TECHNICAL LECTURES - Air enthalpy lab/ RHVAC lab energy saving

The RHVAC test laboratories are primary test facilities which applying air enthalpy test method /room type calorimeter, water enthalpy calorimeter methods etc. for room air conditioners, unit air conditioners, air source heat pump water heaters (machines), fan coil units. Air conditioners, water source heat pump air conditioners (hereinafter referred to air conditioners) energy consumption evaluation and environmental adaptability evaluation tests. It is widely required by air-conditioning manufacturers and electrical air-conditioning testing industries, and it is one of the largest energy consumption equipment in these enterprises or industries.

Fig. 1 Air enthalpy laboratory for testing air-cooled air conditioners

The air enthalpy test room, generally consist of two or more enclosure chambers assembled by thermal insulation panels, to separate the indoor side and outdoor side of the tested unit, and ensure the air conditions in the chamber is not affected by the environment outside. Each room is consisting of fan, evaporator, heater, humidifier and air handing unit. According to different performance test requirements, adjust the air handing unit to achieve different air conditions.

Figure 2  3D schematic diagram of a balanced ambient room-type calorimeter laboratory 

For example, For the rated cooling test of air conditioner, the indoor side condition is DB 27°C , WB 19°C; the outdoor side is DB 35°C WB24°. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of air enthalpy laboratory; Figure 2 is 3D schematic diagram of a balanced ambient room-type calorimeter laboratory; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the principle of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a working condition laboratory.

Figure 3 Balanced ambient room type calorimeter test room

For the air enthalpy lab for testing water-cooled or hot and cold water type air conditioners (including air-cooled cold and hot water machines, fan coil units, heat pump air conditioners, air-cooled heat pump water heaters, etc.) It consists of an enclosed room assembled with thermal insulation Polyurethane panels and one or more water systems that provide test water for the tested machine. The enclosure room is used to place the tested machine, and an air handing unit consisting of fan, refrigerating evaporator or air cooler, heater, and humidifier or humidification nozzle. According to different performance test requirements, adjust the air handing unit to make the air in the room reach the condition for test, and not be affected by the air condition outside the room. The cold and hot water system includes chillers, heaters, water pumps and other equipment. According to different performance test requirements, adjust the hot and cold water system to provide clean water sources with different temperatures and flow rates for the tested machine.

Fig. 4 Working condition laboratory

For example, in rated cooling capacity test of the fan coil unit, the air condition of the room is the DB 27°C and WB 19°C; the water supply condition of the tested machine is inlet water 7°C and the outlet water 12°C. For another example, in the nominal heating capacity test of the air source heat pump water heater, the air condition of the room is DB 20°C and WB 15°C; the water supply condition of the tested machine is the inlet water 15°C and the outlet water 55°C. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an air enthalpy laboratory for testing fan coils; Figure 6 is an air Schematic diagram of air enthalpy laboratory for air source heat pump water heater testing.

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