Air conditioning system control temperature and humidity in cabin.

Usually, cabin temperature is maintained between 15 and 30 degree Celsius. Air conditioning system essential for both pressurized and un-pressurised aircraft. Air conditioning system can divided into two major types: air cycle system and vapour cycle system. Vapour cycle relies on the principle of ability of a refrigerant like R12 or R134A to absorb heat when changing from liquid to a gas. On the others hand, air cycle cooling relies on three basic principles: surface heat exchange, expansion and energy conversion. Surface heat exchange, provides cooling by passing the air tapped from the engine compressor (charge air) across some form of heat exchanger. The charge air is subjected to the influence of a colder cross flow, ambient air usually, scooped by an intake and passed across the heat exchanger as the aircraft move forward which is ram air. 90% of heat is cold by this way. Heat exchanger often described as primary heat exchanger and secondary heat exchanger. The basic construction is a sealed unit containing a series of cooling passages which the charge air flows and over which the air is directed. Expansion, provides cooling when the pressure of the charge air is reduced by increasing its velocity and expanding it across the turbine of a so-called Air Cycle Machine (ACM) or Cold Air Unit (CAU). ACM or CAU is the primary component in air cycle cooling system. There are few types of ACM or CAU including the turbo-compressor, the brake engine and the turbo-fan. These three types use the charge air to drive the turbine. Expansion will cause the temperature of charge air to drop rapidly to zero degree Celsius.

Energy conversion is accomplished by using the charge air to drive a turbine, which is connected by a shaft to the compressor or fan within the cold air unit, hence transforming heat energy into kinetic energy. This also help to reduce the charge air to zero degree Celsius. The Turbo-compressor type consists of a turbine driving a centrifugal compressor and operating in conjunction with an inter-cooler connected between the turbine stages and compressor. There are two main casings in the basic construction, which is the compressor volute casings and the turbine volute. The two casings are connected together and enclose a bearing housing with two bearing assemblies, supporting a shaft upon which the turbine and compressor wheels are mounted. The compressor wheel rotates within a diffuser ring while the

turbine wheel revolve within a nozzle ring. The engine bleed air passed through the pre-cooler then enters the eye of the ACM/ CAU compressor. The air is compressed, the temperature increased and energy is increased when it passing through the diffuser ring. From the compressor, the hot air is directed across the intercooler matrix over which ram air passes and is then directed into the turbine volute nozzle ring, where it drive the turbine. The resultant expansion and energy conversion, rapidly lowers the air pressure and temperature. After that, it is directed towards the passenger cabin

. Both ACU/ CAU compressor and turbine wheels rotate at high speed which is excess of 80k rpm. Thus, effective lubrication is essential to ensure smooth and trouble free running. Usually, there are two types of lubrication method are used which are the integral wet sump arrangements or the pressurised air bearing. The wet sump type normally has a sump containing oil and a means of metering it to the bearings usually by use of internal 'wicks' or with the 'oil slinger' that pumps an optimum oil/ air mix to the bearing. This kind of lubrication method sometime may cause a premature seizure of the rotating shaft that result of contaminated charge air and too little oil. The air type lubrication method uses a pressurised air supply to support the

shaft in similar manner to the 'hovercraft principal'. This method can kept clean and dry and completely free from oil and grease. Based on my understanding, I think air cycle cooling system is a better air conditioning system compare to vapour cycle system. This is because air cycle cooling system is environmentally safe. Besides, it is also very reliable compare to other cooling system, thus reduce the maintenance costs. Information from website: http://www.globalmicroturbine.com/Site/Applications/Entries/2006/12/11_ACM_Air_Cycle_Ma chine.html state that: " Air cycle systems have specific advantages that apply to all potential applications: The working fluid (air) is free, environmentally benign, totally safe and non-toxic. Air cycle equipment is extremely reliable, thereby reducing maintenance costs and system down-time. The performance of an air cycle unit does not deteriorate as much as that of a vapourcompression unit when operating away from its design point. When operating in a refrigeration cycle, an air cycle unit can also produce heat at a useful temperature. " Therefore, I think air cycle cooling system is a better air conditioning system. Reference: (2006) ACM Air Cycle Machine, [Online], Available: http://www.globalmicroturbine.com/Site/Applications/Entries/2006/12/11_ACM_Air_Cy cle_Machine.html [8th Mar 2012] Air Cycle Air-Conditioning-Systems, [Online], Available: http://navyaviation.tpub.com/14020/css/14020_89.htm [8th Mar 2012] Bio15 (2008) What Drives The Air Cycle Machine (ACM), [Online], Available: http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/tech_ops/read.main/221730/ [8th Mar 2012] (2005) Cold Air Unit, [Online], Available: http://www.answers.com/topic/cold-air-unit [8th Mar 2012]

(2011) Environment control system, [Online], Available: http://socialenvironment.net/?page_id=123 [8th Mar 2012]

(2004) Section - III ,SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION, Sub-section 10, ENVIRONMENTAL ,[Online], Available: http://www.smartcockpit.com/data/pdfs/plane/raytheon/HAWKER800/systems/Hawker_00XPC-Environmental.pdf [8th Mar 2012]

Faculty of Engineering (2010) Module 11- Turbine Aeroplane Aerodynamics, Structure and Systems, Kingston University London