Central Air Conditioning
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ScribdTranslationsCentral Air Conditioning
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ScribdTranslationsAir-conditioning
Air conditioning is the air cooling system used at home to cool down rooms when ambient
temperatures are very high and hot. Air conditioning, although it refers to the air itself, is a
device that is installed in homes, premises and other closed spaces with the aim of
providing fresh air that is constantly renewed. Despite being a very useful appliance for
daily comfort, its effects can sometimes be adverse not only on the health of individuals but
also on the environment in general due to its constant expulsion of hot air outwards.
Refrigeration Cycle Operation
In the refrigeration cycle, a refrigerant circulates (to reduce or maintain the temperature of an
environment below the temperature of the surroundings, heat must be extracted from the space and
transferred to another body whose temperature is lower than that of the refrigerated space, all of
this is done by the refrigerant) that goes through various states or conditions, each of these changes
is called processes. The refrigerant begins in an initial state or condition, goes through a series of
processes according to a definitive sequence and returns to its initial condition. This series of
processes is called a "refrigeration cycle." The simple refrigeration cycle consists of four
fundamental processes
EXPANSION
At first, the refrigerant is in liquid state and at high temperature and pressure and flows from the
receiver to the refrigerant flow control. The liquid pressure is reduced to the evaporator pressure as
the liquid passes through the refrigerant flow control, so that the saturation temperature of the
refrigerant entering the evaporator is lower than the temperature of the refrigerated environment.
Part of the liquid evaporates as it passes through the refrigerant control to reduce the temperature
of the liquid to the evaporation temperature.
EVAPORIZATION
In the evaporator the liquid evaporates at a constant temperature and pressure, while the heat
necessary to supply latent heat of evaporation passes from the walls of the evaporator to the
evaporating liquid. All the refrigerant evaporates in the evaporator.
COMPRESSION
By the action of the compressor, the vapor resulting from evaporation is carried through the suction
line from the evaporator to the suction inlet of the compressor. In the compressor, the temperature
and pressure of the vapor increases due to compression. High temperature vapor is discharged
from the compressor into the discharge line.
CONDENSATION
The vapor flows through the discharge line to the condenser where it removes heat to the relatively
cool air that is circulated through the condenser by the condenser fan. When the hot vapor releases
heat into the cooler air, its temperature is reduced to the new saturation temperature corresponding
to the new pressure and the vapor condenses, returning to the liquid state. Before the refrigerant
reaches the bottom of the condenser, all the vapor is condensed and then subcooled. The
subcooled liquid then passes to the receiver and is ready to circulate again.
History of Air Conditioning
It was in 1842 when Lord Kelvin invented the principle of air conditioning. In order to
achieve a pleasant and healthy environment, the scientist created a hermetic refrigeration
circuit based on the absorption of heat through a refrigerant gas. To do this, it was based
on 3 principles:
1 . Heat is transferred from the highest to the lowest temperature.
2 The change of state from liquid to gas absorbs heat. Ex. If we wet our hand with alcohol, we feel cold
when it evaporates, since it absorbs the heat from our hand.
3 .Pressure and temperature are directly related. Ex. In a closed container (pressure cooker) we need to
provide a smaller amount of heat to reach the same temperature.
Central Air Conditioning
Split and window air conditioning systems are generally used for small air conditioning
capacities. Central building air conditioning systems are used for cooling capacities that
extend beyond 20 tons of air, capable of cooling entire buildings. Central air conditioning is
used for cooling capacities that fall between these two extremes. This type of air
conditioning is commonly used in places such as restaurants, telephone exchanges, entire
houses, offices, etc.
In central air conditioning all important cooling components are enclosed in a single
housing, just like in window air conditioning. Thus, the compressor, cooling coil, air
handling unit and air filter are all housed in a single housing. Depending on the type of
cooling system used in these systems, air conditioning units are divided into two types:
those with water-cooled condenser and those with air-cooled condenser. Below we explain
these systems:
Central air conditioning with water-cooled condenser
In these air conditioning systems the condenser is cooled by water. The condenser is
made up of a shell and tubes and the refrigerant flows along the tubes and the water along
the shell. Water has to be continuously supplied to these systems to maintain the operation
of the air conditioning system.
The condenser is compact in shape and is enclosed in a single casing, together with the
compressor, expansion valve and air handling unit including the cooling coil or evaporator.
This entire unit looks like a box and is located outside.
In water-cooled central air conditioning units, the compressor is located at the bottom
along with the condenser. Above these components are located the evaporator and the
cooling coil. The air handling unit comprising the centrifugal blower and air filter is located
above the cooling coil. The centrifugal fan has the capacity to handle a large volume of air
needed for cooling a number of rooms. From the top of these air conditioners, tubes
extend to the different rooms that need to be cooled.
All components of this air conditioner are assembled at the factory. The gas charging is
also done in the factory so this operation does not have to be performed. The unit can be
transported to the site and easily installed on a flat surface. Since all components are
assembled at the factory, the high quality of the packaging unit is guaranteed.
Central air conditioning with air-cooled condenser
In this type of central air conditioning the condenser of the cooling system is cooled by
atmospheric air. There is an outdoor unit that has all the important components such as
the compressor, condenser and in some cases the expansion valve. The outdoor unit
can be kept on the terrace or any other open place where free circulation of
atmospheric air is available. The fan located inside this unit sucks in outside air and blows
it over the cooling condenser coil in this process. Air conditioners with air-cooled
condensers are used more than those with water-cooled condensers since air is freely
available and it is difficult to maintain a continuous flow of water. Finally, it should be noted
that the ducts from the cooling unit are connected to the different rooms that need to be
cooled.
CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING OPERATION
Central air conditioning consists of two units, the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, just like
any split air conditioning unit. Unlike with just one unit we can air condition an entire home
by distributing the air to the different areas or rooms through ducts.
The indoor unit is usually located in the false ceiling of the bathroom, as it is the place in
the house where it is least bothersome and easiest to install. From there, ducts are
distributed to all the rooms in the house through a false ceiling and then in each room there
are two grilles, one for supplying air and another for returning air. But how is it possible to
have 2 vents if there is only one duct? The answer is that the same false ceiling, when
closed, creates a duct through which the indoor unit collects the air from the rooms, thus
creating recirculation.
To operate the equipment, it consists of a control/thermostat that is usually placed in the
main room or in the living room and which controls the temperature and other settings for
the comfort state.
AIRZONE SYSTEM
As you may have noticed, central air conditioning only has one control for all the rooms, so
they will all be at the same temperature set on the main thermostat, in addition to wasting
energy, since the areas of the house that we are not using will also be air-conditioned. To
prevent this from happening, you can close the vents manually, if your model allows it, or
install the airzone system.
The Airzone system consists of installing motorized grilles that are activated by a
thermostat placed in each room. So we can have a different temperature in each room
without worrying about the main thermostat.
This system increases the installation price a little more, but if you want to enjoy more
comfort and can afford it, don't hesitate. If you can't install it, you always have the option of
installing manual grilles.
ADVANTAGES OF THE CENTRALIZED SYSTEM
■ Having a single unit to cool or heat an entire home reduces energy costs.
■ Aesthetically, only two grids are seen in each room instead of a device on the wall or
floor.
■ Greater comfort is achieved throughout the home and, therefore, greater uniformity
in air conditioning.
■ Less noise, since the indoor unit is located in the false ceiling, normally in the
bathroom.
DISADVANTAGES OF CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING
■ In the event of a breakdown, it will affect the entire home, since there is only one
machine, unlike individual equipment for each location.
