Psychrometric properties of air

Topic 1

1. Introduction
In all engineering work, consistent units must be employed. In this subject,
as in the ASHRAE handbooks, two systems of units will be used.
English Engineering System - most commonly used in the U.S. with
some modification, such as use of inches instead of feet. Also known
as inch-pound or IP system.
International System or SI - use in engineering practice throughout
most of the world and widely adopted in the U.S.
Reason: Equipment that was designed using IP units will be operational for
years (or even decades). It will be necessary for engineers to work in either
IP or SI systems of units and to be able to make conversion from one
system to another.

1. Introduction
Psychrometry is the study of the properties of mixtures of air and water
vapour.
Atmospheric air is a mixture of many gases plus water vapour and a number
of pollutants.
The amount of water vapour and pollutants vary from place to place. The
concentration of water vapour and pollutants decrease with altitude, and
above an altitude of about 10 km, atmospheric air consists of only dry air.
The pollutants have to be filtered out before processing the air.
Moist air - the processed air which is a mixture of various gases that
constitutes of air and water vapour.

1. Introduction
The moist air can be thought of as a mixture of dry air and moisture. For all
practical purposes, the composition of dry air can be considered as constant.
In 1949, a standard composition of dry air was fixed by the International Joint
Committee on Psychrometric data.
Based on the above composition the molecular weight of dry air is found to
be 28.966 and the gas constant R is 287.035 J/kg.K.

1. Introduction
At a given temperature and pressure the dry air can only hold a certain
maximum amount of moisture. When the moisture content is maximum, then
the air is known as saturated air.
This condition is established by a neutral equilibrium between the moist air
and the liquid or solid phases of water.
For calculation purposes, the molecular weight of water vapour is taken as
18.015 and its gas constant is 461.52 J/kg.K.

1. Introduction
Sensible heat
- energy added to a substance that produces a change in its temperature.
Latent heat
- energy added to a substance that produces a change in its phase.

2. Properties of moist air

Mixture of perfect gases according to Gibbs-Dalton law:

2. Properties of moist air

Dry bulb temperature (DBT) is the temperature of the moist air as measured by a
standard thermometer or other temperature measuring instruments.
Saturated vapour pressure (psat) is the saturated partial pressure of water vapour at
the dry bulb temperature. It is readily available in thermodynamic tables and charts.
ASHRAE suggests the following regression equation for saturated vapour pressure of
water, which is valid for 0 to 100oC.

2. Properties of moist air

Relative humidity is the ratio of the mole fraction of water vapour in moist air
to mole fraction of water vapour in saturated air at the same temperature and
pressure. Using perfect gas equation:

It is normally expressed as a percentage. When the value is 100 percent, the

air is saturated.

2. Properties of moist air

Humidity ratio (W) (or specific humidity) is the mass of water associated with each
kilogram of dry air. Assuming both water vapour and dry air to be perfect gases,
the humidity ratio is given by:

Substituting the values of gas constants of water vapour and air Rv and Ra in the
above equation; the humidity ratio is given by:

For a given barometric pressure pt, given the DBT, we can find the saturated
vapour pressure psat from the thermodynamic property tables on steam. Then
using the above equation, we can find the humidity ratio at saturated conditions,
Wsat.

2. Properties of moist air

If unsaturated moist air is cooled at constant pressure, then the temperature
at which the moisture in the air begins to condense is known as dew-point
temperature (DPT) of air. An approximate equation for dew-point
temperature is given by:

Note: From its definition, the dew point temperature is the saturation
temperature corresponding to the vapour pressure of water vapour, it can
also be obtained from steam tables or using the equation of saturated vapour
pressure.

2. Properties of moist air

The degree of saturation is the ratio of the humidity ratio W to the humidity
ratio of a saturated mixture Ws at the same temperature and pressure:

2. Properties of moist air

The enthalpy of moist air is the sum of the enthalpy of the dry air and the
enthalpy of the water vapour. Enthalpy values are always based on some
reference value. For moist air, the enthalpy of dry air is given a zero value at
0oC, and for water vapour the enthalpy of saturated water is taken as zero at
0oC. The enthalpy of moist air is given by:

The unit of h is kJ/kg of dry air. Substituting the approximate values of cp and
hg, we obtain:

2. Properties of moist air

From the equation for enthalpy of moist air, the humid specific heat of moist
air can be written as:

Since (W.cpw) is very small compared to the first term, for all practical
purposes, the humid specific heat of moist air, cpm can be taken as 1.0216 kJ/
kg dry air.K

2. Properties of moist air

Specific volume is defined as the number of cubic meters of moist air per
kilogram of dry air. From perfect gas equation since the volumes occupied by
the individual substances are the same, the specific volume is also equal to
the number of cubic meters of dry air per kilogram of dry air:

Example 1
On a particular day the weather forecast states that the dry bulb temperature
is 37oC, while the relative humidity is 50% and the barometric pressure is
101.325 kPa. Find the humidity ratio and enthalpy of moist air on this day.

