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Humidification
Humidification
HUMIDIFICATION
Compilation of Lectures and Solved Problems
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
SERIES 2
HUMIDIFICATION
DEFINITION OF TERMS
HUMIDIFICATION
Involves the transfer of material between a pure liquid phase and a fixed gas that
is nearly
insoluble in the liquid
HUMIDITY,
The mass of vapor carried by a unit mass of vapor-free gas; it depends only on the
partial
pressure of the vapor in the mixture when the total pressure is fixed
= = = =
( − ) ( − )
SATURATED GAS
A gas in which the vapor is in equilibrium with the liquid at the gas temperature;
the partial
pressure of vapor in saturated gas equals the vapor pressure of the liquid at the
gas
temperature
=
( − )
RELATIVE HUMIDITY,
Defined as the ratio of the partial pressure of the vapor to the vapor pressure of
the liquid at
the gas temperature; it is usually expressed on a percentage basis; 100% relative
humidity
means saturated gas and 0% relative humidity means vapor-free gas
PERCENT HUMIDITY,
Ratio of the actual humidity, H, to the saturation humidity, HS, at the gas
temperature, also
on a percentage basis; percent humidity is less than the relative humidity
−
= =
−
‘
CHEMICAL
ENGINEERING SERIES 3
HUMIDIFICATION
HUMID HEAT,
= +
HUMID VOLUME,
Total volume of a unit mass of vapor-free gas plus whatever vapor it may contain at
1 atm
and the gas temperature
.
= + → /
= + → /
DEW POINT
TOTAL ENTHALPY, i
Enthalpy of a unit mass of gas plus whatever vapor it may contain; to calculate h,
two
reference states must be chosen, one for the gas and one for the vapour
= ( − )+ + ( − )
= ( − )+
Temperature of the gas that would be attained if the gas were saturated in an
adiabatic
process
( − )+ =
− +
= =
−
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
SERIES 4
HUMIDIFICATION
Temperature obtained when the heat required to vaporize a small amount of liquid
(water
for air-water system) into a large volume of gas (air for air-water system) exactly
equals the
sensible heat transferred from the gas to the liquid.
HUMIDITY CHART
The rate of heat transfer from the gas to the liquid may be equated to the product
of the rate
of vaporization and the sum of the latent heat of evaporation at temperature
and the
sensible heat of the vapour; neglecting radiation
= + ( − )
The rate of heat transfer may be expressed as:
= ( − )
The rate of mass transfer may be expressed as:
= ( − )
( − )
−
= − = −
−
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
SERIES 5
HUMIDIFICATION
Notations:
- mass of vapor
- mass of vapor-free gas
- mole fraction of vapor
– mole fraction of vapor-free gas
– molecular weight of vapor
– molecular weight of vapor free gas
– partial pressure of vapor
– partial pressure of vapor-free gas
– total pressure
– saturation humidity
– vapour pressure at the gas temperature
– specific heat of gas
– specific heat of vapor
– gas temperature, in K or °R
– datum temperature for both gas and vapor ( T0 = 32°F for air-
water
problem)
– latent heat of the liquid at T0
– rate of sensible heat transfer to liquid
– molal rate of vaporization
– latent heat of the liquid at Tw
– surface area of liquid
ℎ – heat transfer coefficient between gas and surface of the liquid
– temperature at the interface
– mass transfer coefficient, mole per unit area per unit mole
fraction
– mole fraction of vapour at the interface
– mole fraction of vapour in air-stream
(1 − ) - one way diffusion factor
– Schmidt Number
– Prandtl Number
HUMIDIFICATION PROCESSES
