Air Conditioning Review Manual (JRF, PME) Module 4.

Psychrometry

MODULE 4. PSYCHROMETRY
Prepared by: Engr. Jose R. Francisco, PME, CEM
Lecturer
DEFINITIONS

 Psychrometry is the study of the properties of air and water vapor or moist air.

 Saturated air is an air whose condition is such that any decrease in temperature will result in
condensation of the water vapor into liquid; or a condition of air which is saturated.

 Moist air is the mixture of dry air and water vapor.

 Dry air is the non-condensable component of moist air.

 Vapor is the condensable component of moist air; the water vapor or steam that may exist in
a saturated state or superheated state.

 Psychrometrics literally means “pertaining to the measurement of cold” but in modern usage
it refers to the state of the atmosphere with reference to moisture.

Psychrometric Standards Adopted

o Density of Air 1.293 kg/m3 at 101.325 kPaa and 0 oC

o Density of water 1000 kg /m3 at 101.325 kPaa and 4 oC

998.23 kg/m3 at 101.325 kPaa and 20 oC

o Barometric Pressure 101325 Paa, 101.325 kPaa, 1013.25 mbar

o Acceleration due to gravity 9.80665 m/s2

o Gas Constant for air, Ra 0.28708 kJ/kg-oC

o Gas Constant for water vapor, Rw 0.4615 kJ/kg-oC

PSYCHROMETRIC PROPERTIES

1. Temperature refers to the temperature of moist air measured by the use of Psychrometer.

a. Dry-bulb temperature (DB) - the actual temperature of the air that is measured by an
ordinary thermometer; or it is the temperature of a gas or mixture of gases indicated by
an accurate thermometer after correction for radiation.

b. Wet-bulb temperature (WB) - the temperature of air if it is saturated, which is measured

by thermometer whose bulb wrapped with a wetted wick or cloth; or it is a temperature at
which liquid or solid water, by evaporating into air, can bring the air to saturation
adiabatically at the same temperature.

 Psychrometer is an instrument consisting of two thermometers, one used to measure

the dry-bulb temperature and the other used to measure the wet-bulb temperature of
the air.

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Air Conditioning Review Manual (JRF, PME) Module 4. Psychrometry

2. Pressure pertains to the air ambient pressure; it is the barometric pressure or atmospheric
pressure that is equal to 101.325 kPaa at standard condition.

Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressure:

o “In any mixture of miscible gases, the pressure exerted by gases on its container is
equal to the sum of the partial pressures of the gases.”

For total pressure, volume and temperature of moist air,

pt  pa  pv ; Vt  Va  Vv ; t t  ta  t v

Where pt = total pressure of air-water vapor mixture or the atmospheric pressure, kPaa.
pa = partial pressure of dry air, kPaa
pv = partial pressure of water vapor, kPaa.
Vt = volume of the mixture or moist air, m3
Va = volume of dry air, m3
Vv = volume of water vapor, m3
tt = temperature of the mixture which is equal to the temperature of each
component, oC.

3. Specific Volume - the volume of a unit mass dry air,

Va Va R a Ta R a Ta
v   
m  p a Va  pa pt  pv
 
 R a Ta 

Where v = specific volume of dry air, m3/kg d.a.

m = mass of dry air, kg.
pa = pt - pv = partial pressure of dry air, kPaa.
Va = volume of dry air, m3
Ta = absolute temperature of dry air, oK
Ra = gas constant of dry air, kJ/kg-oK = 0.28708 kJ/kg-oK

4. Humidity Ratio (moisture content, mixing ratio, or specific humidity) is the ratio of the mass
of water vapor and the mass of dry air.

 p v Vv 
 
m v  R v Tv   R a  p v 
W    
m a  p a Va   R v  p a 
 
 R a Ta 

 0.28708  p v   pv 
 
W     0.622
 0.4615  t
p  p v   t
p  p v 

Where W = the humidity ratio, kg vapor per kg dry air

mv = mass of water vapor, kg.
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Rv = gas constrant of water vapor, kj/kg-oK

