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L3 Year2 LAB CODE (eg UO32)
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ASSESSOR (if different to Lab
Convener)

2117494
NORMAN ONG QI XUAN
UO20
RICHARD SMITH

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IN-CLASS: [

20/11/2014
27/11/2014
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L3 PRACTICAL
TITLE
PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES
P2 - Engineering workshop and laboratory skills. Knowledge and
understanding of workshop and laboratory practice.
P3 - Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be
applied (e.g operations and management, technology, development
etc.)
P4 - Ability to use and apply information from technical literature.
P8 - Ability to work with technical uncertainty
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Health & Safety procedures
Graphs show title, labels, units &
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Title is appropriate and short +
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Abstract is clear and concise
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the practical
Introduction describes the main
Discussions address any questions
purpose
& issues
Method enables replication of
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procedures
world
Results clearly presented &
Conclusions descibes the major
described
findings
Tables include raw and derived
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data
correct format
1

Tables include units &

uncertainties

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my own work.

Date:27/11/20
14

Student signature: ___Norman Ong Qi Xuan

_________________________

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Moderately well presented tables and graphs with correct calculations.

Results are analysed and interpreted to a reasonable level. Discussions
address some questions and issues relating to the practical. Conclusions
describe some of the findings of the experiment and attempt to compare
these finding to theoretical predictions. Overall report is reasonable clear
and concise with some citations and references.

2:
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Well presented tables and graphs with correct calculations. Results are
analysed and interpreted to a reasonable level. Discussions address most
questions and issues relating to the practical and relate to real world
applications, where appropiate. Conclusions describe most of the findings of
the experiment and compare these finding to theoretical predictions. Overall
report is clear and concise with most citations and references correctly
formatted.

2:
1

Excellent presentations of tables and graphs with correct calculations.

Results are analysed and interpreted to a high level. Discussions address all
questions and issues relating to the practical and relate to real world
applications, where appropiate. Conclusions describe the major finding of
the experiment and compare these finding to theoretical predictions. Overall
report is very clear and concise with citations and references correctly
formatted.

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Table of Content

No.

Title

Page no.

1.

Abstract

2.

Introduction

3.

Health Safety and Environment

4.

Experiment Procedure and Design

5.

Result and Calculation

6.

Discussion

17-18

7.

Conclusion

19

8.

Referencing

19

4-5

7-8

9-17

Abstract
Humidification increase humidity of gas by contacting gas with water vapour.
There is a few type of humidification process which the most common one are
adiabatic humidification and isothermal humidification. In an adiabatic
humidifier, evaporation of water depends on the sensible heat in the air as no
heat is added into the system. In this case heat and mass transfer coefficient are
very important for adiabatic humidification process. In this experiment, 4 air
flowrates and 4 water flowrates through the packed bed column is set up. For
each run, the heat and mass transfer coefficient is determined and compared
between the air and water flowrate affecting the heat and mass transfer
coefficient. The result obtain shows that as gas flowrate increase at constant
water flowrate, the heat and mass transfer coefficient increase enabling more
gas to be humidified.

Introduction
(Fonseca & Cuevas, 2008) Adiabatic system are widely used in computer rooms,
hospitals, laboratories, museums, chemical plant and industry as controlling the
humidity level in these field are important for health, storage or manufacturing.
(Richard Smith, 2014) Humidification set out to remove moisture from solids into
air stream. (Fonseca & Cuevas, 2008) In an adiabatic humidification system, no
heat is added into the system. The evaporation of water occurs by the heat
exchange in between sensible heat in the air and the latent heat of evaporation
of water.
In this experiment, the contacting air and water in the packed column occurs
adiabatically. The energy for water evaporation is supply by preheated air inlet
stream. (Richard Smith, 2014) Water is circulated through the column by using a
pump-around system to minimise the make-up requirement. (Coulson &
Richardson, 1999) The air supplies enter a heat exchanger for preheating and
enter the column in counter current with the water. The combination of a pumparound arrangement and the fact of air-water obey Lewis relationship allows to
determine the heat and mass transfer coefficient.
(Richard Smith, 2014) By doing a heat balance around the humidifier,

G s ( 12 )=G(H 2H 1)

equation (1)

