AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

 To give emphasize about the significance and use of air conditioning system.

 To have a broader and clearer knowledge about the principles of an air

conditioning system and its types.

 To be familiar with the significant calculations conducted for an air conditioning

system.

INTRODUCTION

Countries located at the equatorial region are normally experiencing humidity as

this region gets a more direct and extreme sunlight. In addition, due to the water

surrounding the continents, it also makes a region warmer, specifically in the

Philippines. On the earlier times, heat was properly managed by the people but as time

passes by, the global warming concern has been worsening up to this time which

makes it even warmer and the people encounters high temperatures especially in the

cities. It has been very alarming for the reason that the summer temperature had

already been a normal temperature every day in a year and it does not get better, also it

does not only rise and be fine with the people. Focusing on some of its effects on

humans, they are very affected by the condition as it leads to a health condition or

worse, comes to death as well. Exposure to high temperatures that the body cannot

tolerate any longer may lead to heat stroke, dehydration and also cardiovascular,

respiratory and cerebrovascular disease. It poses a much dangerous health risk for

everyone. Furthermore, it does not only give a long- time risk for humans but also
short- term risks including difficulty in breathing, great discomfort due to sweating,

perspiring and a very uncomfortable feeling on skin, it also restricts one’s fashion since

the environment’s temperature is inappropriate for the most.

All these struggles are faced by almost everyone and one out of several ways to

feel comfort and prevent the health risks is by the technique called air conditioning also

known as A/C. It could be done in a vehicle to create a more pleasant interior

atmosphere. This can be accomplished through the use of powered equipment which

joins the air conditioners, passive cooling and ventilate cooling. Air condition is part of a

system and method family that includes heating, ventilation and air conditions or mostly

known as the HVAC. Air conditioners, which primarily employ vapour- compression

refrigeration, come in a variety of sizes ranging from small units used in automobiles to

gigantic ones that are capable of cooling a whole building.

According to the IEA, 1.6 billion air conditioning units were installed in 2018,

accounting for an estimated 20% of energy demand in buildings globally, with that figure

anticipated to rise to 5.6 billion by 2050. The United Nations urged for more sustainable

climate change mitigation technologies, such as passive cooling, evaporative cooling,

selective shade, wind catchers, and improved thermal insulation. The usage of

refrigerants in air conditioners has harmed the ozone layer while also aggravating

climate change. On the other hand, in hot weathered areas, air conditioning can help

avoid heat stroke, dehydration from excessive sweat, and other hyperthermia-related

issues. Formalized paraphrase in industrialized countries, heat waves are the most fatal

sort of meteorological phenomena.

 Air conditioning, including filtration, humidification, chilling, and disinfection can

be utilized in hospital operating rooms to produce a clean, safe, hypoallergenic

environment. People who are allergic to mold, in particular, may find it useful in the

house as it has the ability to filter the incoming air from outdoors. It filters the dust and

other particles that may be harmful. Water cooling towers that are not properly managed

can encourage the growth and spread of germs such as Legionella pneumophila, the

infectious agent responsible for Legionnaires' disease. These health risks can be

avoided or decreased as long as the cooling tower is kept clean; often by chlorine

treatment.

In support, to safeguard against Legionella, the state of New York has

established rules for cooling tower registration, maintenance, and testing. Air

conditioning may be traced back to prehistoric times. Passive air- conditioning systems

were widely utilized in ancient Egyptian architecture. From the Iberian Peninsula to

North Africa, the Middle East, and Northern India, they spread. Similar approaches have

been developed in other hot areas. Passive approaches were widely used until the

twentieth century, when they fell out of favor and were replaced by powered A/C.

Passive approaches are being reintroduced and updated for 21st-century architecture

designs using knowledge from engineering studies of ancient structures. Air

conditioners allow the inside climate of a building to stay generally constant, despite

variations in external weather conditions and internal heat loads. They also enable for

the construction of deep plan structures, allowing people to live comfortably in hotter

regions of the world.

 There are actually 9 types of air conditioning systems that anyone can choose

from. It includes the central air conditioning system, portable air conditioner, ductless

split system, mini split system, packaged units, swamp coolers (evaporative air

conditioners), geothermal air conditioning, variable capacity air conditioners and window

unit air conditioning systems.

a. Central Air Conditioning System. It is considered as the idea cooling solution

for the homes and office areas as it requires the lowest type of maintenance,

it also give the easiest way to use and gives the lowest effect on people’s

electricity bill. On the other hand, it involves the most expensive to set up.

b. Portable Air Conditioner. This types of air conditioners are convenient and

offers affordable options for cooling smaller areas quicker. Its advantages

includes its portability itself and could be brought from room to room but when

its condensation catch gets full, or when it needs to run a drainage tube out a

window or into a buck are some of its cons.

c. Ductless Split System. It is more efficient as it has the ability to circulate the

cool air through large areas.

d. Mini Split System. This type of air conditioning does not require a lot for its

installation. It comes to be smaller and more cost friendly system but gives

the same purpose with the Ductless Split System. Its most advantage is that

the energy bill will be so much less than using the Central Air.

e. Packaged Units. A system that works best for a home and especially for

those that do not have basement or no indoor furnace and air handler. It is

installed outside which makes it a solution for the struggles.

 f. Swamp Coolers. They are also known as evaporative air conditioner are a

worthy investment for dry climates and does not work well for humid regions.

