ENGLISH II FAL 0024

TECHNOLOGY: THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE:

AUTOMOBILE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

Submitted by:

NAME ID

Muhamad Farhan Bin Ibrahim 17352

Muhamad Fadhli Bin Rosli 17290

FOUNDATION OF JAN/SEP 2012

Submitted for:

Mr. Abdul Mutalib Embong Eusoff

Department of Humanities and Languages

Group 24

Submission on:

26/11/2012

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Acknowledgement

We would like to thank our English II tutor, Pn. Rosidah Ahmad Junid for her

support and guidance. She always tries her best to provide ample assistance and

advice to us. Her humorous and chatty character always enlightens the classroom.

Her cooperation is truly appreciated and again we want to say, thank you so much

for being such an awesome tutor.

We also want to thank, Mr Abdul Mutalib Embong Eusoff, the one and the

only lecturer in English II subject for this semester. It is an honour to receive your

guidance and teaching for this whole semester. We would like to thank Mr Mutalib for

creating all the coursework activities for English II subject including this term paper.

Without this term paper, we will never receive the experience and information like we

already did. His interesting character whether in the class or outside the class;

always gets our attention.

And not least, thank you to all our friends especially those who in Tutorial

Group 24. Without you support we might

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Table of contents

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Overview

1.2 Objective

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1.0 Introduction

1.1 Overview

What is technology is…… past is….. Present ….. Future ….

Generally the purpose of air conditioning system in an automobile is to

provide comfort to the passenger. “It removes the heat from the passenger

compartment and transfers the heat to the outside air-page 99”. So no wonder

today almost every automobile will be installed with an air conditioning system

because people always seek comfort and joy in their journey, especially a long

journey.

Besides providing comfort to the passengers, the air conditioning system also

dehumidifies and filters the air for them. Most car models especially the one that

out at year 2000 and above have a different air conditioning system compared to

the old models. The new system has an air filter installed in it. The filter will

eliminate small debris in the air such as smoke before it enters the passenger

compartment.

“The purpose of the air conditioner is to cool the air in the passenger compartment

thus providing comfort to the passengers”

1.2 Objective

The purpose of this project is to learn and investigate more on the automobile

air conditioning system. This is to enhance the understanding about the mechanism

of the air conditioning system thus helping us to improve the system in the future.

Besides that, this project can also help us to gain more experience on doing

and reporting research systematically. In the future, student will need to do a more

complicated research and this project will provide enough experience to help

student doing it.

Thirdly, this project also taught us about the importance of working together

as a team. By working together, we could achieve greater success compared to

working alone.

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Finally, this project could help building self confidence among us. Conducting

interview with some respondent is among the requirement needed in order to

complete this project paper. So student must be confident to approach the

respondents and ask them question related to the research.

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2.0 Article Summary

2.1 History of the device

The first mechanical refrigerator system was patented in U.S. by Dr John

Gorrie (1803-1855) of Abbeville, South Carolina in 1851. Gorrie correctly theorized

the concept of modern refrigeration system. Even though Gorrie’s original system

has many flaws and was only installed and used in U.S. Marine Hospital in

Apalachicola, the same concept is used until today. According to Schnubel (2009),

“Gorrie’s basic principle, however is the one most often used in today’s modern

refrigeration” (p. 3). Therefore it is the same concept that is used in today’s

refrigeration system including in automobile. After Gorrie, the innovation of

refrigeration system continues; in 1896 the Sears, Roebuck and Company came

out with domestic refrigerator, followed by household refrigerator in 1899 by Albert

T. Marshall. Manually-operated refrigerator was produced by J. L. Larsen in 1913.

In 1918, the first automatic refrigerator was produced by The Kelvinator Company

and the refrigerator system gets better and better until today.

Automobile initially doesn’t have any air conditioning system in the passenger

compartment. (check buku tebal). The system has a slow start in automobile. Only

in 1927, the first automotive air conditioning unit appeared in the market. Initially

the system only available for car with a heater and a ventilation system which is not

very common at that time. In 1938, Nash introduced “air conditioning” heating and

ventilation for automobile that uses a heater and a fan controlled air ventilation

system. This is the earliest air conditioning system for automobile. At 1940 air

conditioning that utilize the refrigeration system were introduced for automobile and

today’s modern air conditioning system was introduced by Cadillac in 1960. Since

then the air conditioning system for automobile become popular. According to

Schnubel (2009),”Since that time (1967), most of the governmental and

enforcement agencies across the nation (U.S.) have added air conditioning to their

vehicles.” (p. 5).