By cancelling G from both sides we can simplifies the equation to

s ( 12 ) =( H 2 H 1)

equation (2)

Where,
G = dry air flowrate [kg/(m2 s)]
5

= humid heat, assumed constant so use an average value [kJ/( oC kg dry air)]
= bulk air temperature [oC]

H = humidity of air [kg water vapour / kg dry air]

= latent heat of vaporisation of water [kJ/kg]

Subscript 1 = bottom of packing (air inlet)

Subscript 2 = Top of packing (air outlet)
Equation (1) and (2) shows the relationship between humid heat and latent heat
of vaporisation water. To determine the heat and mass transfer coefficient in the
packed column, a heat and mass balance are set up over the height of packing.

G s d=( hG a H ) ( s ) dz

equation (3)

G dH = ( h D a M ) ( H sH ) dz

equation (4)

And

Where,
hG = heat transfer coefficient [kJ/(m2 s oC)]
aH = surface area available for heat transfer per unit volume of packing [m 2/m3]

= bulk water temperature = adiabatic saturation temperature = interface

temperature [oC]
z = packing height [m] = 0.125m
hD = mass transfer coefficient [m/s]
aM = surface area available for mass transfer per unit volume of packing
[m2/m3]
Hs = humidity at interface or adiabatic saturated humidity [kg water vapour /
kg dry air]

= air density at atmospheric pressure and mean temperature in the

column [kg/m3]
(Coulson & Richardson, 1999) In this experiment, the heat and mass transfer are
assumed to be constant in the packed bed column. Therefore by integrating both
equation (3) and (4) gives

h

( G a H ) z
=ln 1 s
Gs
2 s

equation (5)

And

h
H H 1
( D a M ) z
=ln s
G
H sH 2

equation (6)

(Coulson & Richardson, 1999) In a humidification tower, the heat and mass
transfer coefficient are usually expressed in terms of liquid and vapours flow
rates by the equation of

h
m n
( G a H )=C H G L

equation (7)

h
( D a M )=C M G p Lq

equation (8)

And

Where,
C = Constant
L = Liquid Flowrate [kg/(m2 s)]

Hence by measuring

h
( G a H )

and

h
( D a M )

for various G at constant L we

can determine m and p. Finally, the Lewis relationship

h
( G hD )=s

is known

to apply to the air-water system.

Health Safety and Environmental
Health and Safety Aspect
Health and Safety Issue
1. High temperature range up to 150
o
C
2. Hot surface and pipework
3. Hot air flowing into packed
column
4. Air supplied are compressed to
high pressure

5. Electrical equipment hazard

6. Working at height during the
measurement of air relative
humidity
7. Possibilities of failure in rotating
pump

Health and Safety Precaution

1. Fans in the laboratory are on
2. Wear PPE(personal protective
equipment) in the lab

3. Regular check up on electrical

equipment, pipeline and pumps
4. Spillage should be clear
immediately (if any)
5. Handle thermocouple probe with
care as its very delicate
6. Emergency shut-off procedure
need to be study

Risk Assessment Table

Description of Risk
Electrical
Equipment

Hazard
Identification
Short circuit of
equipment
Injury or death

Risk Level
2

Risk Control

Electrical Socket

Short circuit
Injury or death

Hot Steam

Minor injury

Failure of Water
Pump

Pressure build
up in pipe line
Pressure build
up in column
Pressure build
up in column
Fouling in
packed bed

Minor injury

Improper shut-off
procedure

Hot surface and

pipework

Wear full
Personal
Protective
Equipment
(PPE)
Install earth
leakage circuit
breaker (ELCB)
Regular
Maintenance of
equipment
Wear full PPE
Keeps socket
area dry
Wear steam
proof gloves
Regular pump
maintenance
Install pump
guard
Clear with
standard shutoff procedures
Guidance of lab
assistant
Wear heat proof
glove
Avoid hot
surface
Fans on in the
main laboratory

