Air Conditioning

1. Need of Air conditioning.

 To create protective environment as against heat, suitable for humans
and sensitive machines (like computers, telephone exchanges etc),
keeps working people enthusiastic in extreme hot/ cold climatic
conditions.
 To create protective environment as against humidity. Suitable for
humans and sensitive machines.
 To create protective environment as against noise, solves noise
problem for humans, working environments, recording studios etc.
 To create protective environment as against fumes, smoke and dust, to
create healthy conditions for humans. Increases life of sensitive
machines. Helps to reduce maintenance and cleaning work in
residential units, shops, displays etc.
 Life of furniture, curtains, upholstery increases
 Creates comfortable conditions for assemblies (Auditoria, cinema halls,
and conference halls etc. where heat dissipation from crowds is very
high.
 Delicate plant and machinery need AC to protect from dust and
temperature.
 The rating of commercial establishments goes up (Hospitals, Cinema
halls, Restaurants, hotels, shopping complexes etc.)
2. Meaning of Air Conditioning: Comfort conditions
A person feels discomfort due to excessive heat or cold, excessive humid or
dry climate, excessive stillness or draftiness.
This is due to the cooling mechanism of body. Body cools down by 1) Loss of
heat due convection of air 2) Radiation of heat 3) Heat loss due to
evaporation.
Hence if there is more heat in the atmosphere, heat loss due to convection
and radiation will be negligible.
If the temperature is very low, the heat loss will be very rapid due to
convection and radiation causing discomfort.
If humidity is very high, the evaporation from body will be less, causing sultry
feeling.
If humidity is very low, the evaporation will be rapid causing discomfort due to
dry skin.
If the air is too still, the convection, radiation and evaporation will be less. If
the air is too drafty, the convection, radiation and evaporation will be very
rapid causing discomfort.
Hence all these must be balanced.
The comfort conditions will mean 22 degrees C. at 45 to 50% relative
humidity.
Air conditioning means conditioning air for comfort. It will include
 If temperature of air is low, heating must increase it.
 If temperature of air is more, cooling must reduce it.
If the air is dry, it must be humidified
 If there is more humidity, it must be removed.
 There must be adequate air changes.
 The air flow must be gentle to so as not to cause discomfort.
 Pollutants must be removed.
 Unwanted smell should not be lingering in the air.
 Oxygen must be added to improve the quality of air.
3. Heat gain calculation
Heat gain of a building can be calculated with help of internal and external
heat gain. The heat gain gets divided as internal heat gain and external heat
gain
Internal heat gain is due to human beings, machines and equipment.
The external heat gain is due to convection and radiation. It can also be due
to sun rays.
British Thermal Unit is the unit used in British system. Calorie is the unit used
in metric system. BTU is the amount of heat required to raise temperature of
one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
Calorie is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of
water by one degree Celsius.

1000 calorie or one Kilo calorie= 3.97 BTU

Human bodies give out heat equal to 400 BTU per hour per person
Heat gain due to fittings must be calculated separately.
Heat gain from external walls depends on heat conductivity and temperature
difference.
Load of infiltration is the load due to loss due to open doors and other losses
like loss thru cracks etc.
Infiltration loads also depend on the amount of fresh air taken in by the
system to dilute the unwanted smells etc.
Storage of heat is the heat stored and let out by the building components and
furniture etc from inside the building.

