Chapter 7

PSYCHROMETRY

PSYCHROMETRY

The study of the properties of air and vapour pertaining

to air conditioning problems is called psychrometry.
Dry air: it is the mixture of nitrogen, oxygen and small
percentage of other gases. Air contains 79% nitrogen, 21%
oxygen by volume and has a molecular weight of 29.
Moist air: it is the mixture of dry air and water vapour.
The amount of water vapour varies according to the
temperature of air and reaches saturation at one point.
Saturated air mixture: saturated air mixture is a
mixture of dry air and water vapour in which the partial
pressure of the vapour is equal to the saturation pressure
of water at the temperature of the mixture.

Unsaturated air mixture: it is a mixture of dry

air and super heated water vapour. The partial
pressure of vapour being less than the saturation
pressure of water at the temperature of the mixture.
Super saturated air mixture: it is a mixture of
dry air and water vapour in which the partial
pressure of the water vapour is greater than the
saturation pressure of water at the temperature of
the mixture.
Dew point temperature: when the unsaturated
air is cooled at constant pressure, the mixture
reaches saturation temperature corresponding to the
partial pressure of water vapour. This temperature at
which condensation of the vapour begins resulting
in formation of liquid droplets or dew when the
mixture is cooled is called dew point temperature.
3

Absolute humidity or specific

humidity or humidity ratio:
The ratio of mass of vapour to the mass
of dry air is called absolute humidity.
Denoted by .

Daltons law of partial pressures:

the total pressure of the mixture of
gases is the sum of the partial pressures
exerted by each gas when it occupies
the same volume of the mixture at
the same temperature of the
mixture.
Dry bulb temperature: it is the
equilibrium temperature of the mixture
indicated
by
an
ordinary
thermometer denoted by Tdb.
Wet bulb temperature: it is the
temperature indicated by a wet bulb
5

Relative humidity: it is defined as the

ratio of partial pressure of water vapour
in a mixture to the saturation pressure of
water at dry bulb temperature.
using perfect gas relation,
p v.vv =
pg.vg
Hence
Hence relative humidity is also defined
as the ratio of the mass of water vapour
in a certain volume of moist air at a
given temperature to the mass of water
vapour in the same volume of saturated
air at the same temperature.
7

Degree of saturation or saturation

ratio: it is defined as the ratio of
specific humidity of actual air () to the
specific humidity of saturated air (g) at
the same temperature.

Enthalpy of moist air:

Enthalpy of moist air = enthalpy of dry air +
enthalpy of water vapour associated.
h = hair + hvapour = Cp tdb + hvapour
But,
hair = Cpa tdb = 1.005 tdb
Where Cpa = is the specific heat of air =
1.005 kJ/kg/K
hvapour = hg + Cps (tdb tdp)
= 2500 + 1.88tdb
Cps = Specific heat of water vapour =
1.88kJ/kg/K & tdp = 0
Therefore, h = 1.005 tdb + (2500 + 1.88tdb)
kJ/kg of dry air
9

Carrier equation: When DBT and WBT

are given, for calculating the partial
pressure of water vapour in air many
equations have been proposed of which Dr.
Carriers equation is most widely used.
Where,
(pg)wb = saturation pressure at wet bulb
temperature.
pv = partial pressure of water vapour
pg = partial pressure of saturated vapour
p = total pressure of moist air
tdb = dry bulb temperature, 0C
10
twb = wet bulb temperature, 0C

Psychrometric chart:
As the calculations of various properties of
moist air are tedious and time consuming, all
the
essential
data
for
complete
thermodynamic and psychrometric analysis of
air conditioning processes can be summarized
and can be presented in the form of a chart.
Such a chart which makes it possible to obtain
the
necessary
information
readily
for
engineering calculations related to moist air
known as a psychrometric chart.
A psychrometric chart is constructed for a
given mixture pressure, using dry bulb
temperature and the specific humidity as coordinates.
11

At a given mixture pressure, the vapour

pressure pv is a function of specific
humidity only and hence there is only
one value of pv for each value of .

