Refrigeration and

Air-Conditioning

Unit – 4
Part-1: Psychrometry and Air-Conditioning

Dr. Sandeep Chhabra, ME Deptt.

 OJECTIVE

◆ To Understand Psychrometric Properties.

◆ To Understand Psychrometry Chart.
◆ To Understand Psychrometry Processes.
◆ To Understand Working Principle Of Airwasher
 What is Psychrometry
◆ Psychrometry is the study of the properties of
mixtures of dry air and water vapor i.e., moist air
Example: how wet is the air ?

Why study psychrometry?

◆ To be able to analyze various processes involving moist
air.
Example: if the air is warm and wet, what will be the air-
conditioning design required
 Properties of Moist Air:
• In most of the air‐conditioning system the working substance is
atmospheric air

• Therefore, it is extremely important to study the properties of

atmospheric air and also the different processes required for a
proper design of an air‐conditioning system

• Atmospheric air consists of many gases, water vapour and the

pollutants. The concentrations vary from place to place.

• Also it decreases with the altitude, being almost dry air at an

altitude of 10 km
Atmosphere
 Properties of Moist Air:

• The composition of dry part in atmospheric air is listed

below:

Components Mol. Mass Vol % Mass %

N2 28.02 78.03 75.47
O2 32.00 20.99 23.20
Ar 39.91 0.94 1.29
CO2 44.00 0.03 0.05
H2 2.02 0.01 0.00
 Properties of Moist Air:
• For use in an air‐conditioning system, the pollutant is removed
from the atmospheric air

• The residue of atmospheric air after the removal of pollutants is

known as the moist air, as it contains the various gases
including the water vapour

• The molecular weight of the dry air is 28.966 and the

characteristic gas constant is 287.036 J/kg‐K

• The molecular weight of the water vapour is 18.05 and the

characteristic gas constant is 461.52 J/kg‐K
 Properties of Moist Air:

• Air at a given temperature and pressure can exist in two

conditions: unsaturated and saturated

• At a given state, if the moisture content in dry air is less than the
maximum permissible moisture corresponding to the given
temperature and pressure, the air is known as unsaturated air.

• That means, it is the moisture content which decides the

state of air.
 Different Laws For Moist Air:

Gibbs – Dalton Law:

• According to this law, the total pressure exerted by a mixture of
non‐reacting ideal gases is equal to the sum of partial pressure
exerted by the constituent gases, i.e.

pt = p1 + p2 + p3 + ………..

where pt is the total pressure

 Different Laws For Moist Air:

Gibbs – Dalton Law:

• For moist air, it becomes

pt = pa + pv = pa + pw

• where pt is the total pressure, pa is the partial pressure of dry air,

pw or pv is the partial pressure of water vapour

• It is difficult to find the exact property of the moist air, however

it is noticed that upto 3 atm. pressure, moist air behaves as an
ideal gas
 Different Laws For Moist Air:

Amagat Law of Partial Volumes:

• According to this law, each constituent is assumed to occupy
volume corresponding to the given total pressure and the
temperature. The total volume of the gas is then equal to the
summation of individual volumes, i.e.

V = V1 + V2 + V3 + ………..

where V is the volume of the mixture

 Important Psychrometric Properties:

• Dry Bulb Temperature (DBT): It is the temperature of the moist

air as measured by a standard thermometer

• Dew Point Temperature (DPT): When the unsaturated moist

air is cooled isobarically, the mixture eventually reaches the
saturation temperature of water vapour corresponding to its
partial pressure pv. At this point, the water vapour starts to
condense. This particular temperature is known as dew point
temperature
Important Psychrometric Properties:
 Important Psychrometric Properties:

• Specific Humidity or Humidity Ratio (w): It is defined as the

ratio of mass of water vapour to the mass of dry air in a given
volume of the mixture. Thus,
w= mv/ma = (V/vv)/(V/va) = va/vv where
subscripts a and v stand for air and water vapour
respectively

so, w= Mvpv/Ma pa = 18.06 pv/(28.966 pa) =

0.622pv/pa so, w=0.622pv/(p‐pv) ; Since it is a function of pv,
accordingly, if there is no change in w or the moisture content,
the partial pressure pv also remains constant
 Important Psychrometric Properties:

• It should be noted that since pv is very small in comparison to p,

therefore, denominator remains more or less constant. Hence,
the specific humidity w is approximately a linear function of pv.

