HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) System Design

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) System Design is a specialized discipline within mechanical engineering that applies principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer to create and maintain comfortable, safe, and energy-efficient indoor environments. The process involves calculating the heating and cooling loads of a building by analyzing its architecture, materials, climate, and occupancy. Based on these calculations, engineers select, size, and integrate a cohesive system of components—such as furnaces, chillers, air handlers, ductwork, and controls—to effectively regulate temperature, humidity, and air quality while adhering to building codes and energy conservation standards.

1. Fundamentals of HVAC
   1. Core Scientific Principles
      1. Thermodynamics
         1. First Law of Thermodynamics
            1. Conservation of Energy in HVAC Systems
            2. Energy Balance Equations
            3. Application to Heating and Cooling Processes
            4. Work and Heat Transfer Relationships
         2. Second Law of Thermodynamics
            1. Entropy and Direction of Heat Flow
            2. Carnot Cycle and Theoretical Limits
            3. Implications for System Efficiency
            4. Irreversibility in Real Systems
         3. Thermodynamic Properties
            1. Temperature and Pressure Relationships
            2. Specific Heat and Heat Capacity
            3. Phase Change Properties
            4. Property Tables and Charts
         4. Refrigeration Cycles
            1. Vapor-Compression Cycle
               1. Cycle Components and Functions
                  1. Compressor Types and Operation
                  2. Condenser Heat Rejection
                  3. Expansion Device Throttling
                  4. Evaporator Heat Absorption
               2. Pressure-Enthalpy Diagram Analysis
               3. Performance Metrics
                  1. Coefficient of Performance (COP)
                  2. Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)
                  3. Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)
               4. Cycle Variations and Enhancements
            2. Absorption Cycle
               1. Working Fluids
                  1. Absorbent and Refrigerant Pairs
                  2. Lithium Bromide-Water Systems
                  3. Ammonia-Water Systems
               2. Cycle Operation and Components
               3. Applications and Advantages
      2. Fluid Mechanics
         1. Fluid Properties
            1. Density and Specific Weight
            2. Viscosity and Flow Characteristics
            3. Compressibility Effects
            4. Temperature and Pressure Dependencies
         2. Fluid Statics
            1. Pressure Measurement and Units
            2. Hydrostatic Pressure Applications
            3. Manometry and Pressure Gauges
         3. Fluid Dynamics
            1. Flow Regimes
               1. Laminar Flow Characteristics
               2. Turbulent Flow Characteristics
               3. Reynolds Number Applications
            2. Flow Analysis
               1. Continuity Equation
               2. Bernoulli's Principle and Applications
               3. Energy and Momentum Equations
            3. Pressure Loss Calculations
               1. Friction Losses in Pipes and Ducts
               2. Minor Losses and Fittings
               3. Equivalent Length Method
            4. Flow Measurement
               1. Orifice Plates and Venturi Meters
               2. Pitot Tubes and Flow Probes
               3. Ultrasonic and Magnetic Flow Meters
         4. Fan and Pump Laws
            1. Affinity Laws and Scaling
            2. System Curves and Operating Points
            3. Variable Speed Applications
            4. Performance Prediction Methods
      3. Heat Transfer
         1. Conduction
            1. Fourier's Law of Heat Conduction
            2. Thermal Conductivity of Materials
            3. Steady-State Heat Transfer
            4. Heat Transfer through Building Envelope
            5. Thermal Resistance Networks
         2. Convection
            1. Natural Convection Mechanisms
            2. Forced Convection Applications
            3. Heat Transfer Coefficients
            4. Dimensionless Numbers
            5. Applications in Air and Water Systems
         3. Radiation
            1. Stefan-Boltzmann Law
            2. Emissivity and Surface Properties
            3. View Factors and Configuration
            4. Radiant Heat Exchange in Buildings
            5. Solar Radiation Principles
         4. Combined Heat Transfer
            1. Series and Parallel Heat Transfer Paths
            2. Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient
            3. Thermal Bridging Effects
            4. Heat Exchanger Fundamentals
   2. Psychrometrics
      1. Properties of Moist Air
         1. Dry-Bulb Temperature
         2. Wet-Bulb Temperature
         3. Dew Point Temperature
         4. Relative Humidity
         5. Absolute Humidity
         6. Humidity Ratio
         7. Enthalpy of Moist Air
         8. Specific Volume
         9. Vapor Pressure Relationships
      2. The Psychrometric Chart
         1. Chart Construction and Axes
         2. Constant Property Lines
         3. Reading Chart Values
         4. Plotting State Points
         5. Process Line Analysis
      3. Air-Conditioning Processes
         1. Sensible Heating
         2. Sensible Cooling
         3. Humidification Processes
            1. Steam Humidification
            2. Evaporative Humidification
         4. Dehumidification Processes
            1. Cooling and Dehumidification
            2. Chemical Dehumidification
         5. Evaporative Cooling
            1. Direct Evaporative Cooling
            2. Indirect Evaporative Cooling
         6. Adiabatic Mixing of Airstreams
         7. Combined Sensible and Latent Processes
      4. Comfort and Indoor Air Quality
         1. Thermal Comfort Zones
         2. ASHRAE Comfort Standards
         3. Humidity Control Requirements
         4. Air Quality Considerations