MVAC

Section A Part 1 – Basic concept of Refrigeration

1 – Cooling Cycle

1-4 are all in the chiller system*

1. Evaporator
● Low temperature liquid refrigerant enters evaporator to remove heat from warm
indoor air and liquid refrigerant turns into vapor
● Cooled air is blown back to room

2. Compressor
● Increase the pressure and temperature of vapor refrigerant
● Pump vapor refrigerant to condenser

3. Condenser
● Vapor refrigerant condenses into liquid refrigerant as heat is released to
surroundings

4. Expansion valve
● Lower the pressure of liquid refrigerant so that it has the tendency to expand and
evaporate
● In order to evaporate, the liquid must absorb heat from the air passing over the
evaporator and cooling cycle repeats
Part 1.2 – Central AC System
1.2.1 – Operation principle of Central AC

Air Side Sub-system

- Air handling unit
- Pre-cooled air handling unit
- Fan coil unit
Water Side Sub-system (Chiller)
- Water-cooled Chiller
◆ Cooling tower

◆ Condenser water pump

◆ (Make-up tank 補給水缸)
◆ (Bleed-off tank 泄放水缸)
- Air-cooled chiller
- Cooling tower circuit
- Chilled water circuit

Reference made to:

1. ASD_AC Installation
 1.2.2 – Types of chiller
Air-cooled
- Rely on ambient air
- Air is forced by fans over finned tube heat exchanger with condensing refrigerant
- Adopt air-cooled condensers with compressor and evaporator in a packaged chiller (Air-cool
chiller)

Fresh Water Cooled Heat Rejection Method/ Cooling Tower System

Feature － Adopt cooling tower
－For reducing the temperature of the condensing water by rejecting heat into the
atmosphere －The hot condenser water is circulated to the cooling towers where heat is
rejected and back to the condenser
－The make-up water replenishes the water lost by evaporation.

Attention －Prevention of Legionnaire’s Disease

Operation of the temperature of the coolant water is optimal to the growth
－ Control of Biological Growth
Add chlorine, copper sulphate , potassium permanganate to control organic
fouling and algae formation
Use ozone to curb microbial growth
－Good Operation and Maintenance Practice of Fresh Water Cooling Towers for Air-
conditioning Systems
Cooling towers should be regularly maintained by specialist contractor
Periodic filtration and chemical treatment to control corrosion and microbial
growth
Cooling water should be regularly bled off and replaced with make-up water to
limit the concentration of dissolved solids left behind in the cooling water
Regularly inspected and properly maintained

Maintenance Weekly: Check operation condition

Monthly: Water sampling and testing, testing of heterotrophic colony count (HCC)
Quarterly: Adjust and lubricate fans, all moving parts of valves, test of Legionella bacteria
count
Half yearly: Cleaning, desludging and disinfection
 Types of Cooling Tower

Induced Draft Cooling Towers Forced Draft Cooling Towers

Counter-flow Cooling Towers Cross-flow Cooling Tower －Air is blown through and the fans
are located at the bottom
－Air moves vertically upward －Air moves horizontally
through the fill through the fill
－Counter to the downward fall －Across the downward fall of
of water water

－Low operating weight －Require larger footprint － High maintenance

－Easier Maintenance (all side － Difficult to clean (Limited － Lower noise
open cold-water basin) access)
－Higher initial & energy cost
1.3– Central AC - Air Side Sub-Systems (AHU/PAU/FCU,Flow Systems)
Central Air-conditioning Systems - Air Side Components

CATEGORIZED BY MEANS OF THE DUCTS / PIPELINES AT THE END USER POINT

(INTERIOR SPACE)
- Direct refrigerant system [DX, VRF, VRV]
- All water system
- All air system
- Air water system

Direct Expansion (DX) Systems [DX, VRF, VRV]

a) Features
- Similar to a large split-type room air-conditioner system
- Serves more rooms or a larger area
- Refrigerant circulated in the space
b) Construction
- Condensing units(outdoor)
- DX air-handling equipment(indoor)
c) Disadvantages
- Refrigerant pipelines connecting the condensing units and DX air-handling equipment
■ Difficult design and require special care and attention
■ Costly leaks
■ Costly to erect and maintain