• Also, the specific humidity is not a mass fraction of water

vapour. Rather, it is the a fraction of water vapour in dry air
for a given volume of the mixture.
 Important Psychrometric Properties:
• Degree of Saturation (m):
 Important Psychrometric Properties:
• Degree of Saturation (m): It is defined as the ratio of actual
specific humidity w to the specific humidity ws of saturated air
at the same temperature T and pressure p. Thus,

m=w/ws = (0.622pv/(p‐pv))/(0.622ps/(p‐ps))

m= (pv . (p‐ps))/(ps . (p‐pv))

We, therefore, notice that degree of saturation

represents the capacity of air to absorb moisture.
 Important Psychrometric Properties:

• Relative Humidity (φ): It is defined as the ratio of mass of

water vapour in a certain volume of unsaturated air at a given
temperature to the mass of water vapour in the same volume
at the same temperature in saturated air. Thus,
φ = mv/mvs = (pvV/RT)/(psV/RT) = pv/ps
where subscripts v and s stand for unsaturated and
saturated conditions respectively
Also,
φ = (V/vv)/(V/vs) = vs/vv
 Important Psychrometric Properties:

• Therefore, the relative humidity can also be defined as the

ratio of partial pressure of water vapour in an unsaturated
moist air at a given temperature T to the saturation pressure of
water vapour at the same temperature T. Hence,

w = 0.622 φ. ps/pa
or φ = w . pa / (0.622 . ps)
,
Also, m = φ . (1‐ ps/p) / (1‐ pv/p)
 Important Psychrometric Properties:

• Enthalpy of Moist Air: It is obtained by the summation of

enthalpies of its constituents, i.e. dry air and the water
vapour. Thus,
Enthalpy of moist air (h) is equal to
h = ha+whv , per kg of dry air
where ha is the enthalpy of dry air and whv is the
enthalpy of the water vapour
Considering enthalpy as a function of temperature only
ha = CpaT = 1.005 T kJ/kg d.a.
Cp = 1.005 kJ/kg‐K and T is the absolute temperature.
 Important Psychrometric Properties:
• Enthalpy of Moist Air:
hA = hB = hC

Different ways of finding enthalpy of water vapour

 Important Psychrometric Properties:

• Enthalpy of Moist Air:

hv = Cpw Td + (hfg)d+ Cpv . (T‐Td)
where Cpw is specific heat of liquid
water, Td is dew point temperature
(hfg)d is latent heat of vaporisation at Td
Cpv is specific heat of superheated
vapour
In the above expressions, datum is taken at 0oC Considering
enthalpy as a function of temperature only,
Taking Cpw = 4.1868 kJ/kg‐K and Cpv = 1.88 kJ/kg‐K, in the
range of 0oC to 60oC, we can write
hv = 4.1868 Td + (hfg)d + 1.88 . (T‐Td)
 Important Psychrometric Properties:
• Wet Bulb Temperature (WBT): It is the temperature recorded
by a thermometer when the bulb is completely soaked in water.
This is done by putting an envelop of cotton wick saturated with
water around the bulb.

As the air passes through the wick, it takes away the latent heat
and some water gets evaporated. Energy is then transferred
from the air to the wick. When the equilibrium condition is
reached, there is a balance between the energy removed from
the wick and energy supplied by air. The temperature recorded
at this moment is WBT.
 Important Psychrometric Properties:
• Adiabatic Saturation Temperature (T*): When the unsaturated
air flows over a long sheet of water, the water evaporates and
the moisture content of air increases. Because of the
evaporation, both the water and the air are cooled
 Important Psychrometric Properties:
• Adiabatic Saturation Temperature (T*): The process
continues till the thermal equilibrium, i.e. energy
transferred from air to water is exactly same as the energy
needed to vaporise the water

• When this condition is reached, air is saturated.