Experimental Procedure and Design

Equipment Set Up

The equipment is set up as show in the figure 1. Water in system is pumped

throughout the system as the pump is switch on. The water flowrate to the
packed bed column is control by the water rotameter which the water is then
pumped into the packed bed column to enable humidification to occurs. Water
enters from the top the packed bed column and flow downwards. The water
outlet is then recycle back to the water tank as the circulation continues. Air inlet
to the system is control by the airflow throttle. As the throttle is open, the air
then flows into the system. The air flowrate to the system is control by the
airflow rotameter. Before entering the packed bed column, the air is pre-heated
in the heat exchanger so enable adiabatic humidification. The air is heated
approximately to 100oC and then feed into the packed bed column from the
bottom of the packed bed. In this case, water and air flow are in counter current
flow. The air outlet is then flow out from the system. To obtain the inlet air
relative humidity, a humidity probe is used at the airflow baseline humidity
section just after the airflow throttle. The outlet air relative humidity is obtain by
using a humidity probe and measured at thermocouple point 4.
In figure one, there are five point labelled as 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. All these points are
thermocouple points which measure the water outlet temperature (1), heated air
inlet temperature (2), water inlet temperature (3), air outlet temperature (4) and
initial air inlet temperature (5). The temperature reading is the send to the
thermocouple read out.
9

Experimental Procedure

1. A packed bed reactor is set up as shown in figure 1 for the experiment. The
tank its check to ensure that it contains of water.
2. The pump is switched on to establish the water circulation and the throttle
valve controlling air supply is opened to establish the air flow through the
equipment.
3. The steam valve is then open and allows the equipment to warm up.
4. The air flow control valve is adjusted to obtain a flowrate of 800 L/min.
5. The inlet air % relative humidity is measured using a humidity probe at the
airflow baseline humidity and recorded.
6. Water flowrate is then adjusted to a flowrate of 6 L/min and the equipment is
leave for few minutes to allow a steady state reach between the contact of air
and water.
7. All the temperature at the thermocouple point, outlet air % relative humidity
at point 4 are measured and recorded
8. Set 6-7 are then repeated by changing the water flowrate to 8 L/min, 10 L/min
and 12 L/min.
9. The experiment is the repeated from step 4-8 with air flowrate of 750 L/min,
700 L/min and 650 L/min.
10.The equipment is then shut down by turning off the steam and leaves it for
few minutes then followed by the water pump and the air flow.

Result and Calculation

Experiment result

10

Water
Flowrat
e
( L/min )
0.2

Air
Flowrat
e
( L/min )
10

Inlet Air
%Relati
ve
Humidit
y
0.1

Initial
Air
Temp.
(oC) T5
0.1

Heated
Air Inlet
Temp.
(oC) T2
0.1

Outlet
Air
%Relati
ve
Humidit
y
0.1
41.3
44.0
44.3
44.0
41.8
45.8
44.3
44.4
42.0
47.1
46.1
45.5
42.2
43.7
44.1
44.9

Outlet
Air
Temp.
(oC) T4
0.1

Inlet
Water
Temp.
(oC) T3
0.1

6
800
13.7
20.9
99.6
36.0
6
750
12.7
20.6
99.4
35.7
6
700
15.7
20.5
98.9
35.7
6
650
15.3
20.6
97.9
35.9
8
800
14.8
20.9
99.7
34.6
8
750
13.5
20.6
99.4
36.0
8
700
15.6
20.5
98.7
36.5
8
650
15.2
20.6
97.9
35.9
10
800
17.0
20.8
99.9
36.4
10
750
16.0
20.6
99.3
36.9
10
700
15.6
20.5
98.5
36.3
10
650
15.6
20.6
98.2
36.3
12
800
16.6
20.7
99.6
36.2
12
750
14.9
20.7
99.2
35.9
12
700
15.0
20.5
99.5
35.8
12
650
15.2
20.5
98.5
36.1
(Table 1)
In this experiment, the packing height used is 125mm and density of air at STP is
1.2041 kg/m3
From the result we obtain above, we can calculate the humidity of supply air, H 1
by

H 1=

PW
M
( W)
PPW M A

equation (9)

Where,
Pw = Partial pressure of water in supply air
= Relative Humidity (%) water vapour pressure of inlet air
P
= Atmospheric Pressure (1atm)
MW = Molecular Weight of water (18 g/mol)
MA = Molecular Weight of air (28.97 g/mol)
* Vapour Pressure of inlet air is obtain from steam table at temperature T 5
In this experiment, the inlet air humidity is assumed to be constant, therefore
average relative humidity and average inlet air temperature is used.

