CHAPTER (2)

PSYCHOMETRICS &
PSYCHOMETRICS PROPERTIES
2-1 Psychometric
Psychometric is the science, which deals with the thermodynamic properties of the
mixture of the dry air and the water vapor, which is called moist air.

2-2 Dry air

Dry air is considered as a mixture of nitrogen (79.08% by volume) and oxygen
(20.95% by volume) that neglecting the small percentages of other gases.
The molecular weight of dry air is taken as (Ma=29) and the gas constant (Ra=287
J/(kg. K)).

2- 3 Moist air
Moist air is considered as a binary (or two components) mixture of dry air and water
vapor. The quantity of water vapor present depends upon the temperature of the air
and its quantity may change from zero to maximum.
The molecular weight of water vapor is taken as (Mw=18.01) and the gas constant
(Rw=461.52 J/(kg. K)).

2- 4 Thermodynamic Properties of Moist air

The properties of moist air, which is affected by the air treatment processes, are:

2- 4-1 Dry- bulb temperature (dbt)

The dry bulb temperature is the temperature of moist air measured by any ordinary
thermometer or by thermocouple.

2- 4- 2 Wet- bulb temperature (wbt)

The wet bulb temperature is the temperature measured by a thermometer, which its
sensor bulb coated by wetted wick and is exposed to the current of moving air.
The difference between the dry-bulb and wet bulb temperature is known as wet-bulb
depression. Wet bulb depression becomes zero when the air is completely
saturated.

dbt
wbt

Air flow Wet wick Air flow

Wet bulb Dry bulb

2- 4-3 Dew point Temperature (dpt)

The dew point temperature is the temperature at which the water vapor in the air
starts to condensate. Dew point temperature is equal to the steam table saturation
temperature corresponding to the actual partial pressure of water vapor in the air.
The difference between dry-bulb and dew-point temperature is known as dew-point
depression.

2- 4- 4 Partial Pressure Pw, Pa

Partial pressure is the pressure exerted by one gas component of a mixture of
several gases.

2-4-5 Humidity Ratio (Specific Humidity), (w) (kgw/ kga)

It is defined as the mass of water vapor present per kg of dry air.
mw
w= kgw / kga
ma
2-4-6 Relative Humidity (RH or 0)
The relative humidity is defined as the ratio of actual mass of water vapor in a given
volume to the mass of water vapor if the air is saturated at the same dry bulb
temperature.
m
6= w
m
w, s
2-4-7 Degree of Saturation (µ)
The degree of saturation is defined as the ratio of humidity ratio of moist air to the
humidity ratio of saturated moist air at the same temperature and pressure
w
µ=
ws
2-4-8 Enthalpy of Moist Air (h)
The enthalpy of moist air is the sum of the enthalpy of the dry air and of the water
vapor comprising the mixture.

2-4-9 Specific Volume, m3/kg

The volume of the mixture per kg of dry air in the mixture, expressed in cubic meters,
is known as moist (humid) specific volume.

2-4-10 Sensible Heat of Air (SH)

The quantity of heat, which is measured by measuring the dry bulb temperature
change of air

2-4-11 Total Heat (TH)

The total heat of the moist air is the sum of the sensible heat of the dry air and
sensible and latent heat of water vapor associated with dry air.
2-5 PSYCHOMETRIC RELATIONS:

2-5-1 DALTON’ S LAW OF PARTIAL PRESSURE

It states that the total pressure of a mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the partial
pressures exerted by each gas when it occupies the mixture volume at the same
temperature. This law is stated in Figure (2-1) as per the Dalton’s law of partial
pressure.

Pa Pb Pc Pt

T
Ta Tb Tc m ix of
G as a + + = gas
G as b G as c
a,b,c

Fig.(2-1)

Pt = Pa + Pb + Pc (2-1)
If this is applied to the moist air which contains dry air and water vapor, then

Pt = Pa + Pw (2-2)

Where Pt = Total pressure of moist air

Pa= Partial pressure of dry air
Pw= Partial pressure of water vapor

2-5-2 Humidity Ratio (w): As per the definition of humidity ratio

mass of water vapor in mixture m w

w= = (2-3)
mass of dry air in mixture ma

The masses ma and mw are given by the expression as:

P V
m = a (2-4)
a R T
a
Where (Pa) is the partial pressure of the dry air, (V) is the volume of the mixture and
(Ra) is gas constant for dry air.

