Problems on Psychrometry
Q1. On a particular day the weather forecast states that the dry bulb temperature is 37o�C, while the relative
humidity is 50% and the barometric pressure is 101.325 kPa. Find the humidity ratio, dew point temperature and
enthalpy of moist air on this day.
Q2. What is the required wattage of an electrical heater that heats 0.1 m33/s of air from 15o�C and 80% RH to
55o�C? The barometric pressure is 101.325 kPa.
Q3. 0.2 kg/s of moist air at 45o�C (DBT) and 10% RH is mixed with 0.3 kg/s of moist air at 25o�C and a humidity
ratio of 0.018 kgw/kgda in an adiabatic mixing chamber. After mixing, the mixed air is heated to a final temperature
of 40o�C using a heater. Find the temperature and relative humidity of air after mixing. Find the heat transfer rate
in the heater and relative humidity of air at the exit of heater.
Problems on reverse Carnot cycle
Q1. A heat pump works on a reversed Carnot cycle. The temperature in the condenser coils is 27°C and that in the
evaporator coils is –23°C. For a work input of 1 kW, how much is the heat pumped?
Q2. Operating temperature of a cold storage is –2°C From the surrounding at ambient temperature of 40 heat leaked into the cold
th
storage is 30 kW. If the actual COP of the plant is 1/10 of the maximum possible COP, then what will be the power required to
pump out the heat to maintain the cold storage temperature at –2°C?
Problems on VCC
Q1. A refrigerator based on ideal vapour compression cycle operates between the temperature limits of
–20°C and 40°C. The refrigerant enters the condenser as saturated vapour and leaves as saturated
liquid. The enthalpy and entropy values for saturated liquid and vapour at these temperatures are
given in t e table below:
T(0C) Hf(kJ/kg) Hg(kJ/kg) sf(kJ/kg K) sg(kJ/kg K)
-20 20 180 0.07 0.7366
40 80 200 0.3 0.67
a) If refrigerant circulation rate is 0.025 kg/s, the refrigeration, effect is equal to:
b) COP of the refrigerator is:
Construction of cold storage plant
● Compressor: The compressor is the heart of the cold storage plant and the only power-consuming
device or machine of the cold storage plant. The majority of power is consumed by the compressor.
It raises the temperature and pressure of refrigerant (the working medium, Ammonia) vapor coming
out from an evaporator. Due to high pressure, the refrigerant boiling point gets increased and thus it
can be now easily condensed at condenser temperature or room temperature.
● Condenser: It is a heat exchanger that exchanges the heat from vapor refrigerant and water being
circulated. The heat rejected at the condenser is great in quantity and thus water is needed to cool the
refrigerant effectively. The condenser is not a powered-consuming device. It condenses (meaning
'phase change') the high-pressure and high-temperature refrigerant to the high-pressure and
high-temperature liquid. One can say, a condenser is a heat sink where heat is rejected. The
efficiency of the plant is dependent on the effectiveness of heat transfer at the condenser.
● Receiver: It receives the high-pressure liquid condensate from the condenser and collects it and acts
as a reservoir.
● Expansion Valve: It reduces the pressure and temperature of refrigerant from receiver pressure and
temperature to evaporator pressure and temperature. The throttling process makes pressure and
temperature reduction by Joule Thomson effect. Due to friction, the throttling process occurs, and
pressure along with temperature decreases. This is the location where cooling is produced.
● Evaporator: The heat exchanger where actual cooling takes place. It evaporates (vaporize) the
low-pressure, low-temperature liquid refrigerant (with a low boiling point) by taking/utilizing heat
from the atmosphere/storage compartment to be cooled, thus heat content of fruits or vegetable
decrease, and it cools due to this cyclic process (Chilled air is produced due to convection current)
● Blowers: It circulates chilled air in the refrigerated space to cool the fruits and vegetables by
convection process.
Working of cold storage plant
● The compressor compresses vaporized refrigerant(Ammonia) to high pressure and high temperature
to raise the boiling point of refrigerant.
● The condenser then liquefies the vaporized refrigerant to high-pressure and high-temperature state.