It is commonly used as a technology to mimic the natural process of

evaporation.

g. Geothermal Air Conditioning. It is known as the most eco- friendly type of air

conditioning that is also a great way to not throw money to waste. Geothermal

HVAC gets rid of using fossil fuels and uses electricity minimally, just to

power the fan compressor and pump. A geothermal system offers heat and

air conditioning using an underground loop set up.

h. Variable Capacity Air Conditioners. This type of air conditioning system is a

feature that allows users to adjust cooling output like a dimmer switch to

perfectly match the user’s needs to the used energy. It is the best way to

control moisture in uncomfortable humid environments.

i. Window Unit Air Conditioning System. Most of the buyers prefer this type of

air- conditioning although it not recommended for long term use or solution.

Its downside also includes the formation of mold due to the unit’s leak

condensation and could also cause water damage after prolonged use. It is

not also powerful enough to cool a large area but at least can lower the

temperature effectively in one medium- sized room. But also, it can easily be

installed and removed.

Despite all the several difficult encounters, the air conditioning has improved the

possibilities of the risks that poses health concerns and also has flourished the living of

the many. Air conditioning may be viewed by various people as inessential due to its
price and its effect on the electricity bill having them unaware of how it could help in a

daily basis.

DISCUSSION

1.1: CONCEPT OF PSYCHROMETRY AND PSYCHROMETRICS

Air consist of fixed gases predominantly, nitrogen and oxygen with an

admixture of water vapour in various proportions. Water is constantly present in

atmospheric air, with its relative weight averaging less than 1% of the weight of

atmospheric air in temperate climates and less than 3% in the most extreme natural

climatic circumstances. Consequently, it is one of the most important factors in human

comfort and has a significant impact on different of materials. In reality, its impact on

human activities is completely out of proportion to its relative weights. Psychrometry is

the science of measuring the moisture content of air. The science that explores the

thermal behavior of moist air, considers the measurement and regulation of air moisture

content, and explores the influence of atmospheric moisture on material and human

comfort is appropriately called atmospheric moisture science. Psychrometrics is a term

used to describe the study of people's minds.

1.2: DEFINITIONS

Some of the more important definitions are given below :

1. Dry air. The international joint committee on Psychrometric Data has adopted

the following exact composition of air expressed in mole fractions (Volumetric)

Oxygen 0.2095, Nitrogen 0.7809, Argon 0.0093, Carbon dioxide 0.0003. Traces

of rare gases are neglected. Molecular weight of air for all air conditioning

calculations will be taken as 28.97. Hence the gas constant,

Rair = 8.3143/28.97 = 0.287 kJ/kg K

Dry air is never found in practice. Air always contains some moisture. Hence the

common designation “air” usually means moist air. The term ‘dry air’ is used to indicate

the water free contents of air having any degree of moisture.

2. Saturated air. Moist air is said to be saturated when its condition is such that it

can co-exist in natural equilibrium with an associated condensed moisture phase

presenting a flat surface to it. For a given temperature, a given quantity of air can

be saturated with a fixed quantity of moisture. At higher temperatures, it requires

 a larger quantity of moisture to saturate it. At saturation, vapour pressure of

moisture in air corresponds to the saturation pressure given in steam tables

corresponding to the given temperature of air.

3. Dry-bulb temperature (DBT). It is the temperature of air as registered by an

ordinary thermometer (tdb).

4. Wet-bulb temperature (WBT). It is the temperature registered by a thermometer

when the bulb is covered by a wetted wick and is exposed to a current of rapidly

moving air (twb).

5. Wet bulb depression. It is the difference between dry-bulb and wet bulb

temperatures (tdb – twb).

6. Dew point temperature (DPT). It is the temperature to which air must be cooled

at constant pressure in order to cause condensation of any of its water vapour. It

is equal to steam table saturation temperature corresponding to the actual partial

pressure of water vapour in the air (tdp).

7. Specific humidity (Humidity ratio). It is the ratio of the mass of water vapour

per unit mass of dry air in the mixture of vapour and air, it is generally expressed

as grams of water per kg of dry air. For a given barometric pressure it is a

function of dew point temperature alone.

8. Relative humidity (RH), (φ). It is the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapour

in the mixture to the saturated partial pressure at the dry bulb temperature,

expressed as percentage.
 9. Sensible heat. It is the heat that changes the temperature of a substance when

added to or abstracted from it.

10. Latent heat. It is the heat that does not affect the temperature but changes the

state of substance when added to or abstracted from it.

