Student I.D.

Number

Family Name:
First Name:

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Final Examination

Course ME 430Airconditioning

Instructor’s Name Dr. Adam O. Muritala

Semester 172

Day, Date Tuesday, 8thMay 2018

Start Time 8:00 A.M Finish Time 11:00 A.M

Marks Assigned
Question Number Assigned marks Awarded marks
1 40
2 20
3 20
4 20
Total 100 %

Question Grading Policy Negative

type Mark
Descriptive/ Full marks are awarded for every correct point and no mark for
Theoretical wrong point.Use of relevant keywords carries a full mark in
question that involves definition. In other situations,
proportional marks will be given. Not
Numerical Correct answer obtained from complete procedure carries full Applicable
marks while incomplete procedure is given marks based on
degree of completeness.
Multiple For every correct answer is full marks, only one option must be
choice taken.
Drawing/ Well labeled diagram are awarded full marks and 50% if
Pictorial/ otherwise.
Graph
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

General instructions to the students:

 You must display your university ID card.
 Read and follow the instructions for each question carefully.
 Write your answers on the space provided.
 Exam cheating can result in instant cancellation of the paper.
 Use of mobile phoneat any time during the exam is strictly not allowed
 All other UOHB examination regulations apply.

Mapping between course outcome and student outcome through final examinationquestions

Question No. Course Outcome ABET Student

Outcome
i. Demonstrate an understanding of basic
principles of thermal environment engineering
and components of airconditioning systems.
ii. Compute cooling and heating loads for a given
application and be familiar with relevant
Q1 a, b, k and e
HVAC software
iii. Calculate psychrometric properties and
analyze psychrometric processes
iv. Determine sizes of ducts, pipes and fans for
proper air distribution in building systems
ii. Compute cooling and heating loads for a given
Q2 application and be familiar with relevant b and k
HVAC software
iii. Select pump and determine size of ducts, pipes
Q3 & Q4 and select fan for proper air distribution in E
building systems

QUESTION ONE
Page 2 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

Circle the correct answer (40 marks)

(Each of questions 1 – 20 is 1.5 Marks)
1. How is the instantaneous performance of any refrigerating system expressed?
(a) Thermal efficiency of refrigeration
(b) Coefficient of performance
(c) Cooling efficiency
(d) Tonne of refrigeration

2. Which of the following is not true about the thermodynamically reversible cycle?
(a) No refrigeration cycle can have a higher coefficient of performance than that of a
reversible cycle operating between the same source and sink temperatures.
(b) Most refrigeration cycle operating between the same source and sink temperatures
have better coefficient of performance than reversible cycle but lower efficiency.
(c) All reversible refrigeration cycles operating between the same source and sink
temperatures have identical coefficients of performance.
(d) The most convenient reversible cycle to use as an ideal refrigerating cycle is the Carnot
refrigeration cycle.

3. Why is determination of gross heating load very important in the design of HVAC system of
a building?
(a) The gross heating load is needed to determine air distribution system for the building.
(b) The gross heating load plays a very important role in designing the thermal envelop of
the building.
(c) The gross heating load is used to size the equipment for the HVAC system.
(d) The gross heating load is to identify important heat control devices to achieve
efficient operation of the HVAC system.

4. Why is pick-up factor or allowance desirable in sizing central heating or cooling equipment?
(a) It protects equipment from being over-used to avoid sudden breakdown.
(b) It is desirable to cater for intermittent heating load of the building.
(c) It is a provision for future expansion of the building.
(d) It is imposed for safety reason.

5. HVAC&R is an acronym use in airconditioning industry, the full meaning of the acronym
is________
Page 3 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

(a) Heating, Variable, Aircondition and Regulation.

(b) Housing, Ventilation, Aircondition and Refrigeration.
(c) Heating, Ventilation, Aircondition and Refrigeration.
(d) Heating, Ventilation, Aircooling and Recirculation.
6. Which of the following statements is true about design conditions of a HVAC system?
(a) Design conditions are the values of outdoor air temperature and humidity that are used
in heating and cooling load calculations.
(b) Design conditions are the values of the indoor air temperature and humidity that are
used in heating and cooling load calculations.
(c) The outdoor design conditions are generally chosen within the area of the comfort zone.
(d) Both the indoor and outdoor design conditions must be chosen within the area of the
comfort zone.
7. Which of the following is not true about acceptable Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
(a) It is air in which there are no known contaminants at harmful concentrations.
(b) There is no need for approval by any cognizant authorities.
(c) A substantial majority (80 percent or more) of the people exposed do not express
dissatisfaction.
(d) With acceptable indoor air quality, not only are occupants comfortable, but their
environment is free of bothersome odours and harmful levels of contaminants.
8. The heating load in a building situated in Jeddah was estimated to have the infiltration load
of 100 kJ, the estimated heating load through walls and floor is 150% of the infiltration load
while system losses is 10% of the estimated infiltration load. What is the gross and net
heating load of the building?
(a) 260 kJ and 250 kJ
(b) 250 kJ and 350 kJ
(c) 360 kJ and 350 kJ
(d) 350 kJ and 250 kJ

