AHU

Air Handling Unit

Fundamentals
j.ilangumaran
Objectives
Review primary components of an AHU
Understand the basic progression and
advantages of advanced AHU control
Understand the basic control sequences
Review key operating concepts Review key operating concepts
HVAC System in a Building
HVAC Air Systems
HVAC air systems are made up of:
AHU - Air handling units
Dampers
Coils and Valves
Fans
Distribution ducts and terminal boxes
Pumps and Plumbing Pumps and Plumbing
Control devices and control loops
Unitary equipment: fan coils,
perimeter radiation, unit ventilators,
unit heaters, etc.
AHU - Components & Terminology
RA EA
Return From
Space
OA
Filter
Cooling Coil
Heating
DA
AHU components
Heating coil
& valve
Cooling coil
& valve
Mixed air
dampers section
Mixed Air
sensor
Discharge air
sensor
Discharge air
Duct
Supply fan
Return air
Duct
Return Air
sensor
AHU components
Types of Air Handlers
Air Handling Units Mixed Air
Types of Air Handlers
Air Handling Units Mixed Air
A Single Duct AHU variation
The exhaust air damper is not in this air
handler; the building air is exhausted
elsewhere, but the basic mixed air and other
functions are unchanged.
Air Handler Components
The fan section with
access door open.
Air Handler Components
The filter section.
Notice the cross stacking of
the filters to increase
surface area.
Air Handler Components
Temperature Sensor:
Temperature sensors are used for
measurement of temperatur of a
Room, Air Duct, Hot /Cold Water,
Outside Air etc.
Models are available with PT1000,
NTC20K, BALCO500 sensing
elements.
LF20 : AIR DUCT TEMP. SENSOR (NTC 20k)
elements.
T7412 : ROOM TEMP. SENSOR (PT1000/NTC 20k)
T7413A : IMMERSION TEMP. SENSOR (PT1000)
Air Handler Components
Relative Humidity Sensor:
Relative Humidity sensors are used
for measurement of Relative
humidity of a Room, Air Duct,
Outside Air etc.
Sensor Type : Capacitance
Combined Relative Humidity and
Temperature Sensors are available
H7015 : DUCT RELATIVE HUMIDITY SENSOR
Temperature Sensors are available
with PT1000, NTC20K,
BALCO500 sensing elements.
H7015 : DUCT RELATIVE HUMIDITY SENSOR
H7012 : ROOM RELATIVE HUMIDITY SENSOR
Air Handler Components
Differential Pressure
Switch:
Differential Pressure switches are
used for monitoring of Filter, Fan,
Pump, Fire Damper, Water Flow,
Air Flow Status of air handling
systems.
DPS1000 : AIR DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE SWITCH DPS1000 : AIR DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE SWITCH
TDIAP SERIS : AIR FLOW SWITCH
Air Handler Components
Differential Pressure
Sensors/Transmitter:
Used for measuring diff. Pressure,
positive pressure and vacuum.
DPT1000 : AIR DIFF. PRESSURE TRANSMITTER DPT1000 : AIR DIFF. PRESSURE TRANSMITTER
ST 3000 Pressure Transmitter
Air Handler Components
Coils :
Heating Coils
Cooling Coils
Coil Construction
Copper with Aluminium fins,
13 Fins /inch
Number of Rows, I.e 4/6/8
depending on the latent heat
load & Bypass Factor.
Air Handler Components
The coil section of a AHU.
Note:
There may be a wide
variety of actual configurations
Air Handler Components
Valves & Actuators
Valve Types
2 Way or 3 Way
Actuator Types
Motorised
Magnetic
Pneumatic
Operation
On - Off,Floating,
Modulating
Air Handler Components
Heat Recovery :
A heat-recovery system is
often used in buildings where a
significant quantity of outdoor
air is used. Several types of
heat-recovery systems are
available
Runaround systems
Heat pumps
Runaround systems
Rotary heat exchangers
Heat pipes.
Heat Wheel
Air Handler Components
Heat Recovery : Heat Wheel
Typical AHU Damper Sequences
Manually adjustable
quantity of outdoor
air:
Similar to Fixed, but
with a user adjustment
device for adjusting
damper setting from 0% to damper setting from 0% to
100% outdoor air.
No automatic control.
W/WO exhaust or return
air ducts.
Typical AHU Damper Sequences
Mixed Air Dampers:
Mixes OA and RA to maintain a
mixed air setpoint via direct
acting controller.
Modulates 0% to 100%.
Provides ventilation for IAQ.
Provides free cooling.
Provides proper temperature for Provides proper temperature for
H/C coil operation.