11

34.1
34.2
34.1
34.1
34.1
34.1
34.1
34.1
34.1
34.1
34.1
34.0
34.1
34.1
34.0
34.1

O
W
Te
(o
0

total number of
of inlet relative humidity
Average inlet %RH=

Average inlet %RH=

242.4
16

Average inlet %RH=15.15 1.6

total number of
of inlet temperature
Average inlet temper ature=

Average inlet temperature=

330.1
16

Average inlet temperature=20.6 1.6 oC

From steam table,

water vapour pressure at 20.6 oC =2.44 kPa

water vapour pressure at 20.6 oC =

2.44 1000
5
10

water vapour pressure at 20.6 oC =0.0244 0.0022

Therefore,

H 1=

0.0244
18
1.010.0244 28.97

H 1=0.0154 kg/kg of dry air

From psychometric chart, H2 and Hs are determined by the outlet temperature, T4

and adiabatic saturation line with humidity of H 1 and heated air with temperature
T2.
Water
Flowrat
e
( L/min )
0.2

Air
Flowrat
e
( L/min )
10

6
6
6
6

800
750
700
650

Outlet
Air
%Relati
ve
Humidit
y
0.1
41.3
44.0
44.3
44.0

Outlet
Air
Temp.
(oC) T4
0.1

Heated
Air Inlet
Temp.
(oC) T2
0.1

Top column
Humidity , H2
(kg/kg of dry
air)
0.0010

36.0
35.7
35.7
35.9

99.6
99.4
98.9
97.9

0.0155
0.0165
0.0166
0.0166

Saturated
Humidity, Hs
(kg/kg of dry
air)
0.0010

0.0405
0.0405
0.0402
0.0399
12

A
c
S
d
(

8
800
41.8
34.6
99.7
0.0145
0.0410
8
750
45.8
36.0
99.4
0.0170
0.0405
8
700
44.3
36.5
98.7
0.0170
0.0402
8
650
44.4
35.9
97.9
0.0168
0.0399
10
800
42.0
36.4
99.9
0.0162
0.0410
10
750
47.1
36.9
99.3
0.0181
0.0405
10
700
46.1
36.3
98.5
0.0175
0.0400
10
650
45.5
36.3
98.2
0.0170
0.0397
12
800
42.2
36.2
99.6
0.0164
0.0405
12
750
43.7
35.9
99.2
0.0165
0.0402
12
700
44.1
35.8
99.5
0.0166
0.0405
12
650
44.9
36.1
98.5
0.0168
0.0400
(Table 2)
To calculate the heat and mass transfer coefficient, we need to convert the gas
flow rate from L/min to kg/(m2 s) and calculate the humid heat in the packed bed
that are assumed to be constant in this experiment.
A correction made on the flowing condition can be done by the equation below to
calculate mass flow rate, m
0.5

m=Rotameter Reading( air flowrat e )( s )

equation (10)

And

G=

Where,
m =

=
s =
kg/m3)
A
=

m
A

equation (11)

mass flowrate of air (kg/s)

air density at flowing condition in the rotameter (1.2000 kg/m 3)
air density at standard conditions as given on the instrument (1.2041
surface area packed bed (2rh)

Therefore,

When air flowrate = 650 L/min

0.5

G=

650 (1.20 1.2041)

1000 60 2 0.05 0.125

G=0.3316 0. 0 1kg /(m 2 s)

G=

700 (1.20 1.2041)0.5

1000 60 2 0.05 0.125

G=0.3571 0.0 1 kg /(m2 s)

When air flowrate = 750 L/min

When air flowrate = 700 L/min

13

0.5

750 (1.20 1.2041)

G=
1000 60 2 0.05 0.125
G=0.3826 0. 0 1kg /(m 2 s)

When air flowrate = 800 L/min

800 ( 1.20 1.2041)0.5

G=
1000 60 2 0.05 0.125

14

G=0.4081 0.0 1 kg /(m 2 s)

For humid heat, S the calculation can be done by using the equation below

S=(C p )a +(C p )w H
Where,
(Cp)w =
(Cp)a =

equation (12)

Specific heat of water vapour = 1.9 kJ/(kg K)

