Psychrometric Charts

are plots of humidity, temperature, enthalpy, and other useful parameters of

a gas vapor mixture.
They are helpful for rapid estimates of conditions and for visualization of process operations such as
humidification and drying.

A psychrometric chart for a given location can tell you

information about temperature (wet bulb and dry bulb) and
humidity (relative and absolute). While they may seem
overwhelming at first, by learning how the variables interact,
you can begin to use the psychrometric chart to interpret
occupant comfort and effective passive design strategies for
your location.

Psychrometric charts show temperature vs. humidity, and can be used to express
human thermal comfort, design strategies, and energy requirements for those
strategies.

What is a Psychrometric Chart ?

A psychrometric chart is a graphical representation of

the psychrometric processes of air. Psychrometric processes include physical
and thermodynamic properties such as dry bulb temperature, wet bulb
temperature, humidity, enthalpy, and air density.
A psychrometric chart can be used in two different ways. The first is done by
plotting multiple data points, that represent the air conditions at a specific
time, on the chart. Then, overlaying an area that identifies the comfort
zone. The comfort zone is defined as the range within occupants are
satisfied with the surrounding thermal conditions. After plotting the air
conditions and overlaying the comfort zone, it becomes possible to see how
passive design strategies can extend the comfort zone.
Example of how plotted data on a psychrometric chart can be studied, and related
to passive design. In this chart, the dark blue boxes represent the comfort zone,
and the other colors represent design strategies that have been enabled to study
how they can potentially expand the comfort zone. This psychrometric chart was
generated usingClimate Consultant.

The chart is also often used by mechanical engineers to dynamically plot points that
represent the exterior air conditions and understand the process the air must go
through to reach comfortable conditions for the occupants inside a building. When
using the psychrometric chart for this purpose the data points move around the
chart.

Anatomy of the Psychrometric Chart

Temperature
Every psychrometric chart includes vertical lines that represent the dry bulb
temperatures. Air temperature increases from left to right.
Every psychrometric chart also includes wet bulb temperatures. These lines are
indicated at diagonals, and like dry bulb temperatures they increase from left to
right.

Relative Humidity
Another feature indicated on every psychrometric chart is relative
humidity lines. These lines are curved, and begin at 100% along the top of
the chart, and decrease moving downward. It is fairly common for these lines
to be indicated in intervals of ten.

Data Points
Psychrometric charts indicate data points for each location they are
representing. The style of the data points can vary depending upon the
computer application that was used to generate the psychrometric chart, or
if the chart was generated by hand. Each data point represents a collection
of air qualities at a snap shot in time. It can be hourly, daily, monthly, or
even seasonal data. The density of data points on the chart is used to
decipher average conditions. At times it can be useful to view summer and
winter data points independently. But viewing them together allows you to
consider all passive design strategies in an integrated manner.

Comfort Zone
The comfort zone is typically indicated by shading a portion of the
psychrometric chart. This shaded area is highly variable per climate and
project. The comfort zone is either populated by a software system, or
manually by a designer, based upon the activity to take place in the building
and the level of anticipated clothing to be worn by the occupants.

Other items that can be found on some, but not all psychrometric charts, are
as follows.

Horizontal lines that provide dew point temperature readings along the
right hand side of the chart. This is useful for knowing at what temperature
water will begin to condensate. Which can transpire to mold and insulation
with decreased thermal performance if not accurately accounted for in the
design of a building.

Horizontal lines that provide humidity ratio/moisture content

measurements along the right hand side of the chart. This information aids
with understanding the density of the air, which relates to buoyancy and air
quality issues.

Along the upper left hand side of the chart at times will be diagonal
ticks/lines placed at a similar angle and direction as the wet bulb
temperature lines. These are enthalpy measurements that are useful for
understanding heat energy needed, or existing in the air.

A Psychrometric Chart is an important tool for HVAC engineers to carry out heat load or cooling load
calculations and find solutions to various air condition related problems. Read an overview of the
components included in a psychrometric chart.

