Air Conditionning and Refrigeration

Previous knowledge of Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics.

Theoretical classes are taught with the support of profusely illustrated materials with an eminently applied nature. The topics are presented with an investigative approach, promoting discussion within the assistance. Students are also urged to research several topics on their own. Theoretical-practical classes are based on problem solving, promoting the application of the acquired knowledge. Students are also invited to collaborate with the professor in these classes. In lab classes, several experimental tests are carried out with the active participation of students, individually or in groups of 2 or 3 elements. Finally, lectures are arranged with experts and companies in the HVAC and Refrigeration sector to broaden the perspective of students within this area of expertise.

The main aims of this course unit are: to understand the thermodynamic mechanisms that govern air-water vapor mixtures; to understand the key drivers of thermal comfort and perform heat load calculations; to characterize main air conditioning and refrigeration systems and their field of application; to identify the main components of air conditioning and refrigeration systems and how they work; and to identify and use correctly different tools in HVAC-R maintenance operations.
At the end of this course unit the student is expected to be able to: understand the importance of the air conditioning and refrigeration field; integrate HVAC-R fundamentals with day-to-day phenomena; describe the main components of an HVAC-R system; and use a variety of tools to perform several tasks in the HVAC-R field.

THEORETICAL CLASSES
1. Introduction. Concepts and definitions used in HVAC-R. Why the need for air-conditioning. Main advantages and difficulties.
2. Environmental comfort conditions. Principles of bioclimatic architecture. Thermal comfort. Relevant parameters. Applicable standards and models. Comfort diagrams.
3. Calculation of thermal loads. Internal and external conditions. Reference data. Latent load and sensible load. Factors involved in the calculation: climatic factors, building characteristics, user profiles. Methodology of calculation.
4. Air filtration. Atmospheric air and health. Principles of filtration. Types of filters: classification, test methods and characteristic curves. Clean rooms. Application examples.
5. Air distribution. Occupied area and challenges in air distribution. Ventilation effectiveness. Terminal units for air supply and air extraction: types, characteristics and selection parameters. Air flow in ducts. Air ducts: types, materials and accessories. Advantages and disadvantages. Sizing of air ducts.
6. HVAC systems. Classification of systems. All air, air-water and refrigerant systems. Main components of an air conditioning system. Primary units and terminal units. Air handling units.
7. Refrigeration cycles. Ideal and actual vapor compression refrigeration cycle. Irreversibilities. Multi-stage and cascade cycles. Absorption refrigeration cycle.
8. Refrigerants. Types of refrigerants. Main properties and effects on the performance of a refrigeration circuit. Safety and environmental impact.

THEORICAL-PRACTICAL CLASSES
1. Psychrometrics. The atmospheric air. Fundamentals. Psychrometric properties. Psychrometric chart. Exercise solving.
2. Air conditioning processes. Fundamentals. Typical air conditioning operations. Exercise solving.
3. Refrigeration cycles. Fundamentals. Exercise solving.

LAB ASSIGNMENTS
1. Contact with HVAC-R equipment, tools and accessories in the Air Conditioning Laboratory.
2. Handling of copper tubing: cutting, folding, flaring and bending.
3. Handling of copper tubing: threaded and brazed connections.
4. Maintenance of a split air conditioning unit: detection of faults, recovery of refrigerant, leakage detection, system charging.
5. Refrigeration compressors: types of compressors, breakdowns, troubleshooting.
6. Tests in didactic equipment: refrigeration unit and air conditioning unit.

NAO

RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY

• MALÇA, J. (2022). Climatização – Diapositivos de apoio da unidade curricular. ISEC (available on the academic platform InforEstudante)
• MALÇA, J. (2022). Instalações Frigoríficas – Diapositivos de apoio da unidade curricular. ISEC (available on the academic platform InforEstudante)
• CARRIER (2009). Manual de Aire Acondicionado, Marcombo SA. ISBN:  9788426714992 (book call number at ISEC library: 4-13-121)
• MIRANDA, A.L. (2005). Aire Acondicionado: Nueva Enciclopédia de la Climatización, 5ª ed., Ediciones CEAC. ISBN: 9788432910791 (book call number at ISEC library: 4-13-108)
• MIRANDA, A.L. (2007). Técnicas de Climatización, Marcombo SA. ISBN: 9788426714176 (book call number at ISEC library ISEC: 4-13-107)
• WHITMAN, W.C., JOHNSON, W.M., TOMCZYK, J. (2009). Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, 6th ed., Delmar Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-1-4283-1937-0 (book call number at ISEC library: 4-13-118)
• HUNDY, G.F., TROTT, A.R., WELCH, T.C. (2008). Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning, 4th ed., Elsevier. ISBN: 978-0-7506-8519-1 (book call number at ISEC library: 4-13-117)
• ANANTHANARAYANAN, P.N. (2005). Basic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 3rd ed., McGraw-Hill. ISBN:
978-0-07-049500-5 (book call number at ISEC library: 4-13-120)
• JUTGLAR, L., MIRANDA, A.L. (2009). Técnicas de Calefacción, Marcombo SA. ISBN: 9788426715296 (book call number at ISEC library: 4-13-115)

SUPPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY

• RORIZ, L. (2006). Climatização: Concepção, Instalação e Condução de Sistemas, Ed. Orion. ISBN: 978-972-8620-09-7 (book call number at ISEC library: 4-13-109)
• HUNDY, G.F., TROTT, A.R., WELCH, T.C. (2008). Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning, 4th ed., Elsevier. ISBN: 978-0-7506-8519-1 (book call number at ISEC library: 4-13-117)
• STOECKER, W.F. (1998). Industrial Refrigeration Handbook, McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 0-070-61623-X (book call number at ISEC library: 4-13-29)
• CREUS, J. (1978). Tratado Prático de Refrigeração Automática, Dinalivro, Lisboa. ISBN: 972-576-129-4 (book call number at ISEC library ISEC: 4-13-74)
• CARPINTEIRO. J. (2011). Aquecimento, Ventilação e Ar Condicionado, 3ª ed., Verlag-Dashöfer. ISBN: 978-989-642-152-6
• Standards, directives, regulations, etc. relevant to the syllabus of the curricular unit (available on the academic platform InforEstudante).