 Important Psychrometric Properties:
• Adiabatic Saturation Temperature (T*):
• This equilibrium temperature is known as adiabatic saturation
temperature or thermodynamic wet bulb temperature
• The adiabatic saturation temperature is taken equal to WBT for
all practical purposes, i.e. WBT = T*.
 Important Psychrometric Properties:
• Adiabatic Saturation Temperature (T*):

Adiabatic Saturation Temperature or Thermodynamic Wet Bulb Temperature

 Important Psychrometric Properties:
• Adiabatic Saturation Temperature (Some calculation):

T, w, T*, w*, h*
h
T*, hf*
From energy balance,
h + (w* ‐ w) hf* = h*
The enthalpy is increased from h because of the water addition.
The mass of water added per kg of dry air is (w*-w), hf* is the
specific enthalpy of injected water or the sensible heat of make
up water
 Important Psychrometric Properties:
Now, h = CpaT + w.hv , h* = CpaT* + w*.hv*

Therefore,
CpaT + w.hv + (w* ‐ w) hf* = CpaT* + w*.hv*

w = [Cpa(T* – T) + w*(hv*‐hf*)] / (hv‐hf*)

Assignment: Show that adiabatic saturation temperature is a

thermodynamic property of moist air.
 Numerical:
• A mixture of dry air and water vapour is at a
temperature of 21oC under a total pressure of 736 mm
of Hg. The dew point temperature is 15oC. Find:
(i) partial pressure of water vapour
(ii) Relative humidity
(iii) Specific humidity
(iv)Specific enthalpy of water vapour by all the
methods
(v) Enthalpy of air per kg of dry air
(vi) Specific volume of air per kg of dry air
Ans:
(i) From steam table, partial pressure of water vapour at
15oC DPT = pv = 1707.5 Pa
(ii) From steam table, partial pressure of water vapour at
21oC DBT = ps = 2489.81 Pa
Relative humidity = pv/ps x 100 = 68.58%
(iii) Specific humidity = 0.622.pv/pa
=0.622.pv/(p‐pv) = 0.011 kg w.v./kg d.a.
(iv) (hfg)21C= 2452 kJ/kg, (hfg)15C= 2466.2 kJ/kg
hC = Cpw .T + (hfg)21C=
4.1686(21)+2452 = 2540 kJ/kg w.v.
hA = Cpw .Td + (hfg)15C+ Cpv . (T‐Td)
=4.1686(15)+2466.2+1.88(21‐15) = 2540.3 kJ/kg w.v.
hB = (hfg)0C+ Cpv .T= 2501+ 1.88(21) = 2540.5 kJ/kg w.v.
Ans:
(v) Enthalpy of air
h = Cpa .T + w hv = 1.005(21)+0.011(2540.3)
= 49.0 kJ/kg d.a.
(vi) Specific volume of air is equal to the volume of 1 kg of dry
air or 0.011 kg of water vapour. Based on dry air part
v = va = Ra.T/pa = 287.3 (273+21)/(723.21*133.5)
=0.875 m3/kg d.a.
Calculation based on the water vapour part
v = vv = Rv.T/pv = 461.5 (273+21)/(12.79 *

133.5)
=79.463 m3/kg w.v.
=79.463 . w =0.874 m3/kg d.a.
 Numerical:
• The humidity ratio of the atmospheric air at 28oC DBT
and 760 mm of Hg is 0.016 kg/kg d.a. Determine:
(i) partial pressure of water vapour
(ii) Relative humidity
(iii) The DPT
(iv) Enthalpy of air per kg of dry air
Ans:
(i) Sp. Humidity or humidity ratio (w) is
w = 0.622 . pv/(p – pv)
0.016 = 0.622 . pv/(p – pv)
pv = 19.06 mm of Hg = 190.06 *
133.3 = 2540.6 N/m2

(ii) From steam table, the saturation pressure at 28oC DBT

= ps = 3778 Pa
Relative humidity = pv/ps x 100 = 67.2%
(iii) The DPT is the saturation temperature corresponding to
the pv , Td = 21.1oC
Ans:
(iv) Enthalpy of water vapour
(hfg)21.1C= 2451.76 kJ/kg
hw = Cpw .Td + (hfg)15C+ Cpv . (T‐
Td)
=
4.1686(21.1)+2451.76+
1.88(28‐21.1)
= 88.34+2451.76+12.97 =
2553.07 kJ/kg of w.v.
Enthalpy of dry air = ha = Cpa .
T = 1.005 * 28
=
Psychrometry Chart:
Sensible cooling process:
• The moisture content
remains constant

• The temperature of the cooling

coil should be higher than the DPT
for the given pressure

• For 100% effective cooling coil,

the exit air temperature will be
equal to the coil temperature
Sensible heating process:
• The moisture
contents remains
constant

• The dry bulb

temperature of air
increases during the
process.

• The exit temperature will

be less than the
temperature of the
heating coil (imperfect
heating)
Cooling and Dehumidification:
• The moisture
content decreases and
the temperature of air
also decreases

• Some of the water

vapour condenses and
leaves the system as
liquid

• This process is usually

encountered in an air
conditioner
Cooling and Dehumidification:
• The mass balance of
water gives
ma wo = ma wc +mw where
mw is the mass of the water
vapour leaving the system

• The energy balance

gives
ma ho = Qt + mw hw
+ma hc
Load on the cooling coil, Qt
= ma (ho – hc)
‐ m w hw .
Cooling and Dehumidification:
Qt = ma (ho – hc)
‐ mw hw .
Qt = ma (ho – hc)
‐ ma (wo – wc)hw.

• The second term is

usually small in
comparison to the first
term. Hence,
Qt = ma (ho – hc)
= ma (ho –hw – hc+hw)
= ma (ho –hw)
+ ma(hw ‐ hc)
Cooling and Dehumidification:
Qt = ma (ho –hw)
+ ma(hw ‐ hc)
= LH + SH

Sensible heat factor (SHF)

SHF = SH/(LH +SH)

= (hw – hc)/(ho ‐ hc)

Hence, SHF = 0
corresponds to the
condition of only latent
heat transfer
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Cooling and Dehumidification:
SHF = SH/(LH +SH)
= (hw – hc)/(ho ‐ hc)

And, SHF = 1 corresponds

to the condition of only
sensible heat transfer

Usually, it varies between

0.75 to 0.8 in dry climate
while it falls to 0.6 in a
humid climate
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Cooling and Dehumidification:
• In the figure, Ts is the
effective surface
temperature of the
cooling coil known as
apparatus dew point (ADP)
of the coil.

• Ideally, the exit

temperature of air should
be equal to the ADP. But,
in practice, it is not
possible .
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Cooling and Dehumidification:
• Therefore, a bypass factor is
defined which is given as
BPF = (Tc – Ts)/(To ‐ Ts)
= (wc – ws)/(wo ‐ ws)
= (hc – hs)/(ho ‐ hs)

• A higher BPF represents a

large difference between
ADP and the exit air
temperature
• A BPF = 1 represents that all
the air bypasses the cooling
coil without being cooled or
dehumidified
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Cooling and Dehumidification:
• Efficiency of the cooling coil
hc = 1 – BPF
= 1 ‐ (Tc – Ts)/(To ‐ Ts)
= (To – Tc)/(To ‐ Ts)

• The above efficiency is also

called the contact factor
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Heating and humidification:
• The moisture
content increases and
the temperature of air
also increases