The series of articles on properties of air discussed important properties of air like
relative humidity, dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature, dew point temperature, sensible heat
and latent heat. We shall now see how the air behaves when it is subjected to changes in temperature
and humidity to suit the various applications for which the air conditioning is meant. The behavior of
the air can be studied very conveniently and accurately by using a psychrometric chart.

What is Psychrometric Chart?

Psychrometric charts are graphic representations of the psychrometric properties of air. By using
psychrometric charts HVAC engineers can graphically analyze different types of psychrometric
processes and find solution to many practical problems without having to carry out long and tedious
mathematical calculations.
The psychrometric chart looks complicated with vast numbers of lines and curves in it, but is very easy
to understand if you know the basic properties of air. You will also understand its worth when you
actually use it considering the fact that you wont have to use any formulae to find the properties of air
in different conditions, all you will have to know is two parameters of air and the rest are easily found
on the chart.

Various Lines and Curves in the Psychrometric Chart

All the properties of air indicated in the psychrometric chart are calculated at the standard
atmospheric pressure. For other pressures relevant corrections have to be applied. The psychrometric
chart looks like a shoe. The various lines shown in the chart are as follows (please refer the figs below):

1) Dry Bulb (DB) Temperature Lines:

The dry bulb temperature scale is shown along the base of the shoe shaped psychrometric chart
forming the sole. The DB temperature increases from the left to the right. The vertical lines shown in
the chart are the constant DB temperature lines and all the points located along a particular vertical
line have same DB temperature.

2) Moisture Content:
Moisture content is the water vapor present in the air and is measured in gram per kg of dry air (gm/kg
of dry air). The moisture present within the air is indicated by the vertical scale located towards the
extreme right. The horizontal lines starting from this vertical scale are constant moisture lines.

3) Wet Bulb (WB) Temperature Lines:

The outermost curve along the left side indicates the Wet Bulb (WB) temperature scale. The constant
WB temperature lines are the diagonal lines extending from WB temperature curved scale downwards
towards the right hand side of the chart. All the points located along the constant WB temperature line
have the same temperature.

4) Dew Point (DP) Temperature Lines:

Since the dew point temperature of the air depends on the moisture content of the air, constant
moisture lines are also constant DP temperature lines. The scale of the DP and WB temperature is the
same, however, while the constant WB temperature lines are diagonal lines extending downwards, the
constant DP temperature lines are horizontal lines. Thus the constant DP and WB temperature lines are
different.

Using a psychrometric chart is quite easy if you know the properties of air. This article describes
various lines and curves in a psychrometric chart and how to use the them.

Various Lines and Curves in the Psychrometric Chart

All the properties of air indicated in the psychrometric chart are calculated at standard atmospheric
pressure. For other pressures, relevant corrections have to be applied. The psychrometric chart looks
like a shoe. The various lines shown in the chart are as follows (please refer the fig). In the first part of
this series we saw representation of DB, WB, DP temperature and moisture content on the
pschrometric chart. Now we'll explore some more parameters.

5) Relative Humidity (RH) Lines:

The RH lines are the curves extending from the lower left to the upper right part of the psychrometric chart. The
different curves of RH indicate different values of humidity measured in percentage. The value of RH reduces from
left towards right. The extreme left curve along the shoe indicates RH of 100% and is also called the saturation curve
because the condition of air along this line is fully saturated no matter what the DB and WB temperatures are. Along
the saturation curve all the three temperatures, the DB, WB and DP are same.

6) Total Enthalpy of the Air:

The total enthalpy of the air comprises of the sensible heat and the latent heat. The enthalpy scale in
the psychrometric chart is located outside the main body. The constant enthalpy lines extend from the

enthalpy scale down toward the right side of the chart. To find the value of the enthalpy of the any
given air, one should know its WB temperature. The constant enthalpy line passing through the given
value of the WB temperature indicates the enthalpy of the air.

