Chapter03.

qxd 6/15/04 2:31 PM Page 62

62 Chapter 3 Moist Air Properties and Conditioning Processes

from state 1 to state 2, it is not practical to perform it in that way. The heating and
humidification processes are usually carried out separately, shown in Figs. 3-6 and 3-7
as processes 1 − χ and χ − 2.

Adiabatic Humidification of Moist Air

When moisture is added to moist air without the addition of heat, Eq. 3-38b becomes
i2 − i1 ∆i
= iw = (3-40)
W2 − W1 ∆W
Close examination of the protractor on Chart 1a reveals that ∆i/∆W can vary from pos-
itive infinity on the left to negative infinity on the right. Therefore, in theory, the adi-
abatic humidification process can take many different paths depending on the
condition of the water used. In practice the water will vary from a liquid at about 50 F
(10 C) to a saturated vapor at about 250 F (120 C). The practical range of ∆i/∆W is
shown on the chart and protractor of Fig. 3-8.

EXAMPLE 3-6
Moist air at 60 F db and 20 percent relative humidity enters a heater and humidifier
at the rate of 1600 cfm. Heating of the air is followed by adiabatic humidification so
that it leaves at 115 F db and a relative humidity of 30 percent. Saturated water vapor
at 212 F is injected. Determine the required heat transfer rate and mass flow rate of
water vapor.

SOLUTION
Figure 3-6 is a schematic of the apparatus. Locate the states as shown in Fig. 3-7 from
the given information and Eq. 3-40 using the protractor feature of the psychrometric
chart. Process 1 − χ is sensible heating; therefore, a horizontal line to the right of
state 1 is constructed. Process χ − 2 is determined from Eq. 3-40 and the protractor:

1.0 1.0
SHF

0.030
S ens
5000

0.8 2 .0
0.6 – 8 .0
ib
le heat = – 2 4 .0 50 0.028
0.5
300

4 t .0
0. T otal hea
– 1 0 .5

15

60
– .3
.0
0 2

Humidity ratio (W),pounds of moisture per pound of dry air

3

–0

85

0.026
0.

.0
00
– 0.
0.2

0.1
00

10

45
1
0

15
00 0.024
cal
cti
80

Pra ge
40
55

0.022
ity

ran
id
14
m

85
.5
hu

ir 0.020
%

vol

ya
e
80

35 2a
tiv

dr
75

um
la

of F 0.018
Re

50

e,
e, f

nd r 80
%

ou tu
60

ra
t

rp
3

30 pe
0.016
70

pe
per

m
Bt
u te
pou

, n 0.014
14.

py tio 75
al ra 65
45
nd

25 %
2b
0

th tu 40
En Sa 0.012
of d

60
ry

70
FW 0.010
air
20

et b
55 ulb
40

0.008
50 20%
13.

60
15

45
5

Dry bulb,F

0.006

35
40
50
55 1
13.0

0.004
35

45
40
35 0.002
25 30 Dry bulb temperature, F
x
100

105

110

115

120
12.
35

40

45

50

55

65

75

80

85

90

95
70
60

30
5

10 15 20 25

Figure 3-8 Practical range of adiabatic humidifying processes.

Chapter03.qxd 6/15/04 2:31 PM Page 63

3-5 Classic Moist Air Processes 63

∆i = iw = 1150.4 Btu/ lbm
∆W

where iw is read from Table A-1a. A parallel line is drawn from state 2 as shown in
Fig. 3-7. State χ is determined by the intersection on lines 1 − χ and χ − 2. The heat
transfer rate is then given by
q˙ = m˙ a (ix − i1 )
where
Q˙ (60) 1600
m˙ a = = 60 = 7296 lbma / hr
v1 13.16
and i1 and ix, read from Chart 1a, are 16.8 and 29.2 Btu/lbma, respectively. Then
q˙ = 7296(29.2 − 16.8) = 90,500 Btu/ hr
The mass flow rate of the water vapor is given by
m˙ v = m˙ a (W2 − W1 )
where W2 and W1 are read from Chart 1a as 0.0193 and 0.0022 lbmv/lbma, respectively.
Then
m˙ v = 7296(0.0193 − 0.0022) = 125 lbmv/ hr

Adiabatic Mixing of Two Streams of Moist Air

The mixing of airstreams is quite common in air-conditioning systems. The mixing
usually occurs under steady, adiabatic flow conditions. Figure 3-9 illustrates the mix-
ing of two airstreams. An energy balance gives
m˙ a1i1 + m˙ a 2 i2 = m˙ a3i3 (3-41)
The mass balance on the dry air is
m˙ a1 + m˙ a 2 = m˙ a3 (3-42)
and the mass balance on the water vapor is
m˙ a1W1 + m˙ a 2 W2 = m˙ a3W3 (3-43)
Combining Eqs. 3-41, 3-42, and 3-43 and eliminating ma3 yields
i2 − i3 W − W3 m˙
= 2 = a1 (3-44)
i3 − i1 W3 − W1 m˙ a 2

⋅
m a1 ⋅
m a3
i1
i3
W1
W3
1
2 Adiabatic
3
⋅ ,i ,W
m a2 2 2

Figure 3-9 Schematic of the adiabatic mixing of two airstreams.