All Water System

a) Feature
- Chilled water circulated in the space
- Performs the mixing at places close to or within the proximity of the interior space to be served.
- Minimal length of fresh air supply and return air ducts towards the AHU
- Hospital Wards and Hotel Guest Rooms
b) Construction and operations
- Liquid chillers
■ Located in a central plant room
■ The liquid is usually chemically-treated water in hong kong
■ The liquid enters the chiller at a higher temperature, gives up some of its sensible heat, and
comes out at a lower temperature
- FCU / Induction Unit
■ Distributed all over the building
■ Shall provide additional provision for ventilation of air
All Air System
a) Feature
- Air circulated in the space
- CAV and VAV are typical system configuration for All Air System
b) Construction and operations
- Air Handling Unit
■ Located in remote areas
■ Supplied with conditioned air

Air Water System

a) Feature
- Both Air and Water ductworks are found at the interior space to be served
b) Construction and operations
- Liquid chiller
■ Chilled water is piped to AHU and induction type FCU
- Air-handling units/ Primary Air Unit
■ Treat outdoor air and subsequently deliver it to the FCU
■ PAU: has a greater cooling capacity to cool fresh air intake, a greater scale in use than
AHU and therefore usually used for the whole building
■ The air from the AHU, called `primary' air, blows through the nozzles in the fan coil unit,
thus induces room air to pass through the coil
- Fan Coil Unit
■ Mix with primary air from AHU
■ Chilled water or heating water circulating through a coil in the induction type fan coil unit
 Categorized by the way how conditioned air are supplied and distributed to the interior space i.e. Air
Distribution System and Equipment
Constant Air Volume System Variable Air Volume System
Principle - Deliver a constant air volume from the AHU - Temperature of the supply air from the
to air terminals (grilles and diffusers) in the AHU is kept constant
conditioned space irrespective of the load - Respond by varying the supply air
- Respond by varying the temperature volume to the space in response to
changes in loads
VAV box
- Have a modulating damper
- control the volume of chilled air from
AHU room

Application - Single zone application having similar - Multi-zone application having different
cooling requirements throughout its cooling requirements throughout its
occupied area occupied area
- May be controlled by a single thermostat

Scheme for CAV System

Scheme for VAV System
SUMMARY OF AIR SIDE SUB-SYSTEM
MVAC Advantages Disadvantages
System
All ▪ Maintenance ▪ Higher loading posted on the top of
Air - Centralized plant room for easier the building for chiller plant
maintenance ▪ Space
▪ Less noise - Plant room for AHU
▪ Better humidity and IAQ control than - Loss of saleable space
all water system ▪ Energy efficiency worse than all water
CAV ▪ Control ▪ Energy consumption
- Multi-zoning control is possible ▪ Space
but lower efficiency - More mechanical room space as
▪ Easy to design and install each zone shall have a different
▪ Dedicated unit per zone AHU
▪ Air- or water-side economizers to be - Extensive building volume for
added easily ductwork distribution
▪ Few moving parts and hence reliable
VAV ▪ Control ▪ Space
- Multi-zoning control is possible - Extensive building volume for
- Ability of the system to handle ductwork distribution
varying and non-compatible ▪ Maintenance
loads in an economic way - Intensive maintenance for
▪ Space diffusers and VAV boxes
- Smaller sizes of central air ▪ IAQ for low demand situation
handling equipment (AHU and - Low level of fresh air introduced
main air ducts) to the interior
▪ Lower capital investment of an air- - Ensure minimum level of
conditioning plant conditioned air supply
▪ More energy efficient and reliable
control than CAV
All Water ▪ Control ▪ Maintenance
- Individual temperature control - Blockage of condensation drain
- Able to satisfy a wide range of - FCU in occupied areas
load variations ▪ IAQ
▪ Space - Difficult to ensure required
- Low distribution system space; ventilation unless louver or
Smaller size of AH equipment mechanical ventilation used
- Small pipe & volume - No provision to regulate primary
▪ Prevent cross contamination of re- air supply
circulated air from 1 room to other
Air-water ▪ Control ▪ Space
- Individual temperature control - Higher ceiling void requirement
- Simultaneous cooling for providing FCU, air duct &
▪ Space chilled water pipe
- Smaller AHU and air duct as less ▪ Maintenance – Condensation pipe
amount of air supplied for ▪ Space – PAU & chiller room
cooling ▪ Complex control for both primary air
▪ IAQ and secondary water
- Positive ventilation can be ▪ Higher initial cost compared to all air
ensured systems
VRV ▪ Control ▪ Not good for lab or hospital
- Simple zoning control environment
- Temperature regulated according ▪ Maintenance
to the needs of individual space - Refrigerant pipe leakage
▪ Flexibility in layout change ▪ IAQ
- Long piping length
 - Can be connected to wide range - Difficult to ensure required
of indoor units of varying ventilation unless louver or
capacity mechanical ventilation used
▪ Space-saving ▪ No provision to regulate primary air
- Lightweight; supply
- Require less outdoor plant space
▪ Separation limit between indoor and
outdoor units
Unitary ▪ Individual room control ▪ Less energy effective than central
Systems - Individual air distribution system systems
is provided for each room with ▪ Limited performance options
simple adjustment by the - Fixed air flow, cooling coil and
occupants condenser sizing
▪ Low initial cost & Less space - Not generally suitable for close
consumed humidity control except when
- Small or no plant room areas are using special purpose equipment
required such as those for computer
▪ Simple installation & Simple rooms
maintenance - Temperature control is usually
▪ High reliability of the air-conditioning two-position, causing swings in
system room temperature
- Only one zone of temperature - Air distribution control is limited
control is affected in the event of ▪ Noisy
equipment malfunction - Operating sound pressure levels
- In the case of one room fitted may be high and annoying
with several unitary equipment ▪ Difficult maintenance
- For central systems, the - Many pieces of equipment and
breakdown can deprive the the equipment locations which
whole building or the whole are frequently inside occupied
floor of air-conditioning spaces
Spilt Type ▪ Good alternative to ducted systems; ▪ Limitation on the distance between the
▪ Considerably quieter than window indoor and outdoor unit
mounted - Refrigerant piping limits
stipulated by the manufacturer
(usually 100 to 150 ft)
▪ Limited air throw which can lead to
possible hot/cold spots;
▪ Impact on building aesthetics
Part 1.4 – Other common AC systems
1.4.1 – Variable Refrigerant Volume system (VRV)

