Psychrometry

Atmospheric air makes up the environment in almost every type of air conditioning system. Hence a thorough understanding of the properties of atmospheric air and the ability to analyze various processes involving air is fundamental to air conditioning design. The moist air is a mixture of dry air (mixture of gases) and water vapour. While the composition of dry air is constant, the amount of water vapour present in the air may vary from zero to a maximum depending upon the temperature and pressure of the mixture (dry air + water vapour). At a given temperature and pressure the dry air can only hold a certain maximum amount of moisture. When the moisture content is maximum, then the air is known as saturated air.

 psychrometry is the study of air-water vapour mixtures. Basic gas laws for moist air: Daltons law of partial pressures P =P1+P2 For a mixture, total pressure P is equal to the sum of partial pressures (P1 & P2) Applying this law to moist air p = pt = pa + pv where p = pt = total barometric pressure pa = partial pressure of dry air pv = partial pressure of water vapour

Molecular masses: Ma = molecular mass of dry air = 28.966 Mv = molecular mass of water vapour=18.016 Gas constant: Ra = 0.2871 KJ/Kg.K Rv= 0.461 Kj/Kg.K

Psychrometric properties
Dry bulb temperature (DBT)
It is the temperature of the moist air as measured by a standard thermometer or other temperature measuring instruments.

Saturated vapour pressure (psat)

It is the saturated partial pressure of water vapour at the dry bulb temperature (DBT). This is readily available in thermodynamic tables and charts.

Relative humidity ()
is defined as the ratio of the mass of water vapour in moist air to mass of water vapour in saturated air at the same temperature and pressure.

 Humidity ratio (W):

The humidity ratio (or specific humidity) W is the mass of water vapour associated with each kilogram of dry air W = 0.624 (pv/pa)

Dew-point temperature (DPT):

If unsaturated moist air is cooled at constant pressure, then the temperature at which the moisture in the air begins to condense is known as dew-point temperature (DPT) of air.

Degree of saturation :
The degree of saturation is the ratio of the humidity ratio W to the humidity ratio of a saturated mixture Ws at the same temperature and pressure.

 Enthalpy: The enthalpy of moist air is the sum of the enthalpy of the dry air and the enthalpy of the water vapour. The enthalpy of moist air is given by:

 Specific volume: It is the volume of mixture per kg of dry air v = mixture volume /kg of dry air. wet bulb temperature T* (or the saturation temperature): It is the temperature at which water evaporating into moist air at a given dry-bulb temperature and humidity ratio can bring air to saturation adiabatically at the same pressure p

 consider a stream of unsaturated air-water mixture flowing through a tunnel into which water is sprayed

since the air-water mixture is not saturated, it is capable of taking in more of water vapour. Some of the water from the spray will therefore evaporate and mix with the air. Of course, w keeps increasing and at some point the mixture becomes saturated with water.

 When saturated, the air-water mixture will then be at the wet bulb temperature T* . Thus, in general, for some non-saturated vapour mixture, the dry bulb temperature T > T* and (T T* ) is called the wet bulb depression. Wet-Bulb Thermometer: Used for determining wet bulb temperature

Calculation of psychrometric properties from p, DBT and WBT:

 On a particular day the weather forecast states that the dry bulb temperature is 37oC, while the relative humidity is 50% and the barometric pressure is 101.325 kPa. Find the humidity ratio, dew point temperature and enthalpy of moist air on this day.

 At 37oC the saturation pressure (ps) of water vapour is obtained from steam tables as 6.2795 kPa. Since the relative humidity is 50%, the vapour pressure of water in air (pv) is: pv = 0.5 x ps = 0.5 x 6.2795 = 3.13975 kPa the humidity ratio W is given by: W = 0.622 x pv/(ptpv) = 0.622 x 3.13975/(101.3253.13975) = 0.01989 kgw/kgda The enthalpy of air (h) is given by the equation: h = 1.005t+W(2501+1.88t) = 1.005 x 37+0.01989(2501+1.88 x 37) = 88.31 kJ/kgda

 Moist air at 1 atm. (760 mm of hg) pressure has a dry bulb temperature of 32oC and a wet bulb temperature of 26oC. Calculate a) the partial pressure of water vapour, b) humidity ratio, c) relative humidity, d) dew point temperature, e) density of dry air in the mixture, f) density of water vapour in the mixture and g) enthalpy of moist air using perfect gas law model and psychrometric equations.

