home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
/
Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
/
A
/
Air_conditioning
/
INFOTEXT
< prev
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-09-02
|
972b
|
25 lines
System that controls the state of the air
inside a building or vehicle. A complete
air-conditioning unit controls the
temperature and humidity of the air, removes
dust and odours from it, and circulates it by
means of a fan. US inventor W H Carrier
developed the first effective
air-conditioning unit in 1902 for a New York
printing plant. The air in an air conditioner
is cooled by a type of refrigeration unit
comprising a compressor and a condenser. The
air is cleaned by means of filters and
activated charcoal. Moisture is extracted by
condensation on cool metal plates. A
specialized air-conditioning system is
installed in spacecraft as part of the
life-support system. This includes the
provision of oxygen to breathe and the
removal of exhaled carbon dioxide. The air
can also be heated by electrical wires or, in
large systems, pipes carrying hot water or
steam; and cool, dry air may be humidified by
circulating it over pans of water or through
a water spray.