Example 1 (solution)

3. Wet-bulb temperature
The thermodynamic state of moist air is uniquely fixed if the barometric pressure and
two other independent properties are known. As such, at a given barometric pressure,
the state of moist air can be determined by measuring any two independent properties.
One of them could be the dry-bulb temperature (DBT), as the measurement of this
temperature is fairly simple and accurate. The accurate measurement of other
independent parameters such as humidity ratio is very dicult in practice.
Since the measurement of temperature is easier, it would be convenient if the other
independent parameter is also a temperature. The dew-point temperature (DPT) can be
considered, but it is observed that accurate measurement of DPT is dicult.
In this context, a new independent temperature parameter called the wet-bulb
temperature (WBT) is defined. Compared to DPT, it is easier to measure the WBT
of moist air. Thus knowing the DBT and WBT from measurements, it is possible to
find the other properties of moist air.

3. Wet-bulb temperature
If the percentage saturation of an air sample
is less than 100, i.e. it is less than saturated,
and it comes into contact with water at the
same temperature, there will be a dierence
in vapour pressures.
As a result, some of the water will evaporate.
The latent heat required for this change of
state will be drawn from the sensible heat of
the water, which will be slightly cooled.
This drop in the water temperature provides
a temperature dierence, and a thermal
balance will be reached where the flow of
sensible heat from the air to the water
provides the latent heat to evaporate a part
of it.

3. Wet-bulb temperature
The eect can be observed and
measured by using two similar
thermometers, one of which has its
bulb enclosed in a wet wick. The
drier the air passing over them, the
greater will be the rate of evaporation
from the wick and the greater the
dierence between the two readings
(DBT and WBT). The dierence
between the two temp is termed wet
bulb depression.

3. Wet-bulb temperature
In brief, WBT is the temperature measured by ordinary
thermometer when its bulb is covered with wet cloth and
exposed to air
The sling psychrometer is widely used for measurements
involving room air or other applications where the air
velocity inside the room is small.
It consists of two thermometers mounted side by side
and fitted in a frame with a handle for whirling the
device through air. The required air circulation (~ 3 to 5
m/s) over the sensing bulbs is obtained by whirling the
psychrometer (~ 300 RPM). Readings are taken when
both the thermometers show steady-state readings.
In the aspirated psychrometer, the thermometers remain
stationary, and a small fan, blower or syringe moves the air
across the thermometer bulbs.

4. Adiabatic saturation
Adiabatic saturation temperature - temperature at which water, by
evaporating into air, can bring the air to saturation at the same temperature
adiabatically.
An adiabatic saturator is a device using which one can measure theoretically
the adiabatic saturation temperature of air.

4. Adiabatic saturation
An adiabatic saturation device has
liquid water at the adiabatic
saturation temperature T2 is
evaporated at a rate mw into a moist
air stream flowing at a rate of
mda(1 + W) through the duct. Thus
conservation of mass applied
separately to both dry air and water
components yields

4. Adiabatic saturation

Above equation maybe used to solve for the upstream (ambient) humidity
ratio.
Note: da = dry air; wv = water vapour

5. Psychrometric chart
A Psychrometric chart graphically represents the thermodynamic properties
of moist air.
Standard psychrometric charts are bounded by the DBT line (x-axis) and the
vapour pressure or humidity ratio (y-axis). The left hand side of the
psychrometric chart is bounded by the saturation line.
Psychrometric charts are readily available for standard barometric pressure of
101.325 kPa at sea level and for normal temperatures (0-50oC).

5. Psychrometric chart
ASHRAE PSYCHROMETRIC CHART NO.1

55

NORMAL TEMPERATURE
BAROMETRIC PRESSURE: 29.921 INCHES OF MERCURY
Copyright 1992

90

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEATING, REFRIGERATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING ENGINEERS, INC.

SEA LEVEL

1.0

50

-:

1.0

60

.028

85
0
15.

0.8
-2000
-1000

5000

2.0
0.6

SENSIBLE HEAT
TOTAL HEAT

3000

0.5

Qs
Qt

0.4

0
200

0.2

-0.1

15
0

0.1

-0.2

5
-0. 4
-0.
-0.3

0.3

-1
.0

4.0
-8.0
-8.:0
-4.0
-2.
0

60

.026

45
85
W

ET

LB
TE
MP
E

55
RA
TU

80

50
0

.024

BU

RE

40

- F

.022

0
1000

80
Dh
DW

ENTHALPY
HUMIDITY RATIO

.020

75

35

50
5
14.

R
AT
U
N

70

AT
IO

.014

R
TU
SA

25

UM

OL

0V
E-

80

60

CU
.FT

RY
AIR

50%

45

35

B. D

50

%
60

13.

45

RL

55

50

. PE

70

40%

40

30%

13.
0

35

20%
12.

