3.

PSYCHOMETRICS
Concept of psychrometry and psychometrics
Air comprises principally of fixed gases that include, nitrogen and oxygen with an
admixture of water vapour in varying amounts. The art of measuring the moisture
content of air is termed “psychrometry”. The science which investigates the thermal
properties of moist air, considers the measurement and control of the moisture content
of air, and studies the effect of atmospheric moisture on material and human comfort
may properly be termed “psychometrics’.
3.1. Terms used in Psychrometry
i. Dry air. The international joint committee on Psychrometric Data has adopted the
following exact composition of air expressed in mole fractions (Volumetric)
Oxygen 0.2095, Nitrogen 0.7809, Argon 0.0093, Carbon dioxide 0.0003. Traces
of rare gases are neglected. Molecular weight of air for all air conditioning
calculations will be taken as 28.97. Hence the gas constant,
8.3143
𝑅𝑎𝑖𝑟 = = 0.287 kJ/kgK
28.97

Dry air is not in practice because air always contains some moisture. Hence the
common designation “air” usually means moist air. The term ‘dry air’ is used to
indicate the water free contents of air having any degree of moisture.
ii. Saturated air. Moist air is said to be saturated when its condition is such that it
can co-exist in natural equilibrium with an associated condensed moisture phase
presenting a flat surface to it. For a given temperature, a given quantity of air can be
saturated with a fixed quantity of moisture. At higher temperatures, it requires a larger
quantity of moisture to saturate it. At saturation, vapour pressure of moisture in air
corresponds to the saturation pressure given in steam tables corresponding to the given
temperature of air.
ii. Dry-bulb temperature (DBT). It is the temperature of air as registered by an
ordinary thermometer (𝑡𝑑𝑏 ).
iv. Wet-bulb temperature (WBT). It is the temperature registered by a thermometer,
when the bulb is covered by a wetted wick and is exposed to a current of rapidly
moving air ((𝑡𝑤𝑏 ).
v. Adiabatic saturation temperature. It is the temperature at which the water or ice

1
can saturate air by evaporating adiabatically into it. It is numerically equivalent to the
measured wet bulb temperature (as corrected, if necessary, for radiation and
conduction) ((𝑡𝑤𝑏 ).
vi. Wet bulb depression. It is the difference between dry-bulb and wet bulb
temperatures (𝑡𝑑𝑏 ) – (𝑡𝑤𝑏 ).
vii. Dew point temperature (DPT). It is the temperature to which air must be cooled
at constant pressure in order to cause condensation of any of its water vapour. It is
equal to steam table saturation temperature corresponding to the actual partial pressure
of water vapour in the air ((𝑡𝑑𝑝 ).
viii. Dew point depression. It is the difference between the dry bulb and dew point
temperatures (𝑡𝑑𝑏 – 𝑡𝑑𝑝 ).
ix. Specific humidity (Humidity ratio). It is the ratio of the mass of water vapour per
unit mass of dry air in the mixture of vapour and air, it is generally expressed as grams
of water per kg of dry air. For a given barometric pressure it is a function of dew point
temperature alone.
x. Relative humidity (RH), (φ). It is the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapour
in the mixture to the saturated partial pressure at the dry bulb temperature, expressed
as percentage.
xi. Sensible heat. It is the heat that changes the temperature of a substance when added
to or abstracted from it.
xii. Latent heat. It is the heat that does not affect the temperature but changes the state
of substance when added to or abstracted from it.
xiii. Enthalpy. It is the combination energy which represents the sum of internal and
flow energy in a steady flow process. It is determined from an arbitrary datum point
for the air mixture and is expressed as kJ per kg of dry air (h).
Note. When air is saturated DBT, WBT, DPT are equal.

2
3.2. Psychrometric relations
i. Pressure
Dalton’s law of partial pressure: states that the total pressure of a physical mixture of
gases is equal to the sum of partial pressures which the component gases would exert
if each existed alone in the mixture volume at the mixture temperature.
For calculating partial pressure of water vapour in the air many equations have been
proposed, probably Dr. Carrier’s equation is most widely used.

ii. Specific humidity (W)

3
From equations (2) and (3)

4
where 𝑝𝑣𝑠 = Partial pressure of water vapour when air is fully saturated (𝑝𝑣𝑠 can be
calculated from steam tables corresponding to the dry bulb temperature of the air).

