SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE , BUILDING & DESIGN

BACHELOR OF QUANTITY SURVEYING (Hons)

BUILDING SERVICES II
(BLD60503)

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT

LECTURER : DR. KAM KENN JHUN

NAME : ADELE LU KHAI SYN
STUDENT ID : 0323151
TUTORIAL : GROUP 2
SUBMISSION DATE : 29th MAY 2017
WORDS COUNT : 1999
1.0 INTRODUCTION

Air conditioners has been invented in the early 20th century where it uses mainly on
chlorofluorocarbons as the liquid refrigerant. This chlorofluorocarbons releases can destroy
ozone layer that reduce the protection of suns harmful UV rays. Modern refrigerants such as
hydrochlorofluorocarbon and hydrofluorocarbon have been developed to be more
environmentally safe however still having contribute to the ozone depletion but on a lesser
base. These greenhouse gases have caused increased in the environmental consequences
like, up rise of ocean levels and Global Warming. Also to the human body, where higher risk
of breathing difficulties, nervous system failure and skin cancer are more likely to occur. To
cater the global environmental concerns, Green Technology is introduced. It helps to reduce
adverse effects on the environment as well as improving productivity, efficiency and
operational performance of the technology itself.

The word Green Technology refers to the use of technology that makes products and
processes more environmentally friendly, for example, by reducing CO2 emission or making
products more biodegradable1. Green technology aims at contributing to the environmental
sustainability. It can also be defined as an umbrella term encompassing the investment asset
class, technology and business sectors which include clean energy and environmental,
sustainable or green products or services. In developing the Green Industry in Malaysia,
Malaysian Government had introduced the National Green Technology Policy on 24 July 2009.
The policy focused on 4 pillars, namely Energy, Environment, Economy and Social. Energy
simple means seek to attain energy independence and to promote efficient utilisation.
Environment to conserve and minimise the impact on environment. Economy to enhance the
national economic development through the use of technology. And social to improve the
quality of life for all.2 As green technology, shall be a driver to accelerate the national economy
and promote sustainable development. To achieve this, the government should promote and
invest in green production. Making changes in products that can be recycled and reused.
Green technology development must be sustainable which helps balance and maintain the

1
Lexicon.ft.com. (2017). Green Technology Definition from Financial Times Lexicon. [online]
Available at: http://lexicon.ft.com/Term?term=green-technology [Accessed 24 May 2017].

2
Took Gee, D. (2015). Implementation of Green Technology Policy in Malaysia. 1st ed.
[ebook] Malaysia: Kettha. Available at: http://www-
iam.nies.go.jp/aim/event_meeting/2015_cop21_japan2/file/03_malaysia.pdf [Accessed 25
May 2017].
human needs requirement with trusted resources and natural environmental friendly world for
now and the future. Changing the preparation of production and consumption that reduces
waste and pollution. Thus, the use of energy and resources are utilized and renewable
products are promoted.

2.0 WAYS OF AIR CONDITONING SYSTEM ENCHANGING GREEN TECHNOLOGY

2.1 Use of Propane as Refrigerant

Air conditioner refrigerant affects our environment which could also damage and
impact on the ozone layer. The CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) refrigerants often is used in
number of refrigerating and air conditioning systems. The chemicals we called it CFCs
(chlorofluorocarbons) are contributing to the greenhouse effect (global warming) and is the
major cause of depletion of the ozone layer. Therefore, CFCs are dropping out nowadays
because the additional chlorine component that will destroy the ozone layer of the earth. The
first way to keep away damaged by CFCs, substituted to R-290is a better choice.

R-290 is a term for Propane (C3H8). Propane is natural, organic compound called
hydrocarbon and therefore it is nontoxic with zero Ozone Depletion Potential and negligible
direct global warming effect.3 Its suitable for use in a range of air conditioning applications
due to its low environmental impact and excellent thermodynamic performance. Propanes
operating pressure and temperatures meets the requirement for chillers in air conditioning
systems that functions to lower the water temperature to a certain level for cooling effect
integration with other components. Governments and industry should design and operate
chiller plants to maximize Life-Cycle Climate Performance and minimizing the combined
emission of refrigerant from the air conditioning chiller and greenhouse gases from the
production of power for the chiller.

