Units / MEC4417
MEC4417 · Energy-efficient cooling systems
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 4Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
This unit provides a comprehensive overview of how basic refrigeration and air-conditioning are designed for energy savings. A review of mass and energy conservation and transfer processes is geared towards a sustainable approach. The fundamental knowledge in psychrometry, moist air properties, factors influencing human comfort and calculation of building thermal loads are introduced first. Simulation packages for calculating building loads in air-conditioning systems, including components such as fans, pumps and ducts in air-conditioning plants, are explored. Additionally, control parameters in air-conditioning plants, vapour compression and absorption refrigeration, air-conditioning and refrigeration in transportation will be discussed, followed by industrial fieldwork. This unit shall include the fundamental computational fluid dynamics modelling of forced convective heat transfer, as well as the hands-on construction of a mini cooling system optimised for best energy efficiency.
Areas of study: Minor: Decarbonisation and net zero Minor: Sustainable energy transition
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | Second semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
Assessment
The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Practical | Project | 10% | — |
| 2 | Tests | Quiz / Test | 20% | — |
| 3 | CFD project | Project | 25% | — |
| 4 | Setting up of cooling system | Project | 30% | — |
| 5 | Final presentation | Examination | 10% | — |
| 6 | Individual student interview | Performance | 5% | — |
Continuous assessment: 100%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
Learning outcomes
- Calculate the air-conditioning after undergoing the various psychrometric processes such as heating, cooling, humidification, dehumidification, reheating, preheating and mixing, and size ducts and pipes.
- Evaluate various types of air-conditioning systems used in industry and determine the sustainable choice for a particular situation.
- Design air-conditioning system to optimise thermal performance for human comfort in a functional space.
- Analyse the impact of air-conditioning design to cater to societal and environmental needs.
- Work effectively in groups to carry out an energy-sustainable design project.
Workload
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Practical activities | 24 hours |
| Laboratories | 24 hours |
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