Thus, heat rejection takes place
● The condensate from the condenser is collected in a reservoir and allow to pass through an expansion
valve where its pressure and temperature decrease from an earlier state.
● The the low-pressure liquid refrigerant then allows passing through refrigerated space whereby the
heat of hot air of refrigerated space starts evaporating the liquid refrigerant hence, heat in the
atmosphere decrease and cooling is produced.
● Blowers circulate the chilled air to stored fruits and vegetables and keep them fresh.
Split Type AC
A split system air conditioner has two components, an indoor and outdoor unit. The indoor unit
absorbs heat, while the outdoor unit cools and pumps cold air into the indoor unit. The two units
are connected by insulated tubes which are piped through a small hole in the wall.
Pros and Cons of Split Systems
Split system air conditioners are the most popular air conditioning units in Australia. However,
there are some disadvantages of split systems, especially for larger homes with open plan
layouts.
Pros:
● Can be installed in selected rooms in optimum positions
● Additional units can be added at any time
● Cheap to install
● Cost-effective
● Easy to maintain
● Runs quietly and efficiently
Cons:
● The units can be unsightly
● They can only push air so far, meaning that they struggle with larger rooms
● It is known as the Split AC because it consists of two parts.
1) Indoor unit:
● It is known as indoor unit because it is always installed inside the room and provides cooling.
2) Outdoor unit:
● It is known as the outdoor unit because it is always installed outside the room.
Parts of the Indoor Unit:
● Evaporator coil: It is used as a cooling coil. When room air passes over the evaporator, it absorbs heat from the
room air which leads it to cool.
● Blower: It is used to extract the hot air from the room and this hot air comes in contact with the evaporator,
which helps to reduce the temperature of the hot air after that it is supplied to the room with the help of blower.
● Air filter: It is used to remove the dust particle from the air. It is fitted in between the return air grill and
evaporator.
Parts of the outdoor part:
● Compressor: It is used to increase the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant. It is also known as the heart
of the refrigeration cycle.
● Condenser: It is used to reject the heat to the atmosphere, due to this both pressure and temperature of
refrigerant decreases.
● Propeller fan: It passes ambient air through the condenser which takes heat outside to the atmosphere.
● Expansion Device: It is used to decrease the pressure
Working principle of Split AC:
Note: In split AC, indoor and outdoor are connected through copper pipe.
Basically, it works in two different processes.
● 1) Refrigeration cycle process
● 2)Air circulation process.
● Refrigeration process:
● When we switch on the unit using the thermostat, the compressor starts to compress the refrigerant then
the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant increases and it flows to the condenser. Condenser
rejects heat and converts vapor refrigerant to liquid refrigerant. Then it passes to the expansion device,
here temperature decreases due to a sudden decrease in pressure. Then this low temperature and
pressure liquid refrigerant pass to evaporator inside the copper tube. As we know indoor and outdoor is
connected by copper pipe and expansion device is fitted in outdoor (to avoid noise expansion device is
fitted in outdoor). When low-temperature liquid refrigerant passes through the copper pipe then there are
chances it will convert into vapor refrigerant because the copper pipe is open to the surrounding. If it
happens then liquid refrigerant can’t reach to the evaporator. Hence we use insulation to cover copper
pipe to avoid this. Low temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator and it
absorbs heat from the room and it converts liquid refrigerant into vapor refrigerant. Then this vapor
refrigerant goes to compressor. In this way, this cycle continues the process.
Air circulation process:
This process of the split AC consists of the following parts,
In this process, One blower is fitted behind the evaporator. It sucks the hot air from the room which first passes
over the evaporator and then gets chilled. Then cooled air is supplied to the room with the help of a blower.
Propeller fan is fitted behind the condenser. It sucks the atmospheric air and blows it over the condenser.
Condenser gives up the heat to the atmospheric air.
Advantage of split AC:
● Low initial cost.
● Less noise and easy to install.
● Good alternative as compared to a ducted system.
● Each system is totally independent and has its own control.
Disadvantage of split AC:
● There is a limitation in the distance between the indoor and outdoor units.
● Limited air is thrown which can lead to possible cold/hot spots.
