Environmental Control IV: Large Tonnage Air Conditioning

Description

This course covers the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of large tonnage refrigeration equipment utilized for summer air conditioning. 

• The routine operation as well as correct seasonal lay-up and start-up procedures are presented for both reciprocating and centrifugal semi-hermetic compressors.
• The special operation and maintenance considerations are covered for:
  • Condensers
  • Evaporators
  • Mmetering Devices
  • Purging Units
  • Refrigerant Transfer Units
  • and other specialized devices
• System malfunction analysis procedures and techniques are presented. The techniques of maintenance and repair of reciprocating compressors are emphasized, including capacity control operation.
• The proper maintenance and minor repair procedures used for centrifugal compressors, including lubrication system, vane adjustments and control systems are covered.
• Maintenance of cooling towers, water treatment testing and chiller control systems is also taught. Safety and energy conservation are covered throughout the program.
• Methods of troubleshooting, water chiller electrical power and control systems using semi-solid state and computer control are emphasized.

 

Employees who complete this course and are expected to work on air conditioning equipment, must be certified by the EPA.  The NCED is licensed to administer the EPA test and certify air conditioning technicians.

The EC IV course ends on Thursday and the "EPA Refrigerant Training & Certification" (Course #5560300) is taught on the immediately following Friday.

Learning Outcome

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

• Discuss the theories and principles that relate to air conditioning technology, including the ability to properly identify and describe the interactions of the individual components which make up a complete refrigeration system.
• Describe the operating principles of the various condensers and evaporators used in refrigeration systems and the proper maintenance procedures for each.
• List the different types of metering devices, where they are used, and how they should be maintained.
• Describe the operating principles and maintenance requirements of cooling towers and associated equipment.
• Determine what type of water treatment is necessary for system operation and efficiency, including how to properly inspect existing water treatment programs.
• Interpret the electrical system schematics used on large chiller systems.
• Identify, operate and properly maintain the controls used on large chiller systems including procedures for avoiding unnecessary electrical demand charges.
• Explain how a reciprocating refrigeration systems works, including the methods used for capacity control.
• Troubleshoot an "inoperative" refrigeration system.
• Compare the similarities of reciprocating and centrifugal refrigeration systems and describe the theory of operation of each.
• Explain how a centrifugal refrigeration system works, including the methods used for capacity control.
• Describe the operating principals of the various types of purge systems used on low pressure centrifugal systems.
• Properly maintain and interpret chiller operating logs.
• Effectively perform a seasonal startup and shutdown of a larger chiller system.
• Ensure that all maintenance functions are accomplished in a safe manner.
• Discuss EPA, OSHA Refrigerant Handling, Lead Management, Indoor Air Quality, Hazardous Waste, and Hazardous Energy concerns.

Target Audience

• This course is intended for mechanics, technicians, and maintenance supervisors who are assigned or scheduled to be assigned to operation and maintenance of HVAC and Chiller equipment.

Course Completion Requirements

Successful completion of this course requires 112-hours of attendance, completion of all guided labs and achieving a 70% or greater on the combined average of 2 lab tests and 3 written exams.

Pre-requisites

The following courses are recommended prerequisites: Industrial Electrical Service (Course # 5568705), Introduction to Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Course #5560303), Environmental Control I (Course # 5568601).