9. When a pipe network is made of steel with small branches made of copper, in what way
must they be joined?
(a) A plastic bushing should be used to separate the copper and steel because corrosion
may occur at the joint due to electrolytic action.
(b) A copper bushing should be used to join the two pipes to ensure effective electrolytic
action

Page 4 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

(c) A soldering joining method should be used to join the two pipes to ensure effective
electrolytic action
(d) A welding joining method should be used to ensure effective electrolytic action.

10. What is the major advantage of copper tubing to steel tubing?

(a) Copper tubing has less frictional resistance than steel tubing, resulting in the possibility
of smaller pumps and less power consumption.
(b) Steel tubing has less frictional resistance than copper tubing, resulting in the possibility
of smaller pumps and less power consumption.
(c) Both copper and steel tubing have similar frictional resistance, however steel corrodes
easily than copper.
(d) Copper is more prone to corrosion than steel.

11. Determine the initial specific humidity of air in a seal room that is only heated from initial
temperature of 20 oC to 35 oC if the initial relative humidity is 40%.
(a) 6 g moisture per kilogram of dry air.
(b) 12 g moisture per kilogram of dry air
(c) It cannot be determined because more information is required
(d) 22 g moisture per kilogram of dry air

12. What is the approximate final relative humidity for the moist air in question 11?
(a) 40% < RH
(b) 10% < RH < 20%
(c) 30% < RH < 40%
(d) Cannot be determined based on the available information.

13. Why is the determination of losses in a fittings, rectangular and circular ducts very important
in HVAC system design?
(a) It provides necessary information for duct sizing and pump selection
(b) It provides necessary information for duct selection and flow control
(c) It provides necessary information about ducts sizing and fan selection
(d) It provides necessary information about ducts joining, flow rates and duct maintenance
14. Why is the coefficient of performance of a typical refrigerator greater than its efficiency?
(a) In calculating efficiency all the work inputs are considered while coefficient of
performance only consider compression work.
Page 5 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

(b) Efficiency is calculated based on compression work only, while coefficient of

performance is calculated based on all the work inputs.
(c) The heat removed by a refrigerator is always less than the work input.
(d) It is because the coefficient of performance for a typical refrigerator is always greater
than COP of a thermally reversible refrigeration cycle.

15. Why is sealing of duct very important in HVAC?

(a) It prevents impurities from entering and mix with conditioned air flowing in the duct
(b) It prevents energy wastage that may result from leakages of conditioned air
(c) It prevents leakage of conditioned air so that pressure can be sustained
(d) All of the above

16. Which of the following is a correct description of the mechanism of a centrifugal fan?
(a) A centrifugal fan sucks air axially, convert the kinetic energy to pressure energy and
discharge it radially through the outlet
(b) A centrifugal fan sucks air through a centrifugation process, first increases its kinetic
energy and later convert the kinetic energy to pressure energy
(c) A centrifugal fan pressurizes air axially and discharge it through the eye of the fan
(d) A centrifugal fan uses centrifugal suction method and centrifugal discharge of high
velocity air.

17. Which of the following is not true about air flow in fittings?
(a) When there is division or diversion of flows along the duct losses are usually of greater
magnitude than the losses in the straight pipe
(b) The losses that accompany flow diversion or division along a duct is usually referred to
as dynamic losses.
(c) The dynamic losses in fittings vary as the square of velocity
(d) The losses at region of flow division or diversion are eliminated by using suitable
fittings such as curved elbow instead of corner elbow.

18. Which of the following is not one of the factors that determine the suitability of a refrigerant
for a given application?
(a) Thermodynamic properties.
(b) Chemical and physical properties.
Page 6 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

(c) Safety and effect on the environment.

(d) User’s choice.

19. One of the major causes of heat loss in building is infiltration. Under what condition does
infiltration become negligible?