OA and EA dampers close via
relay with fan off.
RA damper opens via relay with
fan off.
Typical AHU Damper Sequences
Example of operation:
Setpoint = 55 deg.
MAT = 55 deg.
Proportional
Controller output =
50% 50%
Fan = On
Dampers:
OA = 50%
RA = 50%
Typical AHU Damper Sequences
Example of operation on
temperature rise:
Setpoint = 55 deg.
MAT = 57.5 deg.
Controller output = 75%
Fan = On
Dampers: Dampers:
OA = 75%
RA = 25%
More outdoor air!
Typical AHU Damper Sequences
Example of operation
on temperature fall:
Setpoint = 55 deg.
MAT = 50 deg.
Controller output = 0%
Fan = On
Dampers: Dampers:
OA = 0%
RA = 100%
No outdoor air; no fresh air
in the building!
Mixed Air Dampers with a Minimum Position Setting
Maintains a minimum
outdoor damper position via a
minimum adjustment device
when building is occupied.
(fan on)
Meets IAQ code
requirements. requirements.
Typical AHU Damper Sequences - Mixed Air
75% 75% 75% 75%
Example of operation on
temperature fall:
Setpoint = 55 deg.
MAT = 50 deg.
Controller output = 0%
Min. Position Setpoint = 25%
Fan = On
Dampers:
25% 25% 25% 25%
25% 25% 25% 25%
OA = 25%
RA = 75%
Even though the Mixed Air controller is sending
a control signal to completely close OA dampers,
the minimum position controller or logic is
maintaining setpoint.
Fresh air is maintained in the building!
50% 50% 50% 50%
Typical AHU Damper Sequences
.
Economizer Override
of Outdoor Air:
Requires an additional reverse
acting controller in the outdoor
air.
Brings OA damper to
minimum when outdoor air
temperature is high.
50% 50% 50% 50%
temperature is high.
Provides for economical
operation of the cooling coil.
Typical AHU Damper Sequences
50% 50% 50% 50%
Example of economizer
operation with low
outdoor temp.
MA StPt = 55 deg
MA temp = 55 deg
MA controller out = 50%
OA StPt = 70 deg
OA temp = 67 deg
50% 50% 50% 50%
OA temp = 67 deg
OA controller out =
100%
Min. Pos. StPt = 25%
OA damper = 50%:
MA controller is in control of
the OA damper due to OAT
acceptable for efficient use of
mechanical cooling.
Typical AHU Damper Sequences
75% 75% 75% 75%
Economizer Override with
outdoor temperature high:
MA StPt = 55 deg
MA temp = 55 deg
MA controller out = 50%
OA StPt = 70 deg
OA temp = 74 deg
OA controller out = 0%
Min. Pos. StPt = 25%
25% 25% 25% 25%
Min. Pos. StPt = 25%
OA damper = 25%:
OA controller is in control of the
OA damper due to OAT
unacceptable for efficient
mechanical cooling.
Typical AHU Damper Sequences
Enthalpy controlled
override of Mixed Air
control:
Total heat (enthalpy) of
outdoor air is compared to
total heat of return air to total heat of return air to
decide which is more
economical for efficient
cooling coil operation.
Typical AHU Damper Sequences
Example of operation
with OA enthalpy lower:
MA StPt = 55 deg
MA temp = 55 deg
MA controller out = 50%
OA humidity = 35%
OA temp = 60 deg
RA humidity = 39%
RA temp = 71 deg
Outdoor air enthalpy is lower
than return air enthalpy, so relay
passes MA controller signal.
Min. Pos. StPt = 25%
OA damper = 50%
100%Outside Air AHU :
Practical Example
OA AHU Seq
Mixed Air AHU :
Practical Example
Seq of Oper AHU
Chiller Plant
Plant
Chiller Plant systems are made up of:
Chiller/Condenser Unit
Chilled Water Pumps
Condenser Water Pumps
Cooling Towers
Makeup Water Tank
A/C Expansion Water Tank
Chiller Plant
A/C Expansion Water Tank
TRANE Chiller
Chiller Plant
Chiller Plant Concept :
Typical Cooling Tower
Typical Chiller Plant
Example Chiller Plant
Seq of Oper
CHILLER
Example Chiller Plant (THL New Building)
Example Chiller Plant
Boiler Plant systems are made up of:
Boiler Units
Primary Pumps
Secondary Pumps
Boiler Plant
Typical Firetube Boiler
Boiler Plant
Boiler Plant Example
Seq of Oper
BOILER
Boiler Plant Example
Boiler Plant Example
end