7) Specific Volume of the Air:

The specific volume of air is an important parameter since one has to consider the amount of air to be handled by the
cooling coil, cooling fan, etc and accordingly the rating of cooling coil and fan has to be found out. From the
psychrometric chart we can find out the specific volume of the required air and find the total volume of the required air
by multiplying it with the total weight of the air required. The constant specific lines start from the saturation curve and
drop down with the slight angle to the vertical lines. They indicate the value in either m3/kg or ft3/lb.

If any of the two values from DB, WB, DP temperature and the relative humidity are known, all
other values can be easily found from the psychrometric chart, without having to carry out any
calculations.

Example Showing How to Use Psychrometric Chart

Consider an example of air where the given values of DB and WB temperature are 78 degrees F and 65
degrees F respectively. We will find out various values from these given values of DB and WB
temperatures.
1) On the psychrometric chart locate value 78oF on the DB temperature scale located at the bottom of
the chart.
2) Locate WB temperature of 65oF on the saturation curve scale.
3) Extend the vertical line (constant DB temperature line) from 78o and the diagonal line (constant WB
temperature line) from 65oF and get the point of intersection of the two lines, which indicates the
condition of the given air.
4) Find out the values of various parameters at this point. The relative humidity line passing though
this point indicates RH of 50%. The horizontal line passing though this point and meeting the
saturation curve indicates DP temperature of 58oF. The specific volume of this air is 13.7 ft 3/lb and the
enthalpy of air is 30 Btu/lb.

Advantages of the Chart

1) If all the values are calculated manually using the formulae, it takes lots of time, but with a psychrometric chart
these values can be found within seconds or minutes.

2) With a psychrometric chart we can easily find out the present and the final condition of the air. Say if the air is
cooled from 100oF to 75oF, all we have to do is draw the horizontal line to locate the initial and final condition of the air.
3) A psychrometric chart is very useful in carrying out heat load or cooling load calculations.

http://www.brighthubengineering.com/hvac/41262-what-is-psychrometricchart-components-of-psychrometric-chart/

http://sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com/buildings/psychrometric-charts

Types Of Psychrometric Charts

Grosvenor Chart
Bowen Chart
Mollier Chart
Salen-Soininen

Psychrometric Charts
What is Psychrometric Chart?
A Psychrometric Chart is an important tool for HVAC engineers to carry out heat load or cooling load
calculations and find solutions to various air condition related problems.
Psychrometric charts are graphic representations of the psychrometric properties of air. By using
psychrometric charts HVAC engineers can graphically analyze different types of psychrometric
processes and find solution to many practical problems without having to carry out long and tedious
mathematical calculations.
The psychrometric chart looks complicated with vast numbers of lines and curves in it, but is very
easy to understand if you know the basic properties of air.
You will also understand its worth when you actually use it considering the fact that you wont have
to use any formulas to find the properties of air in different conditions, all you will have to know is two
parameters of air and the rest are easily found on the chart.
What does a Psychrometric chart show?