Points to note
1. VRV is just a large-scale split-type AC system with the use of refrigerant only;
2. Fresh air intake is captured through the indoor units so air duct is also required
3. The vertical distance between outdoor and indoor unit of VRV can up to 100m –
150m; While such distance of split-type is just 10m – 15m
4. 20–40 units on one system, although some manufacturers can allow as many as 64
indoor units. Individual indoor units can provide heating or cooling as required using
either a three or two pipe system.

Operation principle of VRV

● One outdoor unit is connected to several Indoor units
● Refrigerant is directly supplied to the conditioned space to absorb heat from air
for cooling
● Must be air-cooled as only refrigerant cycle exist, no water side
○ Condenser mostly place on rooftop

Component of VRV system

Component Function
Indoor unit ● Comprises of evaporator to generate cool air
Outdoor unit ● Compaction of compressor, condenser and expansion to
release heat from refrigerant to surroundings
Refrigerant pipework ● Transfer of refrigerant

Communication wiring ● Signal transmission between indoor and outdoor units

RC line ● Direct control to individual indoor units by remote/

pane
Advantages
1. Reduce chance of water leakage
- No chilled water
2. Reduce required space
- No AHU required
3. Higher flexibility in design
- Compared to split type: larger vertical distance
- Compared to central AC: Zoning can be more flexible
4. Small headroom space
- No air duct
- No chilled water pipe
5. High energy efficiency compared to water-cooled & air-cooled chiller system
6. Suitable for building with wider range of indoor units of varying capacity

Limitation
a) Pipe length
● Actual pipe length < 165m
● Height difference between indoor and outdoor unit: < 50m (40m if outdoor unit is
installed below)
● Height difference between indoor units connecting to the same outdoor unit < 15m
○ Might waste lots of roof space if multiple outdoor units installed
- If want Fresh air, we may need
to provide separate PAU to the
room for outdoor air supply
Part 1.6 – Statutory submission
1.6.1 - Building Control

Any floor space for A/C may be disregarded from GFA B(P)R 23(3)b
● Subject to pre-requisites and overall 10% cap on GFA concessions (APP-151)
○ 1. A/C plant rooms: not exceed 1% of total GFA of bldg., and/or
○ 2. AHU not exceed 4% of total GFA of each floor they situated
● If intend to exceed %: need full justification + seek advice from EMSD
● Require condensation pipe + exhaust
● If need to locate A/C plant room within an individual unit:
○ need 500mm min. lv difference from interiors
○ at least one side open
○ face to open air

As prerequisite for Hotel concession under B(P)R23A:

● To treat the hotel as Non-domestic building for site coverage and plot ratio +disregard certain
supporting facilities from GFA calculations:
○ → to qualify as hotel: one of the requirement
“whether the whole building or the portion of the building intended for use as a hotel
is provided with a central air-conditioning system and a centralized hot water supply
1.6.2 - Fire Safety Control

Procedures
● Compliance inspection conducted after receipt of report of completion & ventilation layout
plan by FSD
● Result of compliance of inspection or letter of compliance within 7 working days from date of
inspection

Essential fire safety requirement in ventilation / AC system

● Fire damper (provided between compartment walls)
● Installation inside Air Stream should not be combustible materials
● External insulation should comply with BS476: Pt.7
● Maintenance of air duct / fire damper (free of deposit)
● No air duct within protected lobby and staircase
● Duty of owners to appoint RSC to inspecting ventilating system at <12 months interval
● RSC shall within 14days of inspection issue a certificate to the owners
1.6.3 - Pandemic Control

Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation
(Cap. 599F)
● Catering business operators are required to register online, in respect of the
seating areas of their dine in catering premises,
● (1) whether they have attained ACH at 6 or above ; or
● (2) whether they have installed air purifiers that meet the specified specifications…
Legionnaires’ disease

1.6.4 - Fresh Water Cooling Towers Scheme

Introduction
Nature: non-mandatory (voluntary scheme)
Purpose of the scheme:
● Provides greater environmental, economic and financial benefits than Air-cooled Air
Conditioning Systems
● Ascertain the energy efficiency in air conditioning systems for new and existing nondomestic
buildings without posing adverse impact on the existing water supply and sewerage
infrastructures
Aim of the scheme:
● (a) promote energy-efficient water-cooled air conditioning systems;
● (b) monitor the additional water demand;
● (c) monitor the quantity and quality of bleed-off effluent discharge from the systems;
● (d) monitor the health and environmental effects arising from the systems; and
● (e) compile data for formulating and updating plans to promote water-cooled air conditioning
systems in Hong Kong.

Application Procedures
1. Determine whether the subject building is within designated area for joining the scheme
provided by EMSD:
https://www.emsd.gov.hk/en/energy_efficiency/fwct_scheme/publications/index.html#da
2. Need to comply with five essential req. by EMSD before WSD accepts to provide fresh water
supply; otherwise it constitutes an offence under Waterworks Ordinance
a. 5 min. req for obtaining approval of joining the scheme of EMSD
i. distant from air intakes/ air exhausts/ windows/ pedestrian thoroughfare with
min. 7.5 m separation
ii. installation of effective drift eliminator
iii. provision of water treatment equipment and bleed off device
iv. avoidance of dead legs in pipeworks to prevent stagnant water
v. provision of adequate and safe access
b. 3 conditions for obtaining approval of water supply to cooling towers from WSD
 i. metered water supply
ii. no water leakage/wastage from cooling tower and pipeworks
iii. provision of separate make-up tank

c. Max. penalty for using water from the waterworks for cooling w/o permission
= HK$ 10000
d. Max. penalty for construction, installation or alteration of an inside service w/o
permission = HK$ 25000

3. EMSD - Typical schematic diagram of fresh water cooling towers condensing water circuit
4. Process
Section B – Installation

2.1 – Testing and Commissioning

For Construction Period
- Delivery Test (Chiller or Cooling Tower)
- The IAQ assessment and certification process

For Maintenance Period

- Water Treatment System
- Annual Inspection

2.2 – Design Details

2.2.1 – Parallel vs Series
2.2.2 – Chiller

Cut chiller off from the main system to carry out maintenance

Flow Meter – To detect the flow rate of the pipe

Flexible Connection – Prevent vibration from running along the pipes throughout the building

Strainer – Capture the particles and dirt in the water and prevent them from entering the pump

Non-return valve – Prevents the pressure in the pipework from forcing the pump to rotate backwards
when it’s turned off.
2.2.3 – Cooling Tower
2.2.3.1 – Bleed off Pipe  Connected with overflow pipe
The removal of water from a cooling tower system to maintain the concentration of total dissolved
solids and suspended solids in an acceptable level.

2.2.4 Vibration Isolation

A. Free Standing Spring Mounts
- Applications: Pump & Compressor & AHU

B. Restrained Spring Mounts

- Use with equipment with large variations in mass to restrict movement
- Application: Reciprocating Chillers, heat pump and cooling tower