De La Salle University

Mechanical Engineering Department

Module No. 3

Humidity and Air-Vapor Mixture

NAME : Nygel Gian Santillan

SUBJECT & SECTION : LBYME3B EE3

INSTRUCTOR : Engr. Isidro Antonio Marfori

RATING: _________

REMARKS: ________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________
Objectives

• To compare various humidity instruments for actual use.

• To calculate various hygrometric parameters with the plant operating under selected conditions.

Materials and Equipment

• Sling psychrometer
• Aspiration psychrometer
• Stationary bulb psychrometer
• Hygrometer
• Wind anemometer
• Stopwatch
• Barometer

Experiment Set-up

Figure 3.1 shows the materials and equipment set-up Humidity and Air-Vapor Mixture.

FIGURE 3.1Humidity and Air-Vapor Mixture Test Set-up

Theory

Air is a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen and inert gases. When it comes into contact with water,
evaporation can occur, which means that water becomes an invisible vapour that mixes with other
gases. The amount of water vapour in the air is important for human comfort. Normal evaporation of
moisture from the skin is accompanied by a cooling effect. If air contains a comparatively large
2
amount of water, this evaporation does not occur and discomfort arises at high temperatures. At low
temperatures, the effect of moisture is to increase the feeling of coldness. In processing plants, for
paper making or in the textile industry for example, it is essential that the air contains adequate
moisture for a satisfactory product. In other industries where accurate measuring equipment is
installed, control of air temperature and moisture content is imperative.

Perfect Gas

Both air and water vapour can be considered as perfect gases, under the conditions prevailing in the
air conditioning plant. The entire air conditioning process, or any part of it, can be assumed to take
place at constant pressure. Thus, heat energy transfers between any two points 1 and 2 in the system
given by

𝑄 = 𝑚 𝑐𝑝(𝑡2 − 𝑡1)KJ, for each gas (3.1)

where

𝑐𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 1.005 KJ/kg K, for air

𝑐𝑝𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 = 1.86 KJ/kg K, for superheated steam

For a perfect gas 𝑚 𝑐𝑝(𝑡2 − 𝑡1) = 𝐻2 − 𝐻1 (3.2)

where H = enthalpy of the gas.

To convert from volume flow rate (𝑣) in m3/s to mass flow rate, the ideal gas equation of state must be
used in the form of

𝑝𝑉 = 𝑚𝑅𝑇

𝑚= (3.3)
where 𝑅= characteristic gas constant

For air, R = 0.2871 KJ/kg K and for superheated steam, R= 0.4619 KJ/kg K

If 𝑝 is the absolute pressure in bar, then the units of 𝑃𝑉 product should be corrected, and multiplied by
100 (x 105 to convert from bar to N/m2 and divided by 103 to convert from joules to KJ).

Properties of Water Vapour

If water is heated at constant pressure, then from steady flow energy equation, the heat energy supplied
is equal to the change in enthalpy of the fluid

𝑞 = ℎ2 − ℎ1 , per unit mass of fluid (3.4)

The water temperature will rise until a value is reached at which the water molecules leave the liquid
and vapour is formed. This temperature is commonly known as the saturation temperature (𝑡𝑠). If we
have all liquid at this temperature then, the liquid is said to be saturated liquid. However, if the liquid
3
is completely evaporated to vapour then, the gas is said to be saturated vapour. The energy required
to change 1 kg of saturated liquid to 1 kg of saturated vapour is called the enthalpy of vaporization
or latent heat. If air pressure at the surface of liquid is increased then, the molecules of water require
more energy in order to leave the liquid. Thus, the saturation temperature will increase, but the
enthalpy of vaporization will decrease. The information on this chart is normally obtained from fluid
property tables. It also follows that the enthalpy of saturated liquid is tabulated as ℎ𝑓, that of dry
saturated vapour as ℎ𝑔, and enthalpy of vaporization as ℎ𝑓𝑔. Please take note that these are specific
values. Values of internal energy (u) and entropy (s) are also tabulated. If a gas is heated to a
temperature above its saturation temperature then, it is said to be superheated and the vapour
behaves like a perfect gas. In order to obtain properties of superheated vapour from the tables, both
pressure and temperature must be known.

Properties of Mixtures

As superheated water vapour behaves as a perfect gas, the atmosphere may be considered to behave
as a mixture of gases, dry air and water vapour. Dalton’s Law states that “the pressure exerted by a
mixture of gases in a fixed volume is equal to the sum of the partial pressures that would be exerted
by the gases in the same volume.” This statement implies that each component of a gaseous mixture
has the same properties as it would have if it alone filled the vessel. This applies only to
thermodynamic properties such as pressure, volume and temperature.