Note

5
1. Relative humidity as compared to specific humidity plays a vital role in comfort
air-conditioning and industrial air-conditioning. Relative humidity signifies the
absorption capacity of air. If initial relative humidity of air is less, it will absorb more
moisture.
2. W, µ and φ cannot be conveniently measured as they require measurement of 𝑝𝑣
and 𝑝𝑣𝑠 . The value of 𝑝𝑣 can be obtained from the measurement of the wet bulb
temperature and the value of 𝑝𝑣𝑠 can be calculated from steam tables corresponding
to given air temperature.

v. Enthalpy of moist air

It is the sum of enthalpy of dry air and enthalpy of water vapour associated with dry
air. It is expressed in kJ/kg of dry air.

6
3.3. ADIABATIC SATURATION PROCESS
In an insulated chamber when unsaturated air flows over a long sheet of water (Fig.
12), the water evaporates, and the specific humidity of the air increases. As the
evaporation takes place both the air and water are cooled. The process continues until
the energy transferred from the air to the water is equal to the energy required to
vapourise the water. When this point is reached, thermal equilibrium exists with
respect to water, air and water vapour, and consequently the air is saturated. The
equilibrium temperature is called the adiabatic saturation temperature or the
thermodynamic wet bulb temperature. The make-up water is introduced at this
temperature to make the water level constant.

Fig. 12. Adiabatic saturation process

The ‘adiabatic’ cooling process is shown in Fig. 13; for the vapour in the air-vapour
mixture. Although the total pressure of the mixture is constant, the partial pressure of
the vapour increases, and in the saturated state corresponds to the adiabatic saturation
temperature. The vapour is initially at DBT 𝑡𝑑𝑏1 and is cooled adiabatically to DBT
7
𝑡𝑑𝑏2 which is equal to the adiabatic saturation 𝑡𝑤𝑏2 . The adiabatic saturation
temperature and wet bulb temperatures are taken to be equal for all practical purposes.
The wet bulb temperature lies between the dry bulb temperature and dew point
temperature.

Fig. 13. Adiabatic cooling process.

3.4. PSYCHROMETERS
A psychrometer is a device which is used for measuring dry bulb and wet bulb
temperatures simultaneously.
1. Sling psychrometer:
The sling psychrometer consists of two thermometers mounted on a base Plate as
shown in Fig. 14. The one with the ‘sock’ is wet-bulb thermometer; and the other is
dry-bulb. The wet bulb exists below the dry bulb, so that ‘sock’ can be dipped into
water without interfering with dry bulb. The handle of the frame helps for rotating the
psychrometer to allow necessary air motion. As the psychrometer is rotated it provides
necessary air velocity over the thermometer. Fast movement of air past the ‘sock’ is
necessary to bring the air at temperature 𝑡𝑑𝑏 always in immediate contact with the wet
‘sock’. The temperature spread between dry bulb and wet bulb readings depends upon
the amount of moisture in the air. Dry air, or air that has low moisture content has a
low wet bulb temperature; humid air that has a high moisture content, has a high wet-
bulb temperature. When dry and wet bulb temperatures are known the other

8
 psychrometric properties like relative humidity, dew point temperature, degree of
saturation, humidity ratio, and volume of air vapour mixture per kg of dry air are
determined by calculations.

Fig. 14. Sling psychrometer

2. Psychrometric chart
The psychrometric chart is the graphical representation of the necessary moist air
properties used for air conditioning calculations. The values are based on actual
measurements verified for thermodynamic consistency. For psychrometric charts, the
most convenient co-ordinates are dry bulb temperature of air vapour mixture as the
abscissa and moisture content (kg/kg of dry air) or water vapour pressure as the
ordinate. Depending upon whether the humidity contents is abscissa or ordinate with
temperature co-ordinate, the charts are generally classified as Mollier chart and
Carrier chart. Carrier chart having 𝑡𝑑𝑏 as the abcissa and W as the ordinate finds a
wide application. The chart is constructed as under:
i. The dry bulb temperature (ºC) of unit mass of dry air for different humidity
contents or humidity ratios are indicated by vertical lines drawn parallel to the
ordinate.
ii. The mass of water vapour in kg (or grams) per kg of dry air is drawn parallel to
the abscissa for different values of dry bulb temperature. It is the major vertical
scale of the chart.
iii. Pressure of water vapour in mm of mercury is shown in the scale at left and is the
absolute pressure of steam.
iv. Dew point temperatures are temperatures corresponding to the boiling points of
water at low pressures of water vapour and are shown in the scale on the upper
curved line. The dew points for different low pressures are read on diagonal co-
ordinates.