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2.1.1 The refrigerant

Refrigerant is the chemical that is used in the modern refrigeration system. It

is usually has a very low boiling point that make it easily vaporize and it is used to

absorbs heats from the surrounding air.

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) was introduced in 1928. It became popular

between 1960s and 1970s as a refrigerant. CFCs are very stable chemical with a

very low boiling point. During the 1970s, about 700,000 tons of CFCs produced

each year (Schnubel, 2009, p. 10).

But it is later discovered that CFCs contain chlorine (Cl) which is harmful to

the ozone layer. One molecule of chlorine can start a chain reaction and destroy

10,000 molecule of ozone (Schnubel 2009, p. 9). People begin worry about this

issue and R-134a was introduced as an alternative to CFCs. Therefore by 1996

automotive manufacturers were ordered to switch from R-12 (CFC) to a safer R-

134a.

2.2 The current technology of the device

The automobile air conditioning system had improved throughout the century.

But there is no significant change in the components and its function, only the

system become well and efficient. Some component such as heat expansion tube

and a more efficient evaporator had been added to the system for added reliability

and comfort.

2.2.1 Working principle

The basic work principle for automobile air conditioner is to control the

temperature of the passenger compartment at a desirable temperature mainly to

provide comfort to the passenger. The earliest air conditioning system for the

automobile only consists of a heater and a fan controlled air ventilation. This

system takes outside air, heated, filtered it out and then circulated it inside the car

compartment by fan. Then the automobile air conditioning system utilizes the

refrigeration system which uses a substance that is called refrigerant. This system

compresses the refrigerant that has a very low boiling point (usually around -27

degree Celsius) into liquid and then this liquid is pumped into an evaporator to

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absorb the heat from the air in the passenger compartment thus providing a much

lower temperature in the air.

2.2.1 Components

2.3 The advantages and disadvantages of air conditioning

2.3.1 The advantages

One of the advantages of the automobile air conditioning system is that it

provides comfort to the passenger compartment. The system transfers the heat

from the air inside the passenger compartment and cools it down to a desirable

temperature. It really affects the degree of comfort to the passenger and greatly

helps the passengers for a long driving or during a hot weather.

Besides that, the automobile air conditioning system also provides a filtered

air into the passenger compartment. Most modern air conditioning systems have

an air filter installed in the system. It filters the outside air before entering the

passenger compartment and provides a cleaner for them. It also lowers the

possibility for dust and other contaminations to enter the car.

Apart from that, the air conditioning system also controls the degree of air

humidity in the passenger compartment. If the degree of humidity is too high,

water vapour will evaporate inside the passenger compartment and reduce

comfort to the passenger. High humidity also will reduce the efficiency of the air

conditioning system thus decrease the life span of the system.

2.3.2 The disadvantages

Automobile air conditioning also has negative effects on the fuel efficiency for

the automobile. Air conditioning system requires a lot of energy to run the

compressor and for an automobile; the energy is mainly obtained from the engine.

Most cars will run the compressor even when the engine is off by using the power

from the battery thus draining the power from the battery quickly.

Apart from that, the system also requires a constant maintenance and

inspection to make sure it runs smoothly. The piping system of the refrigerant is

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always under constant pressure and change of temperature making it wears

easily and causes pinhole leaks. Leaks will cause loss of refrigerant from the

system thus making the air conditioning less efficient and stop functioning properly

if the entire refrigerant is lost.

Other than that, the cost for the maintenance for the system is also high ().

The standard R-134a refrigerant in a XX can usually cost RMxx. If there is any

leak on the evaporator or condenser coil, the entire unit will need to be replaced

because it is hard to detect and even harder to mend leaks along the fins.

Keep it for a while please:

, we usually have two types of air conditioning system: clutch cycling orifice tube

(CCOT) and the thermostatic expansion valve (TXV). “The CCOT system cycles

the compressor on and off based on a desired temperature. The TXV system varies

the refrigerant flow to the evaporator while the compressor runs continuously” Most

of the car uses CCOT that’s includes compressor, air conditioning hoses,

condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, accumulator, refrigerant, oil, cycling

thermostat or pressure switch.

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3.0 Case Studies

A series of interviews were conducted in 7 November 2012 to three respondents

from different background. The interview were held at Azam Auto Garage, a

workshop that is located at No. 42, Jalan Keluli AK7/AK, Pusat Perniagaan Bukit

Raja, Seksyen 7, 40000, Shah Alam, Selangor. The workshop was opened in 2009,

and provides most car repairs and minor services including for automobile air

conditioning system.