• This is usually required

in winter

• The air is first heated

then steam is injected
into the air
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Heating and humidification:
• The mass balance of
water vapour gives ma
wD = ma wo + mw where
mw is the mass of the
water vapour entering
the system

• The energy balance

gives
m a h o + Qh + m w h w
= ma h D
Heating load of the coil,
Qh = ma (hD – ho)
‐ mw hw .
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Heating and humidification:
• Since this process also
involves the latent and
sensible heating, a
sensible heat factor
(SHF) can be defined,
which is given as

SHF = SH/(LH +SH)

= (hw – ho)/(hD ‐ ho)
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Numerical:
• 39.6 cubic metre per minute (cmm) of a mixture of
recirculated room air and outdoor air enter a cooling
coil at 31oC DBT and 18.5oC WBT. The effective surface
temperature of the coil is 4.4oC. The surface area of the
coil is such as would give 12.5 kW of refrigeration with
the given entering air state. Determine the DBT and
WBT of the air leaving the coil and the coil bypass factor.
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Ans:
At the ADP of 4.4oC, ws = 5.25 g/kg d.a.
and hs = 17.7
kJ/kg d.a.
State of entering air
w1 = 8.2 g/kg d.a., v1 = 0.872 m3/kg
d.a. h1 = 52.5 kJ/kg d.a.
Mass flow rate of dry air
ma = volume flow rate/ sp. vol. =
39.6/0.872
= 44.41 kg
d.a./min Cooling load
per kg of d.a.
h 1 – h2 =
capacity/ma = 12.5
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Ans:
From equation of the BPF (or it is also called equation for
the condition line)
(h1 – h2)/(h1 – hs) = (w1 – w2)/(w1 – ws)
This gives
w2 = 6.77 g w.v./kg d.a.
Corresponding to h2 and w2, we can find DBT2 and WBT2
from the psychrometric chart
DBT2 = 18.6oC, WBT2 = 12.5oC

Coil BPF = (h2 – hs)/(h1 – hs) = 0.515 (Very high)

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Numerical:
• In a cooling application, moist air enters a refrigeration
coil at the rate of 100 kg of dry air per minute at 35oC
and 50% RH. The ADP of coil is 5oC and bypass factor is
0.15. Determine the outlet state of moist air and
cooling capacity of coil in TR.
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Ans:
Mark the initial state of air, i.e. 35oC DBT and 50% RH on
the psychrometric chart. Corresponding to this condition
DPT = 23oC (obtained as the intersection point of a
horizontal line passing through the above given point and
the saturation line)
BPF = (t2 – ts)/(t1 – ts) = (t2 – ADP)/(DBT1 – ADP) = 0.15
t2 = DBT2 = 9.5oC

From the psychrometric chart we find that the RH

corresponding to DBT2 on line 1 – s(or ADP) is RH2 = 99%
Cooling capacity = ma .(h1 – h2) = 100(81 – 28) kJ/min
= 5300 kJ/min = 5300/211 = 25.19 TR
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Cooling and humidification (Evaporative Cooling):
• The moisture
content increases but
the temperature of air
decreases

• Water is injected into

the flowing stream of
air at the WBT of
entering air

• The final condition of

air will depend upon
the amount of water
evaporation
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Cooling and humidification (Evaporative Cooling):
• The mass balance of
water gives
ma wE = ma wo +mw
where mw is the mass of
the water supplied

• The energy balance

gives
ma hE = mw hfw + m a ho
Since mwhfw/ma is very
small, therefore
hE = ho, i.e. it is an
isenthalpic process.
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Heating and Adiabatic dehumidification:
• The moisture content of
air is absorbed by a
hygroscopic material

• The moisture liberates

the latent heat during
this process which heats
up the air, thereby
increasing its DBT