11. Enthalpy. It is the combination energy which represents the sum of internal and

flow energy in a steady flow process. It is determined from an arbitrary datum

point for the air mixture and is expressed as kJ per kg of dry air (h).

1.3 PSYCHROMETRIC RELATIONS

Pressure

Dalton’s law of partial pressure is employed to determine the pressure of a

mixture of gases. This law states that the total pressure of a mixture of gases is equal to

the sum of partial pressures which the component gases would exert if each existed

alone in the mixture volume at the mixture temperature.

Precise measurements made during the last few years indicate that this law as

well as Boyle’s and Charle’s laws are only approximately correct. Modern tables of

atmospheric air properties are based on the correct versions. For calculating partial

pressure of water vapour in the air many equations have been proposed, probably Dr.

Carrier’s equation is most widely used

Where pv = Partial pressure of water vapour,

pvs = Partial pressure of water vapour when air is fully saturated,

pt = Total pressure of moist air,

tdb = Dry bulb temperature (ºC), and

twb = Wet bulb temperature (ºC).

Specific humidity W :

Specific humidity

Or

Also, ...(Eq 10.2)

...(Eq 10.3)

Where: pa = Partial pressure of dry air,

pv = Partial pressure of water vapour,

V = Volume of mixture,

Ra = Characteristic gas constant for dry air, and

 Rv = Characteristic gas constant for water vapour

From equations (10.2) and (10.3)

Where: R0 = Universal gas constant,

Ma = Molecular weight of air,

Mv = Molecular weight of water vapour.

...(Eq 1.4)

The masses of air and water vapour in terms of specific volumes are given by

expression as

Where: va = Specific volume of dry air,

vv = Specific volume of water vapour.

...(Eq 1.5)
 Degree of saturation (µ) :

Where: Ws= Specific humidity of air when air is fully saturated

Where: pvs = Partial pressure of water vapour when air is fully saturated

(pvs can be calculated from steam tables corresponding to the dry bulb

temperature of the air).

Relative humidity (RH), φ :

...(Eq 1.08)
 Inserting the value of equation humidity into equation saturation, we get

...(Eq 10.9)

...(Eq

10.10)

Note:

1. Relative humidity as compared to specific humidity plays a vital role in comfort

air-conditioning and industrial air-conditioning. Relative humidity signifies the

absorption capacity of air. If initial relative humidity of air is less it will absorb

more moisture

2. W, µ and φ cannot be conveniently measured as they require measurement of p v

and pvs. The value of pv can be obtained from the measurement of the wet bulb

temperature and the value of pvs can be calculated from steam tables

corresponding to given air temperature.

 Enthalpy of moist air:

It is the sum of enthalpy of dry air and enthalpy of water vapour associated with

dry air. It is expressed in kJ/kg of dry air

h = hair + W . hvapour

= cptdb + W . hvapour

Where, h = Enthalpy of mixture/kg of dry air,

hair = Enthalpy of 1 kg of dry air,

hvapour = Enthalpy of 1 kg of vapour obtained from steam tables,

W = Specific humidity in kg/kg of dry air, and

cp = Specific heat of dry air normally assumed as 1.005 kJ/kg K.

Also hvapour = hg + cps (tdb – tdp)

where hg = Enthalpy of saturated steam at dew point temperature,

and cps = 1.88 kJ/kg K.

therefore: h = cptdb + W[hg + cps(tdb – tdp)] ...(Eq 1.11)

= (cp + cps W) tdb + W(hg – cpstdp)

= cpmtdb + W(hg – cpstdp)

where cpm = (cp + cps W) is the specific heat of humid air or humid specific

heat.
 The value of cpm is taken as 1.021 kJ/kg dry air per K. It is the heat capacity of (1

+ W) kg of moisture per kg of dry air

hvapour ~− hg at dry bulb temperature. So,

h = cptdb + W hg ...(Eq 1.12)

However, a better approximation is given by the following relationship:

hvapour = 2500 + 1.88tdb kJ/kg of water vapour ...[Eq 1.12 (a)]

where tdb is dry bulb temperature in ºC, and the datum state is liquid water at 0ºC.

∴ h = 1.005 tdb + W(2500 + 1.88 tdb) kJ/kg dry air. ...[Eq 1.12 (b)]

1.4. PSYCHROMETERS

A psychrometer is a device which is used for measuring dry bulb and wet bulb

temperatures simultaneously.

