Unit 8 HVAC

HVAC: Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning

 Past practice was to consider heating, ventilation, and A/C Notes:
separate systems
 Today, HVAC is generally an integrated system
 Air temperature: 66 (winter) – 78oF (summer)
 Air cleanliness: removal of odor, dust, & pathogens
(requirements site specific)
 Air movement: change-out & distribution
 Humidity: relative & absolute
Air conditioning is the control of interior atmospheric conditions for the purpose of
personnel comfort or industrial processes when require strict environmental
conditions. Air conditioning is concerned with: air temperature, humidity; air motion,
and filtration (air purity).

The sensation of comfort is determined by three factors: air motion, temperature,

and humidity. The net effect of these three factors is the effective temperature,
which can be found on a special Psychometric Chart when dry bulb temperature,
wet bulb temperature and air velocity are known. Although different combinations or
air motion, temperature and humidity can produce similar feelings of warmth or
coolness, they may not be all equally healthy. For best health and comfort, a
relative humidity of 40-50% in cool weather and 50-60% in warm weather is
desirable. An overall range of 30-70% is acceptable.

http://www.rfcafe.com/references/general/psychometric_chart.htm
http://ohioline.osu.edu/aex-fact/0120.html
Engr 540: Intro. To Ship Systems Unit 8: HVAC

Humidity is the measure of the amount of water vapor in the air. The following Notes:
terms are all associated with the concept of humidity:
 Dew Point-- the temperature at which a sample of air becomes completely
saturated with water vapor (100% relative humidity). If the air temperature
is reduced below the dew point, some of the water vapor condenses.
 Maximum Water Vapor Content-- At a given temperature, the maximum
amount of vapor (lbs H2O) which can be contained in a ft3 of air without
condensing. This amount is higher at high temperatures anf lower at low
temperatures.
 Absolute Humidity-- the actual amount of water vapor (lbs H2O) in a
pound of air. (or grains of H20 in a lb of air, or Kg or H2O in a Kg or air –
also called Humidity Ratio, W)
 Relative humidity-- ratio of the Absolute Humidity to the Maximum Water
Vapor Content at the present temperature. i.e., 100% humidity means that
the air is saturated.

Filter
Compressor
Evaporator
Coils Condenser
Coils

cool air out exhaust

air out
Expansion
Device
room air in fresh air in

Fan
Primary Refrigerant Cooling:

 expanding medium directly cools air

 mixtureof fresh and recirculated air passes over evaporator and is

delivered to conditioned space

 mixtureof inside and outside air passes over condenser coils and is
returned outside (condensing temperature must be above outside
temperature

 compressor cycles in response to cooling setting

 compressor may be secured to operate unit for ventilation only

 e.g., window air-conditioner

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Engr 540: Intro. To Ship Systems Unit 8: HVAC

Notes:
Secondary Refrigerant Cooling:

 primary loop utilizes an evaporating medium (primary

refrigerant)

 liquid
(secondary refrigerant--glycol or “brine”) is cooled by
primary refrigerant in a “chiller”

 Chill
water is circulated to air handlers where ventilation air is
passed over cooling coils

 load
on system determined by temperature of returning chill
water and compressor capacity adjusted accordingly

 separate sea water loop utilized for condenser cooling

Compressor
PRIMARY
LOOP

Evaporator Condenser
Expansion
(Chiller,Cooler)
Device

SECONDARY
Chill Water LOOP
Pump S.W. Circ.
Pump

Air Handler

http://www.chillers.com/RefrigCycle.htm

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Engr 540: Intro. To Ship Systems Unit 8: HVAC

Notes:
HVAC Components

Air Handler: fans, motor, duct work, for moving air in an HVAC system

Air Change: intake/exhaust of air to reduce odors, CO2 and indoor pollution levels

Pre-heater: steam or HW coil which heats intake air used in air change. Typically in
winter operation to maintain plenum air temp at 50 oF

Cooling Coil: primary or sec-ondary refrigerant heat exchanger reducing supply air
temp for cooling or dehumid.
exhaust intake
(simplified) Pre-heater
AIR HANDLER
Damper:
75% recirc.
position
Exhaust Fan

from spaces

Filter
to spaces
Plenum

(Re-) heater Cooling Coil

Supply Fan
Coil
Re-heat Coil: steam or HW heat exchanger used to bring air temp back up after
cooling below dew point to remove moister (de-humidification). Typical summer
operation: with pre-heater off, cool to 50oF, re-heat to 65o, distribute to
accommodations where final heating is controlled local thermostat.

Heating Coil: steam or HW heat exchanger used to bring air temp to desired level.
In winter, with cooling coils secured, pre-heater delivers 50o air to the heating coil
(there is no re-heating).

Humidifier: device using direct injection of steam, water spray, or pan & wick
evaporation to increase moisture content of air. Note that air saturated at 50 oF will
be at approximately 50% RH at 72oF.

Louvers: fixed or moving shutters to direct air flow into a space. Dampers are
louver arrangements used to control air flow.

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Engr 540: Intro. To Ship Systems Unit 8: HVAC

HVAC Distribution

http://greenbuildings.santa-monica.org/hvac/hvacintro.html

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Engr 540: Intro. To Ship Systems Unit 8: HVAC

Notes:

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