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AC SYSTEM
4. Refrigeration cycle
Refrigeration cycle consists compression, cooling, expansion and heating
of refrigerant medium inside closed tubing. The compression of refrigerant
medium is done with help of a compressor. This reduces the volume of
refrigerant, and increases its temperature. After this the refrigerant is passed
thru’ tubing that looses heat. This is known as condensation. In condensation
the temperature of refrigerant material is brought down considerably so that it
liquefies under pressure and low temperature.
The refrigerant is then allowed to expand with help of an expansion valve
or throttling device. Expansion leads to increase in volume, drop in pressure
and temperature. This cooled refrigerant is then passed through a coil called
evaporator. Evaporator absorbs heat from the surrounding medium like water
or air and cools the surrounding medium. This cooled medium is used for
cooling. (See diagram-1)
5. Equipment and accessories.
Various parts used in air-conditioning are
 Compressor: It is used for compressing the refrigerant gas. These are
of various types like Reciprocating compressor, centrifugal compressor,
Rotary compressors. These are refrigerant specific.
 Condenser Condensers are used for condensing the hot gas
compressed by the compressors. The gas is at a superheated temperature
and when cooled gets condensed and liquefies. The condenser is generally a
coil, which is cooed with help of air or water. In smaller systems like window
units or Ductable units, the refrigerant is in small quantity and can be
condensed with help of natural convection of air or with forced air.
In case of central air conditioning systems, the refrigerant is in large quantity
and is condensed with cold water that is made available from cooling towers.
The cold water is run in tubes inside tubes and is made to flow in the direction
opposite that of the refrigerant. In other method the refrigerant is in a shell
thru’ which a cool water tube is run.
In evaporative condenser, water is sprayed over the tube of refrigerant and is
allowed to evaporate, thereby cooling the refrigerant.
 Cooling tower: Cooling towers are employed to supply cooling water
to condensers in case of large systems. Cooling towers are finned structures
rectangular or circular in plan. The water is allowed to drip over vertically
arranged fins. As water drops over the fins, some part of it evaporates,
reducing the temperature of the remaining water. This cooled water is then
collected in a tray at the bottom of the cooling tower and is then sent to the
condenser. The cooling towers can work on natural ventilation and
evaporation. The process of evaporation can be enhanced by using fans.
 Expansion valve: The condensed refrigerant is allowed to expand in
an expansion valve. This reduces the temperature of the refrigerant and
makes it suitable for cooling.
 Fan coil units: These are used to produce cool air with help of cool
refrigerants or chilled water. These are part of window air conditioner. Split air
conditioner or fan coil units used in hotel guest rooms etc. Air is forced over
coil to cool and is then supplied to AC areas.
 Chillers: Chillers are used in buildings where fan coil units or air
handling units get fixed at various places away from the Air conditioning plant.
It is not practicable to carry the refrigerant to different points inside building
over large distances. Hence chillers are used to make cool water by
transferring its heat to refrigerant.
Chillers are similar to condensers. Only the process is exactly reverse. In
chiller, the refrigerant is used make cool water.
 Chilled water piping: Chilled water piping is used to transfer chilled
water from chiller package to fan coil/ air handling unit. These pipes are of
cast iron/ copper tubing and must be insulated from outside against heat gain.
The insulation can be glass wool, Asbestos or polymer foam.
 Air handling unit: Air handling units are used for large buildings.
These have large areas, many levels and complex Air conditioning schedules.
This makes it impossible to run AC ducts from one single machine. The AHUs
are located at different levels and supply cool air to assigned areas through
ducts. The cool air is generated inside AHU with help of a fan that through air
over a coil of chilled water. The chilled water is supplied to the air handling
unit from central plant room chiller packages.
 Fans: Fans of various types are used in Air-conditioning. Propeller
fans are used for moving small amount of air. For moving large quantities of
air over large lengths. Centrifugal fans area used.
 Filters: Filters are used for removing pollutants from the air. These
filters remove such pollutants like dust partials, pollens etc. These are
installed at the beginning of the duct.
 Ozonizers: These add ozone to the conditioned air. These are part of
AHU room. Ozone or oxygen when added to air reacts with pollutants and
removes staleness.
 Ducts: Ducts are made of galvanized iron plane sheets and are
generally hung from the ceilings with help of MS suspenders. The duct cross
sections are according to the volume of air to be supplied and space available
for the duct. The turns of ducts and the connections between main duct and
branches are made smooth by adding segments. This reduces the resistance
to air-flow.
 Fire dampers: Fire can spread easily thru the ducts. Hence fire
dampers are located inside the duct where duct goes from one compartment
into another compartment. The fire damper has a fusible link that melts when
the temperature of air flowing inside the duct rises beyond a limit due to fire.
The flap of damper closes down due to snapping of fusible link. The flow of air
stops preventing further damage due to spread of fire thru’ duct.
 Linings to ducts for noise. Ducts are lined from inside for reducing
the noise. The air-handling units have huge fans that generate a very high
level of noise. This noise gets transmitted thru the ducts into the AC areas.
This noise must be absorbed inside the duct. Hence acoustical lining is
provided to ducts. This lining is provided in the initial length after the air-
handling unit.
 Linings to ducts for preventing heat gain. The ducts are also lined
to avoid heat gain when the ducts pass over large lengths thru non-AC areas.
This ensures that the air passing thru the duct does not get heated up due to
warm air outside. In this case, lining of heat insulating material is tied to the
duct from outside.
 Diffusers, grills etc. Diffusers are used to throw air inside the AC area
in such a way that it spreads in different directions instead of creating a blast
of cool air. The diffuser are generally of polymers. Diffusers used in ceilings
are generally circular or square in shape whereas those in walls are generally
 rectangular in shape. Some of the diffusers have adjustable louvers to give
direction to the Air draft.
6 Systems
 System 1- Room air conditioner: Room air conditioners are suitable
for rooms, office cabins, small offices, shops etc. These are to be fitted on
external wall. Hence the possibilities of locating this type of unit in a room are
limited. The systems are available in 1, 1.5, 2, 3 tones etc. There are inbuilt
filters for filtering air.
 System 2- Split Air conditioner: The split air conditioner has a
compressor and a condenser unit in an external location. A chilled water pipe
is carried from this unit to the fan coil unit situated inside the room. The fan
coil unit can be located at any suitable point inside the room. It can be
operated with a remote control. Hence is very suitable for living rooms, bed
rooms, office cabins etc. The unit is available in the same numbers of
tonnage as the window unit. The “sweating” or condensation that occurs at
the fan coil unit must be carried away from the unit with help of a pipe.
 System 3- Ductable unit Ductable units are available in 7 ton
onwards. These are units like window units but the draft must be carried to
different areas of the establishment with help of a duct. This unit can be
located in an enclosure that has an external wall.
 System 4 Fan coil unit system: Fan coil units are fitted to small size
large number of units like hotel guest rooms. It has a central compressor,
condenser with cooling towers and chiller system. The chilled water from
chiller is carried to the fan coil units located at various points. The sweating of
the fan coil unit must be taken care of.
 System 5 Central AC and AHU: This has a central compressor,
condenser, cooling tower and chiller unit. He chilled water is piped to various
points where AHUs are located. The AHUs supply conditioned air to assigned
areas.
6 Sick Building Syndrome:
AC buildings and enclosures tend to make the inhabitants be sick,
unenthusiastic, docile. This has been observed that the person looses all his
enthusiasm for work in an hour after entering the AC establishment. This is
due to the pollutants that keep circulating in the AC system. These pollutants
are like dust particles from carpets etc, pollens, resins, adhesives etc from
furniture, evaporating substances from paints, perfumes and deodorants.
These together form an effect of nausea on a person, depriving him of his
energy to work.
Some of this can be removed by adding ozone to the system. Natural plants
have been found to be having a great capacity to remove pollutants from air.
7 Intelligent buildings:
These building operate the air-conditioning at an optimum level by adjusting
the heat gain and also the work of the machines. They have computerized
system of louvers that rotate to adjust themselves to the incidence of sun.
They also adjust the machine working to the hourly demand on AC system.
Planning of Buildings for Air conditioning
1 Planning against External heat gain
 Maximum heat gain can occur through roof.
Providing following things can prevent it
Heat Barrier (Double roofing, False ceiling, placing non AC functions on
top floor etc)
Reflective roofing (China mosaic treatment to roof, Water body on rooftop)
Absorptive roofing (Lawn garden on rooftop)
 Heat gain happens through side walls
West and east walls get heated for a long time with incidence of angle
near perpendicular to walls.
South wall gets heated for the whole of the day, but the angle of incidence
is nearly parallel to the walls in summer.
Heat gain can be reduced by providing reflective surfaces, light colors,
double walls, non-AC functions on the side of heat gain
 Heat gain can occur through windows and glazing. Sunlight when it comes
inside the building gets converted into heat and heat waves cannot
escape through the glass. This is known as greenhouse effect. Glazing in
roof is very troublesome. Glazing on east and west allow deep penetration
into the building for long morning or evening hours.
Sun penetration through south windows can add large amount of heat for
whole of the day. Providing sunshades can reduce it.

