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ME
424
Air conditioning and Refrigeration
Analysis of vapor compression refrigeration systems, air conditioning systems, moist air properties and psychrometric processes, solar radiation, cooling load, space air distribution, fans selection and air duct design.
Prerequisites:
0630322,0630421
0630424
(3-0-3)

Text Book:

-W.P. Jones, Air-conditioning Engineering, 5th Edition, Arnold, 2001.

or

- F. McQuiston, J. Parker and J. Spitler, Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning; Analysis and Design, 6th Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2004.

References:

ASHRAE Handbooks (Fundamentals, HVAC Systems and Equipment, HVAC Applications, Refrigeration)

Coordinators : Thermal Science TAG

Prerequisites by Topics:

  1. First and second laws of thermodynamics
  2. Thermodynamic cycles and gas-vapor mixture properties.
  3. Fundamentals of heat transfer and fluid mechanics.

Objectives[^1]:

  1. To teach students how to apply the fundamentals of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer to analyze, refrigeration cycles and their main components (1,2,4).
  2. To teach students how to design an air-conditioning system and select its components (2).
  3. To teach students how to analyze the behavior of an air-conditioning system and its components quantitatively in response to load variations (1,2).
  4. To teach students how to identify and quantify the specifications and trade off of the selection components, which are commonly used in air-conditioning systems (1,2).
  5. To create the interest of students and help them in pursuing a career in refrigeration and air-conditioning.

Topics

  1. Vapor compression refrigeration system (5 hours)
  2. Air conditioning systems (3 hours)
  3. Moist air properties and conditioning processes (6 hours)
  4. Thermal Comfort (2 hours)
  5. Heat transfer through building structures (3 hours)
  6. Solar radiation (5 hours)
  7. Cooling load (10 hours)
  8. Air duct design (4 hours)
  9. Fans and room air distribution (4 hours)
  10. Exams (3 hours)
  11. Environmental challenges

Evaluation:

  1. Quizzes
  2. Homework
  3. Exams
  4. Term papers, and reports
  5. Computer assignment
  6. Project

Learning Outcomes:

Objective 1

1.1 Students will receive the basic thermodynamics related to refrigeration cycles, reciprocating and centrifugal compressors, refrigerant characteristics and their properties.

1.2 The students will learn how the operating and design parameters are affecting the performance (performance ratio, specific energy consumption, etc.) of refrigeration systems.

1.3 The students will understand the environmental issues related to the refrigerants (i.e. the ozone and global warming problems).

Objective 2

2.1 Students will be able to understand the properties of dry air-water mixtures and the psychometric processes applied in air-conditioning systems.

2.2 Students will understand how the ambient conditions (temperature, humidity ratio, air velocity), clothing , and radiation heat and ventilation are affecting the thermal comfort of a person.

2.3 Students should be able to calculate room and gross cooling load by hand, by writing computer programs, or using commercially available programs, and to study the parameters affecting the load.

2.4. The students will understand how to select the air-conditioning system to offset this cooling load, select its refrigeration components (compressor, condenser, air-handling unit), design its duct system, and distribution of the supply air to the conditioned space.

Objective 3

3.1 Students will be able to understand how to match the components of the air-conditioning system to match the instantaneous cooling load.

Objective 4

4.1 Students will be able to understand how to set the specifications of the required equipment from the different types of commercially available components.

4.2 Students will be able to communicate effectively in oral and written form when solving the class design project.

Objective 5

5.1 Students will visit the sites of air-conditioning projects within and outside the campus, and the air-conditioning industries in Kuwait.

5.2 Students will be encouraged to join local and international air-conditioning student societies.

Course Classification

Student Outcomes Level Relevant Activities
H, M, L
1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics. M Use of engineering science in the analysis and design of A/C systems. Problems related to air-conditioning systems
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors. H Design of air-conditioning systems
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences. M Project report and presentation, Assignments.
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts. M Emphasis on the environment and thermal comfort, Pollution, ozone depletion.
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives. L Group projects
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies. L Field Trips

[^1]: Numbers in parentheses refer to the student outcomes.