MECH ENG 4107 - Airconditioning

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

Vapour compression cycles; heat transfer in two-phase flow; types, selection and operation of refrigeration plant; psychrometrics; climatic data and its use; load estimation and analysis; constant and variable air volume systems; human comfort and health; cooling and dehumidifying coils; controls; fans and duct systems; system balancing; energy efficiency in buildings.

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Course Details

Course Code	MECH ENG 4107
Course	Airconditioning
Coordinating Unit	School of Mechanical Engineering
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 4.5 hours per week
Incompatible	MECH ENG 4013
Assumed Knowledge	MECH ENG 3020 OR MECH ENG 3102
Assessment	Assignments 20%, practical 10%, final exam 70%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Eric Hu

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course, students should:

1	Have a good understanding of the principles of air conditioning design, and consideration that influence the design including human comfort, weather and environmental parameters and building structure;
2	Be equipped with basic design skills to be able to estimate life-cycle costing and choose the right type of system;
3	Have a deep understanding of load estimation and analysis, psychometric analysis of a system and climate data and its use;
4	Have a good introduction to plant design, choosing plant components and understanding their characteristics and operating modes;
5	Develop a good knowledge of the computational methods used in air conditioning design;
6	Have developed analytical cognitive skills and improve problem solving skills in air conditioning;
7	Be able to effectively work in a team;
8	Be able to prepare a technical report.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1-6
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1-6
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	1-6
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	7,8
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	1-6
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1-6
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	1-6
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	7,8

Learning Resources
Required Resources

Airconditioning Lecture Notes and Level 4 Labbook – available from the Image & Copy Centre

Recommended Resources
Text books
- McQuinston, F. C., Parker, J. D., Spilter, J. D., Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, Analysis and Design, 5th Edition, USA, John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2000
- C P Arora, C. P., Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 2nd Edition, Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, New Delhi, 2000;
- Stoecker, W. F., Jones, J. W., Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 2nd Edition, McGraw Hill, 1982;
- ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) Handbooks: Fundamentals, Refrigeration, HVAC Systems & Equipment, HVAC Applications;
- Howell, R. H., Sauer, H. J. (Jr), Coad, W. J., Principles of Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning, USA: ASHRAE, 1998;
- Kimura, K. I., Scientific Basis of Air Conditioning, Applied Science Publishers, London, 1977;
- Wang, S. K., Handbook of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, McGraw Hill, New York, 1993.
Online Learning
The material available through MyUni:
- Course Outline and Introduction
- Course Content
- Timetable
- Lecture Notes
- Assignments
- Tutorials
- Solutions
- Past exams
- Labbook
MyUni is also used to communicate important announcements.
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes

Lectures supported by modes developing material covered in lectures. These modes include problem-solving analytical tutorials, problem-solving computer based tutorials involving professional software, and laboratory involving collecting and analysing airconditioning data.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Course workload includes 45 hours lectures and tutorials, and 5 hours laboratory

Learning Activities Summary
This course consists of combination of lectures and tutorials:
Introduction to Air-conditioning Systems – 2 hrs
- definitions
- complete systems
- a/c and distribution systems
- all-air systems
- air-and-water systems
- induction systems
- all-water systems
- unitary air conditioners
- heat pumps
- heat recovery systems
- thermal storage
Psychrometrics – 6 hrs
- psychrometric chart
- basic processes
Design Conditions – 4 hrs
- physiological principles
- design conditions
Solar Heat Gain – 2 hrs
- properties
- polar angles
- heat gain through fenestration
- shading devices
Heating Load Calculations – 2 hrs
- heat losses
- general procedure
- selecting heating design conditions
Cooling Load Calculations – 4 hrs
- heat flow rates
- heat balance fundamentals
- initial design considerations
- heat gain calculation concepts
- heat sources in conditioned spaces
Energy Estimating Methods – 2 hrs
- energy estimating methods
- overall modelling strategies
- integration of system models
- degree-day methods
Compressors, Expansion Devices and Refrigerants – 3 hrs
- reciprocating compressors
- rotary screw compressors
- vane compressors
- centrifugal compressors
- expansion devices
- Refrigerants
Condensers and Evaporators – 4 hrs
- terminology
- cooling and dehumidifying coils
- condensers and evaporators
- cooling towers
Funs, Ducts, Pumps and Piping – 6 hrs
- funs – characteristics, performance, selection and installation
- ducts – pressure drop, design and optimization
- pumps
- piping – water and refrigerant
Air-conditioning software – 4 hrs
- computer training
Industrial visit – 2 hrs

Practical aspects of a/c design (guest lecturer) – 2 hrs

Modern Topics in Air conditioning – 2 hrs
Specific Course Requirements

Laboratory: This course includes laboratory involving working in a team collecting and analysing airconditioning data.

Laboratory location: Thebarton Campus; Approximate duration: 5 hrs

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

All learning objectives, except ability to work in a team, are assessed through assignments, laboratory and examination. The ability to work in a team is assessed through the laboratory:

Assignments 20%, laboratory 10%, final exam 70%

Assessment Related Requirements

The Laboratory is compulsory part of a course. If a lab session is missed or a lab report not handed in or a student fails to get at least 35% of the total possible lab mark, then that is grounds for FAILURE of the entire course.

Assessment Detail

Assignments – individual, distributed through a semester two weeks prior to a submission date

Laboratory – assessment based on lab participation and a report

Final exam – open-book, 3 hours.

Submission

Assignments and lab reports should be submitted via corresponding Course Submission Box located on level 2 of Engineering South Building. A penalty for late submission will be applied – 10% per working day (weekends and holidays not included). In special cases extensions can be granted on individual basis. A “turn-around” timeline on assessments and the provision of feedback to students is approximately 2 weeks. . Re-submission of work is not allowed.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator