Air Conditioning Processes

Moist air
Moisture content




Psychrometric chart ) (-

Sensible heat factor, SHF .

Fig. 7-1 Psychrometric chart

)(Humidity Ratio,
Specific or absolute humidity or
humidity ratio or moisture content
.
m v PvVv Ra T
R P
M P
18.01 Pv
=
= = a v = v v
ma
Rv T PaVa Rv Pa M a Pa 28.966 Pa
Pv
Pv
= 0.622
Pa
Pt Pv

)(7-1

= 0.622

Pv Pt
Pa Pt = Pa + Pv

Humidification Dehumidification
.

)(Dew Point Temperature

.

)(Relative Humidity,

.
mv PvV RT
P
=
= v
ms
RT PsV Ps

)(7-2

0 100 %
Degree of saturation .

 )(Enthalpy of Moist Air

h ha hv
h = ha + hv
ha = C P t
a

)(Dry and Wet Bulb Temperature

= 100 %
.

)(Sensible Heating

Fig. 7-2 Sensible heating

) (-


Moisture content . = c
Sensible heating process 12,
) Q = m& a (h2 h1

)(7-3

1 = 2

)(Sensible Cooling

Fig. 7-3 Sensible cooling

) (-

Moisture content
. = c
Sensible cooling process 12,
) Q = m& a (h2 h1

)(7-4

1 = 2

Example 7-1
Air is heated to 37 C without addition of water from 5 C dbt and RH of 90 %
with a rate of 2.5 kg/min. Find the relative humidity of the final state and the
amount of heat added in kW.
Data: t1db = 5 o C , RH 1 = 0.9, t 2 db = 37 o C , 1 = 2 , m& a = 2.5 kg / min
Required: RH 2 , Power
Solution

From Psychrometric chart, the air properties are,

h1 = 17.23 kJ / kg , h2 = 49.72 kJ / kg , 1 = 2 = 4.86 g / kg da

2 = 12.5 %
kW

Q = m& a (h2 h1 ) = 0.0333 (49.72 17.23) = 1.354

)(Cooling and Dehumidification

) Dew point temperature
( = 100 % )(-

Apparatus dew point


coil

Bypass factor, BF .

Fig. 7-4 Sensible cooling

Cooling and dehumidification process 12,
) Q = m& a (h1 h2

)(7-5

h1 h2 1 2
=
h1 hS 1 S

)(7-6

= coil

BF =

h2 h S 2 S
=
, or BF = 1 coil
h1 hS 1 S

(7-7)

( -) 12
: QL QS
QS = m& a (ha h2 )

(7-8)

Q L = m& a (h1 ha )

(7-9)
: m& w

m& w = m& a (1 2 )

(7-10)

QL
: h fg
Q L = m& w h fg = m& a (1 2 )h fg

(7-11)

Example 7-2
Air flow of 2 m3/min at condition of 30 oC dry bulb and 20 oC wet bulb. The air
passes through cooling coil undergoes a cooling and dehumidification process. The
moisture content at leaving of cooling coil is 4 g / kg da lower than entering and
relative humidity of leaving air is 60 %. Find the cooling capacity and the water
condensate in lit/hr.
Data: t1db = 30 o C , t1wb = 20 o C , = 1 2 = 4 g / kg da , RH 2 = 0.6
Required: RC , m& w
Solution

From Psychrometric chart, the air properties are,

h1 = 57.08

kJ / kg , h2 = 31.99

kJ / kg , v1 = 0.874

m 3 / kg

1 = 10.52

g / kg da , 2 = 6.52

V&
2
m& a = =
= 0.0381
v1 60 0.874

g / kg da , t 2 db = 15.4

kg / s

0.956
= 0.273
3. 5
m& w = m& a (1 2 ) = 0.0381 (10.52 6.52) 10 3 3600 = 0.549 lit / hr
RC = m& a (h1 h2 ) = 0.0381 (57.08 31.99) = 0.956

kW =

TR

Example 7-3
Moist air enters a refrigeration coil at 37 C dbt and relative humidity, RH 30 % at
a rate of 0.5 m3/s. The cooling coil surface temperature is 10 C and by pass factor
is BF = 15 %. Calculate the dry bulb temperature of the air leaving the coil,
refrigeration capacity and the moisture removed from the air.
Data: t1db = 37

C , RH 1 = 30 %, Adp = 10

C , BF = 0.15, V&a = 0.5 m 3 / s

Required: t 2 db , RC , m& w
Solution
From Psychrometric chart, the air properties are,
h1 = 67.52
1 = 11.79

kJ / kg , hS = 29.29
g / kg da , S = 7.63

kJ / kg , v1 = 0.8955
g / kg da

BF =

h2 hS
h 29.29
, 0.15 = 2
, h2 = 35.025 kJ / k
h1 hS
67.52 29.9

BF =

t 2 db t Sdb
t 10
, 0.15 = 2 db
, t 2 db = 14.05 o C
t1db t Sdb
37 10

BF =

2 S
2 7.63
, 0.15 =
, 2 = 8.254 g / kg da
1 S
11.79 7.63

m 3 / kg

RC = m& a (h1 h2 ) = (V&a / v1 )(h1 h2 ) = (0.5 / 0.8955)(67.52 35.025) = 18.1435 kW

RC = 18.1435 / 3.5 = 6.048 TR

) m& w = m& a (1 2 ) = (V&a / v1 )(1 2

m& w = (0.5 / 0.8955)(11.79 7.63) 10 3 3600 = 8.362 kg / hr

)(Air washer

Spray nozzles ) (-




.