 Using modified Apjohn equation and the values of DBT, WBT and barometric pressure, the vapour pressure is found to be: pv = 2.956 kPa The humidity ratio W is given by: W = 0.622 x 2.956/(101.325-2.956) = 0.0187 kgw/kgda Relative humidity RH is given by: RH = (pv/ps) x 100 = (pv/saturation pressure at 32oC) x 100 From steam tables, the saturation pressure of water at 32oC is 4.7552 kPa, hence, RH = (2.956/4.7552) x 100 = 62.16% Dew point temperature is the saturation temperature of steam at 2.956 kPa. Hence using steam tables we find that: DPT = Tsat(2.956 kPa) = 23.8oC

 Density of dry air and water vapour Applying perfect gas law to dry air: Density of dry air a =(pa/RaT)=(ptpv)/RaT = (101.3252.956)/(287.035 x 305)x103 = 1.1236 kg/m3 of dry air Similarly the density of water vapour in air is obtained using perfect gas law as: Density of water vapour v = (pv/RvT) = 2.956 x 103/(461.52 x 305) = 0.021 kg/m3 Enthalpy of moist air is found from the equation: h = 1.005 x t+W(2501+1.88 x t) = 1.005 x 32 + 0.0187(2501+1.88 X 32) h= 80.05 kJ/kg of dry air

Psychrometric chart
the psychrometric chart is a thermodynamic chart like any other. However, it is normally presented at atmospheric pressure only, as most applications are at this pressure. Thus, we need only 2 more properties to determine the thermodynamic state the pressure is already given. Thus, if we have a psychrometric problem at non-atmospheric pressure, the atmospheric psychrometric chart cannot be used.

 the saturation line: this is the line of 100% relative humidity, and represents the locus of thermodynamic states that can hold the maximum amount of water in purely vapour form.

Psychrometric processes
In the design and analysis of air conditioning plants, the fundamental requirement is to identify the various processes being performed on air. All these processes can be plotted on a psychrometric chart.

 Important Psychrometric processes Sensible cooling:

During this process, the moisture content of air remains constant but its temperature decreases as it flows over a cooling coil. If the cooling coil is 100% effective, then the exit temperature of air will be equal to the coil temperature. However, in practice, the exit air temperature will be higher than the cooling coil Figure shows the sensible cooling process O-A on a psychrometric chart. The heat transfer rate during this process is given by

Specific humidity is constant i.e WA = WO Relative humidity increases from O to A

 Sensible heating:
During this process, the moisture content of air remains constant and its temperature increases as it flows over a heating coil. Figure shows the sensible heating process O-B on a psychrometric chart. The heat transfer rate during this process is given by

Specific humidity is constant i.e WB = WO Relative humidity reduces from O to B

 By-pass factor Under ideal conditions, the dry bulb temperature of the air leaving the apparatus should be equal to that of the coil (TCO). But it is not so, because of the coil efficiency. This phenomenon is called by pass factor (BPF) BPF for heating coil is given by BPF = (TCO) - (TB) / (TCO) - (TO) BPF for cooling coil is given by BPF = (TA) - (TCO) / (TO) - (TCO)

 Cooling and dehumidification: When moist air is cooled below its dew-point by bringing it in contact with a cold surface as shown some of the water vapour in the air condenses and leaves the air stream as liquid, as a result both the temperature and humidity ratio of air decreases. This is the process air undergoes in a typical air conditioning system. By applying mass balance and energy balance equation the load on the cooling coil, Qt is given by

 the 2nd term on the RHS of the above equation is normally small compared to the other terms, so it can be neglected.