12

Saturation curve: the saturation line represents the

states of saturated air at different temperatures.
Wet bulb and dew point temperatures fall on this
curve. Relative humidity on the curve is 100%.
Relative humidity lines: these are the curves with
humidity ranging from maximum 100% to minimum
0%.
Constant specific volume lines: these are inclined
lines and are equally spaced. The WBT lines are
much flatter than constant enthalpy lines.
DBT lines: these are vertical lines and are equally
spaced. DBT increases as we move from left to
right.
Specific humidity lines: these are horizontal lines
and value of increases from bottom towards top
of chart.
13

Sensible heating:
Heating of air without
addition
or
subtraction
of
moisture
is
called
sensible heating.
This can be achieved
by passing the air over
a heating coil.
The heat added
increases the DBT of
air.
This is useful in
winter
air
conditioning.

14

Sensible
cooling:
Cooling of air without
addition
or
subtraction
of
moisture
is
called
sensible cooling.
This can be achieved
by passing the air over
a cooling coil.
This is useful in
summer
air
conditioning.
The heat removed is

15

Cooling and dehumidification:

Water vapour may be removed from air by cooling
it below its dew point temperature.
As a result of the cooling process a portion of the
vapour in the air is condensed. Dehumidification
will take place along with cooling when the saturation
temperature of the cooling coil is below the dew point
temperature of the cooling air.

16

In the above process warm air t1 enters the

cooling coil maintained at temperature t2.
The surface temperature of the cooling coil t2
is lesser than the dew point temperature of
the incoming air, t4. Under ideal conditions air
leaves at t2, but due to inefficient cooling it
leaves at a higher temperature t3.

17

The temperature t2 corresponding to point 2

on the saturation curve is known as
apparatus dew point, ADP. The ratio of
actual
heating/cooling
to
the
ideal
heating/cooling is known as by-pass factor.
In this case it is given by

18

Adiabatic humidification: if
humidification
is
carried
out
adiabatically, the energy required for
the evaporation of the added moisture
must come from the entering air.

19

As the dry bulb temperature of air

decreases
during
adiabatic
humidification process, it is also known
as evaporative cooling process or
cooling with adiabatic humidification of air.
When warm air is passed through a spray
chamber, part of water is vaporized and
carried away with air. This results in
humidification of air.

20

Mixing process: In this process two or

more streams
are mixed to produce a
stream with desirable state of temperature
and relative humidity.

21

Making energy balance,

ma1(ha1 + 1hv1) + ma2(ha2 + hv2) = ma3(ha3 +
3hv3)

Making mass balance

ma1 + ma2 = ma3
Making moisture balance
ma1 1 + ma2 2 = ma3 3
Combining we get,

22

Requirement
of
Comfort
air
conditioning:
The following 5 factors determine the
comfort feeling of the people in an air
conditioned space.
1. Supply of O2 and removal of CO2.
2. Removal of body moisture dissipated
by the occupants.
3. To provide sufficient air movement
and air distribution in the occupied
space.
4. To maintain the purity of air by
removing odour and dust.
23

1. Oxygen supply: human body takes in

oxygen through the system and gives out
CO2. Normally each person requires nearly
0.65m3 of O2 per hour and produces 0.2m 3 of
CO2.
The percentage of CO2 in atmosphere is
about 0.6% and it is necessary to maintain
this to ensure comfort for easy breathing.
Thus the quantity of air supply to an air
conditioned space should be regulated
properly to see that percentage of CO 2
should not be exceeded.
2. Heat removal: it is a well known fact that
human beings dissipate good amount of heat
to the atmosphere during breathing etc.
24

The atmosphere should be capable of

absorbing the heat dissipated by persons
otherwise discomfort exist.
Thus sufficient circulation of air should
be provided through proper ventilation
system to avoid rise in temperature of
air in the air conditioned space.
3. Moisture removal: A moisture loss of
up to 50% from human body is
commonly observed.
This should be properly taken into
account
while
designing
a
air
conditioning unit.
25

4. Air movement:
In addition to providing air motion,
proper air distribution is very important.
Air distribution is defined as a uniform
supply of air to an air conditioned system.
Air movement without proper airdistribution is permissible for local cooling
sensation known as draft.
A velocity of about 8m/min associated
with temperature differential of 10C do not
result in noticeable draft.
Velocities greater than this produces
26
uncomfortable drafting conditions.