3.1 Respondent 1

Picture 1: Portrait of Hafizudin Bin Osman.

Name : Hafizudin Bin Osman

Age : 32

Place of birth : Pahang

Occupation : Manager of Azam Auto Garage

Contact Number : 017-307 2118

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Picture 3: Mr Hafizudin taking a group photograph with us.

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Picture 2: Mr Hafizudin can both manage the workshop and

do repair work on customer car

3.1.1 Findings from the respondent

Mr Hafizudin is the manager of Azam Auto Garage and he had been the

manager there since it was opened in 2009. During the interview we asked him

about the workshop. He said the workshop able to provide most minor service and

repair for car and small lorry. According to Mr Hafizudin, as a manager of the

workshop, he must always make sure that all the customers are happy with the

service there. Besides managing the workshop, he can also do repairs and

services for car.

Then we asked Mr Hafizudin questions related to automobile air conditioning

system. We asked him that do spare parts for the air conditioning system are

easily available. He said that it is easy to obtain spare parts because many

suppliers can provide it. Usually the supplier will take two to three days before the

ordered part reaches the workshop.

Next we asked him about the number of car that will come to the workshop

daily for air conditioning repairing and service. According to him, there will be

approximately two to three cars will be send to workshop to be repair.

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3.2 Respondent 2

Name : Al-Firdaus Bin Mahmud

Age : 29

Place of birth : Melaka

Occupation : Air Conditioner Mechanic of Azam Auto Garage

Contact Number : 010-8322400

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Picture 4: The portrait of Mr Al-Firdaus Bin Mahmud

Picture 6: Mr Firdaus servicing an evaporator coil.

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Picture 5: Mr Firdaus replacing a temperature sensor for a customer’s car

3.2.1 Findings from the respondent

Mr Firdaus is the mechanic for car air conditioner for Azam Auto Garage. He

is 29 years old and had been repairing and servicing air conditioner for 14 years.

He started to work in Azam Auto Garage workshop since 2009. According to Mr

Firdaus, leakage is the most common type failure for the air conditioning system.

The leakage often happens in the evaporator coil because of the constant change

of temperature and also exposure to condensed water making the evaporator coil

always wet. This extreme condition shortens the life span of the coil.

Then we asked Mr Firdaus about the type of refrigerant that is used for the air

conditioner. He said that in Malaysia, the only approved refrigerant by the

authority is R-134a and the the R-12 refrigerant has been banned since it cause a

very negative effect to the ozone layer.

When we asked Mr Firdaus about the function of refrigerant recovery

machine, he said that the refrigerant recovery machine is a very useful machine

because it can do many tasks automatically. Mainly it can fetch the refrigerant into

its system and recycle it so it can be used again. Without this machine, we will

lose the refrigerant during a repair work for the system. It also can vacuum and

clean the piping system of the air conditioner and eliminate any oil that may

contaminate the system. But Mr Firdaus said that Azam Auto Garage don’t use

the machine because the workshop mostly do car repair, not service. Most

customers that came to the workshop with air conditioning problem had lost the

refrigerant because of leakage.

Then we ask Mr Firdaus about the repair cost for air conditioning. He said

there is a difference in repair cost between old car models and new car models.

Older models have cheaper spare parts for the air conditioning system compared

to newer models. Besides being more efficient, the new system is more

complicated as well as delicate. This make most parts for the new system such as

evaporator coil and condenser need to be change as a whole unit because it is

hard to mend them. The most expensive component is the evaporator coil

because it is impossible to detect and mend any leakage on the coil thus we must

replace the whole coil.

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He also said that old system don’t have any air filter for the evaporator. This

mean the evaporator is easily contaminated by dust and outside particle and must

be serviced accordingly.

When we asked his opinion about servicing the air conditioner, he said it is

very important to service the system. This action can extend the life span of the

system. Moreover, it can ensure our health because air filter must be changed

constantly and not changing the air filter means that our air will be contaminated

with the all the dust trapped in the filter.

3.3 Respondent 3

Picture 7: The portrait of Farhan Bin Zul Bahri

Name : Farhan Bin Zul Bahri

Age : 19

Place of birth : Pulau Pinang

Occupation : Student in Universiti Malaya

Contact Number : 014-2552 635

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Picture 8: Mr Farhan always sends his car to be inspected regularly

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Picture 9: Mr Farhan is waiting for his car to be repaired

3.3.1 Findings from the respondent

Mr Farhan is a student in Universiti Malaya and currently in year 1 doing

degree in geology field. He is 19 years old and was born in Pulau Pinang. He

owns a 20 years old Proton Iswara and had been driving the car for a year.