The psychrometers may be classified as follows :

1. Laboratory psychrometer

2. Sling psychrometer

3. Aspirating psychrometer

4. Continuous recording psychrometer.

The description of a sling psychrometer is given below :

.
 The sling psychrometer is made up of two thermometers set on a baseplate, as

shown in Figure 10.3. The thermometer with the ‘sock' is a wet-bulb thermometer,

whereas the other is a dry-bulb thermometer. The wet bulb is located under the dry

bulb. This is done on purpose to allow the ‘sock' to be dipped in water without

dampening the dry-bulb. The frame's handle aids in turning the psychrometer to provide

the necessary air velocity. The rotation of the psychrometer produces the appropriate

air velocity over the thermometer. Fast air flow through the ‘sock' is required to keep the

air at temperature tdb in constant contact with the wet ‘sock.' The difference in

temperature between dry and wet bulb readings is determined by the quantity of

moisture in the air. The wet bulb temperature of dry air, or air with a low moisture

content, is low; the wet bulb temperature of humid air, or air with a high moisture

content, is high.

Calculations are used to calculate various psychrometric parameters such as

relative humidity, dew point temperature, degree of saturation, humidity ratio, and

volume of air vapour mixture per kilogram of dry air after the dry and wet bulb

temperatures are known.

 1.5. PSYCHROMETRIC CHARTS

The psychrometric charts are designed to graphically illustrate all of the important

moist air qualities that are needed in air conditioning calculations. The figures are based

on real-world data that have been double-checked for thermodynamic consistency.

For psychrometric charts the most convenient co-ordinates are dry bulb

temperature of air vapour mixture as the abcissa and moisture content (kg/kg of dry air)

or water vapour pressure as the ordinate. Depending upon whether the humidity

contents is abcissa or ordinate with temperature co-ordinate, the charts are generally

classified as Mollier chart and Carrier chart. Carrier chart having t db as the abcissa and

W as the ordinate finds a wide application. The chart is constructed as under:

1. The dry bulb temperature (ºC) of unit mass of dry air for different humidity

contents or humidity ratios are indicated by vertical lines drawn parallel to the

ordinate.

2. The mass of water vapour in kg (or grams) per kg of dry air is drawn parallel to

the abcissa for different values of dry bulb temperature. It is the major vertical

scale of the chart.

3. Pressure of water vapour in mm of mercury is shown in the scale at left and is

the absolute pressure of steam.

4. Dew point temperatures are temperatures corresponding to the boiling points of

water at low pressures of water vapour and are shown in the scale on the upper

curved line. The dew points for different low pressures are read on diagonal co-

ordinates

5. 5. Constant relative humidity lines in per cent are indicated by marking off vertical

distances between the saturation line or the upper curved line and the base of

the chart. The relative humidity curve depicts quantity (kg) of moisture actually

present in the air as a percentage of the total amount possible at various dry bulb

temperatures and masses of vapour.

6. Enthalpy or total heat at saturation temperature in kJ/kg of dry air is shown by a

diagonal system of co-ordinates. The scale on the diagonal line is separate from

the body of the chart and is indicated above the saturation line.

7. Wet bulb temperatures are shown on the diagonal co-ordinates coinciding with

heat co-ordinates. The scale of wet bulb temperatures is shown on the saturation
 curve. The diagonals run downwards to the right at an angle of 30º to the

horizontal.

8. The volume of air vapour mixture per kg of dry air (specific volume) is also

indicated bya set of diagonal co-ordinates but at an angle of 60º with the

horizontal.

The other properties of air vapour mixtures can be determined by using formulae

(already discussed).

In relation to the psychrometric chart, these terms can quickly indicate many

things about the condition of air, for example:

 1. If dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures are known, the relative humidity can be

read from the chart.

2. If the dry bulb and relative humidity are known, the wet bulb temperature can be

determined.

3. If wet bulb temperature and relative humidity are known, the dry bulb

temperature can be found.

4. If wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures are known, the dew point can be found.

5. If wet bulb and relative humidity are known, dew point can be read from the

chart.

6. If dry-bulb and relative humidity are known, dew point can be found.

7. The quantity (kg) of moisture in air can be determined from any of the following

combinations :

(i) Dry bulb temperature and relative humidity ;

(ii) Dry bulb temperature and dew point ;

(iii) Wet bulb temperature and relative humidity ;

(iv) Wet bulb temperature and dew point temperature ;

(v) Dry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature ; and

(vi) Dew point temperature alone.

Figs. 10.4 and 10.5 show the skeleton psychrometric chart and lines on carrier

chart respectively.
 10.6. PSYCHROMETRIC PROCESSES

In order to condition air to the conditions required for human comfort or effective

management of an industrial activity, some operations must be carried out on the

outside air available. Psychrometric processes are those that impact the psychrometric

qualities of air. Mixing air streams, heating, chilling, humidifying, dehumidifying, and a

variety of other operations are all part of these operations.

The important psychrometric processes are enumerated and explained in the

following text:

1. Mixing of air streams

2. Sensible heating

3. Sensible cooling

4. Cooling and dehumidification

5. Cooling and humidification

6. Heating and dehumidification

7. Heating and humidification

1.6.1. Mixing of Air Streams

Refer Figs. 10.6 and 10.7. Mixing of several air streams is the process which is

very frequently used in air conditioning.

 This mixing normally takes place without the addition or rejection of either heat or

moisture, i.e., at constant total moisture content. Thus we can write the following

equations:

m1 + m 2 = m 3 ...(Eq 1.19)

m1W1 + m2W2 = m3W3 ...(Eq 1.20)

m1h1 + m2h2 = m3h3 ...(Eq 1.21)

Rearranging of last two equations gives the following:

m1(W1 – W3) = m2(W3 – W2)

m1(h1 – h3) = m2(h3 – h2)

or
 The specific humidity and enthalpy scales on the psychrometric chart are linear,

disregarding enthalpy variations. As a result, the final state 3 is located on a straight line

connecting the starting states of the two streams before to mixing, and it splits this line

into two pieces with the same ratio as the two masses of air before to mixing.

If the air values are known in volume rather than mass units, the mixing

equations can be approximated to units of m3 or m3/min. The variation in specific

volume between two beginning states causes the error. For most comfort air

conditioning concerns, the difference in density is insignificant.

1.6.2. Sensible Heating

Sensible heating occurs when air travels over a dry surface with a temperature

higher than its (air) dry bulb temperature. As a result, the air may be heated by passing

it through a heating coil, such as an electric resistance heating coil or a steam coil. The

specific humidity remains constant during this process, but the dry bulb temperature

rises and approaches that of the surface. The analogous by-pass factor can be used to

represent the degree to which it approaches the coil's mean effective surface

temperature.
 The by-pass factor (BF) for the process is defined as the ratio of the difference

between the mean surface temperature of the coil and leaving air temperature to the

difference between the mean surface temperature and the entering air temperature.

Thus on Fig. 10.8, air at temperature t db1 , passes over a heating coil with an average

surface temperature tdb3 and leaves at temperature tdb2 .

Or in terms of lengths on the chart (Fig. 10.9) it is length 2 – 3 / length 1- 3. The

value of the by-pass factor is a function of coil design and velocity. The heat added to

the air can be obtained directly from the entering and leaving enthalpies (h 2 – h1) or it

can be obtained from the humid specific heat multiplied by the temperature heat

multiplied by the temperature difference (tdb2 – tdb1).

In a complete air conditioning system the preheating and reheating of air are

among the familiar examples of sensible heating.

 Note. ‘By-pass factor’ can be considered to represent the fraction of air which

does not come into contact with coil surface.

1.6.3. Sensible Cooling

Refer to Figure 10.10. Air is sensibly cooled when it travels over a surface that is

cooler than the air's dry bulb temperature but warmer than the dew point temperature.

As a result, sensible cooling can be performed by flowing air through a cooling coil,

such as a refrigeration cycle evaporating coil or a secondary brine coil. The specific

humidity remains constant during the operation, but the dry bulb temperature drops,

nearing the mean effective surface temperature. The process will appear as a horizontal

line 1–2 (Fig. 10.11) on a psychrometric chart, with point 3 being the effective surface
temperature. For this procedure, you'll need: ...

(Eq 1.23)

The heat removed from air can be obtained from the enthalpy difference (h 1 – h2)

or from humid specific heat multiplied by the temperature difference e (t db1- tdb2).

1.6.4. Cooling and Dehumidification

Refer to Figure 10.12. When air is forced to travel over a surface or through a

spray of water that is cooler than the air's dew point, condensation of part of the water

vapour in the air occurs concurrently with the sensible cooling process. Any air that

comes into sufficient contact with the cooling surface along a path like 1-2-3 in Fig. 1 will

have its temperature decreased to the mean surface temperature. Condensation and,

as a result, dehumidification occur between points 2 and 3. The air that does not contact

the surface will be finally cooled by mixing with the portion that did, and the final state
point will somewhere on the straight line connecting points 1 and 3. The actual path of

air during the path will not be straight line shown but will be something similarly to the

curved dashed line 1–4. It will be caused by a constant mixing of air that is linking a

specific area of the coil with air that is going through it. However, it's easier to think

about the problem in terms of the straight line, assuming that the final air condition is the

consequence of mixing air that has fully traveled through the coil with air that has been

cooled to the mean effective surface temperature. The process is called zero by pass if

there is enough contact between the air and the surface for all of the air to reach the

mean surface temperature. Complete saturation is not achieved in any realistic system,

and the end state will be a point like 4 in Fig. 10.12, with an analogous by pass factor

equal to length 3 - 4 / length 3 -1. For the processes involving condensation, the

effective surface temperature, e.g. tdb3 in Fig. 10.12 is called ‘apparatus dew point’

(ADP). The final state point of air passing through a cooling and dehumidifying

apparatus is in effect a mixture condition that results from mixing the fraction of the air,

which is equal to the equivalent by-pass factor (BF) and is at initial state point and the

remaining fraction which is equal to one minus by pass factor (1–BF) and is saturated at

the apparatus dew point (ADP)

Total heat removed from the air is given by

where, WL = Latent heat removed (h1 – h1′),

and QS = Sensible heat removed (h1′ – h4)

 The ratio QS / QL is called sensible heat factor (SHF) Or sensible heat ratio (SHR)

∴ SHF = ...(Eq 1.24)

The ratio fixes the slope of the line 1—4 on the psychrometric chart. Sensible

heat factor slope lines are given on the psychrometric chart. If the initial condition and

SHF are known for the given process, then the process line can be drawn through the

given initial condition at a slope given by SHF on the psychrometric chart.