5. Purity of air:
It is important to maintain quality of air in
any air-conditioned space.
Odour, dust, toxic gases and bacteria are
considered for defining the purity of air.
The various factors which makes air
impure are:
i. The evaporation on the surface of the
body adds odour to the air.
ii. The smoke from the surroundings which
has a bad effect on nose, eyes and heart.
iii. The toxic gases are objectionable as they
cause irritation.
27

Summer air conditioning systems

(for Hot and dry outdoor conditions): this system

is used when outdoor conditions are hot and dry.

That means atmospheric temperature is higher than
the comfort temperature with less moisture content
(lesser RH).

28

Atmospheric air at condition 1 (higher DBT and

lower RH) enters the air dampers and passes
over the cooling coil via an air filter.
Temperature of the air is reduced to condition
2 in the cooling coil.
Air now enters an adiabatic humidifier and is
passed over water eliminators.

29

Air enters the conditioned space at

condition 3. Point 4 represents the
condition of air after passing over the
cooling coil if efficiency of the coil were
100%.
Condition line 1-2-4 represents the changes
in DBT of air when passes over the cooling
coil and the condition line 2-3-5 represents
the changes in DBT of cooled air in the
adiabatic humidifier.

30

Summer air conditioning systems:

Hot and humid outdoor conditions: this system
is used when the out door condition is hot and humid,
like in coastal areas. That means the atmospheric
temperature is higher but at the same time contains
large moisture content. This condition eliminates the
need for an adiabatic humidifier as shown in fig.

31

Atmospheric air at condition 1 enter the air

filter via air dampers. Filtered air is cooled when
it passes over the cooling coil at condition 3.
Condition line 1-2-3 represents the changes in
DBT of air.
While passing over the cooling coil with an
efficient coil the air would have been cooled to 2.

32

As the air temperature is still below the required

comfort condition, it is now passed over a heating coil.
The air coming out of the coil is at condition 5 which
is delivered to the space.
Line 3-5-4 represents changes in DBT of air while it
passes over the heating coil.
Point 4 represents the maximum temperature that
could have been attained by using an efficient heating
coil.

33

Winter air conditioning system:

During winter air in the atmosphere is at lower
temperature than the required conditions.
Also the relative humidity may be more or lesser
than the actual relative humidity required for human
comfort. Fig shows an arrangement for such a system
where dry conditions prevail in the atmosphere.

34

Cold air from the atmosphere is filtered in an air

filter before it passes over the heating coil.
Air at condition 1 is heated to 3 in the heating
coil. However due to losses, condition of air
leaving the heat coil is 2. Condition line 1-2-3
represents the changes in the DBT of air while it
passes over the heating coil.
Hot air at 2 now enters the humidifier and it is
cooled to 4.

35

Any water particles suspended in air is

removed by the water eliminator.
As the humidity and temperature of air have
still not reached comfort conditions air is
heated again up to point 7 by another
heating coil.
Due to heat losses the final temperature of air
entering the conditioned space is at point 6.

36

Problem 1. Moist air at 30C,1.01325 bar

has a relative humidity
of
80%.
Determine
without
using
the
psychrometry chart
Partial pressures
of water vapour and air , Specific
humidity
, Specific
Volume
and
Solution : At 30
C from table
ps 4.2461
kPa Dew
point temperature
(V.T.U.
p
July2004)

p 0.8 x 4.2461 3.397 kPa

ps

0.622 p
3.397

0.622 x
p p
101.325 3.397

0.213 kg/kg of dry air.

