DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

ME LABORATORY 1

EXPERIMENT NO. 6

DETERMINATION OF PSYCHROMETRIC PROPERTY

OF ATMOSPHERIC AIR

OBJECTIVE:
To compare various humidity measuring instruments such as psychrometers - sling
psychrometer, aspiration psychrometer, and mechanical hygrometer.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of the experiment the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate how to determine the dry-bulb temperature, wet-bulb temperature,
dewpoint temperature and other psychrometric properties of atmospheric air using
sling psychrometer and aspiration psychrometer.
2. Measure humidity of the atmosphere using sling, aspiration, and mechanical
hygrometers.
3. Calibrate mechanical hygrometer using sling and/or aspiration psychrometer.

THEORY:

Psychrometrics is the study of mixture of gas (such as air) and water vapor at
atmospheric pressure. The pure air portion of an “air–water vapor” mixture is commonly
called dry air; consequently, atmospheric air is said to consist of a mixture of dry air and
water vapor. Both the air and the water vapor in this mixture are treated as ideal gases.
Because dry air and low pressure water vapor behave approximately as ideal gases, the
perfect gas laws form the basis for most psychrometric properties calculations.
Psychrometry refer to the state of the atmosphere with respect to moisture. Since the
earth’s atmosphere - the air we breath-is mainly a mixture of dry air and water vapor
with traces of other gases present, thus great interest is given to these principal
constituents.
A psychrometer measures humidity by taking both a wet-bulb and a dry-bulb
temperature reading. With those two values known, the other properties of the air,
including its moisture content, can be determined by computation or by reading
a psychrometric chart. Among these psychrometric expressions and definitions are:

Dry-bulb temperature, tdb - the temperature of the mixture indicated by an

ordinary thermometer (after correction for radiation).
Wet-bulb temperature, twb - thermodynamic wet-bulb temperature is the
temperature at which liquid by evaporating into air can bring the air to saturation
adiabatically at the same temperature. This temperature is also known as adiabatic
saturation temperature and this can be indicated approximately by an ordinary
thermometer whose bulb is wetted or wrapped with wet cloth or cotton.

1
 Dew-point temperature, tdp - the temperature at which the condensation of water
vapor in a space begins for a given state of humidity and pressure as the
temperature of the vapor is reduced.
Relative Humidity, RH - ratio of the actual partial pressure of the water vapor in a
space to the saturation pressure of water vapor at the same temperature. This
indicates the moisture - carrying capacity of air at a given atmospheric state. It
measures of how much water vapor is in the air compared with the total amount of
water vapor the air is capable of holding at a given temperature. If the relative
humidity is 50% at room temperature then the air in the room is at half holding
capacity.
Humidity ratio, SH - mass ratio of water vapor and dry air, also called specific
humidity or absolute humidity.

in equation form,

G
Numerous type of instruments, a hygrometers, are made for measuring psychrometric
properties of air. The most commonly used types employ two thermometers, one with
dry-bulb and one with wet-bulb. The heat transfer and evaporation of water from a
stationary wet-bulb are too slow and adiabatic saturation is not attained because of
conduction and radiation errors. The reading from a stationary wet-bulb is above the
thermodynamic wet-bulb temperature. Hence, an air velocity of close to 330 meters/min
is required. And radiation to and from surfaces having temperatures considerably
different from that of the air sample should be avoided to approach adiabatic saturation
temperature. This air velocity is provided by swinging the thermometer in a sling (FIG A).
This type is known as Sling psychrometer.
In Aspiration psychrometer, the bulb of the other thermometer remains without wet
wick. Both bulbs are encased by two radiation tubes. In order to achieve an effective
radiation shield the surface of the instrument is polished. Depending on the amount of
water vapor in the ambient air the water evaporates more or less from the wet wick of
the wet bulb thermometer. The evaporative cooling causes the column of the wet bulb
thermometer to drop. The dry bulb thermometer is indicating the true air temperature.
From the difference in temperature of both thermometers results the psychrometric
depression. From this the relative humidity, the dew point temperature and the vapor
pressure of the air may be computed or determined from charts/tables. Both
thermometer bulbs are ventilated during measurements by fan. The ventilating speed at
the bulbs averages 3 m/s (FIG B). A more compact and convenient type is a mechanical
dial type Hygrometer (FIG. C). This hygrometers may have a strong drift, causing a bias
error during a short period of time thus requires constant calibration.