The capacity of the cooling coil in tonnes of refrigeration is given by,

...(Eq 1.25)

Where: ma = mass of air, kg/min

h = enthalpy in kJ/kg of air

1.6.5. Cooling and Humidification

The specific humidity increases as the dry bulb temperature lowers when

unsaturated air is passed through a spray of constantly recirculated water. This is the

evaporative cooling or adiabatic saturation process. This is a constant adiabatic-

saturation temperature process, and for all intents and purposes, a constant wet bulb

temperature process.

On Fig. 10.13, the process is depicted as path 1-2, with the wet bulb temperature

of air being that of point 3, which is also the equilibrium temperature of the recirculated

water. If there is sufficient contact between air and spray, the air will leave at a

temperature that is very close to point 3. This procedure can be described as equivalent

by pass, although another phrase is more commonly used to describe the performance

of a humidifying system. The ‘saturating' or ‘humidifying efficiency' is defined as the ratio

of the dry-bulb temperature drop to the incoming wet bulb depression, generally stated

as a percentage. As seen in Fig. 10.13, the saturation efficiency is as follows:

...(Eq 1.26)

As a fraction, it is equal to one minus the by pass factor for the process.

This adiabatic process, for all practical purposes, is line of constant enthalpy. The

moisture added can be obtained from the increase in specific humidity.

1.6.6. Heating and Dehumidification

Simultaneous heating and dehumidification occur when air is transported over a

solid absorbent surface or via a liquid absorbent spray. Dehumidification occurs in both

cases because the adsorbent or absorbent has a lower water vapour pressure than air.

When moisture condenses from the air, the latent heat of condensation is released,

generating sensible heating of the air. The process would be the reversal of the

adiabatic saturation process if these were the only energies involved. The heat of

adsorption or absorption, on the other hand, is an extra energy absorbed or freed by the

active substance. Heat is involved in the more frequent solid adsorbents, such as silica

gel or activated alumina, and the more frequent liquid absorbents, such as solutions of

organic salts or inorganic compounds like ethylene, glycol, resulting in extra sensible

heating. As a result, the path, such as path 1-2 in Fig. 10.14, is above a continuous wet

bulb line on the psychrometric chart.

 1.6.7. Heating and Humidification

The air is humidified and may be heated, chilled, or left at room temperature if it

passes through a humidifier with heated water sprays rather than merely recirculated

spray. The air's specific humidity and enthalpy increase as a result of this process, and

the dry bulb temperature rises or falls depending on the air's and spray's starting

temperatures. At water temperature, if enough water is provided in relation to the mass

flow of air, the air will approach saturation. Figure 10 depicts several examples of such

processes.
 Process 1-2: It denotes the cases in which the temperature of the heated spray

water is less than the air DBT.

Process 1-3: It denotes the cases in which the temperature is equal to the air

DBT.

Process 1-4: It denotes the cases in which a spray temperature is greater than

air DBT.

The degree to which the process approaches saturation can be described in

terms of the by-pass factor or a saturating efficiency, just as adiabatic saturation. The

water temperature will drop dramatically during the procedure if the water rate is lower

than the air amount. The resultant process will be a curved line such as the dashed 1-4

where 4 represents the leaving water temperature.

Note. Evaporation from an open pan of hot water or direct injection of warm

water or steam can be used to provide heating and humidification. The latter is the more
prevalent of the two. Because the process is simply an instantaneous mixing of steam

and air, the process line is of limited utility. However, the ultimate state point of the air

may be determined by balancing the process' humidity and enthalpy. A cut-and-try

approach is generally used to solve such an issue.

SAMPLE PROBLEMS:

1. A sling psychrometer give a dry- bulb temperature of 78°F and wet- bulb

temperature of 65°F. Determine other moist air properties from this information.

SOLUTION:

Find the intersection of the two known properties, dry-bulb and wet-bulb

temperatures, on the psychrometric chart.

The dry-bulb temperature is located along the bottom horizontal axis. Find

the line for 78°F, which runs vertically through the chart.

Wet-bulb temperature is located along diagonal dotted lines leading to

scale readings at the upper, curved boundary marked "saturation temperature".

The intersection of the vertical 78°F dry-bulb line and the diagonal 65°F

wet-bulb line has now established a "state point" for the measured air. Now read

relative humidity as 50 percent (curving line running from left to right up through

the chart) and dew point temperature as 57.8°F (follow horizontal line, moving

left, toward the curved upper boundary of saturation temperatures).