Corresponding to Pv =3.397 kPa from tables,

we get dew point temperature = 28.9C
37

Problem 2: Atmospheric air at 101.325 kPa

ha 30C DBT and 15C DPT. Without using
the
psychometric
chart,
using
the
property values from the table, Calculate
Partial pressure of air and water vapour,
Specific
humidity
,
Relative
Solution
:
humidity,Vapour density and Enthalpy of
p moist
101.325
airkpa 1.01325bar

DBT 30C , DPT 15C

From table
Correspond ing to DBT 30C, we have ps 0.042461bar
Correspond ing to DPT 15C, we have p 0.017051bar
Partial pressure of air p - p 1.01325 0.017051
0.984274 bar
38

p 0.622 x0.017051
Specific humidity 0.622

pa
0.984274
0.01077kJ/kg of dry air
p
0.017051
Re lative humidity

0.4015
ps 0.042461
Enthalphy 1.005 t db

40.15%
(2500 1088t db )

1.005x30 0.010775(2500 1.88x30)

57.69kJ/kg of dry air
RT
Specific volume of dry air, a
P
0.2872x303

0.874m3 / kg
0.98425 x100
0.010775
Vapour density w

0.12kg / m 3
a
0.847

39

Problem 3:
Air at 30C DBT and 25C WBT is
heated to 40C. if the air is 300
m3/min, find the amount of heat
added/min and RH and WBT of air.
Take air pressure to be 1 bar
Solution:
At 25C WBT from tables page no 14
Pvs(wbt)=0.03166 bar

40

 p ( PVS ) wbt

( p pswbt )(tdb t wb )

1547 1.44t wb

(1 - 0.03166)(30 - 25)
0.03166 1547 1.44 x 25
0.0284 bar
p
1 0.622
p p
0.0284

0.622

1 0.0284
0.0179kJ / kg of dry air

41

At 40C DBT
PVS 0.07375bar
During sensible heating and p remain constant
p 0.0284bar
p
0.0284
RH

ps
0.07375
0.385 38.5%
H 2 1.005 x 40 0.0179( 2500 1.88 x 40)
86.29kJ/kg of dry air
( p p )V
3
Weight of 300m / min ofair
RT
(1 - 0.0284)x300x10 2

335.18kg / min
0.287 x303
Heat added/min 335.18(86.29 - 76) 3449kJ/min
From chart WBT 27.2C

42

4) One stream of air at 5.5m3/min at 15C

and 60% RH flows into another stream of air
at 35m3/min at 25C and 70%RH, calculate
for the mixture 1) Dry bulb temperature, 2)
Wet bulb temperature 3) Specific Humidity
and
4) Enthalpy
Solution:
For air

ps 0.017051
barat 15C and 60%RH,
V=5.5m3/min
p
p 0.6 x0.017051 0.01023bar
RH
ps

(p - p )V (1.01325 0.01023) x10 2 x5.5

Mass of air

RT
0.287 x 288
m1 6.672kg / min

1 0.622 p
(p - p )

0.622 x 0.01023
(1.01325 0.01023)

0.006343kg / kg of dry air

43

H1 1.005t db 1 (2500 1.88t db )

1.008x18 0.006343(2500 1.88x15)
34.12J/kg of dry air
For air at 25C and 70% RH, V 35m 3 / min, Ps 0.03169bar
p
RH
p 0.03169 x0.7 0.02218bar
ps

(1.01325 - 0.02218x10 2 x35)

Mass of air
m 2 40.55kg. min
0.287 x 298
0.622 x0.02218
2
0.01392kg / kg of dry air
(1.01325 0.02218)
H 2 (1.005 x 25) 0.01392(2500 1.88 x 25)
H 2 60.59kJ / kg of dry air
Mass of dry air/Unit mass of moist air
m1
6.672
m a1

6.6299
1 1 1 0.006343

44

m2
40.55
Since m a2

39.993
1 2 1 0.01392
Then enthalpy of the mixed air,
ma1 ( H1 ) ma 2 ( H 2 )
6.6299(34.12) 39.993(60.56)
H mix

m1 m2
6.672 40.55)
55.96 kJ/kg of dry air
Specific Humidity of the mixed air,

mix

ma1 (1 ) ma 2 (2 ) (6.6299x0.006343) (39.993x0.01932)

m1 m2
6.672 40.55

0.01268kg/kg of dry air

But H mix 1.005t db mix (2500 1.88t db )
55.96 1.005 xt db 0.01234(2500 1.88t db ) t db 24.42C
DBT of the mixture 24.42C
From chart WBT 19C , RH 67%

