Air Conditioning
Air conditioning is the process of altering the
properties of air (primarily temperature and humidity)
to more favourable conditions.
More generally, air conditioning can refer to any form
of technological cooling, heating, ventilation, or
disinfection that modifies the condition of air.
An air conditioner :AC or A/C, is a major or home
appliance, system, or mechanism designed to change
the air temperature and humidity within an area (used
for cooling and sometimes heating depending on the
air properties at a given time).
Window and Split-system AC Units
A window air conditioner unit implements a complete
air conditioner in a small space. The units are made
small enough to fit into a standard window frame. You
close the window down on the unit, plug it in and turn
it on to get cool air. If you take the cover off of an
unplugged window unit, you'll find that it contains:
A compressor
An expansion valve
A hot coil (on the outside)
A chilled coil (on the inside)
Two fans
A control unit
HOW IT WORKS ?
When you get into larger air-conditioning
applications, its time to start looking at
split-system units. A split-system air
conditioner splits the hot side from the
cold side of the system, as in the diagram.
The cold side, consisting of the expansion
valve and the cold coil, is generally
placed into a furnace or some other air
handler. The air handler blows air
through the coil and routes the air
throughout the building using a series of
ducts. The hot side, known as the
condensing unit, lives outside the
building.
The unit consists of a long, spiral coil
shaped like a cylinder. Inside the coil is a
fan, to blow air through the coil, along
with a weather-resistant compressor and
some control logic.
Compressor work
The working fluid arrives at the compressor as a
cool, low-pressure gas.
The compressor squeezes the fluid. This packs the
molecule of the fluid closer together. The closer the
molecules are together, the higher its energy and its
temperature.
The working fluid leaves the compressor as a hot,
high pressure gas and flows into the condenser.
SOLAR AIR CONDITIONING
SYSTEMS
Solar air conditioning refers to any air conditioning
(cooling) system that uses solar power.
Solar air conditioning units come in two basic
types:
hybrids and
chillers
A hybrid system
A hybrid system combines
photovoltaic technology (PV)
with direct current (DC).
It automatically switches
between solar and battery
power as needed.
When it's set to hybrid mode,
these systems charge their
batteries when the sun is
shining; when it isn't, the
system runs on battery backup
while charging its batteries via
alternating current (AC)
power.
Solar-powered absorption chillers
Solar-powered absorption chillers, also
known as evaporative coolers, work by
heating and cooling water through
evaporation and condensation.
Chillers cool the air by blowing it over
water-saturated material -- solar energy
is used to power the fan and motor.
SolCool's hybrid solar air conditioner,
for example, runs on solar energy, can
be plugged in or can run off of batteries.
Compressor work
The working fluid arrives at the compressor as a
cool, low-pressure gas.
The compressor squeezes the fluid. This packs the
molecule of the fluid closer together. The closer the
molecules are together, the higher its energy and its
temperature.
The working fluid leaves the compressor as a hot,
high pressure gas and flows into the condenser.
Environmental Benefits of Solar Air
Conditioners
Conventional air conditioners running at the hottest
points of the day contribute to power grid demands that
often lead to outages.
Solar air conditioning units offer environmental
benefits including
lower grid demand
load shifting during peak usage,
reduced electricity costs,
fewer power outages,
off-the-grid capabilities and
reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Concerns about Solar Air Conditioners
For those looking to replace their conventional air conditioning with a
greener option, solar-powered absorption chillers do offer reduced energy
consumption but will increase a home's water consumption.
By design, chillers need to be hooked up to a water line or water storage
tank, making them a little less green than the hybrid solar-powered air
conditioners that run on solar energy and battery power.
And no matter which style you prefer, a solar-powered air conditioner unit
is going to cost you.
It's not as much as installing solar panels on your roof, but compared to
medium-sized conventional window air conditioning units that typically
sell in the hundreds of dollars--
a solar-powered system will cost you a few thousand plus installation fees.
Chillers will also need to be hooked up to a water line. However, the cost
savings to the planet and to your wallet in the long run could be
encouragement enough.
COMPARISON
EXAMPLES