P V
m = w (2-5)
w R T
w
Where (Pw) is the partial pressure of the water vapor, (V) is the volume of the mixture
and (Rw) is gas constant for water vapor.
 P V R a T R a Pw
w= w = (2-6)
R w T Pa V R w Pa

R R
Ra = and R w = (2-7)
Ma Mw
M P 18 Pw P Pw
w= w w = = 0.622 w = 0.622
Ma Pa 29 Pa Pa P pw
t
(2-8)

2-5-3 Degree of Saturation (µ).

mass of water vapor with unit mass of dry air

µ. =
mass of water vapor associated with saturated unit mass of dry air
w
µ= (2-9)
ws
Where ” w s “ is specific humidity of air when it is fully saturated

P P
0.622( w ) 1 ws
p p P P P P P
µ= t w = w ( t ws )= w t (2-10)
P P P P P P
0.622( ws ) ws t w ws 1 w
P P P
t ws t

Where “Pws “ is the partial pressure of water vapor when the air is fully
saturated at the same temperature. This can be calculated from steam tables
corresponding to the dry bulb temperature of the air

2-5-3 Relative Humidity (R.H. or Ø)

mass of water vapor

6. =
mass of water vapor if saturated at same temperatur e

Pw V
m R T P
6. = w = w = w (2-11)
m ws Pws V Pws
RwT
The relative humidity can be defined as the ratio of the partial pressure of water
vapor in a given volume of mixture to the partial pressure of water vapor when the
same volume of mixture is saturated at the same temperature

Pa w 1 P Pw
6= = 1.6 w t (2-12)
0.622 Pws Pws

There is no way to measure the specific humidity (w), degree of saturation (µ) and
relative humidity, as it requires the measurements of Pw ad Pws. The value of Pws can
be calculated from the steam tables at the give dry bulb temperature. The value of Pw
can be obtained from the measurements of wet-bulb temperature.

Relation between Degree of Saturation and Relative Humidity

Pws Pws
1 1
P P P Pws
µ=6 t =6 t =6 t (2-13)
P 6 Pws P 6 Pws
1 w 1 t
P P
t t

6 (P Pws ) = µ P µ Pws
t t
6 [P Pws + µ P ws ] = µ P
t t
µ P µ
6= t =
P Pws + µ Pws P
t 1 (1 µ) ws
P
t
Pws << P
t
6 =µ

2-5-4 Enthalpy of Moist Air

The enthalpy of moist air is the sum of the enthalpy of dry air and the enthalpy of
water vapor associated with dry air. Therefore, the enthalpy of moist air can be
written:
h = h + wh
a w (2-14)

h = C (dbt) + w[C dbt + L] (2-15)

pa pw
h = 1.006dbt + w[2501 + 1.805dbt] (2-16)

Where
L = latent heat of water vapor=2501 kJ/kg
Cpa= specific heat of dry air =1.006 kJ/kg.K
Cpw = specific heat of water vapor = 1.805 kg/kg.k

2-5-5 Specific Volume of Moist Air

If the partial pressure of water vapor or air is known then the specific volume of moist
air can be calculated from the partial pressure as

R T
v = w (2-17)
w P
w
Where “vw “ is the specific volume of water vapor at partial pressure Pw and “T “is the
dry bulb temperature of air

R T R T
v = a = a (2-18)
a P (P P )
a t w
Where “va “ is the specific volume of dry air at partial pressure Pa and “T “ is the dry
bulb temperature of air
As per Dalton’s law of partial pressure, ( vw=va ) and it is also the specific volume of
humid air at total pressure Pt

2-6 Adiabatic Saturation and the Wet-Bulb- Temperature

The relative humidity or the humidity ratio could be used to specify the moisture
content of atmospheric air. The problem is that neither can measured directly. Hence,
an indirect method using a straightforward temperature measurement is chosen.
Consider the apparatus shown in the following figure (Fig 2-2) in which air at
temperature T1 enters an adiabatic (i.e., no heat transfer occurs across the surface
bounding the apparatus). The entering moist air becomes saturated as it passes over
the liquid due to the evaporation, and the outlet temperature T2 is lower than the inlet
temperature as a result.
The adiabatic saturation outlet temperature T2 is called the thermodynamic wet
bulb temperature and is considered as measure of degree of saturation or relative
humidity.
1 2

T1 T2
w1 M oist A ir Saturated M oist A ir w2
h1 h2
W ater at T2

Fig. (2-2) Adiabatic Saturation Process Equipment

2-7 Psychrometer
The psychrometer is a device used to measure the dry bulb and the wet bulb
temperature. The wet bulb temperature so measured is very close to the
thermodynamic wet bulb temperature and is substituted for it in common
psychometric calculations. The wet bulb’s temperature is below the dry bulb’s
temperature because heat must be transferred to the wet bulb in order to evaporate
moisture

Type of Psychrometers

1- Sling psychrometer. This psychrometer consists of two mercury thermometers

mounted on a frame which has a handle. The handle helps for rotating the
psychrometer to produce necessary air motion. The air velocities of 2.5 m/s to 5 m/s
are recommended
Spindle
Handle

Dry bulb Wet bulb

Water tube

Sling Psychrometer

2- Aspirating psychrometer. A small fan is provided at the top for producing rapid
air motion of air over the thermometer bulbs. This type is used for measuring the dry
bulb and the wet bulb temperature after a particular interval of time mostly for
measuring the atmospheric conditions of cities throughout the day and year.
 Air outlet Aspirated air

Fan switch

Battery

Fan

Wet bulb

Shield plate
Dry bulb
Air intlet Aspiration Psychrometer

2-8 Relation Between (Pw) with wbt for given dbt “Carrier Equation”

[(P Pw,s ) ](dbt wbt)

Pw = (Pw,s ) t wbt
wbt [1574 - 1.44(wbt)]

Example (2-1)
The atmospheric conditions are 25oC dbt and humidity ratio 10g/kga.
Determine the following:
(1) Partial pressure of water vapor
(2) Relative humidity
(3) Dew- point temperature

pw
Q w = 0.622
P Pw
t
Pw = 0.0158bar
P
6 = w = 0.49 = 49%
Pws
The dew point temperature is the saturation temperature of water vapor at a
pressure 0.0158 bar (dpt from steam table = 14oC)

Example (2-2)

The sling- psychrometer reads 40oC dbt and 28oC wbt . calculate the
following(assume atmospheric pressure)
(1) Specific volume (2) Relative humidity
(3) Vapor density in air (4) Dew-point temperature
(5) Enthalpy of mixture per kg of dry air
Using Carrier equation for finding out the partial pressure of vapor

[(P Pw,s ) ](dbt wbt)

Pw = (Pw,s ) t wbt
wbt [1574 - 1.44(wbt)]

[(1.03 0.03853](4 0 28)

Pw = 0.03853 = 0.03038bar
[1574 - 1.44 × 28]

P 0.03038
1- Humidity ratio w = 0.622( w ) = 0.622( )
P P 1.03 0.03038
t w
0.0189 kg/kg of dry air = 18.9 grams/kg of dry air

2- Relative humidity is given by:

P
6= w = 0.03038 = 0.404 = 40.4%
P 0.07520
ws
Pws is taken from the steam table at 40oC

3- Water vapor density P 1 = GR T

w w
0.03038 × 105
G= = 0.0210kg/m 3
461.52 × (40 + 273)
1
and specific volume v = = 47.55 m 3 /kg
w 0.0210

4- Dew-point is the saturation temperature of the water vapor at the existing partial
pressure of water vapor, From steam table, the saturation temperature at 0.03038
bar is dpt =24oC

5- Enthalpy h = 1.006dbt + w(2501 + 1.805 dbt)

h = 1.006 × 40 + 0.01890(2501 + 1.805 × 40) = 88.8 kJ/kg of dry air

2-9 PSYCHOMETRIC CHARTS
Psychometric charts provide a graphical representation of the thermodynamic
properties of moist air, various air conditioning processes and, variable air
conditioning cycles. The currently used psychometric have the t-w coordinates,
where dry bulb temperature dbt, and humidity ratio w are basic coordinate ,as the
chart is a representation of dry-bulb temperature versus humidity ratio and all other
properties are shown by different lines on the chart.

Determination of Thermodynamic Properties on Psychometric charts

There are seven thermodynamic properties groups of moist air shown on

psychometric charts. They are:
1. Enthalpy, h
2. Relative humidity R.H.
3. Thermodynamic wet bulb temperature
4. Barometric or atmospheric pressure.
5. Temperature and saturation water vapor pressure.
6. specific volume
7. Humidity ratio; water vapor pressure, and dew point temperature.

W
RH

(a) Humidity Ratio (b) Relative Humidity

Dry- Bulb Lines

W
et-
Bu
lb
Li
ne
s

(c) Dry- Bulb Temperature (d) Wet- Bulb Temperature

 g
/K
KJ
H

(e) Enthalpy (f) Specific Volume m3/kg

Problems
Solve the following problems using water vapor saturation table:
1- the air supplied to a room of a building in winter to be at 17 °C and have a
percentage relative humidity of 60%.if the barometric pressure is 1.013 bar.
calculate:
a-the specific humidity.
b-the dew point under this condition.

2- Air at 32 °C is saturated with water vapor at barometric pressure of 1.013 bar.

calculate:
a-the partial pressure of water vapor and dry air.
b-the volume of dry air per kilogram of vapor.
c-the mass of dry air per kilogram of vapor.
d-the specific humidity of the mixture.
e-the relative humidity of the mixture.

3- the pressure of the water vapor in an atmosphere which is at 32 °C and 1.013 bar
is 0.02063bar.calculate:
a-the degree of superheat of water vapor .
b-the specific humidity.
c-the relative humidity.
d-the temperature at which the air could be cooled without any condensate
being formed.

4- an air conditioned room is maintained at a temperature of 21°C and a relative

humidity of 55%when the barometric pressure is 740mmHg.calculate:
a-the specific humidity.
b-the temperature of the inside surface of the windows in the room to avoid
forming any condensate on the surface.
c-what is the mass of water vapor per kilogram of dry air should be removed
from the mixture to prevent condensation on the surfaces of the windows
when their temperature drops to 4°C, and what is the initial relative
humidity to satisfy this condition when the room temperature remains at
21°C?