IJSTE - International Journal of Science Technology & Engineering | Volume 1 | Issue 10 | April 2015

ISSN (online): 2349-784X

Design of HVAC with VRF System for a Space

House in Ahmedabad
Kartik M. Patel
PG Student
Department of Mechanical Engineering
SIRT, RGPV University Bhopal MP. India

Prof. Pushpendra K. Jain

Head of Department
Department of Mechanical Engineering
SIRT, RGPV University Bhopal MP. India

Prof. Dinesh K. Koli

Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
SIRT, RGPV University Bhopal MP. India

Abstract
Energy is a big variation of a different site and different system. So Design is the one of the tool of a calculation and smart
integrated system So energy efficiency has been prime importance in HVAC system. I want to design of a HVAC with VRF
technology of a space house in Ahmedabad and calculate instantaneous gain, Space Load, all electrical element load, Primary
energy demand, Ventilation Load, Energy Efficiency ratio (EER) and cost.
Keywords: HVAC, VRF, EER
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I.

INTRODUCTION

A. What Is Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Systems?

Variable
: Not fixed i.e. changing
Refrigerant : The gas being used in the system
Flow
: The quantity/amount of refrigerant
Therefore in VRF, The volume of refrigerant flowing in the system is variable
Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) is an air-condition system configuration where there is one outdoor condensing unit and
multiple indoor units. The term variable refrigerant flow refers to the ability of the system to control the amount of refrigerant
flowing to the multiple evaporators (indoor units), enabling the use of many evaporators of differing capacities and
configurations connected to a single condensing unit. The arrangement provides an individualized comfort control, and
simultaneous heating and cooling in different zones.

II.

PROPOSED METHODOLOGY OF VRF SYSTEM

These are the following step for proposed Methodology of VRF system and design step.
Primary layout of the system,4 or more zone required ,Occupants can escape refrigerant leak and determine amount of
refrigerant, Suitable for climate (air cooled system most efficient which can handle outdoor temp.) Suitable of VRF
initial Cost. Room space favor of VRF limitations.
Selection of design basic(manufacture, heat pump and heat recovery), Determine heating/cooling load, Determine
ventilation load, Selection of outdoor/indoor unit, Selection of route piping and size with manufacture data,Select
control system, Write specification, Project completion according to manufacture recommendation

III.

DESIGN CONDITION, DESIGN DETAIL AND EER CALCULATION.

A. Design condition :
Location
: 42 B, Space house, Opp. Crossword, Mithakahali six Road, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Latitude
: 230. North.

All rights reserved by www.ijste.org

29

Design of HVAC with VRF System for a Space House in Ahmedabad

(IJSTE/ Volume 1 / Issue 10 / 006)

Table -3.1:
Outside design condition to various reference.

In Ahmedabad design condition (Summer)

Used by
Outside condition ASHRAE
IS
Industry
Dry bulb 0C
42.8
42.8
43.33
Wet bulb 0C
26.7
27.6
25.6
(source from Refrigeration and airconditioning by p.s.desai.)
Table -3.2:
Selection of Design Condition

In Ahmedabad as per design condition (Summer)

Condition Dry bulb 0C Wet bulb 0C %RH
Out door 43.33(1100F) 25.6(780F)
33
Indoor
23.88(750F) 17.77(640F)
55
Temp diff.
350F
B. Total Heat Load Calculation:
Table -3.3:
Total Heat Load Calculation

Component

Q (Btu/hr)
Sensible
16878.32
4409.82
68144.8
26655.05
15300
23390.64
72276
46116
273170.63

Q (Btu/hr)
Latent

Walls
Glass
Partition, Ceilings And Floors
Infiltration
27303.8
People
12300
Light
Appliances
Outside air
47238.4
Total heat
86842.2
Total Heat (sensible+latent)
360012.83
Safety factor at 10%
36001.28
Grand Total heat
396014.11 (33.00 TR) (115.5KW) (40HP)
(1 TR (tons) = 12000 BTU/HR, 200 BTU/MIN, 1.21HP, 3.5 KW..)
Supply Air Calculations
Supply air flow rate to a space is based only on the total space sensible heat load, thus
1) CFM = 1.08 x [Q sensible / (TR TS)]
2) Air change = CFM x 60/CU.FT
Where,
CFM = air flow in cubic feet per minute
Q sensible = total room sensible heat gain, BTU per hr.
TR = Room dry bulb temperature, F ( 75 )
TS = Room supply air dry bulb temperature, F ( 54 )
Total sensible heat = 273170.63
Total sq.ft = 3440
Total cu.ft = 28206.3
Table -3.4: Supply Air Calculation
C.