45

Problem 5:
An air conditioning system is designed under
the following conditions
Outdoor conditions: 30C DBT, 75% RH
Required indoor conditions: 22C DBT,70% RH
Amount of Free air circulated 3.33 m3/s
Coil dew point temperature DPT=14
The required condition is achieved first by
cooling and dehumidification and then by
heating. Estimate
The capacity of the cooling coil in tons of
refrigeration
Capacity of the heating coil in kW
The amount of water vapour removed in kg/hr
46

Solution:
Locate point ' a' 30C DBT, 75%RH out door condition
Locate point ' d' 22C DBT, 70%RH required condition
Locate point ' b' 14C DPT, coil surface temperature
Join ab at d, draw a horizontal line to cut the
line ab at point c.
ac cooling and dehumidification
cd heating

47

From chart
H a 83kJ / kg of air , H b 40kJ / kg of air
H d 53kJ / kg of air , H c 48kJ / kg of air ,
Wa 0.0202kg / kg of dry air
Wc Wd 0.0118 kg / kg of dry air , Vsa 0.88m 3 / kg
V
3.33
Mass of air

3.78kg / s
Va
0.88
ma (H a H c )
Capacity of cooling coil
3.5
3.78(83 48)

37.84tons of refrigeration
3.5
Capacity of heating coil m a ( H d H c )
3.78(53 - 48) 18.92kW

48

Amount of water vapour removed m a (a d )3600

3.78(0.0202 - 0.0118)360 0
114.3kg/hr

49

Problem 6:
A summer air conditioning system for hot and
humid weather (DBT=32Cand 70% RH)
Consists in passing the atmosphere air over a
cooling coil where the air is cooled and
dehumidified. The air leaving the cooling coil is
saturated at the coil temperature. It is then sensibly
heated to the required comfort condition of 24C
and 50%RH by passing it over an electric heater
then delivered to the room.
Sketch the flow diagram of the arrangement and
represent the process undergone by the air on a
skeleton psychometric chart and determine
1. The temperature of the cooling coil
2. The amount of moisture removed per kg of dry air
in the cooling coil.
3. The heat removed per kg of dry air in the cooling
coil and
4. The heat added per kg of dry air in the heating coil50

From chart
H a 86kJ / kg of air
H b 38kJ / kg of air
H c 48.5kJ / kg of air

a 0.021kg / kg of dry air

b 0.0092kg / kg of dry air

51

The temperature of the cooling coil Tb 13C

Amount of moisture removed a b
0.021 - 0.0092 0.0108kg/kg of dry air
Heat removed H a H b 86 38 48 kJ/kg of dry air
Heat added H c H b 48.5 38 10.5 kJ/kg of dry air

Locate point ' a' 32C , 70%RH out door condition

Locate point ' c' 24C DBT, 50%RH required condition
At c draw a horizontal line to cut the saturation
line at point ' b'
Join ab
ab cooling and dehumidification
bc heating

52

Problem 7
It is required to design an air
conditioning plant for an office room
with the following conditions.
Outdoor conditions: 14CDBT, 10CWBT
Required conditions: 20CDBT,60% RH
Amount
of
air
circulated
0.3m3/min/person
Starting capacity of the office= 60
The required condition is achieved first
by heating and then by adiabatic
humidifying. Determine the following.
Heating capacity of the coil in kW and
the surface temperature required, if
53

Locate point ' a' 14C , and 10CWBT (out door condition)
Locate point ' c' 20C DBT, 60%RH required condition
At a draw a horizontal line
At ' c' draw a constant enthalpy line to cut the horozontal line
at point ' b'
Join ab
ab heating
bc adiabatic humidification