We asked him does he have any problem with the air conditioning system in

the past. He said that he did have a problem once; the piping in the system leaked

and it caused the air from the air conditioner didn’t cool down. Also currently his

air conditioner is not working properly because of the compressor is broken. He

said that the cost of repairing the leaks and replacing the refrigerant is about

RM200 and the cost of replacing the compressor is about RM400. Because of the

high cost for replacing the compressor, he still doesn’t replace it and it causes the

air conditioner doesn’t run smoothly.

When we asked his opinion about the maintenance cost for the air

conditioning system, he said that the cost is quite high especially for a student like

him. He also thinks that we should service and inspect the air conditioning system

accordingly because in this way we can prevent major damage thus save cost for

replacing damaged parts.

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4.0 Findings

4.1 Report summary from respondents

Based on the case studies by all the three respondents, we can say that all of

the respondents agreed that we must always inspect and service the automobile

air conditioning system regularly. This step will ensure the air conditioner are

working properly and extend the life span of it. Besides it also will reduce the

cost of maintenance.

We also agreed that the auto mobile air conditioning system is very important

to the users because it increase the level of comfort for them. But most of the

users don’t take a good care to the system. Many of them only send the air

conditioner for repair after it had leaked or some serious breakdown happened

that causes the air conditioner not working properly.

The conscious level for the user about banning CFC as a refrigerant is quite

high. They seem to know the negative effect of CFC towards the ozone layer

and support the use of R-134a as a refrigerant. This shows us that the campaign

to ban CFC had fulfilled its objective.

Moreover, the air conditioning system can affect the health of the passengers.

Old models of air conditioning system don’t come with air filter. This makes the

passengers exposed to the debris, smoke and other contamination from air

outside. Air filter will filter the outside air before it enters the passenger

compartment thus providing a cleaner air for them. But the filter needs to be

inspected and changed regularly because the trapped contamination there will

eventually be harmful to the passenger.

Other than that, the cost of maintenance for automobile air conditioning

system is quite high. The system consists of many delicate parts that must be

always air tight so the refrigerant won’t leaks. And also it is hard to tell when we

need to service the air conditioner before it starting to malfunction. Most of the

time, the users will only send the air conditioner for repair after they realised that

the air is not cool anymore. At this point, most probably leakage had occurred

and the need of replacing the refrigerant will only add up the cost of

maintenance.

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We can also say that the automobile air conditioning system is quite easily

fails especially if the system doesn’t go through regular maintenance. Most air

conditioner damages are caused by the leakage of piping system in the system.

Most users also don’t realised there is something wrong with the system until the

unit fails to perform as usual.

4.2 Suggestion

One of the suggestions of improving the automobile air conditioning system is

to solve the refrigerant leakage problem. The cost of replacing the R-134a

refrigerant is quite high and it doesn’t include repair cost for other parts such as

the condenser coil or pipe system. My suggestion is to develop a cheaper

refrigerant that have the same properties like R-134a so that the maintenance

cost can be cut.

Next, we should develop a system that could detect malfunction such as

leakage and warn the user to repair the unit. A pressure sensor can be installed

in the unit to measure the pressure of the refrigerant and notify the user if the

pressure decreases. This can save maintenance cost because the repair work

can be done soon before the damage become worst.

Another suggestion is to use a thermoelectric cooling system instead of

compressor refrigeration system in automobile. Thermoelectric cooler is a

cooling system that doesn’t require the uses of refrigerant and any moving parts

such as compressor. It serves the same purpose as the ordinary compressor

refrigeration system. This eliminates the worry to maintain the refrigerant as well

mechanical failure that may occur.

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References

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http://home.howstuffworks.com/refrigerator.htm

Gilles, T. (1999). Automotive service: Inspection, maintenance, and repair. New

York: Delmar Thomson Learning.

Haefner, R. (2004). The car care book. New York: Delmar Thomson Learning.

Hall-Geisler, K. (2012). How Automotive Air Conditioning Works. Retrieved from

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/automotive-air-conditioning.htm

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York: Delmar Cengage Learning.

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TE Technology, inc. (2010). What are the advantages of a thermoelectric unit over

a compressor. Frequently asked question. Retrieved from

http://www.tetech.com/FAQ-Technical-Information.html#3

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