Supply air calculation

ERSH/ERTH
CFM
CFM / SQ.FT
TONS
CFM/TR
AIR CHANGE

0.76
14048.78
4.08
33
425.72
29.88
All rights reserved by www.ijste.org

30

Design of HVAC with VRF System for a Space House in Ahmedabad

(IJSTE/ Volume 1 / Issue 10 / 006)

D. Mechanical Ventilation for Duct System:

Table -3.5:
Ventilation Load Calculation

SR.
NO.

Name Of Area

Area
(Foot2)

Height
(Foot)

Volume
(Foot3)

Min
Air Change

Air Flow
(CFM)

1.0

staff room 1

127.5

1147.5

25

478

2.0

staff room 2

127.5

1147.5

25

478

3.0

Cabin 1

98.44

885.96

25

369

4.0

Cabin 2

43.75

393.75

25

164

5.0

Cabin 3

43.75

393.75

25

164

6.0

staff room 3

221

1989

25

829

7.0

staff room 4

221

1989

25

829

8.0

hub room

39.75

357.75

25

149

9.0

conference 1

70.67

636.03

25

265

10.0

conference 2

108.65

977.85

25

407

11.0

staff room 5

221

1989

25

829

12.0

staff room 6

221

1989

25

829

13.0

admin staff

80.94

728.46

25

304

14.0

meeting room

98.44

885.96

25

369

15.0

Breakout area

117.5

1057.5

25

441

16.0

inspection room

72.5

652.5

25

272

TOTAL

7175

E. Selection of Indoor Unit Capacity:

Table -3.6:
Selection of Indoor Unit Size

SR.
NO.
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
11.0
12.0
13.0
14.0
15.0
16.0

Name Of Area
staff room 1
staff room 2
Cabin 1
Cabin 2
Cabin 3
staff room 3
staff room 4
hub room
conference 1
conference 2
staff room 5
staff room 6
admin staff
meeting room
Breakout area
inspection room
TOTAL(HP)

Indoor unit size selection (HP)

4.00
4.00
1.25
1.00
1.00
5.00
5.00
1.25
1.25
1.60
5.00
5.00
1.60
1.25
1.60
1.00
40.80

All rights reserved by www.ijste.org

31

Design of HVAC with VRF System for a Space House in Ahmedabad

(IJSTE/ Volume 1 / Issue 10 / 006)

F. Design Of VRF System In Space House:

Fig. 1: Design of VRF System in a Space House

G. Environmental Friendly Refrigerant - R410A:

Table -3.7:
Comparison of R22and R410

R22

R410

Refrigerant

Single component refrigerant

Non-azeotropic Refrigerant

Refrigerant oil

Mineral oil

Synthetic (ether) oil

Pressure

1.9MPa*

3.0MPa*

Component properties

Contain chlorine (Cl)

Does not Contain chlorine (Cl)

H. Piping Size and Length:

Table -3.8:
Piping Length

Piping length and Ref.joint

14HP OUTDOOR
Total extension length between indoor and outdoor
180foot
Total joint no.
6

18HP OUTDOOR
212foot
8

I. Energy Efficiency of Air Conditioner:

Efficiency of a room air conditioner is normally measured as Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER), which is the ratio of the cooling
output, measured in British thermal units (Btu) per hour, to the power input (in Watts, and includes all inputs to compressor, fan
motors and controls) to operate AC at standard rating conditions. This means a higher the EER, the more efficient the air
conditioner is. At times, EER is defined a little differently. The cooling capacity instead of being denoted in Btu/hr is also
denoted in Watts (1Btu/ hr = 0.293 Watts). Thus EER is represented as Watts/ Watts or as a number without any units.
EER = cooling capacity / Power consumption (both in Watt)
EER of 33 TR (about 114400 W) capacity air conditioner consuming power 52000 W = 114400/52000 = 2.2
Star Rating System based on EER No star:2.2,1-Star: 2.3, 2-Star: 2.5, 3-Star: 2.7, 4-Star: 2.9 and 5-Star: 3.1
EER of 33 TR For VRF system in a space house maximum cooling capacity 114400W as per outdoor unit and air
conditioner consuming power 21300W = 114400/21300= 5.37
We can use following steps to calculate power consumption of your air conditioner on basis of power input required by
it.