Specific heat of dry air = 1.0 kJ/(kg K)

Therefore,

S=1.0+ (1.9 0.0154 )

S=1.02926 kJ /( kg of dry air K ) By substituting the value

obtain and calculate which are G, S, H1, H2, and Hs into equation (5) and equation
(6), we can obtain the heat and mass transfer coefficient

From equation (5)

h
1 s
2 s
, the table below is produced
( G a H ) z
=ln
Gs

Water
Flowra
te
( L/min
)
0.2

6
6
6
6
8
8
8
8
10
10
10
10
12
12
12
12
(Table 3)

Air
Flowra
te,G
(kg/m2
s)
0.01

Humid
Heat,
S
(kJ/ kg
of dry
air)

0.4081
0.3826
0.3571
0.3316
0.4081
0.3826
0.3571
0.3316
0.4081
0.3826
0.3571
0.3316
0.4081
0.3826
0.3571
0.3316

1.02926
1.02926
1.02926
1.02926
1.02926
1.02926
1.02926
1.02926
1.02926
1.02926
1.02926
1.02926
1.02926
1.02926
1.02926
1.02926

Bottom
Colum
n
Temp.,
1 Air
Inlet
(oC)
0.1
99.6
99.4
98.9
97.9
99.7
99.4
98.7
97.9
99.9
99.3
98.5
98.2
99.6
99.2
99.5
98.5

Top
Column
Temp. ,
2 Air
Outlet
(oC)
0. 1
36.0
35.7
35.7
35.9
34.6
36.0
36.5
35.9
36.4
36.9
36.3
36.3
36.2
35.9
35.8
36.1

Adiaba
tic
Satura
ted
Temp. ,
s
(oC)
0.2
37.0
37.0
36.9
36.7
37.2
37.0
36.9
36.7
37.2
37.0
36.8
36.5
37.0
36.9
37.0
36.8

Heat
Transfer
Coefficie
nt, hGaH
(kJ/m3
o
C)
0.01
13.9009
12.1957
11.5993
11.8426
10.6847
13.0222
14.8201
11.8426
14.6561
20.2711
14.1592
15.6500
14.6507
13.0172
11.6229
12.2294

From the table above, the value of heat transfer coefficient obtain is unstable as
in some case it shows decrease in heat transfer coefficient as air flowrate
decreases at constant water flowrate while in some cases it shows that heat
transfer coefficient increases as air flowrate decreases at constant water
flowrate. The result obtain may be due to some errors in the experiment that will
be further discuss in the discussion section below.

h
H sH 1
H sH 2
From equation (6)
, the table below is produced
( D a M ) z
=ln
G

Water
Flowra
te
( L/min
)
0.2

Air
Flowra
te,G
(kg/m2
s)
0.01

Bottom
Colum
n
Humidi
ty, H1
Air
Inlet
( kg/kg
of dry
air )

Top
Column
Humidit
y, H2
Air
Outlet
( kg/kg
of dry
air )
0.0010

Adiaba Mass
tic
Transfer
Satura Coefficie
ted
nt, hDaM
Humidi (kg/kg of
ty , Hs
dry air
( kg/kg s)
of dry
0.01
air )
0.001
0
6
0.4081
0.0154
0.0155
0.0405
0.0108
(Table
6
0.3826
0.0154
0.0165
0.0405
0.1139
4)
6
0.3571
0.0154
0.0166
0.0402
0.1177
6
0.3316
0.0154
0.0166
0.0399
0.1106
From
the
8
0.4081
0.0154
0.0145
0.0410
-0.0937
table
above,
8
0.3826
0.0154
0.0170
0.0405
0.1674
8
0.3571
0.0154
0.0170
0.0402
0.1582
most
of the
8
0.3316
0.0154
0.0168
0.0399
0.1296
result
shows
10
0.4081
0.0154
0.0162
0.0410
0.0861
that
as the
10
0.3826
0.0154
0.0181
0.0405
0.2893
gas
10
0.3571
0.0154
0.0175
0.0400
0.2117
10
0.3316
0.0154
0.0170
0.0397
0.1501
12
0.4081
0.0154
0.0164
0.0405
0.1102
12
0.3826
0.0154
0.0165
0.0402
0.1153
12
0.3571
0.0154
0.0166
0.0405
0.1162
12
0.3316
0.0154
0.0168
0.0400
0.1291
flowrate decreases, the mass transfer coefficient decreases at constant water
flowrate. But there is still some result that shows increase of mass transfer
coefficient as the gas flowrate decreases at constant water flowarate. The
inconsistent result obtain due to error will further be discuss in the discussion
section.

