Ventilation and air conditioning

Study of this chapter will enable the reader to:

recognize the physiological reasons for fresh air ventilation of buildings;

calculate fresh air requirement;

understand the basic design criteria for air movement control;

describe the combinations of natural and mechanical ventilation;

understand mixed mode ventilation;

know the leakage testing of buildings;

discuss why air conditioning is used in various climates;

describe the working principles of air conditioning systems;

calculate ventilation air quantities;

understand psychrometric cycles for humid air;

calculate air conditioning heating and cooling plant loads;

describe the various forms of air conditioning systems;

state where reciprocating piston, screw and centrifugal compressors are suits;

understand the coefficient of performance;

explain the states of refrigerant occurring within a vapour compression refrigeration cycle;

explain the operation of refrigeration equipment serving an air conditioning system;

comprehend the absorption refrigeration cycle;

explain how ventilation rates are measured;

choose suitable materials for air conditioning ductwork;

understand the relationship between CFCs and the environment;

know the uses of CFCs, and good practice and handling procedures;

be able to discuss the problem of sick building syndrome (SBS);

know the symptoms, causes and possible cures for SBS;

relate the daily cyclic variation of air temperatures to the need for air conditioning;

recognize how solar-powered cooling can be applied;

relate ventilation and air conditioning to CO₂ emission reduction;

understand offpeak thermal storage cooling application.