Introduction

Air conditioning and mechanical ventilation system (ACMV)

Air conditioning and mechanical ventilation is required to operate and maintain
the thermal comfort within the building. When the thermal comfort is achieved, the
condition within a building is normally referred to the optimum range of temperature,
relative humidity, cleanliness and distribution of air.

In ACMV, air conditioning system is system which used to produce cool

ventilation inside the building in which the heat is taken out from a certain location to
give a chilled air effect. The main process is that the air circulation is drawn to the
condenser containing refrigerant gas. The air conditioning machines are commonly
known as cycle chillers devices. Mechanical ventilation is the systems which circulate
fresh air using ducts and fans, rather than relying on airflow through small holes or
cracks in a home’s walls, roof, or windows. Without mechanical ventilation to provide
fresh air, moisture, odors, and other pollutants can build up inside a home. Good
mechanical ventilation can provide a better indoor air quality. Indoor air can be many
times more polluted than outdoor air. Hence, ventilation systems can significantly
improve a home’s air quality by removing allergens, pollutants, and moisture that can
cause mold problems. Besides, mechanical ventilation systems can provide proper fresh
air flow along with appropriate locations for intake and exhaust. It can also improve
comfort. Mechanical ventilation systems allow a constant flow of outside air into the
home and can also provide filtration, dehumidification, and conditioning of the
incoming outside air.

There are 3 main components that exist in ACMV which including Heat
Exchanger (HEX), Chill Water Pump, and Variable Air Volume. The building cooling
load will be catered for by Chilled Water Supply from Gas District Cooling (GDC).
From GDC, the chilled water will be supplied through Heat Exchanger (HEX). Next,
the chilled water is supplied to the Air Handling Unit (AHU)/ Fan Coil Unit (FCU)
through chilled water pumps.

https://www.energystar.gov/ia/new_homes/features/MechVent_062906.pdf
Discussion
Explanation of HEX room, Chilled Water Pump, Variable Air Volume
HEX Room
HEX room is also called heat exchanger room. It mainly consists of heat
exchanger, chilled water supply pipeline, chilled water return pipeline. The working
mechanism of HEX in PHJ building is that the chilled water with a low temperature of
7°C being supplied from the Gas District Cooling(GDC) passing through the heat
exchanger and going back to the main core with chilled water of 14°C. Inside the heat
exchanger, the process convection happens. The heat energy from the water of PJH
building is released through convection process with chilled water supplied by GDC.

Both chilled water from PJH building and GDC do not mixed together as they
just exchange heat through convection. The refreshed water of PJH building are
transported to the whole building for cooling down purpose. It takes approximately half
hour to chill the building and it can still have cooling effect for half hour after the pump
is closed. For example, the worker will switch on the pump at 7.30am on normal
working days and turn off it at 5pm. So, the coolness can still hold until 5.30pm.

Parts of heat exchanger.

 Example of the interface of Chilled Water Pump Room in PJH building.

Heat Exchanging Mechanism Illustration

Gas District Cooling PJH Building

(GDC)

Chilled Chilled
water HEX water
supply at return at
7°C Convection 14°C
 Heat exchanger

Chilled Water Pump

Chilled water pump is a pump which pump chilled water to the whole building
using electricity. It can vary the flow rate of chilled water being supplied to the building
and enter the heat exchanger. The factors affecting the flow rate including weather,
temperature inside building and water pressure.

The engineer is explaining about the chilled water pump (CHWP).

Expansion Tank
The expansion tank has the purpose of supplying water to the chilled water
system if the chilled water level has decreased. It is placed on the roof top to provide a
greater pressure.

Sometimes in the chilled water pipeline, there will be loss of water due to
evaporation or other process. In a long term the water level will decrease significantly.
Hence, expansion tank store water to provide for this kind of situation.

Expansion tank

Variable Air Volume

Unlike constant air volume (CAV) systems, which supply a constant airflow at
a variable temperature, VAV systems vary the airflow at a constant temperature. The
advantages of VAV systems over constant-volume systems include more precise
temperature control, reduced wear, lower energy comsumption by system fans,less fan
noise and additional passive dehumification.

In PJH building, the variables that they control include, set point, room
temperature, damper command, damper position and flow rate.
 Example of control interface of VAV.

Detailed drawing of the system

Figure 1: 2NOS domestic cold water FRP tank 1& tank 2

Size 5 x 12 x 2.5(H)(M) Each
Figure 2: Left is hose reel tank drawing(Side view). Size 2.44m x 2.44 x 2.44(H)(M).
Right is expansion tank drawing(Side view). Size 1m x 1 x 1(H)(M).

Figure 3: AHU room system plan drawing.

Appendix

Chilled Water Return Pipeline

Chilled Water Supply pipeline

The control steer of chilled water flow rate.

Front view of chilled water supply pipeline.

 Overall view of heat exchanger (HEX) room.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_air_volume
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_exchanger#HVAC_air_coils
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiller
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_room
http://www.abraxasenergy.com/energy-resources/toolbox/hvac-acronyms/
http://www.districtenergy.org/06CampConfProceeding/Track_A/6A2_Nonnenmann.p
df