The humidity ratio for air in this example is about 0.0102 lb moisture/ lb

dry air (move right horizontally from state point to humidity ratio scale)
 ANSWER

Relative humidity = 50%

Dew Point = 57.8 degrees

Absolute humidity = .0102 lbs water / lb dry air

Specific volume = 13.78 cu-ft/lb dry air

Enthalpy = 30 Btu’s/lbs dry air

2. Calculate the amount of sensible heat that must be added to 100lb of air at 85°F

dry- bulb and 75°F wet bulb to raise the temperature of air to 100°F dry bulb.

SOLUTION:

a) Locate the 85°F dry bulb and 75°F wet bulb – this corresponds to 62%

Relative humidity.

b) Move from point established in a) above to right to 100°F on a horizontal dry

bulb temperature scale – this corresponds to 39.6% Relative humidity.

The condition of the air is changing from state 1 to state 2

c) Read h2 and h1

• h2 = 39 Btu’s/lb dry air

 • h1= 43.5 Btu’s/lb dry air

d) Estimate heat addition : Q = m [h2 – h1]

• Q = 10 x [43.5 – 39]

• Q = 10 x 4.5

• Q = 450 Btu’s

3. Determine the amount of sensible heat needed to increase the temperature of air

from 50°F and 50% RH to 90°F.

SOLUTION:

Enthalpy (50°F, 50% RH) = 16 Btu/lb (HR = 0.0038 lb/lb d.a)

Enthalpy (90°F, same HR) = 26 Btu/lb

Heat added = 26 - 16 = 10 Btu/lb

4. Ninety cubic-ft of lumber is dried at 60°C (140°F) dry bulb temperature and 52°C

(125.6°F) wet bulb temperature. The drying rate of the lumber is 5.68 lb of water

per hour. If outside air is at 27°C (80.6°F) dry bulb temperature and 80% relative

humidity, how much outside air is needed per minute to carry away the

evaporated moisture?

SOLUTION:
a) Locate the 80.6°F dry bulb and 80% Relative humidity as Node 1.

b) Locate the 140°F dry bulb and 125.6 °F wet bulb temperature as Node 2.

c) Move from point established in a) above to right to 100°F on a horizontal dry

bulb temperature scale – this corresponds to 39.6% Relative humidity.

The condition of the air is changing from state 1 to state 2

d) Read absolute humidity w2 and w1

• w2 = 0.092 lb/lb dry air

• w1= 0.0185 lb/lb dry air

e) Estimate moisture gain : ∆HR = [w2 – w1] lb/lb dry air

• ∆HR = (0.092 – 0.0185) lb/lb dry air

• ∆HR = 0.0735 lb/lb dry air

f) Estimate drying air: w = drying rate/∆HR

• w = (5.68 lb/hour)/ (0.0735 lb/lb dry air) = 77.28 lb dry air/hour

g) Estimate volumetric air flow rate for drying: V = w x specific volume

• V = (77.28 lb dry air/hour) x (13.95 ft3/lb dry air) = 1078 ft3/hour

5. How much moisture is added to 20 lb of air going from 50°F, 50% RH to 80°F,

60% RH?

SOLUTION:

HR (50 F, 50% RH) = 0.0038 lb/lb d.a

HR (80 F, 60% RH) = 0.0132 lb/lb d.a

Water added = 20 lb * (0.0132 - 0.0038) lb/lb = 0.188 lb-m

EXERCISES:

1. Assume that the temperature of outdoor air supplied from the OAAHU Tps is 61°F

(16.1°C) and the relative humidity is 81 percent. From the psychrometric chart, hps =

24.8 Btu/lb (57.7 kJ/kg). At summer design conditions, the enthalpy of space air is 28.8

Btu/lb (67.0 kJ/kg), and outdoor air density pps = 0.075 lb/ft3 (1.2 kg/m3). What is the

estimated fan-coil cooling capacity?

2. Draw line r-fc from the conditioned zone point r with known SHRs = 26,200/29,000 =

0.9, and a pfc = 1/13.7 = 0.73 lb/ft3. The temperature of supply air leaving the fan-coil

unit Tfc, in °F (°C), can be calculated as;

3. If pcf = 1/13.7 = 0.073 lb/ft3 (1.168 kg/m3), the cooling coil load Qc,fc and sensible

cooling coil load Qs,fc of the fan-coil unit, both in Btu/h, can be calculated as;

4. Calculate the cooling coil load in the outdoor air AHU Qcp, in Btu/h (W). From the

psychrometric chart, To = 90°F, = 50 percent, and ho 38.5 Btu/lb, so. Calculate the

cooling coil load in the outdoor air AHU Qcp, in Btu/h (W). From the psychrometric

chart, To = 90°F = 50 percent, and ho = 38.5 Btu/lb, so;

