CHAPTER 3- PSYCHROMETRY AND WETTED-SURFACE HEAT TRANSFER

3-1

Calculate the specific volume of an air-vapor mixture in cubic meters per kilogram of dry air when the
following conditions prevail: t = 30 C, W = 0.015 kg/kg, and pt = 90 kPa.

Solution:
Equation 3-4.

R aT
R aT
=
pa
pt ps

T = 30 C + 273 = 303 K
Ra = 287 J/kg.K
Pt = 90 kPa = 90,000 Pa
Equation 3-2

0.622p s
pt ps
0.622p s
0.015 =
90 p s
W=

1.35 - 0.15ps = 0.622ps

ps = 2.1193 kPa

R aT
(287)(303)
=
p t p s 90000 2119.3
3

= 0.99 m /kg - - - Ans.

3-2.

A sample of air has a dry-bulb temperature of 30 C and a wet-bulb temperature of 25 C. The barometric
pressure is 101 kPa. Using steam tables and Eqs. (3-2), (303), and (3-5), calculate (a) the humidity ration if
this air is adiabatically saturated, (b) the enthalpy of air if it is adiabatically saturated, (c) the humidity ratio of
the sample using Eq. (3-5), (d) the partial pressure of water vapor in the sample, and (e) the relative
humidity.

Solution:
Eq. 3-2.

W=

0.622p s
pt ps

Eq. 3-3.
h = cpt + Whg
Eq. 3-5
h1 = h2 - (W2 - W1)hf
h1 = cpt1 + Whg1
hg1 at 30 C = 2556.4 kJ/kg
t1 = 30 C
cp = 1.0 kJ/kg.K
h1 = (1)(30) + 2556.4W1
h1 = 30 + 2556.4W1
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CHAPTER 3- PSYCHROMETRY AND WETTED-SURFACE HEAT TRANSFER

h2 = cpt2 + Whg2
hg2 at 25 C = 2547.3 kJ/kg
t2 = 25 C
cp = 1.0 kJ/kg.K
h2 = (1)(25) + 2547.3W2
h2 = 25 + 2547.3W2
hf at 25 C = 125.66 kJ/kg
Then:
h1 = h2 - (W2 - W1)hf
30 + 2556.4W1 = 25 + 2547.3W2 - (W2 - W1)(125.66)
5 = 2421.64W2 - 2430.74W1
But,

W2 =

0.622p s
pt ps

ps at 25 C = 3.171 kPa

W2 =

0.622(3.171)
101 - 3.171

W2 = 0.0201 kg/kg
5 = 2421.64(0.0201) - 2430.74W1
W1 = 0.018 kg/kg
(a)

Humidity Ratio
W2 = 0.0201 kg/kg - - - Ans.

(b)

h2 = cpt2 + W2hg2
h2 = (1)(25) + (0.0201)(2547.3)
h2 = 76.2 kJ/kg - - - Ans.

(c)

Humidity Ratio
W1 = 0.018 kg/kg - - - Ans.

(d)

ps1

0.622p s
pt ps
0.622p s
0.018 =
101 p s
W1 =

ps1 = 2.84 kPa

ps1 = 2840 kPa - - - Ans.
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CHAPTER 3- PSYCHROMETRY AND WETTED-SURFACE HEAT TRANSFER

(e)

At 30 C, ps = 4.241 kPa
Relative Humidity = (2.84 kPa / 4.241 kPa)(100%)
Relative Humidity = 67 % - - - Ans.

3-3

Using humidity ratios from the psychrometric chart, calculate the error in considering the wet-bulb line to be
the line of constant enthalpy at the point of 35 C dry-bulb temperature and 50 percent relative humidity.

Solution:
Dry-bulb Temperature = 35 C
Relative Humidity = 50 %

Fig. 3-1, Psychrometric Chart.

At constant enthalpy line: Wet-bulb = 26.04 C
At wet-bulb line = Wet-bulb = 26.17 C
Error = 26.17 C - 26.04 C
Error = 0.13 C

3-4.

An air-vapor mixture has a dry-bulb temperature pf 30 C and a humidity ratio of 0.015. Calculate at two
different barometric pressures, 85 and 101 kPa, (a) the enthalpy and (b) the dew-point temperature.

Solution:
At 30 C, ps = 4.241 kPa, hg = 2556.4 kJ/kg
(a)

h = cpt + Whg

For 85 and 101 kPa

cp = 1.0
t = 30 C
W = 0.015 kg/kg
hg = 2556.4 kJ/kg
h = (1.0)(30) + (0.015)(2556.4)
h = 68.3 kJ/kg
(b)

For dew-point:

W=

0.622p s
pt ps

at 85 kPa

0.015 =

0.622p s
pt ps

ps = 2.0016 kPa

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CHAPTER 3- PSYCHROMETRY AND WETTED-SURFACE HEAT TRANSFER

Dew-Point = 17.5 C - - - Ans.

at 101 kPa

0.015 =

0.622p s
pt ps

ps = 2.3783 kPa
Dew-Point = 20.3 C - - - Ans.
3-5.