3
Achrnews.com. (2017). Putting Propane Into The Refrigerant Loop. [online] Available at:
http://www.achrnews.com/articles/94191-putting-propane-into-the-refrigerant-loop [Accessed
24 May 2017].
 Additionally, propane has been recognized as green energy which is environment
friendly. Propane leaks do not pool to pollute the ground and water because it is stored in gas
form. It can be stored and transported in steel cylinders with some health and safety
precautions needed. For now, propane is comfortably safe and trusted refrigerant to be used
in the market.

2.2 Chilled Water Air Conditioning Systems

Chilled water air conditioning systems are commonly used in applications that need
large cooling capacity like hypermarket, industrial process and commercial air conditioning
such as offices and factories.4 This system makes use of water as its secondary refrigerant.
Water is non-corrosive and non-toxic thus water is suitable for secondary refrigerant. Chilled
water air conditioning works when chiller is used to remove heat from water then circulated
through other components to absorb heat from the space. A water-cooled condenser uses
cooling tower to reduce temperature of the condenser. Using a pump, water is sent to cooling
tower and to be cooled by evaporation of the water in the cooling tower. The chilled water is
piped into fan coil units with fins and fans that have large surface area for the absorbed heat
from the space through the air heat exchange process. The water then pumped back to chiller
evaporator before being circulated back to all fan coil units. This process is repeated.

Chilled water system is also more commonly used in homes to air conditioned the
whole house because of its cost effectiveness and no hazard of having refrigerant piped all
over the house. This technology can save up to half of the energy cost by using water that is
easy accessible. This system is safe to humans and has quiet operation as water is chemically
stable as refrigerant that does not require harmful CFCs to be used within the building.
Although there will be water lost from pipe leakages, it does not cause any major ozone
depletion to the environment. In conclusion, chilled water air conditioning system will help to
enhance green technology.

4
Airconditioning-systems.com. (2017). Chilled Water Air Conditioning Principles And
Applications. [online] Available at: http://www.airconditioning-systems.com/chilled-water-air-
conditioning.html [Accessed 24 May 2017].
2.3 Variable Air Volume System (VAV)

Variable air volume (VAV) are the best way to set up the air conditioning in commercial
and large industrial buildings and provide large saving in energy usage and enhance green
technology. 5 VAV system is an air distribution system. There will be specific temperature
supplied to all places in a building. The system is divided into few parts which are the dampers,
controller, airflow sensor, temperature sensor and actuator. Dampers play an important role
in this VAV system. It is used to open and close to allow air flows in depending on the
temperature set. During cooling process, this system operates and allows more air flows into
the entire spaces. There will be a sensor to detect the air flow that flows in the duct system.
To allow cooled air flow through the ducts and spread over the entire space, an air handler
blower fan is required in the duct system. Depending to the size of work space of the building,
there might be not the same numbers of sensors or fans for the VAV system.

The VAV system can hold a variable amount of air and regulate the amount of cooling
targeted more efficiently. The VAV system controls the air from a single supply duct and direct
airflow to each room based on the temperature in that specific room. VAV system are often
use for zone control. They control the optimum temperature of a building to satisfy the
requirement towards thermal comfort of occupants.

The VAV is economical to install because the duct sizes air handler is smaller. They
can also control humidity and dehumidifying the space efficiently. Although the VAV system is
simple, but it is energy efficient, which save as much as 30% in energy costs compared to
conventional dual duct systems. 6 This will in the other hand help in enhancing green
technology.

5
Simplyvav.com. (2017). About VAV | Simply VAV. [online] Available at:
http://www.simplyvav.com/discover/about-vav/ [Accessed 24 May 2017].

6
Achrnews.com. (2006). Variable Air Volume Systems. [online] Available at:
http://www.achrnews.com/articles/98592-variable-air-volume-systems) [Accessed 25 May
2017].
2.4 Ice Powered Air Conditioning System

Ice powered air conditioning system also called Ice Bear air conditioning system. This
Ice Bear system can be considered to enhance green technology by reducing a buildings total
net energy consumption.7 This air conditioner can use ice to cool the hot refrigerant rather
than the AC units compressor, which keeps the buildings temperature comfortable. To
decrease the tremendous amount of power use in a hot day, it makes ice at night and cool the
air conditioning units during the day. 450 gallons of water in the tank was frozen and for the
next day to use. It can provide cooling up to 6 hours when the ice bear switched to cool mode.
Ice Bear works in conjunction with A/C unit, so the job of cooling reverts to buildings
conventional commercial air-conditioning unit after the ice has melted. As that reason, it
decreases the electricity, cooling bill save up to 40% of the building and offers significant cost
savings.