5. During cooling mode part-load operation, the zone temperature is still maintained at

78°F (25.6°C); that is, Trp = Tr. The fan in the fan coil can be switched from high speed

to low speed while chilled water is reset to a higher temperature. If the zone sensible

load ratio is reduced to 50 percent of the full-load value and the volume flow rate of the

fan at low speed is only 70 percent of the high speed, then the temperature of air

leaving the fan coil at part load Tfc,p, in °F (°C), can be calculated as;
6. Fan-coil cooling coil load at part load Qcfcp and sensible coil load at part load Qsfcp,

both in Btu/h (W), can be calculated as;

7. If air leaves the preheating coil of the outdoor air AHU at Tph = 83°F and Tpf = Tph

fan temperature rise = 83 + 2 = 85°F, because wo = wpf = 0.0017 lb/lb, from the

psychrometric chart, air density at the fan supply outlet in the outdoor-air AHU ppf =

1/13.75 = 0.073 lb/ft3. The preheating coil load Qcph, in Btu/h (W), can be calculated

as;

8. The air temperature at the fan outlet in the fan coil Tcf = Tm + 0.5 = 76.2 + 0.5 =

76.7°F. The heating coil load in the fan-coil unit Qch, in Btu/h (W), can be calculated as;

9.The temperature of the fan-coil supply air at winter design load Ts, in °F (°C), can be

calculated as;

10. When the space cooling load is reduced to 50 percent of design load, if the

temperature of chilled water supplied to fan coils Tw,f and that to the outdoor air AHU

Tw,p are reset to 50°F (10°C) at part-load operation, and the chilled water temperature

increase in the cooling coil of the outdoor air AHU is still 10°F, then the condition of

supply air from the outdoor air AHU at part-load point psp can be determined as in full-

load operation, Tpsp = 60 + 2 + 4 = 66°F (18.9°C), and wpsp = 0.0110 lb/lb (0.0110

kg/kg).
APPENDICES:

1. SOLUTION:

Qc,fc = Qrc – 60Vppps (hr - hps)

Qc,fc = 29,000 – 60 (200) (0.075) (28.8 - 24.8)

Qc,fc = 25,400 Btu/h (7442 W)

For estimated fan-coil sensible cooling capacity is;

Qs,fc = Qrs – 60Vpppscpa (Tr - Tps)

Qs,fc = 26,200 – 60 (200) (0.075) (0.243) (78 - 61)

Qs,fc = 22,482 Btu/h (6587 W)

2. SOLUTION:

Tfc = Tr – Qrs/60Vfcpfccpa

Tfc = 78 – 26,200/(60) (4) (300) (0.073) (0.243)

Tfc = 57.5°F (14.2°C)

3. SOLUTION:

Qc,fc = 60Vfcpcf (hcf - hfc) (28.13)

Qc,fc = (60) (4) (300) (0.073) (28.2 - 23.3)

Qc,fc = 25,754 Btu/h (7546 W)

Qs,fc = 60Vfcpcfcpa (Tcf - Tfc) (28.14)

Qs,fc = (60) (4) (300) (0.073) (0.243) (75.5 - 57.5)

Qs,fc = 22,990 Btu/h (6736 W)

4. SOLUTION:

Qcp = 60Vppps (ho - hps)

Qcp = (60) (200) (0.075) (38.5 - 23.2)

Qcp = 13,770 Btu/h (4035 W)

5. SOLUTION:

Tfc,p = Trp – Qrsp/(60) (0.7Vfcpcfcpa)

Tfc,p = 78 – (0.5) (26,200)/(60) (4) (300) (0.7) (0.073) (0.243)

Tfc,p = 57.5°F (14.2°C)

6. SOLUTION:

Qcfcp = 60Vfcpcf (hcfp – hfcp)

Qcfcp = 60 (4) (300) (0.7) (0.073) (31 – 27.2)

Qcfcp = 13,980 Btu/h (4096 W)

Qsfcp = 60Vfcpcfcpa (Tcfp – Tfcp)

Qsfcp = 60 (4) (300) (0.7) (0.073) (0.243) (75.8 – 63.3)

Qsfcp = 11,176 Btu/h (3275 W)

7. SOLUTION:

Qcph = 60Vpppfcpa (Tph – To)

Qcph = (60) (200) (0.073) (0.243) (83 – 20)

Qcph = 13,411 Btu/h (3929)

8. SOLUTION:

Qch = 60Vfcpcfcpa (Ts – Tcf)

Qch = 60 (2) (300) (0.073) (0.243) (86.9 – 76.7)

Qch = 7152 Btu/h (2095 W)

9. SOLUTION:

Ts = Tr + Qrh/60Vfcpcfcpa

Ts = 72 + 9500/(60) (2) (300) (0.073) (0.243)

Ts = 72 + 14.9

Ts = 86.9°F (30.5°C)

10. SOLUTION:

rp-mp/rp-ps = Vp/Vfc

Vp/Vfc = 200/(4)(300)(0.7) = 0.24

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