• This process is reverse of

the adiabatic
humidification process
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Numerical:
• In a cooling application, moist air enters a refrigeration
coil at the rate of 100 kg of dry air per minute at 35oC
and 50% RH. The ADP of coil is 5oC and bypass factor is
0.15. Determine the outlet state of moist air and
cooling capacity of coil in TR.
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Ans:
Mark the initial state of air, i.e. 35oC DBT and 50% RH on
the psychrometric chart. Corresponding to this condition
DPT = 23oC (obtained as the intersection point of a
horizontal line passing through the above given point and
the saturation line)
BPF = (t2 – ts)/(t1 – ts) = (t2 – ADP)/(DBT1 – ADP) = 0.15
t2 = DBT2 = 9.5oC

From the psychrometric chart we find that the RH

corresponding to DBT2 on line 1 – s(or ADP) is RH2 = 99%
Cooling capacity = ma .(h1 – h2) = 100(81 – 28) kJ/min
= 5300 kJ/min = 5300/211 = 25.19 TR
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Numerical:
• The atmospheric air at 40oC DBT and 18oC WBT is
flowing at the rate of 100 cmm through the system.
Water at 18oC is injected into the air stream at the rate
of 48 kg/h. Determine the specific humidity and
enthalpy of the leaving air. Also, determine the DBT,
WBT and the relative humidity of the leaving air.
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Ans:
Mark the initial state of air, i.e. 40oC DBT and 18oC WBT on
the psychrometric chart. Corresponding to this condition
the specific volume of air is
v1 = 0.89 m3/kg d.a., w1 = 4 g/kg d.a., h1 = 51 kJ/kg d.a.

Mass flow rate of air

ma = volume flow rate/v1
= 100/0.89 kg/min = 112.4 kg/min
w2 = w1 + mw/ma = 0.004 + 48/(112.4 60)*
= 0.004 + 0.8/112.4 = 0.0111 kg/kg d.a.
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Ans:
Since the water is injected at the WBT, therefore, this
process is an isenthalpic process, i.e.
h2 = h1 = 51 kJ/kg d.a.
Corresponding to w2 and h2, we can mark the exit state of
air on the psychrometric chart, which gives

DBT2 = 22.4oC
WBT2 = WBT1 = 18oC
RH2 = 65%
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Numerical:
• The atmospheric air at 25oC DBT and 12oC WBT is
flowing at the rate of 100 cmm through the duct. The
dry saturated steam at 100oC is injected into the air
stream at the rate of 72 kg/hr. Determine the specific
humidity and enthalpy of the leaving air. Also,
determine the DBT, WBT and the relative humidity
of the leaving air.
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Ans:
Mark the initial state of air, i.e. 25oC DBT and 12oC WBT on
the psychrometric chart. Corresponding to this condition
the specific volume of air is
v1 = 0.844 m3/kg d.a., w1 = 3.4 g/kg d.a., h1 = 34.2 kJ/kg‐
d.a.

Mass flow rate of air

ma = volume flow rate/v1
= 100/0.844 kg/min = 118.5 kg/min
w2 = w1 + ms/ma = 0.0034 + 72/(118.5*60)
= 0.004 + 1.2/118.5 = 0.0135 kg/kg d.a.
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Ans:
Since the steam is saturated at 100oC, therefore, enthalpy
of the steam can be obtained from steam table, which
gives
hs = enthlapy of saturated steam at 100oC
= 2676 kJ/kg

Hence, from energy balance

ma h2 = ma h1 + ms hs
i.e. h2 = h1 + ms hs/ma = 34.2 + 1.2 *2676/118.5
h2 = 61.3 kJ/kg d.a.
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Ans:
Corresponding to w2 and h2, we can mark the exit state of
air on the psychrometric chart, which gives

DBT2 = 26.1oC
WBT2 = 21.1oC
RH2 = 62%
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Mixing of Air Streams (Without Condensation):
• The mixing process is
assumed to occur
adiabatically

• This process is quite

common in air‐
conditioning systems

• Depending upon the

initial states of mixing
air, there could be
condensation also
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Mixing of Air Streams (Without Condensation):
• The mass balance of

air gives
m3 = m1 + m2

• The mass balance of

moisture gives
m3 w3 = m1 w1 +m2w2

• The energy balance

gives
m 3 h3 =

m1 h 1 + m2 h 2
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Mixing of Air Streams (Without Condensation):
• m3 w3 = m1 w1 +m2w2