A cooling tower is a device that cools a spray of water by passing it through a stream of air. If 15 m /s of air is
at 35 C dry-bulb and 24 C wet-bulb temperature and an atmospheric pressure of 101 kPa enters the tower
and the air leaves saturated at 31 C, (a) to what temperature can this airstream cool a spray of water
entering at 38 C with a flow rate of 20 kg/s and (b) how many kilograms per second of make-up water must
be added to compensate for the water that is evaporated?

Solution:
At 35 C dry-bulb, 24 C wet-bulb.
Fig. 3-1, Psychrometric Chart
h1 = 71.524 kJ/kg,
3

1 = 0.89274 m /kg
W1 = 0.0143 kg/kg
At 31 C saturated, Table A-2.
h2 = 105 kJ/kg
W2 = 0.0290 kg/kg
Then;
3
3
m = (15 m /s) / (0.89274 m /kg) = 16.8022 kg/s
(a)

tw1 = 38 C
mw = 20 kg/s
cpw = 4.19 kJ/kg.K

mwcpw(tw1 - tw2) = m(h2 - h1)

(20)(4.19)(38 - tw2) = (16.8022)(105 - 71.524)

tw2 = 31.3 C - - - Ans.
(b)

Make-Up Water = mm
mm = m(W2 - W1)
mm = (16.8022)(0.0290 - 0.0143)
mm = 0.247 kg/s - - - Ans.

3-6.

In an air-conditioning unit 3.5 m /s of air at 27 C dry-bulb temperature, 50 percent relative humidity, and
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CHAPTER 3- PSYCHROMETRY AND WETTED-SURFACE HEAT TRANSFER

standard atmospheric pressure enters the unit. The leaving condition of the air is 13 C dry-bulb temperature
and 90 percent relative humdity. Using properties from the psychrometric chart, (a) calculate the refrigerating
capacity inkilowatts and (b) determine the rate of water removal from the air.
Solution:
At 27 C dry-buld, 5 Percent Relative Humidity
h1 = 55.311 kJ/kg,
3

1 = 0.86527 m /kg
W1 = 0.0112 kg/kg
At 13 C Dry-Bulb, 90 Percent Relative Humidity
h2 = 33.956 kJ/kg
W2 = 0.0084 kg/kg

m = (3.5 m /s)/(0.86526 m /kg) = 4.04498 kg/s

3-7.

(a)

Refrigerating Capacity
= m(h1 - h2)
= (4.04498)(55.311 - 33.956)
= 86.38 kW - - - Ans.

(b)

Rate of Water Removal

= m(W1 - W2)
= (4.04498)(0.0112 - 0.0084)
= 0.0113 kg/s - - - Ans.

A stream of outdoor air is mixed with a stream of return air in an air-conditioning system that operates at 101
kPa pressure. The flow rate of outdoor air is 2 kg/s, and its condition is 35 C dry-bulb temperature and 25 C
wet-bulb temperature. The flow rate of return air is 3 kg/s, and its condition is 24 C and 50 percent relative
humidity. Determine (a) the enthalpy of the mixture, (b) the humidity ratio of the mixture, (c) the dry-bulb
temperature of the mixture from the properties determined in parts (a) and (b) and (d) the dry-bulb
temperature by weighted average of the dry-bulb temperatures of the entering streams.

Solutions:
Use Fig. 3-1, Psychrometric Chart
At 35 C Dry-Bulb, 24 C Wet-Bulb
h1 = 75.666 kJ/kg, m1 = 2 kg/s
W1 = 0.0159 kg/kg
At 24 C Dry-Bulb, 50 Percent Relative Humidity
h2 = 47.518 kJ/kg, m2 = 3 kg/s
W2 = 0.0093 kg/kg
(a)

hm =

(2)(75.666) + (3)(47.518)
2+3

hm = 58.777 kJ/kg - - - Ans.

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CHAPTER 3- PSYCHROMETRY AND WETTED-SURFACE HEAT TRANSFER

(b)

Wm =

(2)(0.0159) + (3)(0.0093)
2+3

Wm = 0.1194 kg/kg - - - Ans.

(c)

At 58.777 kJ/kg and 0.01194 kg/kg.

From Psychrometric Chart, Fig. 3-1.
Dry-Bulb Temperature = 28.6 C - - - Ans.

(d)

tm =

(2)(35) + (3)(24)
2+3

tm = 28.4 C - - - Ans.
3-8.

The air conditions at the intake of an air compressor are 28 C, 50 percent relative humidity, and 101 kPa.
The air is compressed to 400 kPa, then sent to an intercooler. If condensation of water vapor from the
compressed air is to be prevented, what is the minimum temperature to which the air can be cooled in the
intercooler?