It can be observed that the cooling and de-humidification process involves both latent and sensible heat transfer processes, hence, the total, latent and sensible heat transfer rates (Qt, Ql and Qs) can be written as

 SHF (Sensible heat factor)

By separating the total heat transfer rate from the cooling coil into sensible and latent heat transfer rates, a useful parameter called Sensible Heat Factor (SHF) is defined. SHF is defined as the ratio of sensible to total heat transfer rate.

From the above equation, one can deduce that a SHF of 1.0 corresponds to no latent heat transfer and a SHF of 0 corresponds to no sensible heat transfer. A SHF of 0.75 to 0.80 is quite common in air conditioning systems in a normal dry-climate. A lower value of SHF, say 0.6, implies a high latent heat load such as that occurs in a humid climate.

 Heating and Humidification

During winter it is essential to heat and humidify the room air for comfort. This is normally done by first sensibly heating the air and then adding water vapour to the air stream through steam nozzles Mass balance of water vapor for the control volume yields the rate at which steam has to be added, i.e., mw: mw = ma (wD wO). where ma is the mass flow rate of dry air. From energy balance: Qh = ma (hD hO) mwhw where Qh is the heat supplied through the heating coil and hw is the enthalpy of steam.

 Cooling & humidification

During this process, the air temperature drops and its humidity increases. this can be achieved by spraying cool water in the air stream. The temperature of water should be lower than the dry-bulb temperature of air but higher than its dew-point temperature to avoid condensation (DPT < Tw < TO). If the temperature of the water sprayed is equal to the wet bulb temperature of air, then the net transfer rate will be zero as the sensible heat transfer from air to water will be equal to latent heat transfer from water to air If the water temperature is greater than WBT, then there will be a net heat transfer from water to air. If the water temperature is less than WBT, then the net heat transfer will be from air to water.

 Heating and de-humidification

This process can be achieved by using a hygroscopic material, which absorbs or adsorbs the water vapour from the moisture. If this process is thermally isolated, then the enthalpy of air remains constant, as a result the temperature of air increases as its moisture content decreases This hygroscopic material can be a solid or a liquid. In general, the absorption of water by the hygroscopic material is an exothermic reaction, as a result heat is released during this process, which is transferred to air and the enthalpy of air increases.

 Mixing of air streams

Depending upon the state of the individual streams, the mixing process can take place with or without condensation of moisture when two air streams at state points 1 and 2 mix, the resulting mixture condition 3 can be obtained from mass and energy balance. From the mass balance of dry air and water vapor:

Without condensation

 Mixing with condensation:

when very cold and dry air mixes with warm air at high relative humidity, the resulting mixture condition may lie in the two-phase region, as a result there will be condensation of water vapor and some amount of water will leave the system as liquid water. Due to this, the humidity ratio of the resulting mixture (point 3) will be less than that at point 4. Corresponding to this will be an increase in temperature of air due to the release of latent heat of condensation. This process rarely occurs in an air conditioning system, but this is the phenomenon which results in the formation of fog or frost (if the mixture temperature is below 0oC).

 0.2 kg/s of moist air at 45oC (DBT) and 10% RH is mixed with 0.3 kg/s of moist air at 25oC and a humidity ratio of 0.018 kgw/kgda in an adiabatic mixing chamber. After mixing, the mixed air is heated to a final temperature of 40oC using a heater. Find the temperature and relative humidity of air after mixing. Find the heat transfer rate in the heater and relative humidity of air at the exit of heater. Assume the barometric pressure to be 1 atm.

Inside and outside design conditions

Selection of Inside design conditions
The required inside conditions for cold storage and industrial air conditioning applications vary widely depending on the specific requirement. However, the required inside conditions for comfort air conditioning systems remain practically same irrespective of the size, type, location, use of the air conditioning building etc., as this is related to the thermal comfort of the human beings.

Thermal comfort
Thermal comfort is defined as that condition of mind which expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment.