All rights reserved by www.ijste.org

32

Design of HVAC with VRF System for a Space House in Ahmedabad

(IJSTE/ Volume 1 / Issue 10 / 006)

J.

I am assuming 8 hours normal working hours of air conditioner in a day.

Actually working hours of compressor in cut-in& cut-out condition is 70%.That means 70% of 8 hours=5.6
hours/day.
Electricity consumption of a 33 Ton VRF air conditioning system is 22.51KW
Actual Units of electricity consumed per day = (5.6 x 22.51) =126.06 units
Assuming electricity rate per unit (In Ahmedabad) = Rs. 4.40
Electricity consumed per day in price = (126.06 x 4.40) = Rs. 544.66
Electricity consumed per year = (Rs. 544.66 x 365) = Rs. 202452.4

Energy and Cost Saving For 33tons Split ACS At Different Star Ratings And VRF System:
Table 3.9:
Energy and Cost Saving For 33Tons Split ACS At Different Star Ratings And VRF System

Star
rating
No star
1
2
3
4
5
VRF
system

Minimum energy
efficiency Ratio (EER)
2.2
2.3
2.5
2.7
2.9
3.1

Maximum cooling
capacity (watts)
114400
114400
114400
114400
114400
114400

Input power
(watts)
52000
49739.13
45760
42370.37
39448.28
36903.23

Unit consumption per

day (KWH)
207.9
198.88
183.04
169.4
157.74
147.62

Electricity
cost/year
333887.4
319401.3
293962.2
272056.4
253330.4
237077.7

5.37

114400

21300

126.06

202452.4

IV.

APPLICATIONS FOR VRF SYSTEMS

VRF systems may be a particularly good option for buildings with multiple zones or wide variance heating/cooling loads across
many different internal zones. These systems provide individual control and are the most versatile of the multi-split systems.
Hotels, schools, hospitals, cinema hall courthouses, residential, central plant, multi-storied buildings, Commercial buildings,
office buildings, and industrial unit are good examples.

V.

ADVANTAGES, LIMITATION AND APPLICATION

A. Advantages of VRF Technology:

1) Comfort:
VRF systems are capable of simultaneous cooling and heating. Each individual indoor unit can be controlled by a programmable
thermostat. Most VRF manufacturers offer a centralized control option, which enables the user to monitor and control the entire
system from a single location or via the internet.
2) Flexible Installation:
When compared to the single split system, a VRF system reduces installation cost by about 30%. A VRF system provides
reduction in copper tubing and wiring costs.
3) VRF:
Systems are lightweight; require less outdoor plant space and offer space - saving features
4) Reliability:
Continuous operation is possible even in the event of compressor failure. There is no immediate system shutdown if trouble
occurs in any compressor. The other compressors can continue to operate on an emergency basis.
5) Aesthetics:
Indoor units are available in different capacities and multiple configurations such as wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted cassette
suspended, and concealed ducted types

All rights reserved by www.ijste.org

33

Design of HVAC with VRF System for a Space House in Ahmedabad

(IJSTE/ Volume 1 / Issue 10 / 006)

6) Design Flexibility:
A single condensing unit can be connected to wide range of indoor units of varying capacity (e.g., 0.5 to 6 tons ducted or
ductless configurations such as ceiling recessed, wall-mounted and floor console).
7) Energy:
VRF systems benefits from the advantages of linear step control in conjunction with inverter and constant speed compressor
combination, which allows more precise control of the necessary refrigerant circulation amount required according to the system
load.
B. Limitation of VRF Technology:
1) Refrigerant Piping:
Concerns have been raised about health, expense, and environmental impacts from refrigerant leaks. It is important that the
designer/building owner is aware of these limitations.
2) Oil Management:
As the system has a larger spread, the refrigerant pipes traverse long lengths; hence their pressure testing and protection becomes
critical. Long refrigerant piping loops also raise concerns about oil return. Typically, each compressor has its own oil separator
which is optimized for the VRF system.
3) Fresh Air Requirements:
All split systems, VRF systems do not provide ventilation of their own, so a separate ventilation system is necessary
4) Maintenance:
Regular maintenance of VRF systems consists of changing filters and cleaning coils for the fan coil units.
C. Application of VRF Technology:
Hotels, schools, hospitals, cinema hall, courthouses, residential, central plant, multi-storied buildings, Commercial buildings,
office buildings, and industrial unit are good examples.

