This module builds on the material covered in second year on Energy & Buildings Systems Engineering. The module covers the fundamentals of air flow in duct systems and fan engineering, the design of common air / water based systems and the design and specification of air conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems.
The aim of this module is to achieve a level of knowledge and understanding of the principles associated with air conditioning & ventilation systems and to achieve academic competence in the analytical and computational elements to be able to apply the knowledge gained to design the most optimal & ethical engineering solutions.
a) Ventilation Requirements:
Indoor design conditions and comfort criteria. Measurement of comfort. Internal heat gains, occupancy density and calculation of occupancy. Indoor air quality and classifications. Outdoor air quality, requirements and factors determining the amount required. Dilution equation for ventilation air. Ventilation requirements for heating & cooling loads.
b) General Principles of Air-Flow in Ductwork:
Fundamentals of air flow, basic concepts. Density, mass, volume, continuity, conservation of energy principle. Measurement methods of air-flow in ductwork systems. Total, Velocity & Static pressures profiles in a ductwork systems. Pressure flow characteristics in straight ductwork and fittings. Measurement methods of pressure loss factor in fittings.
c) Ductwork & Fan Sizing:
Duct sizing from first principles. Concept of hydraulic diameter. Recommended velocities in ducted systems for various applications. Circular and Rectangular Duct sizing with equal pressure and limiting velocity. Pressure loss factors (zeta) in fittings. Methods of ductwork and fan index sizing procedure used. The concept of overall system resistance with parallel and series resistance.
d) Fans & Air Handling Plant:
Fan types, characteristic curves, performance and efficiency, capacity variation and control, series and parallel operation, fan laws, interaction effects, requirements of current standards. Selection of main AHU components & configurations, AHU Types, modular manufacture, specification of materials, pressure drop, air handling recovery techniques, testing to current standards.
e) Air Conditioning:
Air properties, review and plotting of basic Psychrometric processes, winter & summer Psychrometric cycles and calculations, single & multiple zone constant volume terminal re-heat systems, zoning, calculation of plant heating, humidification & cooling loads, fresh air requirements, room sensible & latent heat gains, full fresh, basic air conditioning controls strategies i.e. zone temperature and humidity control, supply air temperature calculation and dew-point control.
f) Space Air Distribution:
Behaviour of air jets, basic flow patterns. Grille & diffuser types, location & application. Diffuser selection, throw, terminal velocity, & noise criteria design requirements for ADPI. Effects of heating and/or cooling mode of operation on diffuser performance.
g) Air Filtration Technology:
Air filter technology, application and classification of air filters. Current test standards for filter types, gravimetric, optical and particulate tests.
This module will be delivered as a series of both online and onsite class based lectures, discussions, problem-solving exercises, worked examples, case studies, continuous assessment, laboratories and self-directed learning.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 80 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 20 |