9
 Fig. 15. Skeleton psychrometric chart.
v. Constant relative humidity lines in per cent are indicated by marking off vertical
distances between the saturation line or the upper curved line and the base of
the chart. The relative humidity curve depicts quantity (kg) of moisture actually
present in the air as a percentage of the total amount possible at various dry bulb
temperatures and masses of vapour.
vi. Enthalpy or total heat at saturation temperature in kJ/kg of dry air is shown by a
diagonal system of co-ordinates. The scale on the diagonal line is separate from
the body of the chart and is indicated above the saturation line.
vii. Wet bulb temperatures are shown on the diagonal co-ordinates coinciding with
heat coordinates. The scale of wet bulb temperatures is shown on the saturation
curve. The diagonals run downwards to the right at an angle of 30º to the
horizontal.

10
 Fig. 16. Carrier chart.
viii. The volume of air vapour mixture per kg of dry air (specific volume) is also
indicated by a set of diagonal co-ordinates but at an angle of 60º with the
horizontal. The other properties of air vapour mixtures can be determined by
using formulae (already discussed). In relation to the psychrometric chart, these
terms can quickly indicate many things about the condition of air, for example:
ix. If dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures are known, the relative humidity can be
read from the chart.
x. If the dry bulb and relative humidity are known, the wet bulb temperature can
be determined.
xi. If wet bulb temperature and relative humidity are known, the dry bulb
temperature can be found.
xii. If wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures are known, the dew point can be found.
xiii. If wet bulb and relative humidity are known, dew point can be read from the
chart.

11
xiv. If dry-bulb and relative humidity are known, dew point can be found.
xv. The quantity (kg) of moisture in air can be determined from any of the following
combinations:
a. Dry bulb temperature and relative humidity;
b. Dry bulb temperature and dew point;
c. Wet bulb temperature and relative humidity;
d. Wet bulb temperature and dew point temperature;
e. Dry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature; and
f. Dew point temperature alone.
Figs. 15 and 16, show the skeleton psychrometric chart and lines on carrier chart
respectively.
3. PSYCHROMETRIC PROCESSES
To regulate the properties of air to the conditions of human comfort or of the optimum
control of an industrial process required; certain processes are to be carried out on the
outside air available. The processes affecting the psychrometric properties of air are
called psychrometric processes. These processes involve mixing of air streams,
heating, cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying, adiabatic saturation and mostly the
combinations of these.
3.1. The important psychrometric processes
i. Mixing of Air Streams
Mixing of several air streams is the process which is very frequently used in air
conditioning. This mixing normally takes place without the addition or rejection of
either heat or moisture, i.e., adiabatically and at constant total moisture content.

Fig. 17

12
Thus, we can write the following equations:

Fig. 18
On the psychrometric chart, the specific humidity and enthalpy scales are linear,
ignoring enthalpy deviations. Therefore, the final state 3 lies on a straight line
connecting the initial states of the two streams before mixing, and the final state 3
divides this line into two parts that are in the same ratio as were the two masses of air
before mixing. If the air quantities are known in volume instead of mass units, it is
generally sufficiently accurate to units of m3 or m3/min. in the mixing equations. The
inaccuracy introduced is due to the difference in specific volume at two initial states.
This difference in densities is small for most of the comfort air conditioning problems.
ii. Sensible Heating
When air passes over a dry surface that has greater temperature than that of (air) at
dry bulb temperature, it undergoes sensible heating. This heating can be achieved by
allowing air to pass over heating coil (like electric resistance heating coils or steam
coils). During such a process, the specific humidity remains constant, but the dry bulb
temperature rises and approaches that of the surface. The extent to which it approaches
the mean effective surface temperature of the coil is conveniently expressed in terms
13
of the equivalent by-pass factor. The by-pass factor (BF) for this process is defined as
the ratio of the difference between the mean surface temperature of the coil and the
temperature of the air leaving the coil to the difference between the mean surface
temperature and the temperature of the air entering the region of the coil surface. Thus
on Fig. 19, air at temperature 𝑡𝑑𝑏1 , passes over a heating coil with an average surface
temperature 𝑡𝑑𝑏3 and leaves at temperature 𝑡𝑑𝑏2

