De Vera, Luis Reden D.
Rating:
Air Conditioning System
BS AERO ENG / 3RD YEAR MARCH 11, 2024
Technical Report No. 1
AeE 662
Aircraft Systems
ENGR. CEDRIC JAMES D. LAMBINO
INSTRUCTOR
Air Conditioning System PAGE 1 OF 5
Aircraft Air Conditioning System
Air conditioning is more than just the cooling of air. A complete air-conditioning system
for an aircraft should control both the temperature and humidity of the air, heating or
cooling it as is necessary. It should provide adequate movement of the air for ventilation,
and there should be provision for the removal of cabin odors.
Two main types of air conditioning systems are used in aircraft:
• Air cycle air conditioning, predominantly used in turbine-powered aircraft,
utilizes engine bleed air or APU pneumatic air.
• Vapor cycle air conditioning, resembling systems found in homes and
automobiles, is commonly installed in reciprocating aircraft but can also be found
in some turbine-powered aircraft.
Air Cycle Air Conditioning
• Air cycle air conditioning utilizes engine bleed air to pressurize the aircraft cabin.
• Control of temperature and air quantity is crucial for maintaining a comfortable
cabin environment at various altitudes and on the ground.
• Often referred to as the air conditioning package or pack, the air cycle system is
typically situated in the lower half of the fuselage or in the tail section of turbine-
powered aircraft.
System Operation
• Bleed air, despite being hot at high altitudes, requires cooling before it can be
used in the cabin.
• In the air cycle system, bleed air is first cooled in a heat exchanger using ram air.
• Cooled bleed air then passes through an air cycle machine where it is compressed.
• After compression, the air undergoes a secondary cooling phase in another heat
exchanger with ram air.
• The air is further cooled as it drives an expansion turbine in the air cycle machine.
• Water is removed, and the air is mixed with bypassed bleed air for final
temperature adjustment.
• Finally, the conditioned air is distributed to the cabin through the air distribution
system.
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Pneumatic System Supply
• The air cycle air conditioning system receives air from the aircraft pneumatic
system.
• This pneumatic system is typically fed by bleed air tap-offs on each engine
compressor section or from the APU pneumatic supply.
• While the aircraft is on the ground, an external pneumatic air supply source can
also be connected.
• During normal flight operations, engine bleed air is directed to a pneumatic
manifold through valves, regulators, and ducting.
• These pneumatic manifold supplies air conditioning packs and other essential
airframe systems like anti-ice and hydraulic pressurization systems.
Figure 1-1. Boeing 737 air cycle
system. The photo is taken looking up
into the air conditioning bay located
in the lower fuselage on each side of
the aircraft.
Component Operation
• Air Conditioning Packs - To cool and condition the air.
• Air Distribution Ducts - To send the conditioned air to different parts of the aircraft.
• Air Filters - To remove contaminants for better air quality.
• Recirculation Fans - To maintain airflow.
• Control Panels - Typically controlled by panels in the cockpit and at times the cabin.
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• Temperature and Pressure Sensors - To monitor internal conditions.
• Bleed Air Systems - Often used to bleed air from the engines and provide compressed
air for different functions within he aircraft.
• Pack Valves - To regulate the flow rate of air and help maintain the desired cabin
pressure.
• Primary Heat Exchanger - Cools the engine/APU bleed air.
• Secondary Heat Exchanger - Removes the heat of compression from the ACM.
• Air Cycle Machine (ACM) - Comprises a compressor and a turbine mounted on the
same shaft.
• Re-heater - Raises the temperature of the air before it reaches the turbine inlet to
vaporize any remaining water droplets for turbine protection.
• Water Extractor - Removes water from the moisture produced by the condenser.
• Water Spray Nozzle - Located at the secondary heat exchanger inlet, it sprays water
drained from the water extractor to increase the cooling capacity of the heat
exchanger.
Figure 1-2. A basic vapor cycle air conditioning system. The compressor and the expansion valve are the two
components that separate the low side from the high side of the cycle.
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Vapor Cycle Air Conditioning System Components
• Refrigerant – A fluid that is used in the air conditioning systems and heat pumps. It is
used as a medium to transfer heat.
• Receiver Dryer – Acts as a reservoir. It is used to receive and store liquid refrigerant
from the condenser.
• Expansion Valve – removes pressure from the liquid refrigerant, this allows the
liquid to change from liquid into a vapor in the evaporator
• Evaporator – a plate and fin type heat exchanger that facilitates rapid heat transfer
between the cabin and outside air. It removes heat from the cabin.
• Compressor – The heart of the vapor cycle air conditioning. It circulates the
refrigerant around the vapor cycle system.
• Condenser – a heat exchangers that turns vapor into liquid. The condenser interacts
with the air outside the aircraft whilst the evaporator interacts with the air from the
cabin.
• Service Valves – All vapor cycle air conditioning systems are closed systems;
however, access is required for servicing. This is accomplished through the use of
two service valves.
Figure 1-3. Cross-section of an R12 refrigerant service valve.
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REFERENCES
Jeppesen Sanderson (2009). A & P Technician Airframe Textbook.
Federal Aviation Administration (2018). Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook
Airframe, Volume 2.
