HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system design involves the planning, engineering, and implementation of efficient and effective heating, cooling, and air circulation systems for buildings and indoor spaces. A well-designed HVAC system is essential for maintaining occupant comfort, promoting productivity, and achieving energy efficiency goals.

In this senior-level fluid mechanics course, students collaborate in teams to design, dimension, and present a proposed HVAC system based on specific requirements provided to them. The project aims to apply the principles of fluid mechanics to create an efficient and effective HVAC system that meets the needs of a given scenario. The duration of this project is one month. 

This Project-Based Learning (PBL) exercise is introduced during the Flow of Air Through Ducts learning module, which takes place in the final part of the semester.  This senior-level project serves as a culminating experience in a Fluid Mechanics course, contributing to the development of engineering competencies.

In order to achieve high scores in this project, students must complete the following steps and must apply knowledge acquired from previous courses, including thermodynamics, heat transfer, intro to fluid mechanics, technical drawing, communication, etc.

1. Take measurements and create a floor plan for the designated area. 

2. Research Required Codes and Standards: Research building codes, safety regulations, and environmental standards.

3. Conduct Load Calculations:  Perform accurate load calculations to determine the heating or cooling demands of the space based on the provided requirements, and considering factors such as insulation, occupancy, solar radiation, and weather conditions.

4. Design the Ductwork: Plan the layout and sizing of ductwork to ensure proper airflow distribution throughout the designated space. 

5. Select Appropriate Equipment: Choose suitable heating or cooling equipment, such as furnaces, boilers, air conditioners, heat pumps, and air distribution components that match the calculated loads. 

6. Consider Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: Investigate energy-efficient technologies that can be integrated to optimize energy consumption, such as programmable thermostats, and to reduce the system's environmental impact. 

7. Estimate the Overall Cost: Using the layout and sizing of the ductwork, and the appropriate equipment, estimate the cost of  the HVAC system; installation costs and maintenance is optional. 

8.  Prepare a Comprehensive Project Report and a Presentation: Write a Project Report and present to the classmates the proposed HVAC system in a well-structured and visually appealing manner, clearly explaining the rationale behind design choices and showcasing its functionality.

Assigned Project and Implementation:  To handle the project's complexity, students are assigned only the Heating during the fall semesters and the Cooling during the spring semesters.

Project Description and Time Frame for Fall (or Spring) Semester Implementation:

“Our ET Department is looking to replace the current HVAC system in two of the MET laboratories, namely for Material Science and Thermal - Fluids Laboratories. The Department needs your help! The allocated funds are $20000 and since the winter (summer) is fast approaching, the focus is heating (cooling) the two labs. Your job is to design an HVAC system – heating (cooling) only, and to make recommendations for installation and future maintenance. The following steps are required for a successful project:

(date1 – 5%) Stage 1: The Hook: List the Stakeholder(s) Requirements; Draw the floor plan using 2D or 3D design softwares; Research the required documentations, including ASHRAE Standards applicable.

(date2 – 20%) Stage 2: Heating (Cooling) Loads: Using previously learned knowledge from Applied Thermodynamics, and following the ASHRAE recommendations, calculate required Heating (Cooling) Loads. Calculate the amount of cfm required per room; show the calculations and draw the cycle on a psychrometric chart.

(date3 – 25%) Stage 3: Design the HVAC System: dimension the duct system for the two rooms; select the appropriate fan and heater (or cooling) unit.

(date4 – 15%) Stage 4: Project Economics: Find prices for materials and equipment, and calculate the overall cost of the system, including associated costs for installation and maintenance, if available. If the total cost is too high, make recommendations for improvement and reduce the costs to fit the budget.

(date5 – 10%) Stage 5: Environmental and Societal Impact: Discuss the potential impact of your proposed solution (independent search using credible sources).

(date6 – 25%) Stage 6: Live Presentations: Presentations followed by Q&A; peer-to-peer evaluation and grading, self-evaluation and evaluation of the members’ contribution to the project”.