in the previous topics , Air Conditioning Systems Configurations Part Two, I explained

Semi- centralized systems (packaged systems) plus the first type of Centralized Systems ;
Centralized Ducted All Air Systems and today I will continue explaining other types of
centralized systems which are:
Centralized Fluid Based Hydronic Systems.
Combined (Hybrid) Water and Air Systems.

In addition to some special types of cooling systems which are:

Evaporative Cooling systems.
Central Air Washer or Central Evaporative Air Cooling Plant.

You can review the following previous topics for more information and good following:
Electrical Load Classification and Types

Heating Systems Types - Part One

Heating Systems Types -Part Two

Air Conditioning System Configurations-Part One

B. Centralized Fluid Based Hydronic Systems

In an all-water hydronic system, the hot or cold-water is distributed to individual heat

transfer devices (terminal units) located in each room of the building. When heating, the
terminal units draw heat from the water and when cooling these reject heat to the water.

ALL-Water Cooling Systems Concept

The biggest drawback of all-water hydronic system is the difficulty in providing adequate
indoor air quality. These systems are fairly common in office rooms, hotel rooms, schools,
building perimeter control etc.

An All-Water system uses the following basic components:

1. The use of a chiller (on roofs or plant rooms) to cool the water which would be circulated
via circulating pumps to the terminal units (example fan coil units) located in the occupied
space.
2. The use of boilers (in plant rooms) to heat the water which would be circulated via
circulating pumps to the terminal units located in the occupied space. Hydronic heating
systems employ a variety of terminal units that include fan coil units, baseboard radiators,
convectors, unit heaters, and radiant floors.

3. The use of Fan coil units:

A fan coil unit is a terminal unit with:
Heat exchange coil.
A fan motor.
A filter.
A condensate drain pipe.

Fan coil units

Fan coil units can be in cased or uncased configurations, vertical or horizontal and with or
without fresh air inlet.

The hydronic system piping in All Water Systems can be arranged in 3 basic
configurations:

(1) Two-pipe system

Two pipe systems consist of a network of insulated pipes; one pipe supplies chilled water and
the second pipe returns it to the chiller. The secondary water is cold in summer and
intermediate seasons and warm in winter. With water-changeover, chilled water is circulated
during the cooling season and hot water during the heating season. The problems occur during
the mid-seasons where cooling can be required part of the time and heating part of the time
and no heating or cooling the rest of the time.

(2) Three-pipe system

In the three pipe system, hot water and chilled water are fed to each fan coil, with a common
return. This is somewhat more expensive than 2-pipe system, since a third pipe must be run
to each unit. Since the hot water and cold water are mixed in the return, these inefficient
systems are seldom installed today.

(3) Four-pipe system

In the four pipe system, the chilled water loop and the hot water loop are completely
separate. While these systems are most expensive to install, they are easier to operate in
unpredictable climates.

C. Combined (Hybrid) Water and Air Systems

Hybrid systems use both air and water (cooled or heated in central plant room) distribution to
room terminals to perform cooling or heating function. Unlike all-water system, this system
ensures ventilation air in the spaces so that indoor air quality is not sacrificed.

Basic Water and Air Cooling Systems

1- Air Portion of the System

The air side is comprised of central air conditioning equipment, a duct distribution system,
and a room terminal. The supply air, called primary air, usually has a constant volume which is
determined by the need for outside (fresh) air for ventilation. When in cooling mode the
primary air is dehumidified, to provide comfort and prevent condensation, by a central
conditioning unit. In the winter, heating mode, the air is humidified, by the central
conditioning unit, to limit dryness.

2- Water Portion of the system

The water side consists of a pump and piping to convey water to heat transfer surfaces within
each conditioned space. The water used can be chilled by direct refrigeration, by using
chilled water from a primary cooling system, or by heat transfer through a water-to-water
exchanger. Chillers usually supply chilled water anywhere from 35-48F. Individual room
temperature control is by regulation of either the water flow through it or the air flow over
it. In the winter, the heating capacity of the coil in a conditioned space must be great enough
to heat the space and offset the cool primary air, which is provided. Water Portion of the
system which is determined by the need for outside (fresh) air for ventilation. When in
cooling mode the primary air is dehumidified, to provide comfort and prevent condensation,
by a central conditioning unit. In the winter, heating mode, the air is humidified, by the
central conditioning unit, to limit dryness.