)(Heating and humidification 12a

t w > t1db

.

)(Humidification 12b
t w = t1db
.
)(Cooling and humidification 12c
t w < t1db
t w > t1wb
.

Fig. 7-5 Air washer

 )(Adiabatic saturation 12d

t w = t1wb
. h = c
)(Cooling 12e
t w = t1dp
= c
.
)(Cooling and dehumidification 12f


.
)(Adiabatic dehumidification
Adsorption
) (-

12

.

Fig. 7-6 Adsorption dehumidification process

(Water injection)


.(-)

Fig. 7-7 Liquid water injection process

t w = t1wb 12a
t w > t1wb 12b
12c
. t w < t1wb
Heat and mass balance of the process,
2 = 1 +

mw
ma

(7-12)

h2 = h1 + m a ( 2 1 )h fg

(7-13)

Example 7-4
Moist air at 12 oC dbt and RH of 80 % enters air duct to control the air properties
with flow rate of 1.5 m3/s. The air absorbed sensible heat and picks up moisture
from hot water at 50 oC until its relative humidity increased to 40 % and dry bulb
temperature of 32 oC. Determine the heat added and the water consumed in the
process.
Data: t1db = 12 o C , RH 1 = 80 %, t 2 db = 32 o C , RH 2 = 40 %, V&a = 1.5 m 3 / s
Required: Q, m& w

Solution

From Psychrometric chart, the air properties are,

h1 = 29.65
1 = 6.97

kJ / kg , h2 = 62.7
kJ / kg , v1 = 0.8175
g / kg da , 2 = 11.91 g / kg da

m 3 / kg

Q = m& a (h2 h1 ) = (V&a / v1 )(h2 h1 ) = (1.5 / 0.8175) (62.7 29.65) = 60.642 kW

m& w = m& a ( 2 1 ) = (V&a / v1 )( 2 1 )
m& w = (1.5 / 0.8175) (11.91 6.97) 10 3 60 = 0.544 kg / min

Example 7-5
Moist air at 35 oC dbt and RH of 40 % enters adiabatic air washer with flow rate of
0.5 m3/s. The relative humidity of air leaving the air washer is 90 %. Determine
the dry bulb temperature of air leaving, air washer efficiency, and the water
consumed in the process.
Data: t1db = 35 o C , RH 1 = 40 %, RH 2 = 90 %, V&a = 0.5 m 3 / s
Required: t 2 db , washer , m& w
Solution

From Psychrometric chart, the air properties are,

h1 = 71.49

kJ / kg , v1 = 0.893 m 3 / kg

1 = 14.14

g / kg da , 2 = 18.25

g / kg da , s = 18.81

g / kg da

t 2 db = 25.25 o C

air washer =

2 1 18.25 14.14
=
= 0.88
s 1 18.81 14.14

m& w = m& a ( 2 1 ) = (V&a / v1 )( 2 1 )

m& w = (0.5 / 0.893) (18.25 14.14) 10 3 60 = 0.1381 kg / min

(Adiabatic mixing process)

.(-)

Fig. 7-8 Adiabatic mixing process

Moisture and mass balance of mixing process,
m& a11 + m& a 2 2 = m& a 3 3

(7-14)

m& a1 + m& a 2 = m& a 3

Heat balance is,

m& a1h1 + m& a 2 h2 = m& a 3 h3

(7-15)

Example 7-6
Room is being maintained at 25 C and 50 % RH and outside air conditions are 10
C dbt and 90 % RH. The outside air is mixed with return room air as
m& o : m& R = 3 : 2 , determine the dry bulb temperature and relative humidity of the

mixed air.

