Diseño e implementación de un sistema de cámara de ambiente controlado para el laboratorio de investigación y desarrollo de Pinturas Cóndor Quito

Abstract

In the present project an air conditioning system has been designed for a controlled environment chamber. The main characteristic of this system is that the user can vary the temperature and relative humidity within the conditioning space from 18 to 30 °C (± 2 °C) and from 30 to 65 % (± 5 %), respectively. This system will allow to simulate; different environmental conditions that could generate corrosion in the products offered by Pinturas Condor S.A, such as paints, putties, resins and thinners. The proposed project begins with a literature review of the operation and characteristics that a controlled environment room must have to determine a suitable method and appropriate design conditions. These aspects are determined by international standards such as the ASHRAE standard and the end user needs. Then, the project continues with a detailed calculation of thermal loads, duct sizing and equipment selection of air conditioning system according to the method given by the selected standards to satisfy the ranges of temperature and relative humidity specified by the user. In the implementation stage, the characteristics of the selected equipment and dimensioned pipelines are detailed. The installation was carried out based on layout drawings and equipment manuals provided by the manufacturer, as a result of this process, an installation protocol has been obtained. Additionally, in this phase, sensors are installed at strategic points inside the chamber for the implementation of a control system that allows to monitor the temperature and humidity distribution throughout the chamber, and also allows to verify that the system design can fulfill the specified requirements. Finally, the measured values taken from the sensors installed inside the camera and connected to "datalogger" devices are compared to the values specified by the requirements, to validate the design, as well as to guarantee the quality of the system. The tests carried out and the installation protocols show that the humidity and temperature values measured inside the chamber are in accordance with the values of the required specifications. Therefore, this project is concluded with the validation of the design and the installation of the air conditioning system of the controlled environment chamber.