D- Special types of Air cooling systems

1- Evaporative Cooling systems.

2- Central Air Washer or Central Evaporative Air Cooling Plant.

1- Evaporative Cooling systems:

a- How Evaporative Cooling Works:

When air blows through a wet medium gel, aspen fibers (excelsior), or treated cellulose,
fiberglass, or plasticsome of the water is transferred to the air and its dry bulb temperature
is lowered. The cooling effect depends on the temperature difference between dry and wet
bulb temperatures, the pathway and velocity of the air, and the quality and condition of the
medium.

b- Types of Evaporative Cooling:

1- Direct evaporative cooler

Air is pulled across a thoroughly wetted medium as evenly as possible. Lower speeds give
more exposure time to the wetted media, thereby achieving more cooling.
2- Indirect evaporative cooling
Indirect evaporative coolers take advantage of evaporative cooling effects, but cool
without raising indoor humidity

c- Types of evaporative coolers (swamp cooler, desert cooler and wet air cooler):

1- Portable units:

Require standard power outlet.

Best positioned near an open window or external door with an opening on opposite
side of room.
Come with water level gauge, variable fan speed and directional louvres.
Suitable for: small rooms (up to 25 m2).

2- Fixed room units:

Locationexternal wall/window.
Permanently wired and plumbed.
Install towards prevailing summer winds.
Suitable for: open areas 3050 m2.

3- Ducted whole house (central systems):

Roof installation.
Cool air is ducted into rooms through ceiling outlets.
Existing heating ductwork is not suitable.
Consider carefully in water restricted areas or when dependent on limited water

supply.

Suitable for: whole home cooling.

2-Central Air Washer or Central Evaporative Air Cooling Systems

All the components of the central air washer are enclosed in the box which is also called as
the air handling unit. In this unit the water is sprayed from the spray nozzles. There is a large
blower that sucks the atmospheric air and blows it over the spray of water. As the air flows
over the water, the particles of water absorb heat from the air and get evaporated. Due to
loss of heat the temperature of air reduces and it gets humidified. The cool and humidified
air leaves the washer and enters rooms to be cooled via the ducts. The whole air washer unit
should be kept in open space so that fresh air can be absorbed continuously.

Central Air Washer or Central Evaporative Air Cooling Systems

1) Water Tank
The water tank is located at the bottom of the air washer. It is connected to the water pipe
from suitable source for continuous supply of water. The central air washers need large
quantities of water, which increases as the number of rooms to be cooled increases. For
proper performance of the central air washer one has to ensure abundant supply of water
continuously. The water in the water tank can be ordinary water or it can be chilled water.
Usually ordinary water is used.
2) Spray nozzles
The water from the water tank is pumped to the spray nozzles via plastic or mild steel piping.
The spray nozzles spray the water inside the central air washer.
3) Water pump
The water pump pumps the water from water tank to the spray nozzles. It is the heart of the
central evaporative cooling system.
4) Blower
The blower sucks the atmospheric air and blows it over the spray of water. During this process
the particles of water get evaporated as they absorb heat from the air. Due to loss of heat the
temperature of atmospheric air reduces and its humidity increases. The air at low
temperature and high humidity enters the rooms to be cooled via the ducts.
5) Air filter
Air filter is placed towards the external part of the box of the air washer. This ensures that
the air sucked by the blower gets filtered before finally entering into the rooms.
6) Ducts
Ducts are laid from the air washer to all the rooms of the building that are to be cooled. The
ducts end in the diffuser that delivers the chilled air to the rooms.

In the next Topic, I will explain Main HVAC Equipments that need some attention from the
electrical engineer. So, please keep following.

Note: these topics about HVAC in this course EE-1: Beginner's electrical design course is an
introduction only for beginners to know general basic information about electrical HVAC
Power loads. But in other levels of our electrical design courses, we will show and explain in
detail the HVAC Loads Estimation and HVAC equipment Capacities with examples for different
types of buildings.

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