Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

This course presents a progressive study of the fundamentals applied to analyze refrigeration systems up to air conditioning. The operation and efficiency evaluation of the vapor compression cycle is addressed. Thermodynamics, Psychrometrics, Design conditions, Load estimating fundamentals, Ducts, and Indoor Quality are also studied.

Description
This course presents a progressive study of the fundamentals applied to analyze refrigeration systems up to air conditioning. The operation and efficiency evaluation of the vapor compression cycle is addressed. Thermodynamics, Psychrometrics, Design conditions, Load estimating fundamentals, Ducts, and Indoor Quality are also studied.

Text Book:
ASHRAE FUNDAMENTALS HANDBOOK, 2009.
McQuiston, Faye; Parker, Jerald. Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning. Analysis and Design.Fouth edition, Wiley, 1994.

Course Objectives:
The student must develop an understanding of the different refrigeration systems, and components operation, develop a thorough understanding of the psychrometrics performance of an air conditioning system, achieve an understanding of load calculation, achieve an understanding of ducts calculation and design, and be aware of the different problems related to indoor air quality.

Topics covered:
1 Refrigeration Systems
2 Psychrometrics
3 Air Conditioning
4 Load calculation
5 Duct design and calculation
6 Indoor air quality

Evaluation criteria: During the development of the course, the student will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Perform thermodynamic calculations related to vapor compression cycles.
• Describe the components involved in the operation of a vapor compression system.
• Recognize the refrigerants´ main characteristics, from the operational and environmental point of view.
• Calculate energy consumption according to variations in condensing and evaporating temperature, as well as load percentage.
• Identify energy efficiency according to COP, EER, SEER, IPLV, NPLV.
• Perform calculations for different psychrometrics conditions
• Determine de heat load of small commercial building.
• Design and calculate supply and return ducts
• Consider economical conditions to improve air conditioning performance
• Describe how the air quality is affected by external or internal circumstances.

Course contribution to meet the professional component
The knowledge developed during the course, and the design procedure learned during the projects, aim for the professional performance of the mechanical engineer in the HVAC area. The critical thinking, regarding sustainable solutions is emphasized, giving the engineer new tools in order to evaluate refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

Relationship to program outcomes
This lecture helps to develop the professional competences through design projects. These activities improve the critical thinking, the analysis capabilities, team work, and prepares the engineer for future studies in this area.