54

From chart
H a 30kJ / kg of air , H b H c 43kJ / kg of air

a b 0.006kg / kg of dry air

c 0.00875 kg/kg of dry air
Specific volome Vsa 0.8175m 3 / kg
0.3x60
Volume of air supplied V
0.3m 3 / sec
60

V
0.3
Weight of air supplied m a

Va 0.8175

0.3669kg/sec
Capacity of the heating coil m a ( H b H a )
0.3669(43 - 30) 4.77kW
From chart Tb 26.5C
Let coil surface temperature be Td

55

Td Tb
By passing factor
0.4Td 5.6 Td 26kJ
Td Ta
Td 26.5
0.4
Td 34.8C
Td 1.4
Capacity of the humidifier m a (c b ) x3600
0.3669(0.00875 - 0.006)3600
3.63kg/hour

56

Problem 8
An air conditioned system is to be designed for a
hall of 200 seating capacity when the following
conditions are given:
Atmospheric condition = 300C DBT and 50% RH
Indoor condition = 220C DBT and 60% RH
Volume of air required = 0.4m3/min/person
The required condition is achieved first by
chemical dehumidification and after that by
sensible cooling.
Find the following .
1. DBT of the air leaving the dehumidifier.
2. The quantity of water vapour removed in the
dehumidifier per hour.
3. The capacity of cooling coil in tons of
refrigeration.
4. Surface temperature of the coil if the by pass
57
factor of the coil is 0.25.

Solution:

Locate point a, 300C DBT, 50% RH, the

atmospheric condition.
Locate point c, 220C DBT, 60% RH, the required
indoor condition.
Since chemical dehumidification process follows
constant enthalpy line
at a draw a line parallel to constant enthalpy line.
At c draw a constant line to cut the previous
line at point b.
DBT of air leaving the dehumidifier T b = 40.50C
From chart
Hb = Ha = 65kJ/kg,

a = 0.013 kg/kg of dry air

Hc = 45 kJ/kg, b = 0.009 kg/kg of dry air, Vsa =

0.875 m3/min
58

Quantity of water vapour removed/hour =

b)60
= 91.42(0.13-0.009)60 = 21.94 kg/hr

Wa(a-

Capacity of cooling coil = Wa(Ha-Hb)/ (60 X 3.5)

= 91.42(65-45)/(60 X 3.5)
= 8.7 tons

By pass factor = (Tc-Td)/( Tb-Td) = 0.25

Td = Temperature of cooling coil = 15.83 0C

59

Problem 9
An air conditioned system is to be designed for
a cinema hall of 1000 seating capacity when the
following conditions are given:
Outdoor condition = 110C DBT and 70% RH
Required indoor condition = 200C DBT and 60%
RH
Amount of air required = 0.3m3/min/person
The required condition is achieved first by
heating, then by humidifying and finally by
heating. The condition of air coming out of the
humidifier is 75% RH.
Find the following .
Heating capacity of the first heater in kW and
condition of the air coming out of the first
heater in kW and condition of the air

60

Locate point a, 300C DBT, 50% RH, the

atmospheric condition.
Locate point c, 220C DBT, 60% RH, the required
indoor condition.
Since chemical dehumidification process follows
constant enthalpy line
at a draw a line parallel to constant enthalpy line.
At c draw a constant line to cut the previous
line at point b.
DBT of air leaving the dehumidifier T b = 40.50C
From chart
Hb = Ha = 65kJ/kg, a = 0.013 kg/kg of
dry air
Hc = 45 kJ/kg,
b = 0.009 kg/kg of dry air
V = 0.875 m3/min

61

Quantity of water vapour removed/hour

= Wa(a-b)60
= 91.42(0.13-0.009)60 = 21.94 kg/hr
Capacity of cooling coil
= Wa(Ha-Hb)/ (60 X 3.5) = 91.42(65-45)/(60 X 3.5)
= 8.7 tons
By pass factor = (Tc-Td)/( Tb-Td) = 0.25
Td = Temperature of cooling coil = 15.830C

62