length 2 − 3
Considering by factor in terms of lengths on the chart (Fig. 20) it is . The
length 1− 3
value of the by-pass factor is a function of coil design and velocity. The heat added to
the air can be obtained directly from the entering and leaving enthalpies (h2 – h1) or it
can be obtained from the humid specific heat multiplied by the temperature difference
(𝑡𝑑𝑏2 – 𝑡𝑑𝑏1 ). In a complete air conditioning system, the preheating and reheating of
air are among the familiar examples of sensible heating.
Note. ‘By-pass factor’ can be considered to represent the fraction of air which does not come into
contact with coil surface.

14
iii. Sensible Cooling
In Fig. 21, air undergoes sensible cooling whenever it passes over a surface that is at
a temperature less than the dry bulb temperature of the air but greater than the dew
point temperature. Thus, sensible cooling can be achieved by passing the air over
cooling coil like evaporating coil of the refrigeration cycle or secondary brine coil.
During the process, the specific humidity remains constant and dry bulb temperature
decreases, approaching the mean effective surface temperature. On a psychrometric
chart the process, it will appear as a horizonal line 1–2 (Fig. 22), where point 3
represents the effective surface temperature. For this process:
(𝑡𝑑𝑏2 −𝑡𝑑𝑏3 )
By-pass factor BF = (23)
(𝑡𝑑𝑏1 −𝑡𝑑𝑏2 )

The heat removed from air can be obtained from the enthalpy difference (h1 – h2) or
from humid specific heat multiplied by the temperature difference (𝑡𝑑𝑏1 − 𝑡𝑑𝑏2 )

Fig. 21. Sensible cooling. Fig. 22

iv. Cooling and Dehumidification
In Fig. 23. Whenever air is made to pass over a surface or through a spray of water
that is at a temperature less than the dew point temperature of the air, condensation of
some of the water vapour in air will occur simultaneously with the sensible cooling
process. When air comes in contact with a surface that will engender cooling, the
temperature of the air will be reduced to the mean surface temperature along a path

15
such as 1-2-3 in Fig. 23, with condensation and therefore dehumidification occurring
between points 2 and 3. The air that does not have contact with the surface will be
finally cooled by mixing with the portion that did, and the final state point will
somewhere on the straight line connecting points 1 and 3. The actual path of air during
the path will not be straight line shown but will be something similarly to the curved
dashed line 1–4.

Fig. 23. Cooling and dehumidification

It will result from a continuous mixing of air which is connecting a particular part of
the coil and air which is by passing it. It is convenient, however, to analyze the
problem with the straight line shown, and to assume that the final air state results from
the mixing of air that has completely by passed the coil with air that has been cooled
to the mean effective surface temperature. If there is enough contact between air and
surface for all the air to come to the mean surface temperature, the process is one of
zero bypass. In any practical system, complete saturation is not obtained, and final
state will be a point such as 4 in Fig. 23 with an equivalent bypass factor equal to:
𝑙ength 3 − 4
𝑙ength 3− 1

For processes involving condensation, the effective surface temperature, e.g., 𝑡𝑑𝑏3 in
Fig. 23 is called ‘apparatus dew point’ (ADP). The final state point of air passing
through a cooling and dehumidifying apparatus is in effect a mixture condition that

16
results from mixing the fraction of the air, which is equal to the equivalent by-pass
factor (BF) and is at initial state point and the remaining fraction which is equal to one
minus bypass factor (1–BF) and is saturated at the apparatus dew point (ADP).
Total heat removed from the air is given by:

The ratio fixes the slope of the line 1—4 on the psychrometric chart. Sensible heat
factor slope lines are given on the psychrometric chart. If the initial condition and SHF
are known for the given process, then the process line can be drawn through the given
initial condition at a slope given by SHF on the psychrometric chart.
The capacity of the cooling coil in tons of refrigeration is given by:
𝑚𝑎 (ℎ1 −ℎ4 )×60
Capacity in TR = , (25)
14000
where 𝑚𝑎 = mass of air, kg/min, and h = enthalpy in kJ/kg of air
v. Cooling and Humidification
If unsaturated air is passed through a spray of continuously recirculated water, the
specific humidity will increase while the dry bulb temperature decreases. This is the
process of adiabatic saturation or evaporative cooling. This process is one of constant
adiabatic-saturation temperature and for all practical purposes, one of constant wet
bulb temperature. The process is illustrated as path 1-2 on Fig. 24, with wet bulb
temperature of air being that of point 3, which is also equilibrium temperature of the
recirculated water if there is sufficient contact between air and spray, the air will leave
at a condition very close to that of point 3. The concept of equivalent bypass can be

17
applied to this process, but another term is more used to describe the performance of
a humidifying apparatus.

Fig. 24. Cooling and humidification

It is the ‘saturating’ or ‘humidifying efficiency’ which is defined as the ratio of dry-
bulb temperature decrease to the entering wet bulb depression usually expressed as
percentage. Thus, from Fig. 24, the saturating efficiency is:
(𝑡𝑑𝑏1 −𝑡𝑑𝑏2 )
% 𝜂𝑠𝑎𝑡 = ×100 (26)
(𝑡𝑑𝑏1 −𝑡𝑑𝑏3 )

As a fraction, it is equal to one minus the bypass factor for the process. This adiabatic
process, for all practical purposes, is line of constant enthalpy. The moisture added
can be obtained from the increase in specific humidity.
vi. Heating and Dehumidification
If air is passed over a solid or a liquid absorbent surfaces, heating and
dehumidification is accompanied. In either case dehumidification results from
adsorbent or absorbent having a lower water vapour pressure than air. Moisture is
condensed out of the air, and consequently the latent heat of condensation is liberated,
causing sensible heating of air. If these were the only energies involved, the process
would be the inverse of the adiabatic saturation process. There is, however, an
additional energy absorbed or liberated by the active material, termed the heat of
adsorption or absorption. For the solid adsorbents used commercially, such as silica
gel or activated alumina, and for the more common liquid absorbents, such as
18
solutions of organic salts or inorganic compounds like ethylene, glycol, heat is
involved and results in additional sensible heating. Thus, the path lies above a constant
wet bulb line on the psychrometric chart such as path 1-2 in Fig. 25.

Fig. 25. Heating and dehumidification

vii. Heating and Humidification
If air is passed through a humidifier which has heated water sprays instead of simply
recirculated spray, the air is humidified and may be heated, cooled or unchanged in
temperature. In such a process the air increases in specific humidity and the enthalpy,
and the dry bulb temperature will increase or decrease according to the initial
temperature of the air and that of the spray. If sufficient water is supplied relative to
the mass flow of air, the air will approach saturation at water temperature. Examples
of such processes are shown on Fig. 26.

Fig. 26. Heating and humidification

19
Process 1-2: It denotes the cases in which the temperature of the heated spray water is
less than the air DBT.
Process 1-3: It denotes the cases in which the temperature is equal to the air DBT.
Process 1-4: It denotes the cases in which a spray temperature is greater than air DBT.
As in the case of adiabatic saturation, the degree to which the process approaches
saturation can be expressed in terms of the by-pass factor or a saturating efficiency.
If the water rate relative to the air quantity is smaller, the water temperature will drop
significantly during the process. The resultant process will be a curved line such as
the dashed 1-4 where 4 represents the leaving water temperature.
Note. It is possible to accomplish heating and humidification by evaporation from an
open pan of heated water, or by direct injection of heated water or steam. The latter is
more common. The process line for it is of little value because the process is
essentially an instantaneous mixing of steam and the air. The final state point of the
air can be found, however by making a humidity and enthalpy balance for the process.
The solution of such a problem usually involves cut-and-try procedure.
SOLVED PROBLEMS
1. The atmospheric conditions are: 20°C and specific humidity of 0.0095 kg/kg of dry
air. Calculate the following: (i) Partial pressure of vapour (ii) Relative humidity (iii)
Dew point temperature.

Solution.