● Maintenance is within the occupied space.
● Impact on large building aesthetics because too many outdoor units will spoil the appearance of the building.
Sling Psychrometer
Apparatus Dew point (ADP)
Apparatus dew point is the effective coil surface temperature when there is dehumidification.
This is the temperature to which all the supply air would be cooled if 100% of the supply air
contacted the coil.
When the air is to be cooled & dehumidified from t1 to t2 condition, the cooling coil has to be
kept at temperature(ts) lower than dew point temperature of air .
As the air passes over coil, heat transfer takes place & it rejects heat to cooling medium &
also water vapor in air starts condensing on the coil surface resulting in the dehumidification.
Lets understand this on psychrometric chart.
Bypass Factor & its significance
Bypass factor is the function of the physical & operating characteristic of the conditioning
apparatus. It represents that portion of the air which is considered to pass through the
conditioning apparatus completely unaltered.
What is Air Conditioning?
Air conditioning can be defined as the synchronised management of temperature, humidity, airflow, and air quality
within a confined environment. This dynamic field of science and engineering is dedicated to not only establishing
optimal internal atmospheric conditions but also to sustaining them, regardless of the often-volatile external
environment.
Achieving this delicate balance involves a blend of innovative technologies, including refrigeration cycles, filtration
systems, and precision controls. By meticulously controlling these factors, air conditioning systems not only
enhance comfort but also play a vital role in various sectors, from ensuring the longevity of perishable goods in cold
storage facilities to maintaining a comfortable and productive indoor environment for occupants in homes, offices,
and industrial settings
This system is primarily employed in summer air conditioning applications, where the focus is on cooling and
dehumidification. The working principle of the summer air conditioning system can be understood as follows:
o To initiate the process, outdoor air enters via a damper and blends with recirculated air sourced from the
air-conditioned space.
o Before entering the next stage, this combined air stream undergoes filtration to effectively remove dirt, dust,
and impurities.
o Subsequently, the air passes through a cooling coil, which operates at a significantly lower temperature
than the desired dry bulb temperature within the conditioned space. As a result, the cooled air proceeds
through a perforated membrane, shedding moisture in the form of condensation, which is then collected in
a sump.
o To ensure the air meets the requisite dry bulb temperature and relative humidity, it passes through a heating
coil, elevating its temperature slightly.
o Finally, the conditioned air is delivered into the conditioned space with the assistance of a fan. Within this
space, a portion of the air is exhausted into the atmosphere by exhaust fans or ventilators, while the
remainder, referred to as recirculated air, re-enters the conditioning cycle. This cyclic process effectively
compensates for the loss of conditioned or used air through exhaust fans or ventilators in the conditioned
space.
Advantages of Summer Air Conditioning System
The advantages of the Summer Air Conditioning system are:
o Provides cooling comfort during hot weather.
o Improves indoor air quality by filtering and dehumidifying.
o Increases productivity and sleep quality.
o Enhances safety by reducing heat-related illnesses.
o Preserves food and prevents heat damage to electronics.
o During the winter air conditioning process, air undergoes a heating phase, often followed by humidification.
o Initially, outside air enters through a damper and blends with the recirculated air, which is extracted from
the conditioned space.
o The combined air then traverses a filtration stage to eliminate contaminants like dirt and dust. Subsequently,
the air passes through a preheat coil, which serves the dual purpose of averting water freezing and
controlling water evaporation within the humidifier.
o Following this, the air is directed through a reheat coil to achieve the desired dry bulb temperature.
o A fan is responsible for distributing the conditioned air into the target space. Within the conditioned space,
a portion of used air is expelled into the atmosphere through exhaust fans or ventilators, while the
remaining portion, known as recirculated air, is reintroduced into the conditioning process.
o This cyclical process ensures the maintenance of consistent indoor environmental conditions.
Advantages of Winter Air Conditioning System
The advantages of a Winter Air Conditioning system are:
o Provides cooling comfort during hot weather.
o Improves indoor air quality by filtering and dehumidifying.
o Increases productivity and sleep quality.
o Enhances safety by reducing heat-related illnesses.
o Preserves food and prevents heat damage to electronics.
