Building Services

(3360604)
Seminar

On
S plit Air Conditi o ning System

Prepared By:
Mori Kripalsinh U. 156490306077
Guided By:
Prof. P. D. Gohil
Prof. P.P. Singh
 Contents

(1) Air conditioning

(2) Split Air conditioning system
(i) The outdoor section
(ii) The indoor section
(iii) System Components
(iv) Controls
(v) Operation
(vi) Maintenance
(vii) Environmental Considerations
(viii)Advantages and disadvantages of split system
(3) Application range and capacity
 Air Conditioning

Air conditioning may be defined as a form of air

treatment which controls simultaneously the temperature,
distribution, cleanliness and humidity of the air to meet the
requirements of the conditioned space. So, air conditioning
is a process of getting desired atmosphere in the
conditioned space in all the three seasons-namely summer,
winter and monsoon.
In country like India where hot climate prevails
throughout the year except 2-3 months of winter, air
conditioning is mainly used in summer for cooling and
dehumidification.
 There is some difference between refrigeration and air
conditioning. The purpose of refrigeration is to absorb heat
energy from closed space or from body of definite mass and
reduce its temperature, While the purpose of air
conditioning is to control simultaneously the temperature,
distribution, cleanliness and humidity of the air to meet the
requirements of the conditioned space. Thus, air
conditioning is an attempt of getting desired atmosphere.
 Split Air conditioning system:

The term split system refers to a certain physical

arrangement of equipments. In this system, basically there
are two pieces of equipments. These two equipments are
connected by refrigerant pipe work. The control wiring are
also attached. Each part of equipment contains half of the
refrigeration plant which is required for vapour
compression cycle. The two sections of the system are
(i) The outdoor section .
(ii) Indoor section.
(i) The outdoor section: This unit houses the compressor
and condenser with its fan. This is known as condensing
unit. This is different than condenser. It is also some time
known as high side of the system since it contains
condenser and compressor.
 
(ii) The indoor section: This section houses the expansion
valve, filter evaporator and blower. This unit is placed in a
conditioned space. If required, this unit may contain heater
and humidifier. This unit may also be known or called as an
air handling unit or a unit cooler.
(iii) System Components:
[A] Outdoor Unit

(a) Compressor Different types of compressors are used,

depending upon the loads and manufacturer. Most widely
used compressor is reciprocating compressor. In a more
recent development, the scroll compressor is also used now
a day. The benefits of scroll compressor are
Fewer moving parts
Less rotating masses
Vibration is lower because of that
Noise level is lower.
 
(b) Condenser: The condenser used is air cooled condenser
for split system. The condenser is having copper tubes and
copper or aluminium fins. For circulating air over the tubes
one or more propeller fans are used. By fan cycling, fan
speed control and damper control a constant condenser
pressure is maintained. The fans are mounted on anti-
vibration mountings. The reason for that is with anti-
vibration mountings, condensing unit can be placed on roof
or other convenient location without further vibration
isolation. The alternative location of condensing unit (or
outdoor unit) is near ground or on the ground.
[B] Indoor unit:
(a) Expansion Valve The thermostatic expansion valve (TXV)
is used in split unit. In indoor unit the TXV is located at the
inlet to the evaporator. In very small units, a capillary tube
is used.
(b) Evaporator: It is made from copper tubes with copper or
aluminium fins. A centrifugal fan is used for circulating air
over the evaporator tubes. The centrifugal fan is used
because it is very quite in operation. The air circulated over
the evaporator tubes is supplied to the room to be air
conditioned. The room air is returning back to the
evaporator through a low efficiency washable filter. There
are different locations where this unit can be located as
shown
 (a) Floor mounted (ii) Wall mounted (iii) Ceiling
mounted (iv) Ceiling recessed mounted (v) Ceiling
concealed mounted. The condensate drain tray is fitted
with evaporator coil. This will collect any condensate
formed. Adequate drain facility be provided to drain that
condensate.
[C] Linking of two units of split system:
The relative position of the outdoor and indoor units is
important. The pressure drop in the system depends upon
(a) the length of the pipe work (b) difference in vertical
height between two units. This pressure drop is affecting
both condenser and evaporator pressures. In order to
achieve the desired output, the manufacturer's
recommended parameters be followed. The pipe length
must be kept as less as possible. Poor piping connection
creates problem. Such as refrigerant leakage oil return
problem, loss in capacity etc.
(iv) Controls:
(a) For outdoor unit For outdoor unit, the following controls
are provided (i) Compressor (ii) Condenser head pressure
(iii) Fan control (iv) L.P. and H.P. cut-outs (v) Compressor
speed control if required
(b) For Indoor unit: For indoor unit the following controls are
provided (i) The fan speed control (ii) Temperature control
(ili) On/off controls. TXV controls the flow of liquid
refrigerant.
(v) Operation:
It is desirable to have the pipe work is kept as short as
possible. The cycle efficiency is reduced as the difference
between condenser and evaporator pressure increases. This
increase is due to pipe pressure drop. The refrigerant
charge, the oil carried around the system and liquid
refrigerant vaporizing in the liquid line to the expansion
valve will be affected due to poor pipe work or excessive
pipe lengths. This will reduce the plant capacity.
(vi) Maintenance:
Maintenance work is to be done by a qualified engineer.
Maintenance by user is based on (a) Visual inspection of
the condition (b) Cleaning of air filter (c) Cleaning of
condensate try etc.
 
(vii) Environmental Considerations:
The design of indoor unit is such that its operation is
quiet. The outdoor unit being placed outside near open
window or neighbours etc. the noise is a problem and need
to be considered.
(viii) Advantages and disadvantages of split system:
Advantages:
(1) Saving in space: No space is required for plant room, AHU room
and cooling tower required for central system.
(2) Flexibility in installation: It can be located in different
combinations for selective and uniform cooling to match interior
decoration of the room.
(3) Using suitable duct opening, exact air conditioning for each area is
possible.
(4) Throw and air distribution is better.
(6) Since the compressor and condenser is away from air conditioning
(5) It is easy to hang indoor unit as it is light in weight. space the noise
during operation is completely eliminated.
(7) Cost/TR is lower.
(8) Installation cost is lower.
Disadvantages:
(1) There is no provision to take fresh air or to exhaust room
air like other units.
(2) The performance of the system depends upon relative
position of indoor and outdoor unit.
(3) If pipelines are not properly insulated then the refrigerant
will evaporate in liquid line.
(4) The electrical input is small. Hence the benefits of
reduced energy consumption and improved efficiency due
to that cannot be viable commercially like bigger plants on
this unit.
Application range and capacity:
The application range of split air conditioner is very
wide. It can be used in old building with one room to new
building. The capacity range available of the air-conditioner
is 1 TR. 1.5 TR, 2 TR, 3 TR etc.