Solution: At 28 C, ps = 3.778 kPa

At 50 percent relative humidity, ps = (0.5)(3.778 kPa) = 1.889 kPa

W=

0.622p s
pt ps

Moisture ratio is constant

at 101 kPa

W=

0.622(1.889 )
101 1.889

W = 0.011855 kg/kg
at 400 kPa, determine ps

0.011855 =

0.622p s
400 p s

ps = 7.4812 kPa
From Table A-1.
Dew-Point = 40.3 C - - - Ans.

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CHAPTER 3- PSYCHROMETRY AND WETTED-SURFACE HEAT TRANSFER

3-9.

A winter air-conditioning system adds for humidification 0.0025 kg/s of saturated steam at 101 kPa pressure
to an airflow of 0.36 kg/s. The air is initially at a temperature of 15 C with a relative humidity of 20 percent.
What are the dry- and wet-bulb temperatures of the air leaving the humidifier?

Solution:
At 15 C Dry-Bulb, 20 Percent Relative Humidity
h1 = 20.021 kJ/kg
W1 = 0.0021 kg/kg
At 101 kPa steam, hfg = 2675.85 kJ/kg
ms = 0.0025 kg/s
m = 0.36 kg/s
ms = m(W2 - W1)
0.0025 = 0.36(W2 - 0.002)
W2 = 0.00894 kg/kg
m(h2 - h1) = mshg
(0.36)(h2 - 20.021) = (0.0025)(2675.85)
h2 = 38.6 kJ/kg
Fig. 3-1, Psychrometric Chart
W2 = 0.00894 kg/kg
h2 = 38.6 kJ/kg
Dru-Bulb Temperature = 16.25 C
Wet-Bulb Temperature = 13.89 C
3-10.

Determine for the three cases listed below the magnitude in watts and the direction of transfer of sensible
2
heat [ using Eq. (3-8)], latent heat [ using Eq. (3-9)], and total heat [ using Eq. (3-14)]. the area is 0.15 m and
2
hc = 30 W/m .K. Air at 30 C and 50 percent relative humidity is in contact with water that is at a temperature
of (a) 13 C, (b) 20 C, and (c) 28 C.

Solution:
Equation 3-8.
dqs = hcdA(ti - ta)
Equation 3-9.
dqL = hDdA(Wi - Wa)hfg
Equarion 3-14.

dq t =

h c dA
(h i h a )
c pm

At 30 C, 50% Relative Humidity

ha = 63.965 kJ/kg = 63,965 J/kg
Wa = 0.0134 kg/kg
(a)

13 C

dqs = hcdA(ti - ta)

dqs = (30)(0.15)(13 - 30)
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CHAPTER 3- PSYCHROMETRY AND WETTED-SURFACE HEAT TRANSFER

dqs = -76.5 W - - - Ans.

dqL = hDdA(Wi - Wa)hfg
Wi at 13 C = 0.00937 kg/kg from Table A-2
hfg at 13 C = 2,470,840 J/kg
hD = hc / cpm
cpm = 1020 kJ/kg.K
hD = 30 / 1020 = 0.029412
dqL = (0.029412)(0.15)(0.00937 - 0.0134)(2,470,840)
dqL = -43.93 W - - - Ans.
hi at 13 C = 36,719 J/kg from Table A-2

dq t =

h c dA
(30)(0.15) (36,719 63,965)
(hi h a ) =
c pm
1020

dqt = -120.2 W - - - Ans.

(b)

20 C

dqs = hcdA(ti - ta)

dqs = (30)(0.15)(20 - 30)
dqs = -45 W - - - Ans.
dqL = hDdA(Wi - Wa)hfg
Wi at 20 C = 0.01475 kg/kg from Table A-2
hfg at 20 C = 2,454,340 J/kg
hD = hc / cpm
cpm = 1020 kJ/kg.K
hD = 30 / 1020 = 0.029412
dqL = (0.029412)(0.15)(0.01475 - 0.0134)(2,454,340)
dqL = 14.62 W - - - Ans.
hi at 20 C = 57,544 J/kg from Table A-2

dq t =

h c dA
(30)(0.15) (57,544 63,965)
(hi h a ) =
c pm
1020

dqt = -28.33 W - - - Ans.

(c)

28 C

dqs = hcdA(ti - ta)

dqs = (30)(0.15)(28 - 30)
dqs = -9.0 W - - - Ans.
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CHAPTER 3- PSYCHROMETRY AND WETTED-SURFACE HEAT TRANSFER

dqL = hDdA(Wi - Wa)hfg

Wi at 28 C = 0.02422 kg/kg from Table A-2
hfg at 28 C = 2,435,390 J/kg
hD = hc / cpm
cpm = 1020 kJ/kg.K
hD = 30 / 1020 = 0.029412
dqL = (0.029412)(0.15)(0.02422 - 0.0134)(2,435,390)
dqL = 116.3 W - - - Ans.
hi at 28 C = 89,952 J/kg from Table A-2

dq t =

h c dA
(30)(0.15) (89,952 63,965)
(hi h a ) =
c pm
1020

dqt = 114.6 W - - - Ans.

-000-

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