Planning against Internal heat gain

 Heat gain due to human bodies must be considered
 Heat gain due to machines and equipment used by human beings like
computers, light fittings must also be considered and such fittings making
less heat gain should be used. Light fittings that produce more light and
less heat (Fluorescent fitting) are preferable over fitting producing more
heat (incandescent lamps).
 Some of the areas that produce excessive heat and need not be air
conditioned (Kitchens, machine rooms producing more heat, service
areas)

Planning against gain of pollutants

 Smelly areas like kitchens, toilets etc need not be air-conditioned. The
smell from such areas, if air-conditioned, may keep circulating through AC
ducts into main areas.
 Separate smoking lobbies may be provided and these may be exhausted
separately to avoid smoke keeping circulating through ac areas.
 Flowering plants throw out pollens. These may cause allergies to some of
the occupants. Hence flowering plants should not be used inside the AC
areas.
Planning for AC scheduling.
 The buildings should be planned for schedule of operations. Various areas
get used at various time and with varying intensity.
 In cinema halls the foyers get used for a shorter duration as compared to
the hall itself.
 Hotels (Lobbies, dining areas, conferences, guest rooms etc.), Hospitals
(OPD, ICU, Special rooms, Operation theatres etc.) also have different
schedules for different areas.
 All the areas inside the building may not have to be cooled
simultaneously. Hence it is necessary to segregate areas having different
schedules so that they can be cooled from separate supplies.

Planning for loss of conditioned air.

 All windows must be air-tight
 Doors, which open often, may be provided with air lock lobbies or air
curtains.
 All doors between AC and non-AC areas must have door closers.
 The exit doors must open outside for escape from fire. The AC machine is
putting positive pressure on the doors from inside. Hence the doors are
likely to keep open. This will result into loss of air from AC area. This can
be avoided by providing balancing air pressure from the other side. All
non-AC exit lobbies must be provided with this facility.
 All other doors between AC and non AC areas must have shutters that
swing open into AC areas.

Planning for equipment

 Central AC plant can be placed in basement. Provision must be made for
a height of 3.6 meters for ease of piping inside the plant room. A place for
operator may be provided.
 There should be a facility to bring in heavy equipment like condensers,
chillers etc. inside the building.
 The area may be separated structurally to avoid vibrations from the
equipment.
 Space and cutouts in slabs should be provided for chilled water pipes from
AC plant room to AHU room, fan coil units, and to cooling towers.
 Cooling towers can be kept over terraces or in the open spaces around
the buildings.
 The AHUs, Ductable units must be placed on external walls so as to get
necessary air from outside.
 AHU rooms must have sufficient height for the duct to rise to the slab
bottom. The clear height below the beam can be 3 meters.
 Cut outs in slabs for ducts can be provided if AHU is feeding 2 floors.

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