2
FIGURE C: MECHANICAL HYGROMETER

3
PROCEDURE:
Set-up the necessary instruments/apparatus for the sling and aspiration type
psychrometer as shown in the FIG A & B:

Sling Psychrometer:
Soak the cloth/cotton covered bulb of the thermometer in water, and keep the other
bulb of the thermometer dry and clean. Whirl the sling psychrometer at about 150
revolutions per minute for 30 - 60 seconds while moving it to different locations.
Readings should be taken as soon as the whirling stopped. Record the reading as dry
bulb and wet bulb temperature, respectively. Repeat and make at least 3 trials and
record the average result. Barometer pressure must be closed to normal atmosphere
pressure otherwise the experiment should be discontinued.
Aspiration psychrometer:
Place the thermometer at the suction side of the fan. Be sure the bulb of other
thermometer is thoroughly wet through the experiment by immersing the wick into
the water container. Start the fan to produce an air stream. Adjust the speed to
attain different velocities on each trial. Take the temperature reading on its
thermometer. Make at least 3 trials and record the average reading. Compare the
recorded temperature readings to the sling psychrometer results. Compute the
relative humidity and the humidity ratio. Check the experiment values to
psychrometric tables or charts.

Note: The atmospheric pressure during the conduct of the experiment must be equal
or approximately equal, otherwise the activity should be aborted.
Dew-point Temperature:
Prepare a thin of highly cleaned/polished metal container. Fill the container with
cooled water. Slowly and gradually add crushed ice, in small amount, in the
container. Stir it with thermometer to prevent temperature gradient. Take and
record the temperature of the plate wall or temperature of water near the plate
wall. When moisture first appear on the polished metal surface of the container, take
this temperature reading as dew point temperature of air.

Notes:
1. 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.
2. Used clean water, distilled water is preferred. Do not touch the wet bulb after
cleaning, as the slightest oily deposit on the wicking will cause errors.
3. The water used for moistening the wick should be not more than 6 C from the
probable wet-bulb temperature.

4
 4. Always observe the barometer pressure readings (equal or approx. equal to
standard atmospheric pressure).
5. The wet-bulb error is always positive and is larger at low humidity.
6. Be sure to have plenty of room to operate the instrument without touching or
hitting any object.

DETAILED PROCEDURE:
A. Sling Psychrometer
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

B. Aspiration Psychrometer
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

C. Dewpoint Temperature
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

TABULATED DATA AND RESULTS:

Atmospheric Pressure: normal pressure is at 101.325 kPa

Sling Aspiration
Group Dew Point
Trial tdb C twb C tdb C twb C Temp C

Group Computed Psychrometric Chart

5
 Sling @ 101.325 kPa
Trial Dew Point
% RH SH % RH SH
Temp C

Computed Psychrometric Chart

Group Aspiration @ 101.325 kPa
Trial
Dew Point
% RH SH % RH SH
Temp C

Note: RH in % and SH in kg H20 / kg dry air

COMPUTATION AND ANALYSIS:

1. Compare the results of the two instruments.
2. Compute the relative humidity and the specific humidity.
3. Compare the experimented psychrometric properties to the values obtained
from the psychrometric charts/ property table.

QUESTIONS:
1. What is psychrometry?
2. Discuss the importance of psychrometry in the field of Engineering. Name at least
five engineering processes where psychrometry is involved.
3. How do you understand the following?
a. Humid air
b. Saturated air
c. Fogged air

OBSERVATION & INTERPRETATION OF RESULT:

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

CONCLUSION:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________