Gibbs-Dalton Law

An extended version of Dalton’s Law is the empirical Gibbs-Dalton Law which states that “the
pressure and internal energy of a mixture of gases are respectively equal to the sums of the pressures
and internal energies of the individual constituents when each occupies a volume equal to that of the
mixture with the same temperature.” Both of these laws are of considerable significance in air
conditioning studies. If a vessel is partially filled with water and the vessel is then evacuated,
molecules of water leave the liquid surface and occupy the space above. Some molecules return to
the liquid and others leave. This process continues until the rate at which the molecules left the liquid
equal the rate at which molecules return. Equilibrium is established and the space now containing
molecules of water (water vapour) exerts a pressure on the surroundings. This pressure is called the
saturated vapour pressure of water vapour at the temperature. The magnitude of this pressure
depends only on the temperature of the system. The space is said to be saturated (incapable of
holding more substance under these conditions). The Gibbs-Dalton Law applies to gas mixture at low
pressures. If the vessel mentioned above and contained air in the space above the liquid then, at the
same temperature, the law implies that the vapour that would exert the saturated vapour is negligible.
It is customary to refer air as “saturated” but strictly speaking it is the space which is saturated.
Atmospheric air is not generally in contact with water, but it still contains water vapour. The vapour
is superheated in this case i.e., the temperature of the mixture is above the temperature
corresponding to the saturated vapour pressure of water (the saturation temperature). The
pressures of vapour and of dry air are the partial pressures of the mixture satisfying the Gibbs-Dalton
Law concept. We know that the sum of individual pressure is equal to the total pressure of the
mixture.

4
Psychrometry

The study of the properties of moist air is called Psychrometry or Hygrometry. The terms used in
psychrometry will now be introduced and explained. Notations used are

s = water vapour (steam)

a = air

Specific Humidity

(w) is the ratio of the mass of water vapour, 𝑚𝑠, to that of dry air, 𝑚𝑎, contained in a given volume, (V) of
mixture:

𝑤= , in kg/kg dry air (3.5)

At low pressures encountered in air conditioning study, the water vapour can be treated as a perfect gas.
The characteristic gas equation can therefore be written as
𝑝𝑠𝑉 = 𝑚𝑠𝑅𝑠𝑇 (3.6)

where

𝑝𝑠 = partial pressure of water vapour

𝑅𝑠 = characteristic gas constant of water vapour

And similarly for dry air

𝑝𝑎𝑉 = 𝑚𝑎𝑅𝑎𝑇

= × (3.7)

It follows then that

𝑤= (3.8)
Using the GIBBS-DALTON Law,

𝑝𝑎 = 𝑝 − 𝑝𝑠 (3.9)

where p = atmospheric pressure

.
𝑤𝑠 = × = 0.622 (3.10)
.

5
Relative Humidity

Relative humidity denoted as (Ø) is an indication of the ease with which moisture is absorbed into
the atmosphere. It refers to the ratio of partial pressure of water vapour in a mixture of volume “V”
to the equilibrium vapour pressure of water at the same temperature which can be expressed as

Ø= , saturated (3.11)
Data relating to the saturated vapour condition have the suffix “g”
where 𝑝𝑠𝑉 = 𝑚𝑠𝑅𝑠𝑇

𝑝𝑔𝑉 = (𝑚𝑠)𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑅𝑠𝑇

Ø= × =
therefore (3.12)

Percent Saturation

The ratio between specific humidity of the mixture with the specific humidity at saturation condition is
called the percent of saturation given by
% 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = × 100% (3.13)

where 𝑤𝑠 = 0.622 ×
( )

𝑤𝑔 = 0.622 ×
( )

finally % 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = × × 100% (3.14)

At temperatures below 40% with reasonable values of humidity, the percentage of saturation is
approximately the same as relative humidity. Psychrometric charts only plot one of these terms as a
rule i.e., in percent saturation.

Dew Point

The dew point is a temperature at which, the water vapour in a sample of air at constant barometric
pressure condenses into liquid water at the same rate at which it evaporates.

Wet and Dry Bulb Temperatures

If a stream of unsaturated air flows past a thermometer having a wetted cloth sleeve then, the
temperature recorded will be less than the actual air temperature. This is, of course, due to the heat
transfer from the wetted sleeve caused by evaporation of the water. This depressed temperature is
called the Wet Bulb Temperature (WBT) and to emphasize the difference, the actual air temperature
is called the Dry Bulb Temperature (DBT). The WBT will lie between the DBT and the dew point
6
temperature. The temperature interval between the WBT and DBT is called the Wet Bulb Depression.
This increases as the relative humidity decreases. If the air is saturated, the WBT, DBT and dew point
are all at the same temperature. The relationship between the wet bulb and dry bulb temperature is
complex, but the wet bulb temperature is approximate to the Adiabatic Saturation Temperature, the
temperature at which vapour becomes saturated if water and dry air are mixed adiabatically at
constant pressure. Obviously, the wet bulb depression depends on the velocity of the air flow past
the thermometer, known as the Aspiration Velocity. However, the variation in WBT is negligible over
the range of aspiration velocity from 2 m/s to 40 m/s. The correct velocity can be induced by a fan or
by mounting wet and dry bulb thermometers in a frame which can be whirled through the air by hand.
The WBT so obtained is called the Sling Temperature. It is also possible to obtain meaningful WBT
readings in still air from thermometers mounted in a box called a Stevenson screen. Data is also
available for this device.

Procedure

1. It will be assumed that one of each of the following types of instruments is available in the laboratory.
2. Take at least three readings of each instrument in three or more rooms and outdoors (in the shade)
as designated by the instructor.
3. Reject and repeat any readings that do not check.
4. Read the barometer.
5. Use the stationary-bulb psychrometer in air-currents of different velocities, obtaining at least four
readings in the range below 2,000 fpm.
6. Determine the air velocity using the anemometer.

7. Report the following for all readings: dry bulb temp, wet bulb temp, relative humidity, humidity ratio,
vapour density, dew point temp, partial pressure of water vapour, partial pressure of air, degree of
saturation and enthalpy. Use steam tables and tables for the properties of low pressure steam and
steam-air mixture.

The accuracy of the wet and dry bulb thermometers should be noted before the wick is moistened by
reading both thermometers in an air stream when dry. In a good instrument no difference in reading
should be visible.

7
Experimental Data

TABLE 3.1 Humidity and Air Vapour Mixture test data.

Sling Aspiration Stationary Hair & Fiber
Psychrometer Psychrometer Bulb Hygrometer Anemometer, Barometer,
Location
DBT WBT, DBT, WBT, Ф, DBT, m/s mmHg
DBT, ℉
,℃ ℃ ℃ ℃ % ℃
St. Miguel
Hall 29.5 27.5 30.5 24.5 87.0 64.5 29.8 0.1 761.4
Driveway

Velasco Gate 29.5 27.5 31.5 25.0 85.8 64.3 29.7 4.3 761.3

Cory Aquino
Democratic
29.0 26.4 30.5 24.0 84.0 65.4 29.0 5.8 761.5
Space, Henry
Sy, Sr. Hall

South Gate 29.5 26.8 31.0 24.2 86.0 63.4 29.9 0.0 761.4

Don Enrique
T. Yuchengco
29.5 26.2 31.0 24.0 85.8 63.7 29.5 0.2 761.6
Hall Ground
Floor

TABLE 3.2 Humidity and Air Vapour Mixture test data.

Partial
Partial
H, Vapor Pressure Degree
WBT, DBT, RH, DFT, Pressure
Location kg/kg Density, of Water Saturation,
℃ ℃ % ℃ of Air,
dry air kg/m3 Vapor, %
kPa
kPa
St. Miguel
Hall 26.00 30.09 64.5 0.01986 0.01986 22.83 2.782 98.73 63.5
Driveway

Velasco Gate 26.25 30.15 64.3 0.01754 0.01987 22.84 2.784 98.71 63.3

Cory Aquino
Democratic
25.20 29.35 65.4 0.01691 0.01923 22.25 2.686 98.84 64.5
Space, Henry
Sy, Sr. Hall

South Gate 25.50 30.10 63.4 0.01723 0.01954 22.56 2.737 98.77 62.4

Don Enrique
T. Yuchengco 25.10 29.97 63.7 0.01717 0.01948 22.50 2.727 98.81 62.7
Hall Grounds

8
Sample Computations (For St. Miguel Hall Driveway)

Degree of Saturation
% 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = × 100%
𝑤𝑠 = 0.622 ×
( )
.
𝑤𝑠 = 0.622 ×
( . . )
𝑤𝑔 = 0.622 ×
( )
𝑝
𝑝 =
𝑅𝐻
2.782 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝑝 = = 4.313 𝑘𝑃𝑎
0.645
.
𝑤𝑔 = 0.622 ×
( . . )
.
. ×
( . . )
% 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = . × 100% = 63.5%
. ×
( . . )

Results and Analysis

Dry Bulb Temperatures

32
31.5
31
30.5
30
29.5
29
28.5
28
27.5
St. Miguel Hall Velasco Gate Cory Aquino South Gate Don Enrique T.
Driveway Democratic Yuchengco Hall
Space, Henry Sy, Ground Floor
Sr. Hall

Sling Psychrometer Aspiration Psychrometer Stationary Bulb

Hair & Fiber Hygrometer Calculated

The graph above shows a comparison of the dry bulb temperatures measured by all the
devices involved in the study. These are represented by the first four bars in each group defined by
the location at which the data was measured. The last bars in each group represent the calculated dry
bulb temperatures found in Table 3.2 which are essentially the average values of the dry bulb
temperatures found in the experiment for each respective location. It must be noted that using this
graph to determine which device is more accurate is not necessarily viable as these measures are
only taken once at several different locations. What the graph does tell; however, is that there seems
to be a rather inconsistent trend among the dry bulb temperatures measured in the experiment. Take

9
note of the temperature measured on the Sling Psychrometer which not change when moving from
the St. Miguel Hall driveway to the Velasco gate. Dry bulb temperature increased when measured by
the Aspiration Psychrometer when moving from the St. Miguel Hall driveway to the Velasco gate but
not for the Stationary Bulb and the Hair and Fiber Hygrometer as the measured temperatures for
those devices decreased. Despite this inconsistency, it can still be implied that the Velasco gate has
the highest dry bulb temperature indicating that the ambient air temperature there is the greatest
among all the locations in the experiment.

Wet Bulb Temperature

28
27
26
25
24
23
22
St. Miguel Hall Velasco Gate Cory Aquino South Gate Don Enrique T.
Driveway Democratic Yuchengco Hall
Space, Henry Sy, Ground Floor
Sr. Hall

Sling Psychrometer Aspiration Psychrometer Calculated

In most cases, wet bulb temperatures are supposed to be lower than dry bulb temperatures
as water evaporating in air results in a cooling effect which reduces temperature. This is the case
seen in the graph above which represents the wet bulb temperatures taken by the Sling
Psychrometer and the Aspiration Psychrometer. The average wet bulb temperatures for the two
devices are also shown in the graph. It can be observed that the wet bulb temperatures are lower
than that of their dry bulb counterparts. It can also be implied that the Velasco gate has the greatest
wet bulb temperature between the different locations. This is backed up by the fact that the average
wet bulb temperature for the Velasco gate is higher than those of the other locations. The wet bulb
temperatures also indicate at which temperature adiabatic saturation occurs, a process in which air
is saturated by evaporating water adiabatically.

10
 Relative Humidity Comparison
76
74
72
70
68
66
64
62
60
58
56
St. Miguel Hall Velasco Gate Cory Aquino South Gate Don Enrique T.
Driveway Democratic Yuchengco Hall
Space, Henry Sy, Ground Floor
Sr. Hall

From Data From Psychrometric Chart

The final graph above shows a comparison between the relative humidity obtained in the
experiment and the relative humidity obtained from the Psychrometric chart. As can be seen, there
is a significant difference between the data and the Psychrometric chart regarding relative humidity
which is rather concerning as this difference in relative humidity has a substantial effect on the
percentage saturation of the air. This may also indicate that the results gathered in the experiment
could potentially be inaccurate.
Observations and Recommendations
Observations
From the results of the experiment, a few notable observations come to light. There appears
to be a relatively inconsistent dry bulb temperature trend among the devices evidenced by the fact
that there are some instances where measured dry bulb temperatures would increase from location
to location on one device but would stay the same or decrease on the others. This may be a result of
variable conditions and or the time at which the measurements were taken with each device causing
erroneous measurements. All wet bulb temperatures are lower than their dry bulb temperature
counterparts which is according to what is expected. Both dry and wet bulb temperatures were
highest in the Velasco gate indicating that it was the location where the highest ambient temperature
and highest adiabatic saturation temperature could be found. An observable difference can also be
found in the relative humidity in the experiment and the relative humidity found on the
Psychrometric chart. The relative humidity found in Table 3.2 was taken straight from the relative
humidity found using the Hair and Fiber Hygrometer, but when using the average dry and wet bulb
temperatures, the relative humidity in each of the locations found using the Psychrometric chart was
different to that of the data. The relative humidity in the data was significantly lower in each location
which could affect the percentage saturation of the air as relative humidity plays a large portion in
computing for this measure. Although the reasonings behind why the data does not coincide with the
Psychrometric chart are unclear, one could potentially theorize that the atmospheric pressure of the
environment may have been different from that of the Psychrometric chart used, making the
Psychrometric chart inaccurate in this situation. Other possible reasons include inconsistent and
variable temperatures as well as a whole host of other potential variables a Psychrometric chart does
not account for such as the environment the test takes place which opens more variables to consider.

11
Recommendations
For this experiment, it is recommended that the data be redone to mitigate the lack of
consistency in temperature measurement. Investigations must also be conducted to explain the
difference between the relative humidity found using the Psychrometric chart and the relative
humidity found through the Hair and Fiber Hygrometer. These investigations could lead to better
understanding as to what cause these differences whether it be a result of environmental conditions,
faulty instrumentations, and or human error.
Conclusion

Based on the results of the experiment, several issues regarding the dry bulb temperature
measurement and the lack of agreement between the Psychrometric chart and the data results may
have led to inaccurate data; however, this cannot be proven by the results of the experiment alone.
Further investigations as to the causes of these seemingly erroneous measurements must be
undertaken to identify and prove the source of the issues whether this be in the way the experiment
was conducted or how the Psychrometric chart was used. Regardless of these issues, the results of
the experiment indicate that the Velasco gate has the highest dry and wet bulb temperature among
all the locations in the experiment.

Questions and Answers (NOTE: Use separate sheet for the answers.)

1. Briefly define the adiabatic saturation process.

An adiabatic saturation process is a process wherein water is brought up to a certain
temperature commonly known as the adiabatic saturation temperature. At this temperature, water
evaporates into air, saturating the surrounding air without changing the entropy of the system, hence
why it is adiabatic.
This process is usually done using an adiabatic saturator where moist air is passed through a
channel containing water. As the air passes through the channel, it is continuously saturated by the
water at the adiabatic saturation temperature. Ideally, the channel should be as long as possible to
fully saturate the air (Adiabatic Saturation, n.d.).
2. What are the humidity ratio, relative humidity, enthalpy content and specific volume of air at
101.325 kPa with a wet-bulb temperature of 22.5⁰C and a dry-bulb temperature of 40⁰C?
Using a Psychrometric Chart and assuming that ambient pressure is at 101.325 kPa the following
can be found:
Quantity Value
Humidity Ratio 0.009958 kg/kg of dry air
Relative Humidity 21.541%
Enthalpy Content 65.859 kJ/kg of dry air
Specific Volume 0.901 m3/kg of dry air

12
 The chart above shows the exact point at which the dry bulb and the wet bulb temperature
mean on the psychrometric chart.
3. Humidity ratio is defined as the mass of vapour per pound of dry gas. What are the other names
that it is associated with?
Humidity ratio is also sometimes associated with absolute humidity or relative humidity.
Moisture content and or mixing ratio can also be used to refer to the humidity ratio. All these names
don’t necessarily mean the same thing but in some regards, they are still related to ratios regarding
the mass of water vapor in a system (Davis, 2020).
4. What is a psychrometric chart?
A psychrometric chart is used primarily to describe and quantify the characteristics and
properties of moist air given some prior data such as known dry bulb temperature and wet bulb
temperature. On the psychrometric chart, one can find the dry bulb temperature, wet bulb
temperature, dew point temperature, relative humidity, humidity ratio, and specific volume can all
be found without much need for computations if you have at least two of these variables (Fabian,
2016).
5. Define the state of a saturated liquid and a saturated vapor?
As their names suggest, saturated liquid refers to water that is liquid while saturated vapor
refers to water that is now in gaseous form. Saturated liquid is liquid that is on the verge of being
vaporized and is usually found at 100℃. Saturated vapor on the other hand is vapor that is close to
condensing and any heat loss will cause some of the vapor to condense back into a liquid.

13
References

Adiabatic Saturation. (n.d.). Retrieved from ScienceDirect:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/adiabatic-saturation
Davis, B. (2020, August 1). What is relative humidity and absolute humidity? Retrieved from
MVOrganizing: https://www.mvorganizing.org/what-is-relative-humidity-and-absolute-
humidity/#What_is_another_name_for_humidity_ratio
Fabian, E. E. (2016, July 12). Psychrometric Chart Use. Retrieved from PennState Extension:
https://extension.psu.edu/psychrometric-chart-use

14