Use of Computational Tools to Enhance the Study of Psychrometric Processes for Buildings in an Air Conditioning Course

Abstract

The use of computational tools such as Mathcad or Microsoft Excel to enhance the students' understanding of the physics behind psychrometric processes in buildings in an air conditioning technical elective course is explored in this paper. By utilizing Mathcad and/or Excel, students can be taught to create a set of psychrometric-related functions that can greatly diminish the number of calculations required to tackle design-oriented problems. By doing this, two levels of conceptual understanding are enhanced. First, students gain an appreciation of the basic psychrometric processes for buildings when creating specific functions in Mathcad/Excel, and second, students gain the ability to create automated worksheets for specific applications, allowing them to see immediate results to variations in input design conditions, as well as on different parameters. Feedback from students, as well as class instructors, demonstrates that the use of these tools enhance the student experience in an air conditioning class and make the course more dynamic and engaging.