Air Conditioning System

HISTORY OF AIR CONDITIONING

The first modern air conditioner was invented in 1902 by Willis Haviland Carrier, a skilled
engineer who began experimenting with the laws of humidity control to solve an
application problem at a printing plant in Brooklyn, NY. Borrowing from the concepts of
mechanical refrigeration established in earlier years, Carrier’s system sent air through
coils filled with cold water, cooling the air while at the same time removing moisture to
control room humidity. In 1933, the Carrier Air Conditioning Company of America
developed an air conditioner using a belt-driven condensing unit and associated blower,
mechanical controls, and evaporator coil, and this device became the model in the
growing U.S. marketplace for air-cooling systems.

Today’s air conditioners, while operating on the same fundamental science as Carrier’s
1933 system, incorporate advancements in vapor compression, diagnostics and
controls, electronic sensors, materials, and energy efficiency. Carrier’s new top-of-the
line central air conditioner, the Infinity, is far different than the founder’s early models,
featuring advanced components including a two-stage scroll compressor for quieter,
more energy-efficient performance .
Types of Air Conditioners

1. Central Air Conditioning

2. Ductless, Mini-Split Air Conditioner
3. Window Air Conditioner
4. Portable Air Conditioner
5. Hybrid Air Conditioner
6. Geothermal Heating and Cooling
 Central Air Conditioning
Of all the different types of Air Conditioners, this is the most
common type of cooling system as it is the most preferable for
larger rooms due to its ability to cool efficiently. Central Air
Conditioners circulate cool air through supply and return ducts.
Supply ducts and registers, which are in the wall or floors, carry
cooled air into the room. Then, once the air becomes warm it
circulates back into the supply ducts and registers where it will then
be transported back to the Air Conditioner. Installing a central air
conditioning system requires a lot of planning and preparation as
sizing is crucial to the functionality of the system. If a system of
wrong size is installed, even if it is energy efficient, the utility costs
will increase.

Ductless, Mini-Split Air Conditioner

Ductless, mini-split systems are most common in parts of the homes that
have been retro-fitted. Like central air conditioning systems, these systems
have an outdoor Compressor/condenser and an indoor handling unit. This
system is best suitable for cooling individual rooms. Many ductless, mini-split
systems can have as many as four indoor handling units, which are all
connected to the outdoor unit.
Window Air Conditioning

Think of a window Air Conditioner as a compact unit, cooling only

one particular room. Also known as a “unitary unit,” this system is
installed in the window of a room. Window units cool a room by
emitting the warm air out of the back of it and blowing cool air into
it. These types of units are best for small spaces. It would not be
ideal for a larger room as it doesn’t cool efficiently in that kind of
environment. This is especially advantageous to cool only a
particular part of the room that is being used.
Portable Air Conditioner
Portable Air Conditioners are considered as the next generation
of window units. This type of air conditioning unit takes in air
from the room and cools it, then directs it back into the room.
The unit then vents any warm air outside by means of an exhaust
hose that is installed in a window. Like window air conditioning
units, portable Air Conditioners are designed to cool only one
room. They’re easy to install, versatile, and an affordable option.

Hybrid Air Conditioner

Like hybrid cars, hybrid heat pump systems alternate between
burning fossil fuels and using electricity to run. The system
intelligently chooses between the two energy sources in order to
save money and energy. In the summer, the heat pump works as
it normally does, pulling heat from the room and distributing it
outdoors. In the winter, the hybrid heat pump system works in
reverse, pulling heat from the outside environment and
distributing it into the room. As per the Second Law of
Thermodynamics heat gets 10 ` transferred from a hot object to
a cold object. When the refrigerant drops below the outside
temperature, the heat from the outdoors gets transferred to the
heat pump’s coils and thus into the refrigerant. Now, the
extracted heat can be turned into warm, conditioned air for the
room.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling
Geothermal energy is sustainable, energy efficient, and has a long lifespan. Since the ground temperature
below us remains a fairly consistent 55 degrees no matter how hot or cold it is in the atmosphere,
geothermal technology is able to extract the heat from below and transfer it into the room. A geothermal
coil (“loops” or “wells”) is installed deep in the ground and can be used to heat and cool the room. In the
winter, heat is extracted from the earth; in the summer, heat is extracted from the room and distributed
back into the ground.
 WORKING

 Removing heat from an enclosed space

 Lowering the temperature of that space.
 Working Principle is Refrigeration Cycle.
 Devices that work on refrigeration:
• Air Conditioner
• Refrigerator
• Air source heat pump
• Geothermal heat pump
• Chiller
Refrigeration cycle

T-S graph of Vapour compression cycle

Components of a refrigeration system:

1.Compressor
2. Condenser
3. Expansion Valve
4. Evaporator

Typical single stage vapour compression refrigeration

Compressor
 Heart of the refrigeration system
 Power is supplied to compressor
 Compresses gaseous refrigerant
 Increases pressure & temperature
of refrigerant
 Varying types of Compressor
Materials
THERMOPLASTIC
One common type of material is a thermoplastic, which is a polymer that softens upon heating,
making it able to be molded into a certain shape. Then, upon cooling, it hardens.