There are normally 2 types of Ice Bear which is Ice Bear 20 and Ice Bear 30. Ice Bear
20 is for residential usage that linked with ductwork or ductless mini-split system while Ice
Bear 30 are commercial and industrial usage where it is attached to air conditioning units. Ice
batteries is use to enhance the efficiency, lower the cooling bills and reduce the emission of
carbon. Ice battery with cold refrigerant is pumped by using the copper coils in the ice battery
through 450 gallons of regular water. When during off-peak hours, Ice Bear will store the
cooling energy by freezing the water in the tank to make ice. When it comes to peak hours,
stored ice will be used to cool the entire space or room. Monitoring and controls are the Ice
Bears technology to monitor and control the cooling process. Ice Bear cooling system is to
provide cooling. The air conditioning compressor will be turned off and the stored ice will be
used to cool the building for 6 hours. Hence, it only required 5% of electricity to function it.
However, traditional air conditioning system is still available. It is used to abstract the hot air
and allow them to pass through the Ice Bear cooling system to turn it into cool air and release
out. After turning into cool air, it will then distribute out through the ducting. Moreover, for Ice
Bear 20, there are integrated with ductwork or ductless mini-split system. When it is time to
provide cooling, the compressor is turned off and it uses the stored ice to cool the entire places
which can up to 4 hours. Moreover, Ice Bears do no use any hazardous or toxic material and
easily to be recycled. Ice batteries can green up our environment with reduced carbon
emissions and nitrogen oxides emissions by supporting renewable energy.

7
Ice Energy. (2017). Technology - Ice Energy. [online] Available at: https://www.ice-
energy.com/technology/ [Accessed 25 May 2017].
 In conclusion, green technology gives many benefits to the world and to the society.
Not only to the environment also economically and healthily. As many countries in the world,
resources, capacity in Malaysia has facing the energy crisis and the only solution that is to
propose sustainable developments making a point to enhance green technology. The
substantial role of environment friendly factors is the key should be highlighted to reduce the
greenhouse gas emission and enhance energy savings. The several ways mention above
should be carried out by modifying air conditioning systems. People should promote utilization
and attain energy independence efficiently. Take some action to conserve and minimize the
impact on the environment and therefore improve quality of life of all. Last of all, as responsible
citizens, we should take the initiative to enhance the nationals economic development through
the use of green technology for the better future.
REFERENCE

Took Gee, D. (2015). Implementation of Green Technology Policy in Malaysia. 1st ed.
[ebook] Malaysia: Kettha. Available at: http://www-
iam.nies.go.jp/aim/event_meeting/2015_cop21_japan2/file/03_malaysia.pdf [Accessed 25
May 2017].

Lexicon.ft.com. (2017). Green Technology Definition from Financial Times Lexicon. [online]
Available at: http://lexicon.ft.com/Term?term=green-technology [Accessed 24 May 2017].

Achrnews.com. (2017). Putting Propane Into The Refrigerant Loop. [online] Available at:
http://www.achrnews.com/articles/94191-putting-propane-into-the-refrigerant-loop [Accessed
24 May 2017].

Airconditioning-systems.com. (2017). Chilled Water Air Conditioning Principles And

Applications. [online] Available at: http://www.airconditioning-systems.com/chilled-water-air-
conditioning.html [Accessed 24 May 2017].

Simplyvav.com. (2017). About VAV | Simply VAV. [online] Available at:

http://www.simplyvav.com/discover/about-vav/ [Accessed 24 May 2017].

Achrnews.com. (2006). Variable Air Volume Systems. [online] Available at:

http://www.achrnews.com/articles/98592-variable-air-volume-systems) [Accessed 25 May
2017].

Ice Energy. (2017). Technology - Ice Energy. [online] Available at: https://www.ice-
energy.com/technology/ [Accessed 25 May 2017].