Dry bulb temperature, 𝑡𝑑𝑏 = 20ºC

Specific humidity, W = 0.0095 kg/kg of dry air
(i) Partial pressure of vapour, 𝑃𝑣 :

The specific humidity is given by (W):

20
2. The air supplied to a room of a building in winter is to be at 17°C and have a
relative humidity of 60%. If the barometric pressure is 1.01325 bar, find : (i) The
specific humidity ; (ii) The dew point under these conditions.
Solution. Dry bulb temperature, 𝑡𝑑𝑏 = 17ºC
Relative humidity, φ = 60%
Barometric or total pressure, 𝑃𝑡 = 1.01325 bar
Specific humidity, W:
Corresponding to 17ºC, from steam tables,

21
Dew point temperature, 𝑡𝑑𝑝 : If the air is cooled at constant pressure the vapour will
begin to condense at the saturation temperature corresponding to 0.01164 bar. By
interpolation from steam tables, the dew point temperature, 𝑡𝑑𝑝 is then.
0.01164−0.01150
𝑡𝑑𝑝 = 9 + (10 − 9) × = 9.18 OC
0.01230−0.01150

3. 0.004 kg of water vapour per kg of atmospheric air is removed and temperature of

air after removing the water vapour becomes 20°C. Determine :
(i) Relative humidity (ii) Dew point temperature.
Assume that condition of atmospheric air is 30°C and 55% R.H. and pressure is 1.0132
bar.

22
The specific humidity after removing 0.004 kg of water vapour becomes, 0.01468 –
0.004 = 0.01068 kg/kg of dry air and the temperature 𝑡𝑑𝑏 is given as 20ºC. The partial
pressure of water vapour, 𝑃𝑣 , at this condition can be calculated as follows:

4. Adiabatic mixing: One kg of air at 35°C DBT and 60% R.H. is mixed with 2 kg
of air at 20°C DBT and 13°C dew point temperature. Calculate the specific humidity
of
the mixture.
Solution.
For the air at 35°C DBT and 60% R.H.:
Corresponding to 35ºC, from steam tables,

23
5. Sensible heating: 90 m3 of air per minute at 20°C and 75% R.H. is
heated until its temperature becomes 30°C. Calculate : (i) R.H. of the heated air. (ii)
Heat added to air per minute.
Solution.
(i) For air at 20°C and 75% R.H.

24
 (i) Relative humidity of heated air:
For air at 30°C DBT :
Since the saturation pressure of water vapour at 30ºC is higher than the saturation
pressure of water vapour at 20ºC so it is sensible heating, where 𝑝𝑣 is same after
heating.

6. Sensible cooling: 40 m3 of air at 35°C DBT and 50% R.H. is cooled to 25°C
DBT maintaining its specific humidity constant. Determine:
(i) Relative humidity (R.H.) of cooled air.
(ii) Heat removed from air.
Solution. For air at 35°C DBT and 50% R.H. :

25
𝑝𝑣𝑠 = 0.0563 bar (At 35ºC, from steam tables)

7. Cooling and dehumidification: 120 m3 of air per minute at 35°C DBT

and 50% relative humidity is cooled to 20°C DBT by passing through a cooling coil.
Determine the following:
(i) Relative humidity of out coming air and its wet bulb temperature.
(ii) Capacity of cooling coil in tons of refrigeration.
(iii) Amount of water vapour removed per hour.

26
Solution.
For the air at 35°C DBT and 50% R.H. :

For the air at 20°C. As the saturation vapour pressure at 20ºC is 0.0234 bar, less than
the vapour pressure 0.02815 bar at 35ºC, so that condensation takes place and air
will be saturated at 20°C.
(i) ∴ Relative humidity of exit air is 100 per cent. (Ans.)
Since the air is saturated, wet bulb temperature is equal to dry bulb temperature =
20°C. (Ans.)

27
8. Adiabatic humidification: 150 m3 of air per minute is passed through the
adiabatic humidifier. The condition of air at inlet is 35°C DBT and 20 per cent relative
humidity and the outlet condition is 20°C DBT and 15°C WBT.
Determine the following:
i. Dew point temperature ii. Relative humidity of the exit air iii. Amount of water
vapour added to the air per minute.
Solution.
For air at 35°C DBT and 20% relative humidity.

28
The dew point temperature of air which is the saturation temperature of steam
corresponding to 0.0137 bar is 11°C (from steam tables). (Ans.)

