dry, cooler
outside air.

2. Warm moist air is less dense than drier air at

the same pressure.

3. This moist air buoyancy produces an upwards

current of air through the tower.
 3.4.4 Cooling Tower Mass & Energy Balance
(Out-hot
air/vapor ) In-Work
done by fan
(In-hot
water )
Mass Balance;
Dry air:
= =
Water / Vapor:
+ + = +
(In-Absorb
air/vapor) =
= ( )
Energy Balance;
+ + + = +
(Out-cooled
water )

(In-Makeup water)
END