To plot log-log graph of hGaH and hDaM as function of G, we log both the G and
hGaH and hDaM value above.
Water
Flowrat
e
( L/min
)
0.2

6
6
6
6
8
8
8
8
10
10
10
10
12
12
12
12
(Table 5)

Air
Flowrat
e,G
(kg/m2s
)
0.01

Heat
Transfer
Coefficie
nt, hGaH
(kJ/m3 oC)
0.01

0.4081
0.3826
0.3571
0.3316
0.4081
0.3826
0.3571
0.3316
0.4081
0.3826
0.3571
0.3316
0.4081
0.3826
0.3571
0.3316

13.9009
12.1957
11.5993
11.8426
10.6847
13.0222
14.8201
11.8426
14.6561
20.2711
14.1592
15.6500
14.6507
13.0172
11.6229
12.2294

Mass
Transfer
Coefficie
nt, hDaM
(kg/kg of
dry air
s)
0.01
0.0108
0.1139
0.1177
0.1106
-0.0937
0.1674
0.1582
0.1296
0.0861
0.2893
0.2117
0.1501
0.1102
0.1153
0.1162
0.1291

Log G
0.0002

-0.3892
-0.4173
-0.4472
-0.4794
-0.3892
-0.4173
-0.4472
-0.4794
-0.3892
-0.4173
-0.4472
-0.4794
-0.3892
-0.4173
-0.4472
-0.4794

From equation (7)

h
( G a H )=C H Gm Ln

h
C
( H Gm Ln)
( G a H )=log
log

h
C
( H )+ log ( Gm ) +log ( Ln)
( G aH )=log
log

As liquid flowrate is constant,

h
m
( G a H )=log ( G ) +constant
log

h
( G a H )=mlog G+constant
log

Log (hGaH)

1.1430
1.0862
1.0644
1.0734
1.0288
1.1147
1.1709
1.0734
1.1660
1.3069
1.1510
1.1945
1.1659
1.1145
1.0653
1.0874

Log (hDaM)
0.001

-1.9666
-0.9435
-0.9292
-0.9562
---0.7762
-0.8008
-0.8874
-1.0650
-0.5387
-0.6743
-0.8236
-0.9578
-0.9382
-0.9348
-0.8891

Therefore m on equation (7) is the gradient of the graph

h
( G a H ) vs log G .
log

From equation (8),

h
( D a M )=C M G p Lq

h
C
( M )+ log ( G p ) + log ( L q)
( D a M )=log
log

h
( D a M )=log(C M G p Lq )
log

As liquid flowrate is constant,

h
( D a M )=log ( G p ) +constant
log

h
( D a M )= p logG+constant
log

Therefore p on equation (8) is the gradient of the graph

D
a
(
M )vs logG .
log

When Liquid flowrate = 6 L/min

Graph of log() & log() against log G

h
( G a H )
log f(x) = 0.75x + 1.42

1.5
1
0.5

Log(h a )
-0.49

-0.47

-0.45

h
f(x) = 0.23x - 0.85
( D a M )
log

-0.43

-0.41

-0.39

0
-0.37
-0.35
-0.5
-1
-1.5

Log G

Therefore,
m= 0.7516
& p=0.2133

When liquid flowrate = 8 L/min

f(x) =

Graph of log() & log() against log G

-0.49

-0.47

-0.45

-0.43

-0.41

-0.39

f(x) = 1.93x - 0.02

Log(h a )