1. SENSIBLE COOLING
During this process, the moisture content of air
remains constant but its temperature decreases as
it flows over a cooling coil. For moisture content to
remain constant the surface of the cooling coil
Humidity
t2
t1
Dry Bulb
Temperature
CHEMICAL
ENGINEERING SERIES 6
HUMIDIFICATION
temperature. However, in practice, the exit air temperature will be higher than
the
cooling coil temperature. Below shows the sensible cooling process O-A on a
psychrometric chart
Heat Balance:
= ( − )
Enthalpy Balance:
= ( − )
where:
– entering air temperature
– leaving air temperature
– entering air enthalpy
– leaving air enthalpy
2. SENSIBLE HEATING
Heat Balance:
Humidity
= ( − )
Enthalpy Balance:
= ( − )
t1
t2
Dry Bulb
Temperature
3. ADIABATIC HUMIDIFICATION
W
Liquid
t2
H2 L2
h2 T2
Gas
W L1
t1 T1
H1
h1
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 7
HUMIDIFICATION
t1
HT = Hi = Hw = constant
H2
t2
Humidity
H1 T = ti = t
w = constant
H2
H1
t1 t2
Dry Bulb Temperature
Material Balance:
− = ( − )
Heat Balance:
− =
= ( − )
= ( − ) ( − )
+ ( − )
= ( − ) (
− )+
= ( − ) (
− )+
( − )= ( −
) ( − )+
Enthalpy Balance:
+ =
( − )= ′ (
− )
−
=
−
( − )= ( − )
Where:
– saturation humidity at gas wet bulb temperature
ℎ – gas phase heat transfer coefficient
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 8
HUMIDIFICATION
4. ADIABATIC DEHUMIDIFICATION
t1
H1
T1
t2 HT1 H2
Humidity
H1
T2 HT2
H2
t1 t2
Dry Bulb Temperature
Material Balance:
− = ( − )
Heat Balance:
( − )= ( − )+
( − )
Enthalpy Balance:
( − )=
( − )
( − )= ′ ( −
)
Heat Transfer Equation (only gas phase involved)
( − )=
( − )
5. WATER COOLING
When warm liquid is brought into contact with unsaturated gas, part of the
liquid
evaporates and the liquid temperature drops.
Approach – difference of the water discharge temperature with that of the wet
bulb
temperature
HUMIDIFICATION
T2 HT2
H2
t2 HT1
Humidity
H1
t1
H1
H2
T1
t1 t2
Dry Bulb Temperature
Material Balance:
− = ( − )
Heat Balance:
( − )= ( − )+
( − )
Enthalpy Balance:
( − )= ( − )
( − )= ′ ( − )
( − )= ( − )
pressure of vapour in saturated gas equals the vapour pressure of the liquid at the
gas temperature
=
( − )
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
SERIES 10
HUMIDIFICATION
PROBLEM # 01:
SOLUTION:
Water, L2
2,500 m3/h
T 2 = 40 C
AIR, W
t2 = 34 C
98% RH
Make-up
Water, M
50 m3/h
AIR, W
t1 = 25 C Water, L1
T1 = 30 C
80% RH
Properties of Air:
For the inlet air:
= 100
=
( − )
(18)(0.3687 )
= = 0.0161
(28.84)(14.7 − 0.3687) . .
From figure 19.2 (Unit Operations 7th edition by McCabe and Smith)
Specific volume of dry air at 25°C (77°F) is 13.5 ft3/lb d.a
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 11
HUMIDIFICATION
.
= 13.5
.
∙ 〈77 + 460〉°
+ 0.0161 0.7302
. 18
∙° 1
= 13.8507
.
For the outlet air:
= 100
(18)(0.7584 )
= =
= 0.0340
( − ) (28.84)(14.7 − 0.7584)
. .
= , , .
CHEMICAL
ENGINEERING SERIES 12
HUMIDIFICATION
PROBLEM # 02:
SOLUTION:
Air, W
t1 = 23.9 C Air, W
80% RH t2 = 18.3 C
AIR CONDITIONING UNIT
Condensate, w
t1 = 18.3 C
=
( − )
(18)(0.3442 )
= = 0.0150
(28.84)(14.7 − 0.3442) . .
From figure 19.2 (Unit Operations 7th edition by McCabe and Smith)
Specific volume of dry air at 23.9°C (75.02°F) is 13.5 ft3/lb d.a
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 13
HUMIDIFICATION
.
= 13.5
.
∙ 〈75.02 + 460〉°
+ 0.0150 0.7302
. 18
∙° 1
= 13.8256
.
= 0.245 = 1.0258
∙° ∙
1
= 1,440
ℎ 2.2 .
0.028317
13.8256
. .
= 1,671.90
ℎ
From figure 19.2 (Unit Operations 7th edition by McCabe and Smith)
= 0.243 = 1.0174
∙° ∙
Solve for water condensed:
= ( − )
.