Rv = 0.4615 kJ/kg-oK
ma = mass of dry air, kg
Ra = gas constant of dry air = 0.28708 kJ/kg-oK
Va = Vv
Ta = Tv

5. Enthalpy of moist air is the sum of the enthalpy of dry air and the enthalpy of the water
vapor.

ASHRAE Formula:

h  c p t  Wh g  1.0062 t  Wh g

Where h = enthalpy of the mixture, kJ/kg d.a

cp = specific heat of dry air at constant pressure = 1.0062 kJ/kg-K
t = dry-bulb temperature of the dry air, oC
W = humidity ratio, kg v/kg d.a.
hg = enthalpy of saturated vapor at the air temperature, t, kJ/kg d.a.
(to be obtained from steam tables)

IHVE Formula:

h  1.007 t  0.026  W2501  1.84 t   for t  0 o C to 60 o C

h  1.005 t  W2501  1.84 t   for t  10 o C to 0 o C

Where, h = enthalpy of the mixture or moist air, kJ/kg d.a.

t = dry-bulb temperature, oC
W = humidity ratio, kg/kg d.a.
2501 kJ/kg = average enthalpy of evaporation for water, kJ/kg.

Note:
o IHVE - Institute of Heating and Ventilating engineers (British).

6. Relative Humidity is the ratio of the partial pressure water vapor to that of the saturation
pressure of water at a given dry bulb temperature.

p 
RH     v  100 % 
 pd 

Where RH =  = relative humidity

pv = partial pressure of water vapor at a given dry-bulb temperature, kPaa.
pd = saturation pressure of water vapor at a given dry-bulb temperature, kPaa.

IHVE Formula:


a. For wet-bulb temperature is equal to or greater than zero WB  0 oC , 
 
p v  p WB  6.66 x 10 4 p t DB  WB 
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b. For wet-bulb temperature is less than zero WB  0 oC ,  

 
p v  p WB  5.94 x 10 4 p t DB  WB 

Where, pv = partial pressure of water vapor in the mixture of water vapor and ry air, kPaa.
pwb = saturation pressure of water vapor at a temperature numerically
equal to the wet-bulb temperature, kPaa.
pt = total pressure or the barometric pressure, kPaa
DB = dry-bulb temperature, oC.
WB = wet-bulb temperature, oC.

7. Dew-Point Temperature is the temperature at which the condensation of water vapor in a

space begins. It is the saturation temperature corresponding to the vapor partial pressure.

Figure 2.2. Ts Diagram (water vapor),

Moist air
T Condition
Dry bulb temperature

Vapor
Dew point temperature
Pressure

8. Percent Saturation is the ratio of the air humidity ratio, W, to the humidity ratio, W s, of
saturated air at the same temperature and pressure.

 pv 
0.622  
W
U    100 %    pt  pv  100 % 
 Ws   pd 
0.622  
 p t  pd 

p   p t  pd   p  pd 
U   v    100 %   RH  t 
 pd  pt  pv   pt  pv 

Where U = percent saturation, %

Ws = the humidity ratio of saturated vapor at a given DB temperature
W = humidity ratio of moist air at a given DB temperature

PSYCHROMETRIC CHART
 Psychrometric Chart is the graphical representation of the psychrometric properties wherein
the humidity ratio is the ordinate and the dry-bulb temperature is the abscissa.

 Three psychormetric charts are commonly used namely: the ASHRAE psychrometric chart,
the IHVE psychrometric chart, and the Carrier psychrometric chart.

 Available psychormetric charts are used to determine the properties of moist air at standard
atmospheric pressure at 101.325 kPa.
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 Figure 2.3 below illustrates a psychrometric chart based on Carrier.

Figure 2.3. Psychrometric Chart

Enthalpy
Enthalpy of Deviation Sensible
Saturated Air Heat Ratio

Saturation
Curve
Humidity
Ratio, W

Wet Bulb
Temperature
DB
Relative Dry Bulb
Humidity, RH Temperature Specific
Dew point Volume
Temperature

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Air Conditioning Review Manual (JRF, PME) Module 4. Psychrometry

ADIABATIC SATURATION AND THERMODYNAMIC WET-BULB TEMPERATURE

 Adiabatic Saturator is a device in which air flows through a spray of water.

Figure 2.4. Adiabatic Saturator

Saturated Air
2
Spray

INSULATOR

Air 1

Circulating
Water
Make-up water
(W2 - W1) hf Thermometer Circulating
Pump

 The following symbols are used for the properties of moist air
h = enthalpy, kJ/kg
W = humidity ratio, kg/kg d.a.
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Air Conditioning Review Manual (JRF, PME) Module 4. Psychrometry

RH = Relative Humidity, %
DB = Dry-bulb temperature, oC
WB = Wet-bulb temperature, oC
v = Specific volume, m3/kg d.a.
DP = Dew point temperature, oC
SHR = Sensible heat Ratio

 Wet-bulb Depression is the difference between the readings of the dry and wet bulb
temperatures.
 As shown above (Figure 2.4):

o The water circulates continuously, and the spray provides so much surface area that the
air leaves the spray chamber in equilibrium with the water, with respect to both
temperature and vapor pressure.

o The device is adiabatic in that the walls of the saturator are insulated, and no heat is
added to, or extracted, and water line that circulates the water from the sump back to the
sprays.

o The temperature of the make-up water is controlled so that it is the same as that in the
sump.

o After the adiabatic saturator has achieved a steady state condition, the temperature
indicated by an accurate thermometer immersed in the sump is the thermodynamic wet-
bulb temperature.

Figure 2.5. Psychrometric Diagram of Adiabatic Saturator

2
Constant wet-bulb W2
Temperature line

W1
1
Constant
Enthalpy line

 Considering the Figure above and by energy balance

E in  E out  h 1  W2  W1 h f  h 2

 h 2  h 1  W2  W1  h f

Where h1 = enthalpy of entering air, kJ/kg d.a.

h2 = enthalpy of leaving air, kJ/kg d.a.
W2 = humidity ratio of air leaving air, kg/kg d.a.
W1 = humidity ratio of air entering, kg/kg d.a.
hf = enthalpy of saturated liquid, kJ/kg
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Air Conditioning Review Manual (JRF, PME) Module 4. Psychrometry

STRAIGHT-LINE LAW
 "When air is transferring heat and mass (water) to or from a wetted surface, the condition of
the air shown on a psychrometric chart drives toward the saturation line at the temperature
of the wetted surface."

Figure 2.6. Psychrometric Diagram for Straight-line Law

Straight line 1
Saturated
Point 2

tw

PRACTICE PROBLEMS

1. Determine the moisture content of a moist air in kg vapor per kg dry air at 20°C DB, 15°C
WB, and 95 kPaa barometric pressure if the saturation pressure at 15°C is 1.7051 kPaa.
a. 0.009228 b. 0.004354 c. 0.008622 d. 0.0235

Solution: For pv,

 
p v  p WB  6.66 x 10 4 p t DB  WB 

 
p v  1.7051  6.66 x 10 4 95 20  15   1.38875 kPaa

For the W,
 pv 
  0.622
1.38875 
W  0.622    0.009228 kgv / kgda
 pt  pv   95  1.38875 

2. Calculate the humidity ratio of moist air at 65% relative humidity and 34°C DB when
barometric pressure is 101.3 kPaa. The saturation pressure at 34°C is 5.324 kPaa.
a. 0.033 b. 0.022 c. 0.012 d. 0.018

Solution: For pv,

p v  RH p d   0.65 5.324   3.4606 kPaa

For W,

 pv 
  0.622 
3.4606
W  0.622    0.022 kgv / kgda
 t
p  p v   101.3  3.4606 

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3. If the specific humidity of moist air is 0.027 at 1 atmosphere pressure. What is the partial
pressure of the water vapor in the mixture?
a. 4.215 kPaa b. 3.516 kPaa c. 3.617 kPaa d. none of these
 pv 
Solution: For the pv, from the equation of W, W  0.622 

 pt  pv 

pv 
W pt

0.027101.325  4.215 kPaa
W  0.622 0.027  0.622
4. The mixing ratio of humid air is 0.024 at a dry-bulb temperature of 27°C. Determine the
enthalpy of the given air. hg@27°c = 2550.8 kJ/kg
a. 67.25 kJ/kg b. 80.62 kJ/kg c. 88.39 kJ/kg d. 55.68 kJ/kg

Solution: Using ASHRAE Formula

h  1.0062 t  W h g  1.0062 27   0.024 2550 .8  88 .39 kJ / kg da

5. What is the specific volume in liters/kg of an air-vapor mixture at 30°C and relative humidity
of 40% at 100kPaa if the saturation pressure at 30°C is 4.246 kPaa?
a. 806 b. 809 c. 885 d. 506

Solution: For the value of pv,

pv  RH pd   0.404.246  1.6584 kPaa

For the specific Volume,

v
RT

0.2870830  273  0.8845 m3 / kg  884.5 li / kg
pt  pv 100  1.6584
da da

6. In problem number 50, what is the density of the given air in kg/m3?
a. 1.64 b. 1.32 c. 1.25 d. 1.13

Solution: For the density,

1 1
   1.131 kg / m3
v 0.8845
7. Air in occupied room is at 20°C DB and has a moisture content of 0.007376 kg v/kgda. When
air at 20°C DB is fully saturated, it can hold 0.01475 kgv/kgda. Calculate the percent or
degree of saturation of the room air.
a. 56% b. 82% c. 50% d. 46%

Solution: For the Percent or Degree of Saturation,

U
W
100 %   0.007376  100 %  50.01 %
Ws  0.01475 
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8. In problem no. 7, what is the enthalpy of room air in BTU/lb.

a. 22.5 b. 16.7 c. 12.3 d. 14.2

Solution: For the enthalpy of room air, using IHVE formula,

h  1.007 t  0.026  W2501  1.84 t 

h  1.007 20   0.026  0.007376 2501  1.84 20 

h  38.83 kJ / kg da  16.69 Btu / lbda

9. Determine the saturation ratio of water vapor in an air at 21°C DB and 10°C WB. Barometric
pressure is 29 in Hg absolute and the saturation pressures at 21°C and 10ºC is 2.487 kPaa
and 1.2276 kPaa, respectively.
a. 20% b. 15% c. 25% d. 30%

Solution: For the value of pt in kPa,

 101 .325 kPaa 

p t  29 in Hg    98 .21 kPaa
 29 .92 in Hg 

Solving for the value of pv,

 
p v  p WB  6.66 x 10 4 p t DB  WB 

 
p v  1.2276   6.66 x 10 4 98 .2121  10   0.5081 kPaa

Solving for the RH,

RH 
pv
100 %   0.5081  100 %  20 .43 %
pd  2.487 

10. The dry bulb temperature of humid air is 35°C. What is the wet-bulb depression in °F if the
wet-bulb temperature is 18°C?
a. 17.6 b. 30.6 c. 18.0 d. none of these

Solution: For the WB Depression,

9
WB Depression  DB  WB  35  18  17 oC  17    30 .6 o F
5

11. Determine the dew point depression of the room air when the dry-bulb and dew point
temperature is 69.8°F and 15°C, respectively.
a. 6°C b. 8°C c. 54.8°C d. 7°F

Solution: For the DP Depression,

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Air Conditioning Review Manual (JRF, PME) Module 4. Psychrometry

5
DP Depression  DB  DP  69 .8  32    15  6 oC
9

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