-0.72
-0.37-0.74
-0.35
-0.76
-0.78
-0.8
-0.82
-0.84
-0.86
-0.88
-0.9

Log G

Therefore,
m= 0.6929
& p=1.8001

When liquid flowrate = 10 L/min

Graph of log() & log() against log G

1.5
1

f(x) = 0.25x + 1.31

0.5

Log(h a )
-0.49

-0.47

-0.45

-0.43

-0.41

f(x) = 4.92x + 1.38

-0.39

0
-0.37
-0.35
-0.5
-1

Log G

Therefore,
m= 0.2548 & p=4.5873

When liquid flowrate = 12 L/min

Graph of log() & log() against log G

1.5
1

f(x) = 0.93x + 1.51

0.5

Log(h a )
-0.49

-0.47

-0.45

-0.43

-0.41

-0.39

0
-0.37 -0.5
-0.35
-1

f(x) = - 0.7x - 1.23

-1.5

Log G

Therefore,
m= 0.9292 & p=-0.7033

To calculate heat balance on humidifier, from equation (1),

G s ( 12 )=G(H 2H 1)
Heat releaseby the air=G s ( 1 2 )

Heat of absorb by the water=G( H 2 H 1)

From these equation, the heat absorb and heat release is tabulated into a table
below
Water
Flowrate
( L/min )

Air
Flowrat
e, G
(kg/m2s)

0.4081

Heat
Release By
The Air
(kJ/m2)

26.71

Latent Heat
of
vaporisatio
n,

(kJ/kg)
2412.6

Heat
Absorb
by water
( kJ/m2)

0.10

Heat
Loss
( kJ/m2)

26.62

6
0.3826
6
0.3571
6
0.3316
8
0.4081
8
0.3826
8
0.3571
8
0.3316
10
0.4081
10
0.3826
10
0.3571
10
0.3316
12
0.4081
12
0.3826
12
0.3571
12
0.3316
(Table 6)
Latent heat of vaporisation is
temperature)

25.08
23.23
21.16
27.34
24.97
22.86
21.16
26.67
24.57
22.86
21.13
26.63
24.93
23.41
21.30

2412.6
2412.6
2412.6
2412.6
2412.6
2412.6
2412.6
2412.6
2412.6
2412.6
2412.6
2412.6
2412.6
2412.6
2412.6

1.02
1.03
0.96
-0.89
1.48
1.38
1.12
0.79
2.49
1.81
1.28
0.98
1.02
1.03
1.12

24.07
22.20
20.20
28.23
23.49
21.48
20.04
25.88
22.08
21.05
19.85
25.65
23.91
22.38
20.18

obtained from steam table @34.1 oC (inlet water

Discussion
From the experimental value obtain in table 3 and table 4 give the heat and
mass transfer coefficient for air-water humidification system in the packed bed.
As from the result obtain, a small number of result shows that as heat transfer
coefficient decreases, the mass transfer coefficient also decreases. (Richard
Smith, 2014)The correlation between the heat and mass transfer result are valid
as they are related with the equation of

be constant and

a H =a M

h
( G hD )=s

where S is assumed to

throughout this experiment. Therefore as hG

decreases, hD decreases or when hG increases, hD increases so that the humid

heat in this experiment is keep constant. But there are a large number of results
that shows fluctuation of heat and mass transfer coefficient individually which
leads to different and inconsistent of correlation obtained. This is due to the
experimental error that leads to the calculation error for the heat and mass
transfer coefficient value obtained.
Throughout the experiment, the air outlet relative humidity fluctuates. As the gas
flowrate increase at constant liquid flowrate, the relative humidity does not
increase as follow from the theoretical path. The fluctuation of result obtain may
due to the air-water system are not yet in steady state as require for the
measurement to be taken. The interaction between the air and water is not given
enough time to ensure the system reaches a steady state flow. Therefore, the
relative humidity value varies and is probably lower than the theoretical value as
the air-water contact time is short. Besides that, during the measurement of
relative humidity using the humidity probe, there are also possibilities of human
error as the probe need to be consistently at the same position for every single

reading based on the marked line at the probe to obtain an accurate and precise
reading. As human reaction cant response accurately on such task, therefore
leading to the error of reading for the relative humidity. As the relative humidity
is related to the vapour pressure and humidity of the inlet and outlet air which is
further used to calculate the heat and mass transfer coefficient. Thus causing the
inaccurate value calculated for the experiment result of heat and mass transfer
coefficient. In another aspect leading to the error of the experimental result is
due to the equipment inefficiency which the equipment are not well maintained
and thus causing possibilities of fouling in the air and water flow which varies the
result obtain from the actual results. To overcome this problem, more and
consistent of maintenance is needed to ensure that the equipment set up is
working in the proper manner to minimize the error on the result obtained.
In the end of this experiment, a graph of Graph of log() & log() against
log G is plotted at constant water flowrate. From the graph, we can determine
the m and p value for the equation