MIDITY

10

15

20

110

105

100

95

90

85

80

75

70

65

60

55

50

45

40

35

VE HU
10% RELATI

45

.012

.010

40

.008

.006
35

.004

.002

115

55

DRY BULB TEMPERATURE - F

90

14.

65

20

40

HUMIDITY RATIO - POUNDS MOISTURE PER POUND DRY AIR

65

120

TE
M
PE

PO
R
PE
TU
-B
PY
AL

.016

30

EN

TH

70

AI

75

60

15

.018

25

ENTHALPY - BTU PER POUND OF DRY AIR

30

Example 2
Temperature in a room is 25C. If the wet-bulb temperature is 20C, find
the RH, dew point, humidity ratio, specific volume and specific enthalpy at
that state.

6. Psychrometric processes
Sensible heating or cooling
a psychrometric process that
involves the increase or decrease
of air temperature without
changing its humidity ratio.
example: Moist air passing over a
room space heater

Example 3
Find RH and wet-bulb temp of the post-heated air.

Example 3 (solution)

6. Psychrometric processes
Heating and humidifying
a psychrometric process that
involves the simultaneous
increase of dry-bulb temp and
humidity ratio of the air.

Example 4
2.5 m3 of lumber is being dried at 60C dry-bulb temperature and 52C
wet-bulb temperature. The drying rate of the lumber is 12.5 kg of water per
hour. If outside air is at 27C dry-bulb temperature and 80% relative
humidity, how much outside air is needed per minute to carry away the
evaporated moisture?

Example 4 (solution)

6. Psychrometric processes
Cooling and dehumidifying
a psychrometric process that
involves the removal of water from
the air as the air temp drops
below the dew-point temp.

Example 5
Moist air at 50C dry-bulb temperature and 32% relative humidity enters
the cooling coil of a dehumidification kiln heat pump system and is cooled
to a temperature of 18C. If the drying rate of 6 m3 of lumber is 4 kg/hour,
determine the kW of refrigeration required.

Example 5 (solution)

6. Psychrometric processes
Adiabatic / evaporative cooling
a psychrometric process that
involves the cooling or air without
heat loss or gain.
sensible heat lost by the air is
converted to latent heat in the
added water vapour.

Example 6
Referring to the figure, air at state point 1 (65C DBT and 57C WBT)
experiences a temperature drop of 3C as it passes through the 1.2 m
wide stack of lumber. Determine the properties of the air at state point 2
and compare them with those at state point 1. If the air is flowing at a rate
of 2 ms-1, determine the drying rate, assuming that the volume of the stack
of 2.5 cm thick lumber is 2.5 m3. The stack is 1.2 m wide x 3.6 m long, and
the boards are separated by stickers 3.8 cm wide x 1.9 cm thick that are
spaced 0.6 m apart.

Example 6 (solution)

6. Pyschrometric processes
Adiabatic mixing of moist stream air
a psychrometric process that
involves no heat loss or gain
during the mixing of two air
streams.

Example 7
0.2 kg/s of moist air at 45C (DBT) and 10% RH is mixed with 0.3 kg/s of
moist air at 25C and a humidity ratio of 0.018 kgw/kgda in an adiabatic
mixing chamber. After mixing, the mixed air is heated to a final
temperature of 40C using a heater. Find the temperature and relative
humidity of air after mixing. Find the heat transfer rate in the heater and
relative humidity of air at the exit of heater. Assume the barometric
pressure to be 1 atm.

Example 7 (solution)

Example 8

Hot, humid outdoor air is drawn into the system with a volumetric flow rate V1 = 100
cfm (0.0472 m3/s). The temperature of the outdoor air is T1 = 95oF (35oC) and it has
relative humidity 1 = 0.7. In order to provide a comfortable environment, the air
must be both cooled and dehumidified. The air passes over a chilled water coil in
order to dehumidify it. The air exits the chilled water coil at T2 = 45oF (7.2oC). The air
then passes over a steam coil in order to reheat it to a comfortable temperature. The
air exits the steam coil at T3 = 65oF (18.3oC).

Example 8
(a) What is the humidity ratio of the air entering the chilled water coil?
(b) What is the mass flow rate of dry air entering the chilled water coil?
(c) At what temperature does condensation begin as the air flows through chilled
water coil?
(d) What is the humidity ratio of the air leaving the chilled water coil?
(e) What is the volumetric flow rate of condensate that forms on the chilled water
coil?
(f) What is the relative humidity of the air leaving the steam coil that is provided to
the conditioned space?
(g) What are the rates of heat transfer to the chilled water in the chilled water coil
and from the steam in the steam coil?

Example 8 (solution)

Example 8 (solution)

Example 9
Moist air at 60oF (15.6oC) DBT and 20% RH enters a heater and humidifier at
the rate of 1600 cfm (0.755 m3/s), Heating of the air is followed by adiabatic
humidification so that it leaves at 115oF (46.1oC) DBT and a RH of 30%.
Saturated water vapour at 212oF (100oC) is injected. Determined the required
heat transfer rate and mass flow rate of water vapour.

Example 9 (solution)