VI.

CONCLUSIONS

The variable refrigerant flow system is considered to be one of the most promising energy saving technologies gaining its
momentum in recent years. That is a big variation of a different star rating split air conditioner and VRF system for a cost saving.
However, a viable energy efficient technology is needed to conserve energy as well as to achieve better human comfort. So this
is been relatively new and efficient way to design HVAC system with VRF technology.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
It is indeed a pleasure for me to express my sincere gratitude to those who have always helped me for this research work. I wish
to express my gratitude to my parents, whose love and Encouragement have supported me throughout my education.

REFERENCES
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]

Roth, kurt, et al. energy consumption characteristics of commercial building HVAC system volume III: energy saving potential TIAX LLC FOR
DOE,2002 www.eere.gov/building/info/documents/pdfs/hvacvolume2finalreport.pdf
Hai, Xiaohong; Tao, Zhang; Yun, Fanhua; and Jun, Shen, "Design and Research of the Commercial Digital VRV Multi-Connected Units With Sub-Cooled
Ice Storage System" (2006). International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference. Paper 759. http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iracc/759
William Goetzler, Member ASHRAE, ASHRAE Journal, April 2007
Johnson
Spellman
ASHRAE
headquarters
building
renovation,
mechanicals
narrative
June26,2007.http;//images.ashrae.biz/renovation/documents/o6js22_mech_design_narrative_permit%20set_2.pdf.
Ammi Amarnath, Variable Refrigerant Flow: An Emerging Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Technology Electric Power Research Institute. Morton Blatt,
Energy Utilization Consultant 2008, ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings.
John rogers, RESIDENTIAL CONSUMPTION OF ELECTRICITY IN INDIA Background Paper
India: Strategies for Low Carbon Growth, July 2008 The World Bank.
Qiu Tua,b, Ziping Fenga,b, Shoubo Maoc, Kaijun Donga,b, Rui Xiaoa,b, Wenji Songa Heating control strategy for variable refrigerant flow air
conditioning system with multi-module outdoor units Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510640,

All rights reserved by www.ijste.org

34

Design of HVAC with VRF System for a Space House in Ahmedabad

(IJSTE/ Volume 1 / Issue 10 / 006)

[8]
[9]

China b Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy and Gas Hydrate, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou 510640, China c Haier Air-Conditioning
Electronic Co. LTD., Qingdao 266510, China
Li, Y.M., Wu, J.Y., and Shiochi, S., Experimental validation of the simulation
module of the water-cooled variable refrigerant flow system under cooling operation, Applied Energy, vol. 87, pp. 1513-1521, 2010.
Tolga N. Aynur Variable refrigerant flow systems: A review, Center for Environmental Energy Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Maryland, 3157 Glenn Martin Hall Building, College Park, MD 20742, USA.

[10] Brian Thornton ,Senior Researcher, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Green Proving Ground Program www.gsa.gov/gpg or Variable Refrigerant
Flow Systems which is available from the GPG program website, www.gsa.gov/gpg. December 2012.
[11] Daikin AC. www.daikinac.com.
[12] Goetzler, W. (2007). Variable refrigerant flow systems. ASHRAE Journal.
[13] VARIABLE REFRIGERANT FLOW SYSTEMS Technology Overview ASHRAE NB/PEI,SEPTEMBER 2011 Roger Nasrallah, ing. Enertrak inc.
[14] HVAC Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems BY A BHATIA. Continuing Education and Development, Inc. 9 Greyridge Farm Court Stony Point, NY 10980
[15] Bonneville Power Administration Prepared by: 570 Kirkland Way, Suite 200 Kirkland, Washington 98033
[16] Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning BY P.S.DESAI
[17] Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning BY R.S.KHURMI

WEBSITE:

http://www.daikinac.com
http://www.ashrae.in
http://www.daikinindia.com
http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=conservation.tips
http://www.energystar.gov
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/residential/central_ac_hp.html
http://www.digit.in/forum/consumerelectronicseverythingelse/171373reviewsharpahxp18mv15tonecoinverterairconditioner.

All rights reserved by www.ijste.org

35