Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE MEC5004

 
TITLE Fundamental Engineering Science of HVAC Systems

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Mechanical Engineering

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit introduces the engineering fundamentals of Refrigeration Systems and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems. The specific topics dealt with in this study-unit are vapour compression refrigeration and heat pumps, vapour absorption systems, gaseous mixtures, psychrometry and HVAC systems.

Study-unit Aims:

The aim of the study-unit is to introduce the fundamental theoretical knowledge of gaseous mixtures, psychrometry, refrigeration and heat pump cycles and HVAC systems.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Analyse air / water vapour gaseous mixtures by applying Dalton's Law of mixtures and making use of the psychrometric chart (partial pressures, partial volumes, specific humidity, relative humidity, percentage saturation, mixture properties);
- Understand what factors contribute to thermal comfort (temperature, humidity, air movements, pollutant concentrations, etc);
- Understand the effect building fabrics have on the thermal load of a building;
- Explain the operation of vapour compression (single and multi stage including flash chamber) and vapour absorption cycles.

2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to,

- Given a building envelope and building usage, calculate the building thermal loads (sensible and latent) and design an appropriate HVAC system for the building using the psychrometric chart.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Eastop, T. D., & McConkey, A. (2006). Applied Thermodynamics for Engineering Technologists. Prentice Hall;5th edition,1996, ISBN-10:0582091934.
- McQuiston, F. C., Parker, J. D., & Spitler, J. D.. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning: Analysis and Design. Wiley, 6th Edition, Wiley, 2004, ISBN-10: 0471470155.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-requisite Study-unit: MEC5008

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Independent Study and Project

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Project No 20%
Examination (3 Hours) Yes 80%

 
LECTURER/S Ilario Vissani

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit