Humidification

• Humidity, which is the water vapour content of the air, is controlled by

adding or removing water vapour from the air.

• Humidity Ratio
The ideal gas laws and law of partial pressures can be used to find a
relationship for determining the humidity ratio. The definition of humidity
ratio expressed as an equation is:
W = mw /ma

Where,
W = humidity ratio, lb water vapor/ lb dry air;
mw = weight of water vapor, lb; ma = weight of dry air,
Relative Humidity
The relative humidity is defined by the equation:

RH =( pw/ p w s ) x 100

Where,
RH = relative humidity, %
pw = partial pressure of water vapor at dry bulb temperature;
p w s = saturation pressure of water vapor at dry bulb temperature;

The Psychrometric Chart

• The properties of atmospheric air can be represented in tables or

graphical form.
• The graphical form is called the psychrometric chart. It is
universally used because;
• it presents a great deal of information very simply and
• it is helpful in studying air conditioning processes.
 Lines of const. DB Temperature

Lines of const. Humidity ratio

Lines of const. RH %

Lines of const. specific volume

 Lines of const. WB Temperatures

Lines of const. enthalpy

 Draw a line of 78 F DB on the psychrometric chart.

Draw a line of 45% RH on the

psychrometric chart.

Draw a line of 76.5 F WB on the psychrometric chart.

- The weather report reads 90 F DB and 40% RH. What is the WB?

Using the psychrometric chart, the condition of the air is at the point of
intersection of the 90 F DB line and 40% RH line.

Drawing a line of constant WB from this point, the WB temperature is

read as 7 1 .2 F.
- Combustion air enters a furnace at 80 F DB and 23% RH. What is its specific
volume?

The condition is located at the intersection of the 80 F DB and 23% RH line.

The specific volume is read as 1 3.7 ft3 / lb d. a. by interpolation.

 Automatic temperature and humidity control
• The application of automatic temperature and
humidity controls starts with an understanding of the
building and the use of the spaces to be conditioned
and controlled.

• All control systems operate in accordance with basic

principles , the simplest control is cycling or on/off
control to meet part load conditions.

• EXAMPLE: If building only needs half the energy that

the system is designed to deliver, the system runs for
about ten minutes, turns off for ten minutes, and then
cycles on again.
 Where are controls required?
The control system is typically distributed across three areas:

1) The equipment and their controls located in the main

mechanical room. Equipment includes chillers, boiler, hot
water generator, heat exchangers, pumps etc.

2) Air distribution system are available in various configurations and

can be placed in a dedicated room called secondary equipment
room or may be located in an open area such as roof top air-
handling units.

3) The individual room controls depending on the system design.

The equipments includes fan, coil units, variable air volume
systems, terminal reheat, unit ventilators, exhausters, zone
temperature/humidistat devices etc.
 Benefits of a Control System
Controls are required for one or more of the following
reasons:
1) Maintain thermal comfort conditions
2) Maintain optimum indoor air quality
3) Reduce energy use
4) Safe plant operation
5) To reduce manpower costs
6) Identify maintenance problems
7) Efficient plant operation to match the load
8) Monitoring system performance
 What is Control?
In simplest term, the control is defined as the starting,
stopping or regulation of heating, ventilating, and
air conditioning system. Controlling a
humidification system involves three distinct steps:

1) Measure a variable and collect data

2) Process the data with other information
3) Cause a control action

The above three functions are met through sensor,

controller and the controlled device.
 Elements of a Control System
It has four basic elements: sensor, controller, controlled device
and source of energy.
1) Sensor measures actual value of controlled variable such as
temperature, humidity or flow and provides information to
the controller.
2) Controller receives input from sensor, processes the input and
then produces intelligent output signal for controlled device.
3) Controlled device acts to modify controlled variable as
directed by controller.
4) Source of energy is needed to power the control system.
Control systems use either a pneumatic or electric power
supply.
 Theory of Controls
Basically there are two types of controls viz.
1. Open loop control
2. Closed loop control.

Open loop control

• Open loop control is a system with no feedback i.e. there is
no way to monitor if the control system is working effectively.
• Open loop control is also called feed forward control.
• In open loop control the controller may operate an actuator
or switch and is often done by a timer and is best explained by
the following example of a cooking oven.
• If the required temperature inside the oven is achieved by
switching on and off a heating element, this is known as
sequence or open loop control.
• A timer is set by the operator which operates the electrical
circuit to the electric heating element. Once the oven reaches
the desired temperature, the timer will “close” the switch so
that the temperature inside the oven modulates about a set
point.
• The resultant temperature inside the oven is not really
constant but varies due to lag in achieving steady state
conditions.
• These types of controls are not suitable for air-
conditioning and refrigeration system because it does not
provide the facility of comparing the parameters to be
controlled.

Closed Loop System.

• In the closed system, controller responds to error in
controlled variable. A comparison of the sensed
parameters is made with respect to the set parameters
and accordingly the corresponding signals shall be
generated.
• Closed loop control is also called feedback control.
 Type of Control Systems
• Direct Acting Systems
• Electric / Electronic Systems
• Pneumatic Systems

1. Direct Acting Systems

• The simplest form of controller is direct-acting, comprising a sensing
element which transmits power to a valve through a capillary, bellows and
diaphragm.
• The measuring system derives its energy from the process under control
without amplification by any auxiliary source of power which makes it
simple and easy to use.
• The most common example is the thermostatic radiator valve which adjusts
the valve by liquid expansion or vapor pressure.
• Direct-acting thermostats have little power and have some disadvantages
but the main advantage is individual and inexpensive emitter control.
• Direct acting thermostatic equipment gives gradual movement of the
controlling device and may be said to modulate.
2. Electronic Systems
• Electric controlled devices provide ON / OFF or two-position control.
• In residential and small commercial applications, low voltage electrical
controls are most common.
• A transformer is used to reduce the 115 volt alternating current (AC)
to a nominal 24 volts.
• This voltage signal is controlled by thermostats, and can open gas
solenoid valves, energize oil burners or solenoid valves on the DX
cooling, control electric heat, operate two position valves and damper
or turn on-off fans and pumps.
• A relay or contactor is used to switch line voltage equipment with the
low voltage control signal.
• The advantage of electric system is that it eliminates the personnel
safety and fire risk associated with line voltage, and allows these
control wires to be installed by a non-electrician without requiring
conduit and other safety measures.
• However, these systems are generally limited to providing on/off
control only: they cannot operate at half capacity.
• Other features of electronic control systems include:

1) Controllers can be remotely located from sensors and actuators.

2) Controllers can accept a variety of inputs.
3) Remote adjustments for multiple controls can be located together, even
though sensors and actuators are not.
4) Electronic control systems can accommodate complex control and
override schemes.
5) Universal type outputs can interface many different actuators.
6) Display meters indicate input or output values.

• An electronic control system can be enhanced with visual displays that

show system status and operation. Many electronic controllers have
built-in indicators that show power, input signal, deviation signal, and
output signal.

• An indicator light can show on/off status or, if driven by controller

circuits, the brightness of a light can show the relative strength of a signal.
3. Pneumatic Systems:
• The most popular control system for large buildings historically
has been pneumatics which can provide both On-Off and
modulating control.
• Pneumatic actuators are described in terms of their spring
range. Common spring ranges are 3 to 8 psig (21 to 56 kPa), 5 to
10 psig (35 to 70 kPa), and 8 to 13 psig (56 to 91 kPa).
• Compressed air with an input pressure can be regulated by
thermostats and humidistat. By varying the discharge air
pressure from these devices, the signal can be used directly to
open valves, close dampers, and energize other equipment.
• The copper or plastic tubing carry the control signals around the
building, which is relatively inexpensive.
• The pneumatic system is very durable, is safe in hazardous areas
where electrical sparks must be avoided, and most importantly,
is capable of modulation, or operation at part load condition.
• While the 24-volt electrical control system could only
energize a damper fully open or fully closed, a pneumatic
control system can hold that damper at 25%, 40% or 80%
open. This allows more accurate matching of the supply
with the load.

• It is important that dirt, moisture and oil are absent from

the compressed air supply. Instrument quality compressed
air is more suitable for controls

• Rather than industrial quality and requires drying to a dew-

point low enough to satisfy the application.

• The main disadvantages are: it is less reliable and noisier

when compared to electronic systems.