Marine Air Conditioning

General principles of Air conditioning which apply to land installations are also applicable to marine air conditioning, provide all the factors affecting construction and operation of a ship are given proper consideration.The system should be flexible to work under different climates ranging from extreme hot to extreme cold as the ship may pass through regions of different climates.

        In case of cargo ship the system should be capable of providing any temperature between -23.5 deg C and 12.5 deg C.The reciprocating compressors with R-12 as refrigerant is universally employed.The compressors are of shell & Tube type which uses sea water for cooling.Corrosion resistant cup nickel materials used for tubes and end covers.

Factors to be considered for designing air conditioning system in ships are as follows:

1. Objectionable noise and vibration of ducts and piping should be avoided by using proper dampers.

2. Equipment should be designed to occupy minimum space because of limited space on ship on board.

3. The low ceiling rooms in the ship need special attention for layout of supply and return air ducts,attention should be given to room dimension,volume of air handled and temperature difference between supply and room air.

5. Certain quantity of spare parts of essential items and extra refrigerant charge should be carried as the period of voyage may be long.