A psychrometric chart shows several common properties of air at different conditions. The
psychrometric chart allows all the parameters of some moist air to be determined from any three
independent parameters.
The air properties on a psychometric chart encompass:
Dry-bulb temperature (DBT): DBT of an air sample, as determined by an ordinary thermometer. It
is typically plotted as the abscissa (horizontal axis) of the graph
Wet-bulb temperature: WBT is that of an air sample after it has passed through a constantpressure, ideal, adiabatic saturation process, that is, after the air has passed over a large surface of
liquid water in an insulated channel.
Humidity ratio: It is the proportion of mass of water vapor per unit mass of dry air at the given
conditions (DBT, WBT, DPT, RH, etc.). It is also known as moisture content or mixing ratio. It is
typically plotted as the ordinate (vertical axis) of the graph. For a given DBT there will be a particular
humidity ratio for which the air sample is at 100% relative humidity: the relationship reflects the
physics of water and air and must be determined by measurement.
Specific volume: It is the volume of the mixture (dry air plus the water vapor) containing one unit of
mass of dry air.
Dew point temperature: DPT is the temperature at which a moist air sample at the same pressure
would reach water vapor saturation. At this point further removal of heat would result in water vapor
condensing into liquid water fog. The dew point temperature is measured easily and provides useful
information.
Enthalpy: It is the sum of the internal (heat) energy of the moist air in question, including the heat of
the air and water vapor within.
Relative Humidity (RH): RH is the ratio of the mole fraction of water vapor to the mole fraction of
saturated moist air at the same temperature and pressure. Mole fraction is a way of expressing the
composition of a mixture. The mole fraction of each component is defined as its amount of
substance divided by the total amount of substance in the system. RH is dimensionless, and is
usually expressed as a percentage. Lines of constant RH reflect the physics of air and water: they
are determined via experimental measurement.
http://www.humidity.com/humidifiernews/Why-Humidify-Importance-of-Humidification/psychrometric-charts
Sensible cooling and sensible heating are basic psychrometric processes used for various applications.
Let us see what these processes are and how they are represented on the psychrometric chart.

Psychrometric Processes

In the domestic and industrial air conditioning applications some psychrometric processes have to be
performed on the air to change the psychrometric properties of air so as to obtain certain values of
temperature and humidity of air within the enclosed space. Some of the common psychrometric
processes carried out on air are: sensible heating and cooling of air, humidification and
dehumidification of air, mixing of various streams of air, or there may be combinations of the various
processes.
Illustrating and analyzing the psychrometric properties and psychrometric processes by using the
psychrometric chart is very easy, convenient and time saving. In the next few paragraphs we shall see
some of the most commonly employed psychrometric processes in the field of HVAC and how they are
represented on the psychrometric chart.

Sensible Cooling of the Air

Cooling of the air is one of the most common psychrometric processes in the air conditioning systems. The basic
function of the air-conditioners is to cool the air absorbed from the room or the atmosphere, which is at higher
temperatures. The sensible cooling of air is the process in which only the sensible heat of the air is removed so as to
reduce its temperature, and there is no change in the moisture content (kg/kg of dry air) of the air. During sensible
cooling process the dry bulb (DB) temperature and wet bulb (WB) temperature of the air reduces, while the latent
heat of the air, and the dew point (DP) temperature of the air remains constant. There is overall reduction in the
enthalpy of the air.
In the ordinary window or the split air conditioner the cooling of air is carried out by passing it over the evaporator coil,
also called as the cooling coil. The room air or the atmospheric air passes over this coil carrying the refrigerant at
extremely low temperatures, and gets cooled and passes to the space which is to be maintained at the comfort
conditions.
general the sensible cooling process is carried out by passing the air over the coil. In the unitary air conditioners
these coils are cooled by the refrigerant passing through them and are called also called evaporator coils. In central
air conditioners these coils are cooled by the chilled water, which is chilled by its passage through the evaporator of
the large air conditioning system. In certain cases the coil is also cooled by the some gas passing inside it.

Sensible Heating of the Air

Sensible heating process is opposite to sensible cooling process. In sensible heating process the temperature of air
is increased without changing its moisture content. During this process the sensible heat, DB and WB temperature of
the air increases while latent of air, and the DP point temperature of the air remains constant.
Sensible heating of the air is important when the air conditioner is used as the heat pump to heat the air. In the heat
pump the air is heated by passing it over the condenser coil or the heating coil that carry the high temperature
refrigerant. In some cases the heating of air is also done to suit different industrial and comfort air-conditioning
applications where large air conditioning systems are used.

In general the sensible heating process is carried out by passing the air over the heating coil. This coil may be heated
by passing the refrigerant, the hot water, the steam or by electric resistance heating coil. The hot water and steam are
used for the industrial applications.
Like the sensible cooling, the sensible heating process is also represented by a straight horizontal line on the
psychrometric chart. The line starts from the initial DB temperature of air and ends at the final temperature extending
towards the right (see the figure). The sensible heating line is also the constant DP temperature line.