SOLVE THESE TUTORIALS

1. Define the following terms :
(i) Saturated air (ii) Dry bulb temperature
(iii) Dew point temperature (iv) Relative humidity
(v) Specific humidity.
2. State ‘Dalton’s law of partial pressure’.

4. Explain briefly with a neat sketch a ‘sling psychrometer’.

5. Describe briefly any two of the following processes :

29
(i) Sensible heating (ii) Cooling and dehumidification (iii) Heating and humidification
(iv) Heating and dehumidification.
6. Write a short note on ‘by-pass factor’.
7. The atmospheric conditions are 30ºC and specific humidity of 0.0215 kg/kg of air.
Determine :
(i) Partial pressure of air (ii) Relative humidity
(iii) Dew point temperature.
Atmospheric pressure = 756 mm Hg. [Ans. (i) 14.89 mm of Hg, (ii) 46.8%, (iii) 17ºC]
8. A mixture of air and water vapour at 1 bar and 25ºC has a dew point temperature
of 15ºC. Determine the relative humidity and specific humidity. [Ans. 53.8%, 0.01078
kg/kg of dry air]
9. An air-water vapour mixture at 1.24 bar has a temperature of 38ºC and relative
humidity of 60%. Calculate the kg-mass of water vapour per kg of air and per kg of
mixture. Also find the dew point. [Ans. 0.0203 kg/kg of dry air, 0.0199 kg/kg of
mixture, 28.5ºC]
10. In a house, the temperature of the windows on a day in winter is 5ºC. When the
temperature in the room is 23ºC, and the barometric pressure is 748.8 mm Hg, what
would be maximum relative humidity that could be maintained in the room without
condensation on the windowpanes ? Under these conditions, find the partial pressure
of the water vapour and air, the specific humidity, and the density of the mixture. [Ans.
30.7%, 0.00872 bar, 0.989 bar, 0.00548 kg/kg of dry air, 1.164 kg/m3]
11. Atmospheric air enters a heater at 4.5ºC and 60% relative humidity and leaves at
a temperature of 21ºC. Calculate : (i) The heat supplied to the air, (ii) The final relative
humidity. [Ans. 16.8 kJ/kg, 29.2%]
12. The air supplied to a room of building in winter is to be at 17ºC and have a relative
humidity of 60%. If the barometric pressure is 1.01325 bar, calculate the specific
humidity. What would be the dew point under these conditions ? [Ans. 0.00723 kg/kg
of dry air, 9.18ºC].
13. An air and water vapour mixture at 1 bar and 26.7ºC has a specific humidity of
0.0085. Determine the percentage saturation. [Ans. 37.7%]

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14. A mixture of air and water vapour at 1.013 bar and 16ºC has a dew point of 5ºC.
Determine the relative and specific humidities. [Ans. 48%, 0.0054 kg/kg of dry air]
15. Atmospheric air at a pressure of 760 mm Hg has a temperature of 32ºC and a
percentage saturation as determined from a psychrometric chart of 52%. Calculate (i)
The partial pressure of the vapour and the dry air, (ii) The specific humidity (iii) The
dew point and (iv) The density of the mixture. [Ans. (i) 0.0247 bar, 0.988 bar, (ii)
0.01556, (iii) 20.9ºC, (iv) 1.147 kg/m3]
16. In a laboratory test, a psychrometer recorded 36ºC DBT and 30ºC WBT. Calculate:
(i) Vapour pressure (ii) Relative humidity (iii) Specific humidity (iv) Degree of
saturation (v) Dew point temperature (vi) Enthalpy of the mixture. [Ans. (i) 0.0385
bar, (ii) 64.5%, (iii) 0.025 kg/kg dry air, (iv) 0.63, (v) 28ºC, (vi) 99.2 kJ]
17. The pressure and temperature of the air in a room is 1 bar and 28ºC. If the relative
humidity is found to be 30 per cent, determine: (i) The partial pressure of the water
vapour and dew point, (ii) The specific volume of each constituent, and (iii) The
specific humidity. [Ans. (i) 0.0378 bar, 8.8ºC ; (ii) 𝑣𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 0.874 m3/kg, 𝑣𝑣𝑎𝑝. = 122.7
m3/kg ; (iii) 0.00712 kg/kg dry air]

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