(a) When the building has mechanical ventilation that pressurizes it.
(b) When the building has moderate crack width at the corner walls.
(c) When the building is choked up by the surrounding tall buildings.
(d) When the outdoor air speed is not high enough to initiate a turbulent flow through the
window and door hinges.

20. What is the relative humidity of dry air and saturated air?
(a) 10% and 50%
(b) 0% and 100%
(c) The relative humidity can only be determined when the dry bulb temperature is
known.
(d) The relative humidity is the same for the two conditions.

(Each of questions 21 – 30 is 1 Mark)

21. Which of the following is the best method to join copper tubing?
(a) Welding
(b) Soldering
(c) Flaring
(d) All of the above

22. Which of the following is not true about psychrometric chart?

(a) Psychrometric chart is a graphical representation of thermodynamic properties of
moist air.
(b) The basic coordinates of Psychrometric charts are h-w and t-w.
(c) Psychrometric chart is not altitude dependent.
(d) The abscissa and ordinate of a Psychrometric chart are dry bulb temperature and
specific humidity respectively.

23. The following areas require application of air-condition except__________________

Page 7 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

(a) Indoor thermal comfort in residential buildings, hospitals and offices.

(b) Aircraft indoor cabin.
(c) Vehicle indoor space for passengers.
(d) Automobile engine cooling system.

24. Which of the following is not an energy conservation strategy in buildings’ cooling and
heating?
(a) Improved design of building by using materials with high thermal conductivity.
(b) Improved design of building by using materials with high thermal resistivity.
(c) Improve design of building by using effective ventilation system.
(d) Improved thermostat and control.

25. In designing HVAC system of a building, the boiler is sized based on what load/s?
(a) Heat load for space heating and service water.
(b) Heat load for space heating and service air.
(c) Heat load for space heating, floor/wall heating in winter.
(d) It is based on ASHRAE recommended fixed heating load.

26. The friction loss for a flow at a velocity V in a pipe of diameter D with a known roughness
can be obtained from _________________________
(a) ASHRAE friction Chart
(b) Moody diagram
(c) Friction and pressure chart
(d) ANSI friction diagram

27. The most commonly used fan in an HVAC system is ________________________

(a) Reciprocating fan
(b) Centrifugal fan
(c) Axial fan
(d) Rotary fan

28. How does solar radiation affect the HVAC design?

(a) It contributes less to the heating loads if the house is heavily insulated with large glass
windows

Page 8 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

(b) It contributes more to the heating loads if the rate of opening and closing of inner doors
to various rooms increased significantly
(c) It contributes to the heating loads through the fenestrations that separate indoor and the
atmospheric condition.
(d) It does not contribute significantly to the heating loads irrespective of any condition.
29. Which of the following is not true about the conditioned air?
(a) Conditioned air is normally supplied to air outlets at velocities much higher than would
be acceptable in the occupied space
(b) Conditioned air is normally supplied to air outlets at velocities much lower than would
be acceptable in occupied space
(c) Conditioned air is normally supplied to air outlets at the same velocities with would be
acceptable in occupied space.
(d) All of the above

30. The most important component of a refrigerating system are_________________

(a) Compressor and condenser.
(b) Evaporator and compressor.
(c) Evaporator and condenser.
(d) Expansion valve and compressor.

QUESTION TWO - (20 Marks)

Page 9 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

(a) With the aid of suitable diagram/s, describe various sources of heat gain in a building
envelop. Also, explain important procedures to estimate the instantaneous heating load of a
building. (4 Marks)

(b) A local restaurant in Hafr Al batin has a sensible cooling load of 2000 btu/hr and latent
cooling load of 500 btu/hr. The room conditions are to be maintained at 25 oC DB and 50%
RH. If 2000 CFM of supply air is furnished, determine the required supply air DB and WB.
(6 Marks)

Page 10 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

(c) A hotel in Dammamthat was intended to be built for Foreign Tourists is awarded to your
company for HVAC design and installation. The total cooling load is to be calculated for
comfort based on the following parameters:
 The room has a double glazed window of surface area 10 m2, shaded by internal
venetian blinds, facing south – west, at 15.00 h sun - time, in June at latitude 51.70
N (Assume the maximum cooling load arising from solar intensity is 600 W/m2,
haze factor is 0.98, shading coefficient is 0.25, and storage factor is 0.60).
 Inside the room, there is an interior un-conditioned space that is separated by a
partition (area of partition A = 100 m2, coefficient of heat transfer U = 10 W/m2.K,
temperature difference ∆T = 25 K) from the conditioned space.
 Inside the room, there are 4 incandescent bulbs having lighting capacity of 200
watts (ballast factor = 0.18, light cooling load factor = 0.12).
 The room is designed for two people with average sensible and latent heat of 300
J/kg.K and 500 J/kg respectively, assume cooling load factor of a person is 0.2.
 The volume of the room is 1000m3 and there are cracks that allows infiltration with
air change per hour (ACH) of 0.5.
i. Determine the cooling load require for comfort in the hotel.
(10 Marks)