What is Humidification Process?

The process in which the moisture or water vapor or humidity is added to the air without changing its dry bulb (DB)
temperature is called as humidification process. This process is represented by a straight vertical line on the
psychrometric chart starting from the initial value of relative humidity, extending upwards and ending at the final value
of the relative humidity. In actual practice the pure humidification process is not possible, since the humidification is
always accompanied by cooling or heating of the air. Humidification process along with cooling or heating is used in
number of air conditioning applications. Let us see how these processes are obtained and how they are represented
on the psychrometric chart.
This article describes psychrometric processes like humidification, cooling and humidification, and heating and
humidification. The article describes how these processes are achieved and how they are represented on the
psychrometric chart.

Cooling and Humidification Process

Cooling and humidification process is one of the most commonly used air conditioning application for the cooling
purposes. In this process the moisture is added to the air by passing it over the stream or spray of water which is at
temperature lower than the dry bulb temperature of the air. When the ordinary air passes over the stream of water,
the particles of water present within the stream tend to get evaporated by giving up the heat to the stream. The
evaporated water is absorbed by the air so its moisture content, thus the humidity increases. At the same time, since
the temperature of the absorbed moisture is less than the DB bulb temperature of the air, there is reduction in the
overall temperature of the air. Since the heat is released in the stream or spray of water, its temperature increases.
One of the most popular applications of cooling and humidification is the evaporative cooler, also called as the desert
cooler. The evaporative cooler is the sort of big box inside which is a small water tank, small water pump and the fan.
The water from the tank is circulated by the pump and is also sprayed inside the box. The fan blows strong currents
of air over the water sprays, thus cooling the air and humidifying it simultaneously. The evaporative cooler is highly
effective cooling devise having very low initial and running cost compared to the unitary air conditioners. For cooling
purposes, the cooling and humidification process can be used only in dry and hot climates like desert areas, countries
like India, China, Africa etc. This cooling process cannot be used in hot and high humidity climates.

The cooling and humidification process is also used in various industries like textile, where certain level of
temperature and moisture content has to be maintained. In such cases large quantity of water is sprayed, and large
blowers are used to blow the air over the spray of water.
During the cooling and humidification process the dry bulb of the air reduces, its wet bulb and the dew point
temperature increases, while its moisture content and thus the relative humidity also increases. Also, the sensible
heat of the air reduces, while the latent heat of the air increases resulting in the overall increase in the enthalpy of the
air.
Cooling and humidification process is represented by an angular line on the psychrometric chart starting from the
given value of the dry bulb temperature and the relative humidity and extending upwards toward left.

Heating and Humidification Process

In heating and humidification psychrometric process of the air, the dry bulb temperature as well as the humidity of the
air increases. The heating and humidification process is carried out by passing the air over spray of water, which is
maintained at temperature higher than the dry bulb temperature of air or by mixing air and the steam.
When the ordinary air is passed over the spray of water maintained at temperature higher than the dry bulb
temperature of the air, the moisture particles from the spray tend to get evaporated and get absorbed in the air due to
which the moisture content of the air increase. At the same time, since the temperature of the moisture is greater than
the dry bulb temperature of the air, there is overall increase in its temperature.
During heating and humidification process the dry bulb, wet bulb, and dew point temperature of the air increases
along with its relative humidity. The heating and humidification process is represented on the psychrometric chart by
an angular line that starts from the given value of the dry bulb temperature and extends upwards towards right (see
the figure below).
http://www.brighthubengineering.com/hvac/41447-psychrometric-processes-cooling-heating-and-humidification/

What is Dehumidification?
The process in which the moisture or water vapor or the humidity is removed from the air keeping its dry bulb (DB)
temperature constant is called as the dehumidification process. This process is represented by a straight vertical line
on the psychrometric chart starting from the initial value of relative humidity, extending downwards and ending at the
final value of the relative humidity. Like the pure humidification process, in actual practice the pure dehumidification
process is not possible, since the dehumidification is always accompanied by cooling or heating of the air.
Dehumidification process along with cooling or heating is used in number of air conditioning applications. Let us see
how these processes are obtained and how they are represented on the psychrometric chart.