= 1,671.90 (0.0150 − 0.0132)
ℎ .
= . ( )
HUMIDIFICATION
PROBLEM # 03:
At an oil refinery in Batangas, cooling water for the condensers and coolers in the
plant is
provided by a closed-loop cooling water system. From the plant, used cooling water
is sent
to a cooling tower to reduce its temperature. Make-up water is added before the
cooled
water is circulated back to the plant. In the cooling tower, the used water enters
the top at
an average bulk temperature of 40°C. The cooled water accumulated at the basin
below the
tower has a temperature of 25°C. Ambient air at 25°C and 50% RH is induced into the
tower and leaves at the top at 35°C fully saturated. Heat losses to the
surroundings may be
assumed to be negligible. For every cu.m of cooling water used in the plant,
calculate:
c) the volume of ambient air, in cu.m, that is induced into the cooling tower
d) the quantity of make-up water, in liters, that has to be added to the system
SOLUTION:
Make-up
Water, M
AIR, W
Water, L1
t1 = 25 C
T1 = 25 C
50% RH
Properties of Air:
For the inlet air:
= 100
HUMIDIFICATION
=
( − )
(18)(0.2304 )
= = 0.0099
(28.84)(14.7 − 0.2304) . .
From figure 19.2 (Unit Operations 7th edition by McCabe and Smith)
Specific volume of dry air at 25°C (77°F) is 13.5 ft3/lb d.a
.
= 13.5
.
∙
〈77 + 460〉°
+ 0.0099 0.7302
. 18 ∙°
1
= 13.7157
.
= 0.243
∙°
= ( − )+
= 32° , = 1075.4
= 0.256
∙°
= ( − )+
= 32° , = 1075.4
= 0.256 (95 − 32)° + 0.0367
1,075.4
∙°
CHEMICAL
ENGINEERING SERIES 16
HUMIDIFICATION
= 55.5952
=
0.028317
= (1,732.73 . ) 13.7157
.
= . ( )
Substitute W to equation 1
1,732.73
=
37.3134
= 46.4372
1 0.028317
= 46.4372
61.94
= . ( )
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 17
HUMIDIFICATION
PROBLEM # 04:
The semiconductor plant at the Food Terminal Export Zone, an adiabatic dryer is
used
where air enters at 160°F. If the air has a dew point of 68°F and it picked up 0.08
lb water
per 100 cu. ft, how saturated is the air coming out of the dryer?
SOLUTION:
0.08 lb water
per
100 cu ft air
Air, W
t1 = 160 F
tdp = 68 F
Air, W
ADIABATIC DRYER
Properties of Air:
For the inlet air:
From figure 19.2 (Unit Operations 7th edition by McCabe and Smith)
At dew point of 68°F, and dry bulb 160°F
= 0.015
.
= 90°
= 15.9773
.
.
= 100 = 6.2589
15.9773
.
0.015
= 100
= 0.0939
15.9773
.
0.08
ℎ = 100
= 0.08
100
= 0.0939 + 0.08 = 0.1739
0.1739
= = 0.0278
6.2589 . .
For adiabatic dryer, wet bulb remains constant, from the psychrometric chart
At 90°F wet bulb and 0.0278 humidity
% = %
CHEMICAL
ENGINEERING SERIES 18
HUMIDIFICATION
PROBLEM # 05:
SOLUTION:
COND 3:
90%
COND 2: Humidity
HEATER HUMIDIFIER
HEATER
COND 1:
Saturated
70 F COND
4:
0.0008 lb water Dry
Bulb: 200 F
per cu ft air Wet
Bulb: 115 F
% = 100
,
(100) 0.048
, =
90
, = 0.0533
.
, =
( − )
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 19
HUMIDIFICATION
.
0.0533 28.84
(14.7 )
. .
=
.
18 + 0.0533
28.84
.
.
= 1.1566
Therefore dry bulb temperature of the air leaving the adiabatic humidifier (from
steam
table)
= . ° ( )
, =
( − )
18 (0.3632 )
, =
.
28.84 (14.7 − 0.3632)
.
, = 0.0158
.
= , = 0.0158
.
Using the specific volume dry air vs temperature line
.
= 13.25
.
∙
0.0158 10.731
(70 + 460)°
.