• (m1+m2)h3 =

m1 h 1 + m2 h 2

• From the above two

relations it can be inferred
that the final enthalpy and
humidity ratio of the
mixture are the weighted
average of inlet

enthalpies and the

 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Mixing of Air Streams (Without Condensation):
• m1 /m2 = (h2‐h3)/(h3‐h1)

• m1 /m2 = (w2‐w3)/(w3‐w1)

• The final state lies on the

straight line 1‐2 on the
psychrometric chart

• The point 3 divides the line

1‐2 in the inverse ratio of
the mixing masses.
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Mixing of Air Streams (With Condensation):
• The mixing process is
assumed to occur
adiabatically

• This process usually

occurs when warm
and high humidity air
(point 2) is mixed with
the cold air (point 1)

• The resulting mixture

will lie in a two‐phase
region (point 4)
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Mixing of Air Streams (With Condensation):
• Because of this some
amount of water vapour
may leave the system as
liquid water

• This results in a decrease in

the humidity ratio and an
increase in the DBT (i.e.
point 3)

• This process rarely

happens in an air‐
conditioning system
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Numerical:
• 30 cmm of a stream of moist air at 15oC DBT and 13oC
WBT are mixed with 12 cmm of a second stream at
25oC DBT and 18oC WBT. Barometric pressure is 1
atmosphere. Determine the DBT and WBT of the
resulting mixture.
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Ans:
Mark the initial state of air stream 1, i.e. 15oC DBT and
13oC WBT on the psychrometric chart. Corresponding to
this condition
v1 = 0.827 m3/kg d.a., w1 = 8.4 g/kg d.a., h1 = 36.85 kJ/kg d.a.

Mark the initial state of air stream 2, i.e. 25oC DBT and
18oC WBT on the psychrometric chart. Corresponding to
this condition
v2 = 0.859 m3/kg d.a., w2 = 10 g/kg d.a., h2 = 51.1 kJ/kg d.a.

m1 = 30/0.827 = 36.2 kg d.a./min

m2 = 12/0.859 = 13.9 kg d.a./min
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Ans:
m3 = m1 + m2 = 50.1 kg d.a./min

w3 = (m1w1 + m2w2)/(m3) = 8.86 kg w.v./kg d.a.

h3 = (m1h1 + m2h2)/(m3) = 40.8 kJ/kg d.a.

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Numerical:
800 cmm of recirculated air at 22oC DBT and 10oC DPT is
to be mixed with 300 cmm of fresh air at 30oC DBT and
50% RH. Determine the enthalpy, specific volume,
humidity ratio, and DPT of the mixture.
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Ans:
Mark the initial state of air stream 1, i.e. 30oC DBT and 50%
RH on the psychrometric chart. Corresponding to this
condition
v1 = 0.876 m3/kg d.a., w1 = 13.4 g/kg d.a., h1 = 64.6 kJ/kg d.a.

Mark the initial state of air stream 2, i.e. 22oC DBT and
10oC DPT on the psychrometric chart. Corresponding to
this condition
v2 = 0.846 m3/kg d.a., w2 = 7.6 g/kg d.a., h2 = 41.8 kJ/kg d.a.

m1 = 300/0.876 = 342.5 kg d.a./min

m2 = 800/0.846 = 945.6 kg d.a./min
 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Ans:
m1 / m2 = (h3 – h2)/(h1 – h3)
342.5/945.6 = (h3 – 41.8)/(64.6 – h3)
h3 = 47.86 kJ/kg d.a.

Mark point 3 on the line 1‐2 corresponding to the

enthalpy h3 = 47.86 kJ/kg d.a.
Corresponding to this point
w3 = 9.2 kg w.v./kg d.a.

v3 = 0.855 m3/kg d.a.

DPT3 = 13oC