EGB423 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2022, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This unit introduces the basic principles of HVAC and refrigeration systems in the context of buildings in sub-tropical environments. In buildings, health and comfort level of people are highly related to the indoor thermal environments. Many methods have been developed to alter our immediate environment to achieve 'comfortable' conditions, particularly within the built environment. Using the principles of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, engineers have developed efficient HVAC systems that process ambient air to conditions deemed to be comfortable for most people. HVAC systems are designed to create a comfortable and safe environment and are one of the most important systems in modern buildings. On the other hand, HVAC systems are most energy consuming systems in commercial and residential buildings and therefore energy efficiency is a prime concern for these systems.This unit provides detailed analysis and implementation of the design practices required for engineers.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Understand and analyse typical HVAC systems in terms of thermodynamic principles (1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-1, 2-2)
2. Design, specify and justify a HVAC system for a small scale commercial office building in a sub-tropical climate (1-5, 2-1,2-2, 2-3,2-5,3-1,3-3)
3. Illustrate effective team management and communication skills required by design engineers (4-1, 4-2, 4-3,)
4. Critique the importance of energy efficiency in the context of HVAC systems in commercial buildings (1-3, 1-5, 2-3, 5-1)

Content

Learning Approaches

The unit engages you in learning through a combination of theoretical study, practical design activities, computer simulation and a site visit. The learning activities have been designed to reflect the knowledge and roles required of a graduate building services engineer.

This unit utilises the following teaching and learning strategies

• Two-hour lecture where the foundations and underlying principles of HVAC design will be learned
• Two-hour tutorial where students will develop analysis and design skills through in-class problem solving tasks
• HVAC simulation with commonly used software packages to analysis energy use
• Field trip to an energy efficient HVAC plant

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided in the following ways:

• A range of formative exercises will be discussed in class
• Criteria sheet marking
• During in-class problem solving
• Comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets
• Generic comments back to the cohort

Assessment

Overview

Course assessment is via a combination of group and individual activities. Assessment has been created and structured to provide guidance and feedback on individual leaning and provide authentic learning experiences. Authentic assessment is realised through demonstrating the achievement of learning outcomes in actual workplace contexts.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Problem Solving Task

You will be involved in solving problem based tasks in the tutorial classes throughout the semester to practice and build on concepts learned in the lectures. Details will be provided during the semester.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Relates to learning outcomes
1

Assessment: Design Report

(Summative and Formative) In groups you will be required to design and justify a HVAC system for a typically commercial building in a sub-tropical environment.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Relates to learning outcomes
1-4

Assessment: Final Examination

(Summative) Theory Exam

Relates to learning outcomes
1,4

“If campus access is restricted at the time of the central examination period/due date, an alternative, which may be a timed online assessment, will be offered. Individual students whose circumstances prevent their attendance on campus will be provided with an alternative assessment approach.”

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

You will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.

You will be required to undertake practical sessions in the laboratory under the supervision of the lecturer and technical staff of the School. In any laboratory practical's you will be advised of requirements of safe and responsible behaviour and will be required to wear appropriate protective items (e.g. closed shoes or steel capped shoes

You will undergo a health and safety induction before the commencement of the practical sessions and will be issued with a safety induction card. If you do not have a safety induction card you will be denied access to laboratories.