Data: t R = 25 o C , RH R = 50 %, t o = 10 o C , RH o = 90 %, m& o / m& R = 3 / 2

Required: t M , RH M
Solution

From Psychrometric chart, the air properties are,

ho = 27.35

kJ / kg , hR = 50.34

kJ / kg

o = 6.86

g / kg da , R = 9.89

g / kg da

Mass balance,
m& o / m& R = 3 / 2, m& o = 1.5 m& R , and m& M = m& o + m& R

Heat balance,
m& o ho + m& R hR = m& M hM , m& o ho + m& R hR = (m& o + m& R )hM

1.5m& R 27.35 + m& R 50.34 = (1.5m& R + m& R )hM

hM = 36.55 kJ / kg , t M = 16

C , RH M = 0.7

Example 7-7
Air flow of 11 kg/s at 10 C and RH of 90 % is first preheated and then humidified
adiabatically to RH of 90 % in air washer, then reheated to a final condition of 37
C dbt and 35 % RH. Calculate the power required of the two heaters, the
consumed water in air washer, and the dry bulb temperature of the air after leaving
the pre-heater.
Data: t1 = 10 o C , RH 1 = 90 %, RH 3 = 90 %, t 4 = 37
Required: Power1 , Power2 , m& w , t 2 db
Solution
From Psychrometric chart, the air properties are,

C , RH 4 = 35 %, m& a = 11 kg / s

h1 = 27.35 kJ / kg , h4 = 72.68 kJ / kg , h3 = h2 = 55.87

1 = 6.86 g / kg da , 4 = 13.8 g / kg da
t 2 db = 37.44

kJ / kg

Power1 = m& a (h2 - h1 ) = 11 (55.87 27.35) = 313.72 kW

Power2 = m& a (h4 - h3 ) = 11 (72.68 55.87 ) = 184.91 kW

m& w = m& a ( 3 - 2 ) = 11 (13.8 6.86 ) 10 3 3600 = 274.824 kg / hr

Example 7-8
Moist air at dbt of 15 C and RH of 90 % with a rate of 1.5 m3/s enters a chamber,
the air is first pr-heated with 25 kW electric heater, and humidified with steam
injection of 1.25 kg/min by saturated steam at 120 C. Determine the dry and wet
bulb temperatures of leaving air.
Data: t1db = 15 o C , RH 1 = 90 %, m& a = 1.5 m 3 / s, Q = 25 kW
m& s = 1.25 kg / min, at t s = 120

Required: t 3db , t 3 wb
Solution

From Psychrometric chart, the air properties are,

h1 = 39.29
kJ / kg , v 1 = 0.829
V&
1.5
m& a = a =
= 1.8094 kg / s
v1 0.829

m 3 / kg , 1 = 2 = 9.57

g / kg da

Process 12, sensible heating with electric heater,

Q = m& a (h2 h1 ), 25 = 1.8094 (h2 - 39.29), h2 = 53.11 kJ / kg
t 2 db = 28.49

Process 23, heating and humidification with steam injection at 120 oC,
Mass balance,
m& s = m& a ( 3 2 ),

1.25
= 1.8094 ( 3 - 0.00957), 3 = 0.0211 kg / kg da
60

Heat balance, steam enthalpy at 120 oC from steam table is, hs=2706 kJ/kg
m& a h2 + m& s hs = (m& a + m& s )h3

1.8094 53.11 +
t 3db = 29.23

1.25
1.25
2706 = (1.8094 +
) h3 , h3 = 83.31 kJ / kg
60
60

Problems
1. Air is heated from 17 C dbt and RH of 90 % to 35 C with adding sensible heat
and the flow rate is 11 kg/min. Find the relative humidity of the original state
and the amount of heat added in kW.
2. Moist air enters a refrigeration coil at 32 C dbt and 18 C wbt and at a rate of
500 lit/s. The surface temperature of the coil is 10 C and the apparatus capacity
is 10 kW. Determine the dry bulb temperature of the air leaving the coil, the
cooing coil efficiency, and the moisture removed from the air in Lit/min.
3. Moist air at 35 C dbt and 45 % RH enters a refrigeration coil at a rate of 2
m3/min. The apparatus dew point is 15 C. Calculate the RC, if the cooling coil
efficiency is 85 %.
4. Stream of outside air is mixed with a stream of return air in an air conditioning
system. The flow of the outside air is 2 kg/s and its conditions 35 C dbt and 25

C wbt. The flow rate of return air is 3 kg/s and its conditions are 24 C dbt and
50 % relative humidity. Determine the different properties of the mixture.
5. Room is being maintained at 24 C and 50 % RH and outside air conditions are
5 C dbt and 80 % RH. Return air from the room is cooled and dehumidified by
the mixing it with a fresh ventilation air from the outside. The total air flow to
the room is 60 % outdoor and 40 % return air by mass. Determine the dry bulb
temperature and relative humidity of the mixed air.
6. Saturated air at 5 C is first preheated and then saturated adiabatically. This
saturated air is then reheated to a final condition of 40 C dbt and 30 % RH.
Determine the air temperature leaving the pre-heater and relative humidity.
7. A hall of a textile factory is to be maintained at 30 C dbt and 80 % RH and the
outside air conditions are 37 C dbt and 30 % RH. The outside air is mixed with
re-circulated air and the mixture is then humidified through an adiabatic
saturation process. The air leaves the humidifier at a temperature equal to 25 C
dbt and 90 % RH. If the total air quantity is 10 kg/s. Determine, the quantity of
outside air condition, and the water added in the humidifier.