Energy-efficient cooling systems

This unit provides a comprehensive overview of how basic refrigeration and air-conditioning are designed for energy savings. A review of mass and energy conservation and transfer processes is geared towards a sustainable approach. The fundamental knowledge in psychrometry, moist air properties, factors influencing human comfort and calculation of building thermal loads are introduced first. Simulation packages for calculating building loads in air-conditioning systems, including components such as fans, pumps and ducts in air-conditioning plants, are explored. Additionally, control parameters in air-conditioning plants, vapour compression and absorption refrigeration, air-conditioning and refrigeration in transportation will be discussed, followed by industrial fieldwork. This unit shall include the fundamental computational fluid dynamics modelling of forced convective heat transfer, as well as the hands-on construction of a mini cooling system optimised for best energy efficiency.

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.