Syllabus

Outline

Comfortable life and many industries need heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. In this course, we will explore the fundamentals HVAC systems. HVAC systems generally have common basic elements, although they may differ dramatically in physical appearance and arrangement. The first topic is the understanding of psychrometrics, which deals with the properties of moist air, the presentation of air conditioning processes in the psychrometric chart. Secondly, we discuss some of the common basic elements of HVAC systems and the types of systems that are used to meet the requirements of different building types and economic considerations. Since HVAC is used to maintain not only an acceptable level of thermal comfort within a space but also a healthy environment, the conditions that provide a comfortable and healthful indoor environment for humans are introduced. They are addressed by physiological considerations, environmental indices, and control of indoor air quality. The design of an HVAC system is dependent on a good estimate of the heat gain or loss in a space to be conditioned. The next step is the determination of heat transmission in building structures and solar radiation, including overall heat transfer coefficients, climate, solar angles, and solar irradiation. Then the maximum probable heat loss (space heating load) in winter and heat gain (space cooling load) in summer are determined in order to size the HVAC system. Several computational methods, such as transfer function method and conjugate heat transfer method, are presented. Following the selection of the HVAC system, it is often desirable to estimate the quantity of energy necessary to heat and cool the building under typical weather conditions and internal heat sources. The methods cover from simple degree-day and bin methods to advanced computer analysis.

Texts

F.C. McQuiston and J.D. Parker, Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Analysis and Design, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 5th Edition, 2000.
Class notes and other supplementary materials.

The final grade in the course will be based upon analytical homework assignments, a quiz, a final project review, and class performance weighted as follows:
30% Home work assignment: Home work will be assigned at one week intervals and collected in a week time. You are requested to work independently.
30% A 1.5 hour quiz will be given in class and will be open-book and open-notes.
30% Final exam: The "final exam" will be a review on the design project.
10% Class performance: The performance will be evaluated according to the individual's contribution to the discussion and attendance rate.

The course will be presented as a series of lectures, laboratory measurements, one site visit, and a team project. Lectures will present analytical theory and systematically explore the fundamentals of HVAC systems. The measurements will enhance the understanding of the theory. The team project will enable you to perform design of a small HVAC system.

Course Outline

We will emphasize on both the analytical and design skill of HVAC and building systems.

1.	Introduction
2.	Moist air properties and conditioning processes
3.	Air-conditioning systems
4.	Indoor and outdoor design conditions (Indoor air quality, thermal 
comfort, and weather data)
5.	Space air diffusion and duct design
6.	Heat transmission in building structures
7.	Solar radiation
8.	Infiltration and ventilation
9.	Cooling/heating load calculations
10.	Building energy calculations