∙°
= 13.25 +
. 18
(14.7 )
= 13.60
.
4. Final humidity of air leaving the heater (with entrained 0.0008 lb water per cu
ft air)
= 0.0008 13.60
.
= 0.01088
.
= 0.0158 + 0.01088 =
0.02668
. .
.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
SERIES 20
HUMIDIFICATION
= ° ( )
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
SERIES 21
HUMIDIFICATION
PROBLEM # 06:
SOLUTION:
A = 400 lb
Dry Bulb: 56 F
Wet Bulb: 50 F
MIXER Mixture
B = 855 lb
Dry Bulb: 82 F
Wet Bulb: 60 F
1. Properties of air B
From the psychrometric chart (figure 19.2 McCabe and Smith)
= 0.0075
.
= 13.5
.
= 0.241
. ∙°
2. Properties of air A
From the psychrometric chart (figure 19.2 McCabe and Smith)
= 0.009
.
= 13
.
= 0.242
. ∙°
CHEMICAL
ENGINEERING SERIES 22
HUMIDIFICATION
0.0075 .
= 855
. (1 + 0.0075)
= 6.3648
= 3.5679 + 6.3648
= 9.9327
9.9327 1,255
=
1,255 (1,255 − 9.9327) .
= 0.0080
.
= . °
From the psychrometric chart, given the humidity and dry bulb of the mixture
= °
CHEMICAL
ENGINEERING SERIES 23
HUMIDIFICATION
PROBLEM # 07:
A coke packed humidifier is to be designed to cool 2,000 cfm of saturated air from
130 to 65
°F at barometric pressure. Cooling water at 55°F will be allowed to heat up to
110°F. Gas
velocity will be 1,200 lb of dry air per sq ft of total cross section. Water
velocity is 1,150
lb/h per sq ft of total cross section. Over-all coefficient of sensible heat
transfer from air to
water = 250 BTU/h·ft3·°F. Calculate the height and diameter of cooling tower
required and
the amount of cooling water needed per hour.
SOLUTION:
COKE-
PACKED
HUMIDIFIER
Cooling water
Air 110 F
Dry Bulb: 130 F
=
( − )
(18)(2.225)
= = 0.1113
(28.84)(14.7 − 2.225) .
From the psychrometric chart, using the saturated volume vs temperature line
= 17.5
.
CHEMICAL
ENGINEERING SERIES 24
HUMIDIFICATION
= 0.243
. ∙°
HUMIDIFICATION
PROBLEM # 08:
DATA:
1) The over-all coefficient of a sensible heat transfer from air to water, UGa =
250
BTU/h·ft3·°F
2) lb inlet water per sq ft cross section, L/S = 1,150
3) assume latent heat of vaporization = 1,055 BTU/lb
4) mass velocity of air = 1,200 lb/h·ft2
SOLUTION:
Condition
2
Condition Air
Cooling water
3 100%
45 F
saturation
HEATER
120 ft x 40 ft x 70 ft Air
Dry Bulb: 70 F
50% saturation
HUMIDIFICATION
=
( − )
(18)(0.3632)
= = 0.0158
(28.84)(14.7 − 0.3632) .
0.0158 (50)
.
= = 0.0079
100 .
From the psychrometric chart, using the specific volume dry air vs temperature
line
.
= 13.40
.
∙
. 0.0079 10.731 (70 +
460)°
. ∙°
= 13.40 +
. 18 (14.7 )
= 13.57
.
= 0.241
. ∙°
HUMIDIFICATION
= = 0.0079
.
=
( − )
(18)(0.8162)
= = 0.0367
(28.84)(14.7 − 0.8162) .
0.0367 (70)
.
= = 0.0257
100 .
From the psychrometric chart, using the specific volume dry air vs temperature
line
.
= 13.90
.
∙
. 0.0257 10.731 (95 +
460)°
. ∙°
= 13.90 +
. 18 (14.7 )
= 14.48
.
= 0.255
. ∙°
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 28
HUMIDIFICATION
= .
= (211.6404 ) 1,150
= 243,386.46
ℎ
=−
= − −7,364,535.656 = 7,364,535.656
ℎ ℎ
= ( − )
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
SERIES 29
HUMIDIFICATION