h
( D a M )=C M G p Lq

h
( G a H )=C H Gm Ln and

which the equations are the simplify for the heat and mass

transfer coefficient calculation. For constant water flowrate of 6 L/min, m=

0.7516 and p=0.2133. For constant water flowrate of 8 L/min, m= 0.6929 and
p=1.8001. For constant water flowrate of 10 L/min, m= 0.2548 & p=4.5873 and
for constant flowarate of 12 L/min, m= 0.9292 & p=-0.7033. For most of the
result obtained, the p and m value are +ve as when gas flowrate increases, the
heat and mass transfer coefficient will increase as well. But for constant water
flowarate of 12 L/min there is a ve for p value. This is due to the error in the
relative humidity as mentioned above.
A heat balance on the humidifier is set up to calculate the heat loss of air
released to the surrounding. From table 6 shows that when gas flow rate
decreases, the heat loss to the surrounding decreases due to less air is used to
provide heat to water in the packed to evaporate, but the heat loss in the packed
bed column is significantly high as almost all of the heat released by the air is
loss to the surrounding. Thus this lowers the efficiency of the evaporation of
water vapour. To overcome this problem, type of packed bed column need to be
chosen widely as different column will have different efficiency. Thus, by
selecting a suitable packed bed column will provide a better heat and mass
transfer which give us high efficiency of evaporation of water vapour. Besides
that, the building material for a packed bed column also varies the efficiency of
the column. As from this experiment, the heat loss to surrounding is high. By
selecting a better insulting material for the packed bed column will provide a
better result by minimizing the heat loss released by the pre-heated inlet air.

Throughout the whole experiment, there is uncertainties in the result obtain

starting from the uncertainties due to the equipment and due to error on
obtaining the measurement value. The uncertainty is carry forward into all the
calculation to minimize as much error as possible. But in this experiment, the
uncertainty is not significant to the error found in the calculation of heat and
mass transfer coefficient. The error obtain in the experiment is much larger than
the uncertainties. This enables us to minimize the range of possible error in the
experiment.

Conclusion
In this experiment, heat and mass transfer coefficient varies depending on the
water flowrate and air flowrate. As the air flowrate increases at a constant water
flowrate, the heat and mass transfer coefficient increases. The correlation
between heat and mass transfer coefficient shows that as heat transfer
coefficient increases, the mass transfer coefficient increases. But in this
experiment, there is a number of value that fluctuate which is caused by the
error in taking the measurement as well as possibilities of equipment error.
There is uncertainty of 0.01 kJ/m3 oC and kg/kg of dry air s for the heat and
mass transfer coefficient due to the unstable reading of measurement and from
the value obtains by a psychometric chart. The heat and mass transfer
coefficient is then further simplified to

h
( D a M )=C M G p Lq

h
( G a H )

and

h
m n

G
a
(
H )=C H G L
and

as the m and p value is obtain by plotting a log-log graph of

h
( D a M )

against log G at constant water flowrate. From the

experimental result, the m and p value are +ve. This shows that the result
obtained in experiment are valid when the value did not fluctuate. Therefore, air
flowrate increases at a constant water flowrate, the heat and mass transfer
coefficient increases.

Reference
Coulson & Richardson (1999). Chemical Engineering, Volume 1, 6 th edition,
chapter 13: Humidification and cooling [Online]. Available from:
http://kntu.ac.ir/DorsaPax/userfiles/file/Mechanical/OstadFile/dr_amidpour/coulson
.pdf [Accessed on: 26/11/2014]

Fonseca, N & Cuevas, C(2008). Experimental and Theoretical Study of Adiabatic

Humidification in HVAC&R Application. [Online] Available from:
http://www.scielo.cl/pdf/ingeniare/v18n2/art11.pdf [Accessed on: 25/11/2014]
Richard Smith(2014) Adiabatic Humidification [Y2 Lab Manual] UO20.
Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of
Nottingham, University Park Campus, 25 November 2014.