This article describes psychrometric processes like dehumidification, cooling and dehumidification, and heating and
dehumidification. The article describes how these processes are achieved and how they are represented on the
psychrometric chart.

Cooling and Dehumidification Process

The process in which the air is cooled sensibly and at the same time the moisture is removed from it is called as
cooling and dehumidification process. Cooling and dehumidification process is obtained when the air at the given dry
bulb and dew point (DP) temperature is cooled below the dew point temperature.
Let us understand the cooling and dehumidification process in more details. When the air comes in contact with the
cooling coil that is maintained at the temperature below its dew point temperature, its DB temperature starts reducing.
The process of cooling continues and at some point it reaches the value of dew point temperature of the air. At this
point the water vapor within the air starts getting converted into the dew particles due to which the dew is formed on
the surface of the cooling and the moisture content of the air reduces thereby reducing its humidity level. Thus when
the air is cooled below its dew point temperature, there is cooling as well as dehumidification of air.
cooling and dehumidification process is most widely used air conditioning application. It is used in all types of window,
split, packaged and central air conditioning systems for producing the comfort conditions inside the space to be
cooled. In the window and split air conditioners the evaporator coil or cooling coil is maintained at temperature lower
than the dew point temperature of the room air or the atmospheric air by the cool refrigerant passing through it. When
the room air passes over this coil its DB temperature reduces and at the same time moisture is also removed since
the air is cooled below its DP temperature. The dew formed on the cooling coil is removed out by small tubing. In the
central air conditioning systems the cooling coil is cooled by the refrigerant or the chilled water. When the room air
passes over this coil, it gets cooled and dehumidified.
In the general the cooling and dehumidification process is obtained by passing the air over coil through which the cool
refrigerant, chilled water or cooled gas is passed.
During the cooling and dehumidification process the dry bulb, wet bulb and the dew point temperature of air reduces.
Similarly, the sensible heat and the latent heat of the air also reduce leading to overall reduction in the enthalpy of the
air. The cooling and dehumidification process is represented by a straight angular line on the psychrometric chart.
The line starts from the given value of the DB temperature and extends downwards towards left.

Heating and Dehumidification Process

The process in which the air is heated and at the same time moisture is removed from it is called as heating and
dehumidification process. This process is obtained by passing the air over certain chemicals like alumina and
molecular sieves. These elements have inherent properties due to which they keep on releasing the heat and also
have the tendency to absorb the moisture. These are called as the hygroscopic chemicals.
In actual practice the hygroscopic elements are enclosed in the large vessel and the high pressure air is passed
inside the vessel through one opening. When the air comes in contact with the chemicals the moisture from the air is
absorbed and since the chemicals emit heat, the DB temperature of the air increases. The hot and dehumidified air
comes out from the vessel through other opening in the vessel. The inlet and outlet openings of the vessel are
controlled by the valve.

The heating and humidification process is commonly used for reducing the dew point temperature of air. There are
number of automatic valves in the chemical plants that are operated by the compressed air at high pressure. If the
dew point temperature of this air is high, there are chances of formation of dew inside the valves which can lead to
their corrosion and also faulty their operation. Thus it is very important that the air passing to such automatic valves
have very low dew point temperature. The heating and dehumidification process by using hygroscopic materials is
used often in the air drying units.
During the heating and dehumidification process dry bulb temperature of the air increases while its dew point andwet
bulb temperature reduces. On the psychrometric chart, this process is represented by a straight angular line
starting from the given DB temperature conditions and extending downwards towards right to the final DB
temperature conditions.