Page 11 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

Page 12 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

QUESTION THREE (20 Marks)

(a) Compute Coefficient of Performance COP and refrigerating efficiency for a theoretical single
stage cycle operating with a condenser pressure of 1253 kPa and an evaporator pressure of 201
kPa using R – 134a as refrigerant. The work for the cycleis31 kJ per kilogram of refrigerant.
(4 Marks)

(b) Describe the principle of operation of any type of heat exchanger that is used in HVAC system.
(4
Marks)

Page 13 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

(c) Explain four desirable characteristics of refrigerants. (4 Marks)

(d) Define an equivalent length of a fitting? (2 Marks)

Compute the equivalent lengths for the fittings in the duct system of Fig. Q-3b. The fittings are
an entrance, a 45-degree wye, the straight-through section of the wye fitting, a 45-degree
elbow, and a 90-degree elbow. (6
Marks)

Figure Q – 3b

Page 14 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

Page 15 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

QUESTION FOUR (20 Marks)

(a) With the aid of suitable diagram/s describe the principle of operation of a typical centrifugal
pump and clearly identify the important components. (5 Marks)

(b) What are the major problems of a centrifugal pump? (3 Marks)

(c) How is affinity law used in pump selection? (2 Marks)

Page 16 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

(d) A pharmaceutical industry located in Hafr Al Batin requiresa HVAC system for a building that
houses high precision machines with temperature sensitive components. A pump is to be
selected to supply waterfor the HVAC system of the building as shown in Figure Q-4d. Pipes A,
B, C, D, E, F, G and Hare 3 inches commercial steel pipes of schedule40 and the water flow rate
through the pipes is 50 ft3/min. If the head loss at each elbow is 3ft and at each flange is 5ft and
the pump is delivering 50 ft3/min of water to the reservoir through an elevation of 10 ft above
the centerline of the pipes H, F and G. at a temperature of 60 F. Neglect the losses between the
pump and the reservoir.
i. Determine the total head loss due to friction in the pipes.
ii. Calculate the total head that the pump must supplied.
iii. If you are allowed, as an engineer, to select a pump for this system
highlight the steps you will follow to select the appropriate pump.
(Note: The length of the pipes are as follows: C=D=E=G=10 ft, B = 12ft, H = 7ft and A = F = 5 ft)
(10 Marks)
To the reservoir

A
C
B

D Pump: 3500 rpm

G E

H F

Figure Q-4d

Page 17 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

Page 18 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

Formula Sheet
(𝑨𝑪𝑯)(𝑽)
Infiltration load 𝑸̇ = 𝑪𝑻

RSCL = 1.1 x CFMs (Tr - Ts)

RLCL=O.68 x CFMs (Wr – Ws)

where
RSCL = room sensible cooling load, BTU/hr
RLCL = room latent cooling load, BTU/hr.
CFMs = CFM of supply air
Tr and Ts = temperature of room and supply air, F
Wr, Ws = humidity ratios of room and supply air, gr/lb d.a.

Heat transfer through wall

Q = U x A x TD

Heat gain through glass

Q = SHGF x A x SC x CLF
SHGF = maximum solar heat gain factor
SC = shading coefficient
CLF = cooling load factor for glass

Heat from light bulb

Q = 3.4 x W x BF x CLF

where
Q = cooling load from lighting, BTU/hr
W = lighting capacity, watts
BF = ballast factor
CLF = cooling load factor for lighting

Heat gain from human body

Qs = qs x n x CLF
Ql = ql x n
Qs, Ql = sensible and latent heat gains (loads).
qs, ql = sensible and latent heat gains per person, n = number of people.
CLF = cooling load factor for people.

Cooling load due to solar gain through glass in W

𝑄𝑠 = 𝐴𝑤 𝐹𝑏 𝐹𝑐 𝑞𝑠

Friction losses

Page 19 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

Page 20 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

Page 21 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

Page 22 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

Page 23 of 24
UoHB ME 430 M2 Exam_172

Page 24 of 24