NYLON
Nylon is one such kind of material used in making various compressor valve parts. It is made of
something called polyamide, and is 30% glass fiber reinforced. Furthermore, this is a hydrolysis
resistant and heat stabilized material. It is usually lubricated for better flow of the refrigerant, and
meant to help the refrigerant maintain its physical properties as much as possible through the
different phase changes it undergoes.

PEEK
PEEK, also known as polyetheretherketone, is also 30% reinforced by glass fibers for strength and
durability. Furthermore, it is good for sterilizing things such as food contact surfaces and medical
devices. PEEK is ideal for use in a static compression system versus a dynamic one.
 Varying types of Compressor
Materials
CARBON-PEEK
Carbon-PEEK is a similar material, except that it is reinforced with carbon fibers instead of glass.
This is a high performance thermoplastic material that is also semi crystalline. Carbon-PEEK does
not wear or break down easily, and it has a low coefficient of friction.

MT
MT stands for “Mid Temperature,” a gas-filled nylon material. This material has good strength
and heat resistance, and like Carbon-PEEK, it possesses great strength and durability.
Condenser(Heat Exchanger)

Shell & Tube type

Finned Tube type heat
Heat Rejection to outside air
Transfers sensible and latent heat from refrigerant
Condenses refrigerant

The material of tubes that are used in a condensor is

usually copper, although other metals and alloys such
as iron and aluminium.
Expansion/Throttling Device
 Reduces pressure and temp of refrigerant
 Regulates the refrigerant flow
 Flash Evaporation of Refrigerant
 State of refrigerant (Liquid + Gas)
 In AC Capillary Tubes (thin copper) are used
 Fixed opening type
 Variable opening type
Evaporator(heat exchanger)

Finned tube type

Fins increase Heat transfer area
Heat absorption by refrigerant
Evaporates Refrigerant
Dehumidifies air
Various fin arrangements
• Spiral straight fins
• Crimpled fins

Evaporator coils are made from copper, steel, or aluminum

because these metals conduct heat easily, which is the basic
requirement.
 Refrigerants
Working fluid
It absorbs and rejects heat
Produces cooling effect
Pure fluid or Mixture
Undergoes phase transitions
Favourable thermodynamic properties
Types of refrigerants
 Desirable property of the refrigerants

 Low boiling point and Low freezing point

 Low specific heat and High latent heat
 Low evaporator and condenser pressure
 High critical pressure and temperature
 Low specific volume
 High thermal conductivity
 Non-flammable, Non-explosive, Non-toxic and Non-corrosive
 High miscibility with oil and unreactive
 High COP
 Readily available and cheap
 INNOVATIONS IN AIR
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
A greener, leaner air-con system
 The novel air-conditioning system first uses an innovative membrane
technology – a paper-like material – to remove moisture from
humid outdoor air.
 The dehumidified air is cooled via a dew-point cooling system that
uses water as the cooling medium instead of harmful chemical
refrigerants.
 Cool air stream is comparatively less humid than environmental
humidity discharged – negating the effect of micro-climate.
 About 12 to 15 liters of potable drinking water can also be
harvested after operating the air-conditioning system for a day
 District cooling system

 To centralized production of chilled water by using district cooling

plant.

 The generated chilled water will then be channeled to various

building blocks pre-insulated seamless underground pipes.
Advantages-

 Improve efficiency, protect environment, improve urban view,

reduce manpower for operation and maintenance
Selection criteria for air conditioning systems

 Capacity, performance and spatial requirements

 Initial and running costs
 Required system reliability and flexibility
 Maintainability
 Architectural constraints
Reasons of inefficiency in Air Conditioner:
 Leakage in Duct
 Improper Insulation of room
 Icing on Compressor
 Low Refrigerant Level
 Outlets or Vents
 High humidity
 Electric Control Failure
 Compressor Oil Leakage
 Refrigerant Leakage
 Variation in Heat Load
 Improper Maintenance
 Air Conditioner Filter
• Build-up on Blower and Ducts
• Moisture and contamination
• Wear and tear
 Air Conditioner Coils
• Condenser Problems
• Evaporator Coil
• Condensate Drain
• Coil Fins
THANK YOU