Factors affecting human comfort Effective temperature: the degree of warmth or cold felt by a
human body mainly depends upon dry bulb temperature, relative humidity and air velocity. In order to evaluate the combined effect of these factors effective temperature is used. It is the index which correlates the combined effect of the above factors. It is represented by the comfort chart

Physiological factors such as age, activity, sex and health.

These factors influence the metabolic rate. It is observed that of these factors, the most important is activity.

 Moisture content of air. Insulating factor due to clothing: The type of

clothing has strong influence on the rate of heat transfer from the human body.

Selection of Outside design conditions

The ambient temperature moisture content The design outside conditions also depend on the following factors:
Type of the structure, i.e., whether it is of heavy construction, medium or light Insulation characteristics of the building Area of glass or other transparent surfaces Type of usage Nature of occupancy Daily range (difference between maximum and minimum temperatures in a given day)

Air conditioning systems

According to season of year Winter air conditioning system Summer air conditioning system Year round air conditioning system

Winter air conditioning system

In winter air conditioning, the air is heated, which is generally accompanied by humidification The outside air flows through a damper and mixes up with the recirculated air (which is obtained from the conditioned space) The mixed air passes through a filter to remove dirt etc. The air now passes through a preheat coil in order to prevent the possible freezing of water After that, the air is made to pass through a reheat coil to bring the air to the designed dry bulb temperature. Now the conditioned air is supplied to the conditioned space by a fan. From the conditioned space, a part of used air is exhausted to the atmosphere by the exhaust fan or ventilators. The remaining part of the used air ( known as circulated air) is again conditioned) The outside air is sucked and made to mix with circulated air, in order to make up for the loss of conditioned air.

Summer air conditioning system

In this type air is cooled and dehumidified. The outside air flows through the damper, and mixes with recirculated air (from the conditioned space) The mixed air passes through the filter to remove dirt, dust. The air now passes through a cooling coil. The cooled air passes through a perforated membrane and loses its moisture. After that, the air is passed through a heating coil which heats upthe air slightly . This is done to bring the air tho the designed DBT and RH.

Year round air conditioning system

The year round air conditioning system will have equipment for both the summer and winter air conditioning system In summer, the cooling coil operates to cool the air to desired value. The dehumidification is obtained by operating the cooling coil lower than the dew point temperature. In winter, the heating coil operates to heat the air.

Psychrometry of air conditioning process

Room sensible heat factor It is the ratio of the room sensible heat to the room total heat.

RLH = room latent heat, RTH = Room total heat, RSH = room sensible heat In cooling and dehumidification process, the temperature at which the RSHF line intersects the saturation curve is called the room apparatus dew point (room ADP) Si line is RSHF line. The slope of this line gives the ratio of RSH to RLH.

X is BPF

cmm means cubic meters or air per minute

Grand sensible heat factor: It is the ratio of the total sensible heat to the grand total heat which the conditioning apparatus is required to handle.

TSH = total sensible heat = RSH + OASH TLH = total latent heat= RLH+OALH GTH = Grand total heat = TSH + TLH = RSH+RLH+OATH = RSH+RALH+(OASH+OALH)

Outside air sensible heat: OASH = 0.0204v1 (DBT (outside air)-DBT (room air)) kW Outside air latent heat: OALH = 50v1 (W1 W2) kW Outside air total heat: OATH = OASH + OALH = 0.02 v1 (h1 h2) kW Where v1 = volume of outside air or ventilation in m3/min W1 = specific humidity of outside air in kg / kg of dry air W2 = specific humidity of room air in kg / kg of dry air h1 = enthalpy of outside air in kJ/kg of dry air h2 = enthalpy of room air in kJ/kg of dry air

Effective Room Sensible Factor It is the ratio of the effective room sensible heat to the effective room total heat. ERSHF= ERSH/ERTH = ERSH/ERSH+ERLH ERSH = Effective room sensible heat = RSH + OASH x BPF ERLH = Effective room latent heat = RLH + OALH x BPF ERTH = effective room total heat = ERSH +ERLH BPF = Bypass factor