Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This research project focuses on the design of a central air-conditioning system for a lecture theatre with a capacity of 1000 people. The objective of this study is to create a comfortable and energy-efficient indoor environment for the occupants of the lecture theatre. The design process involves determining the cooling load requirements of the space, selecting appropriate air-conditioning equipment, and optimizing the system layout to ensure effective air distribution. To calculate the cooling load, factors such as the size of the lecture theatre, occupancy levels, internal heat gains from lighting and equipment, as well as external factors like solar heat gain and outdoor temperature variations are considered. The cooling load calculation is essential for selecting the right capacity of air-conditioning units to maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature. The selection of air-conditioning equipment involves choosing between different types of central air-conditioning systems such as variable air volume (VAV), chilled water systems, or direct expansion (DX) systems. Factors such as energy efficiency, maintenance requirements, and initial costs are taken into account when selecting the most suitable system for the lecture theatre. The optimization of the system layout is crucial for ensuring proper air distribution throughout the lecture theatre. This includes the placement of supply and return air vents, ductwork design, and the positioning of the air-conditioning units to minimize energy losses and ensure even cooling across the space. Proper ventilation is also essential to maintain indoor air quality and provide a healthy environment for the occupants. In conclusion, the design of a central air-conditioning system for a 1000 capacity lecture theatre requires a comprehensive approach that considers cooling load calculations, equipment selection, and system layout optimization. By designing an efficient and well-planned air-conditioning system, the lecture theatre can achieve a comfortable indoor environment while minimizing energy consumption and operating costs.

Thesis Overview

Introduction

Central air conditioning is one of the most convenient and efficient ways of getting relief and comfort from the harsh climatic conditions prevalent in our environment. The ‘central’ in central air conditioning comes from the fact that the system conditions the entire building from one central location in a building. This system cools and dehumidifies the air and then blows the cool air into a well-designed duct system and out through the supply air registers located in the building (Andrew Althouse D, 2001).

However, this technology has not gained the required publicity in Nigerian schools today. Despite cost of installation, It is in fact a more preferable alternative when compared to the window type air conditioners. Therefore this project is directed towards designing a central air conditioning system for a one thousand capacity lecture theatre in the University of uyo,

1.2   Statement Of Problem                       This one thousand capacity lecture auditorium has a lot of classrooms and offices and will require much work to be done in providing and maintaining the desired amount of thermal comfort for the occupants under lecture and working conditions simultaneously. Hence we want to design a central cooling system for this auditorium so as to implement the following conditions as opposed to installing window units all over the auditorium.

 

Quick response to temperature changes, air filtration and adjusted humidity for comfortable healthy indoor air, humidification and dehumidification with central air conditioning, automatic circulation of quality air all year round, Quiet operation with built-in vents and registers, Lower fuel costs with heat pump options, improvement of the physical aesthetics of the building.

The objectives of this design include the following.

1. To design a central air conditioning system for a lecture theatre of 1000 capacity.
2. To determine the installation capacity required for the air conditioning system.

• To describe the layout of the distribution system.
  • Significance of the Study

The completion of the analysis of a central air conditioning system for a 1000 capacity lecture theatre gave the us great exposure to requirements, tools and techniques that are required for carrying out a central air conditioning system design. It also exposed us to the inherent difficulties and challenges involved in the design process using manual computation methods compared to the use of a computer software (though the cost of acquiring the software could be prohibitive in some cases).

The project involved theoretical analysis of a 1000 capacity lecture theatre; for this reason, selection of actual brands of equipment was not considered. Due to the cost of acquiring computer software for the cooling load estimation, a manual method of estimating the cooling load was used.