HVAC Lab

Energy spent on heating, ventilating, and airconditioning (HVAC) accounts for 30-50% of a building’s energy requirement. The HVAC Lab course introduced the discipline of HVAC within the context of energy efficiency and performance. Engineering concepts of HVAC include the vapor compression cycle and the associated thermodynamics/instrumentation. Students understood different types of HVAC systems and their appropriateness for specific applications. Indoor contaminants, filtration theory/techniques, and filter types were also studied. Ventilation and particulate matter measurements were carried out with dedicated instruments to assess air quality. Students got hands-on experience by measuring airflow and electrical power. The heat/energy recovery devices are balanced by modulating the fan flow. Fan curves, fan laws, fan selection, and analysis of energy consumption data of HVAC installations were also covered. The simulation module focused on modelling different HVAC systems and optimizing/exploring low/hybrid energy cooling systems. Expert sessions covered concepts of commissioning, best practices, thumb rules, and case studies.