MECH ENG 4107 - Air conditioning

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025

This course is a practical introduction to design of air conditioning systems. It looks at such aspects of design as vapour compression cycles; heat transfer in two-phase flow; types, selection and operation of refrigeration plant; psychrometrics; climatic data and its use; load estimation and analysis; constant and variable air volume systems; human comfort and health; cooling and dehumidifying coils; controls; fans and duct systems; system balancing and stimulation; energy efficiency in buildings.

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Course Details

Course Code	MECH ENG 4107
Course	Air conditioning
Coordinating Unit	Mechanical Engineering
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 4.5 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assumed Knowledge	MECH ENG 3020 OR MECH ENG 3102
Assessment	Assignments, practical, final exam

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Mr Eyad Hassan

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1	Explain the principles of air conditioning design, and consideration that influence the design including human comfort, weather and environmental parameters and building structure;
2	Demonstrate basic design skills to be able to estimate life-cycle costing and choose the right type of system;
3	Explain load estimation and analysis, psychometric analysis of a system and climate data and its use;
4	Discuss plant design, choosing plant components and understanding their characteristics and operating modes;
5	Discuss computational methods used in air conditioning design;
6	Demonstrate analytical cognitive skills and improve problem solving skills in air conditioning;
7	Operate effectively to work in a team; and
8	Write a technical report.

The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia . The course develops the following EA Elements of Competency to levels of introductory (A), intermediate (B), advanced (C):

1.1	1.2	1.3	1.4	1.5	1.6	2.1	2.2	2.3	2.4	3.1	3.2	3.3	3.4	3.5	3.6
C	C	C	B	C	B	C	C	C	C	B	C	C	C	C	C

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1-6, 8
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1-6, 8
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	6-8
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	7
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	7
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	7

Learning Resources
Required Resources

Air Conditioning Lecture Notes and other resources are provided electronically though myuni.

Recommended Resources
Text books
- McQuinston, F. C., Parker, J. D., Spilter, J. D., Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, Analysis and Design, 5th Edition, USA, John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2000
- C P Arora, C. P., Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 2nd Edition, Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, New Delhi, 2000;
- Stoecker, W. F., Jones, J. W., Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 2nd Edition, McGraw Hill, 1982;
- ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) Handbooks: Fundamentals, Refrigeration, HVAC Systems & Equipment, HVAC Applications;
- Howell, R. H., Sauer, H. J. (Jr), Coad, W. J., Principles of Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning, USA: ASHRAE, 1998;
- Kimura, K. I., Scientific Basis of Air Conditioning, Applied Science Publishers, London, 1977;
- Wang, S. K., Handbook of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, McGraw Hill, New York, 1993.
Online Learning
The material available through MyUni:
- Course Outline and Introduction
- Course Content
- Timetable
- Lecture Notes
- Assignments
- Tutorials
- Solutions
- Past exams
- Practical Notes
MyUni is also used to communicate important announcements.
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes

Lectures supported by modes developing material covered in lectures. These modes include online quizzes, problem-solving analytical tutorials, problem-solving computer based workshops and assignments involving professional software, and a practical involving collecting and analysing airconditioning data.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Course workload includes 40 hours lectures and tutorials, and 3 hours laboratory

Learning Activities Summary
This course consists of combination of lectures and tutorials:
Introduction to Air-conditioning Systems – 2 hrs
- definitions
- complete systems
- a/c and distribution systems
- all-air systems
- air-and-water systems
- induction systems
- all-water systems
- unitary air conditioners
- heat pumps
- heat recovery systems
- thermal storage
Psychrometrics – 6 hrs
- psychrometric chart
- basic processes
Design Conditions – 4 hrs
- physiological principles
- design conditions
Solar Heat Gain – 2 hrs
- properties
- polar angles
- heat gain through fenestration
- shading devices
Heating Load Calculations – 2 hrs
- heat losses
- general procedure
- selecting heating design conditions
Cooling Load Calculations – 4 hrs
- heat flow rates
- heat balance fundamentals
- initial design considerations
- heat gain calculation concepts
- heat sources in conditioned spaces
Energy Estimating Methods – 2 hrs
- energy estimating methods
- overall modelling strategies
- integration of system models
- degree-day methods
Compressors, Expansion Devices and Refrigerants – 3 hrs
- reciprocating compressors
- rotary screw compressors
- vane compressors
- centrifugal compressors
- expansion devices
- Refrigerants
Condensers and Evaporators – 4 hrs
- terminology
- cooling and dehumidifying coils
- condensers and evaporators
- cooling towers
Funs, Ducts, Pumps and Piping – 6 hrs
- funs – characteristics, performance, selection and installation
- ducts – pressure drop, design and optimization
- pumps
- piping – water and refrigerant
Air-conditioning software – 5 hrs
- computer training
Specific Course Requirements

Practical: This course includes practical involving working in a team collecting and analysing airconditioning data.

Approximate duration: 3 hrs

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Weighting (%)	Individual/ Group	Formative/ Summative	Due (week)*	Hurdle criteria	Learning outcomes
Assignments	20	Individual	Summative	Weeks 2-12		1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 8.
Practical	10	Individual	Summative	Weeks 2-12	Min 50%	1. 6. 7. 8.
Online Quizzes	5	Individual	Summative	Weeks 2-12		1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Final exam	65	Individual	Summative	Exam Period	Min 40%	1. 2. 3. 4. 6.
Total	100

* The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.

This assessment breakdown is registered as an exemption to the University's . The exemption is related to the Procedures clause(s): 1. b. 2.

This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.
The Hurdles are:
* Minimum Practical Grade of 50%
* Minimum exam grade of 40%

Assessment Related Requirements

The Practical is compulsory part of a course. If a practical session is missed or a lab report not handed in or a student fails to get at least 35% of the total possible lab mark, then that is grounds for FAILURE of the entire course.

Assessment Detail

Assignments – individual, distributed through a semester two weeks prior to a submission date

Practical – assessment based on practical participation and a report

Online Quizzes - short online quizzes to reinforce recent leture material

Final exam – open-book, 3 hours.

Submission

Assignments and practical reports should be submitted via corresponding link on myuni. A penalty for late submission will be applied – 10% per day. In special cases extensions can be granted on individual basis. A “turn-around” timeline on assessments and the provision of feedback to students is approximately 2 weeks. Re-submission of work is not allowed.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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