Chapter O ne Psychrom etry

Chapter One
Psychrometry
1.1- Introduction:-
The psychrometry is that branch of engineering science, which deals with the study of moist air
i.e. dry air mixed with water vapour or humidity. It is also includes the study of behavior of dry air
and water vapour mixture under various sets of conditions. Though the earth's atmosphere is a
mixture of gases including nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), argon (Ar) and carbon dioxide (CO2), yet for
the purpose of psychrometry, it is considered to be a mixture of dry air and water vapour only.

1.2- Psychrometric Terms:-

Though there are many Psychrometric terms, yet the following are important from the subject
point view:
1. Dry air: The pure dry air is a mixture of a number of gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, carbon
dioxide, hydrogen, argon, helium etc. but the nitrogen and oxygen have the major portion of the
combination.
The dry air is considered to have the composition as given in the following table:

Table (1.1) Composition of dry air

No. Constituent By volume By mass Molecular mass
1. Nitrogen(N2) 78.03% 57.47% 28
2. Oxygen(O2) 20.99% 23.19% 32
3. Argon(Ar) 0.94% 1.29% 40
4. Carbon-dioxide (CO2) 0.03% 0.05% 44
5. Hydrogen(H2) 0.01% -- 2

The molecular mass of dry air is taken as 28.966 and the gas constant of air (Ra) is equal to 0.287
kJ/kg K or 287 J/kg K.
The molecular mass of water vapour is taken as 18.016 and the gas constant for water vapour
(Rv) is equal to 0.461 kJ/kg K or 461 J/kg K.
Notes:
(a) The pure dry air does not ordinarily exist in nature because it always contains some water vapour.
(b) The term air, wherever used in this text, means dry air containing moisture in the vapour form.
(c) Both dry air and water vapour can be considered as perfect gases because both exist in the atmosphere at low
pressure. Thus all the perfect gas terms can be applied to them individually.
(d) The density of dry air is taken as 1.293 kg/m3 at pressure 1.01325 bar or 101325 kN/m2 and temperature 0C (273
K).

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 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
2.Moist air: it is a mixture of dry air and water vapour. The amount of water vapour depends upon
the absolute pressure and temperature of the mixture.

3.Saturated air: It is a mixture of dry air and water vapour. When the air has diffused the maximum
amount of water vapour into it. The water vapour, usually, occurs in the form of superheated
steam as an invisible gas. However, when the saturated air is cooled, the water vapour in the air
starts condensing, and the same may be visible in the form of moist, fog or condensation on cold
surfaces.
4.Degree of saturation: It is the ratio of actual mass of the water vapour in unit mass of dry air to
the mass of water vapour in the same mass of dry air when it is saturated at the same temperature.

5.Humidity: It is the mass of water vapour present in 1 kg of dry air, and generally is expressed in
terms of gram per kg of dry air (g/kg dry air). It is also called specific humidity or humidity ratio.

6.Absolute humidity: It is the mass of water vapour present in 1 m3 of dry air, and is generally
expressed in terms of gram per cubic-meter of dry air (g/m3 of dry air). It is also expressed in
terms of grains per cubic meter of dry air. Mathematically, one kg of water vapour is equal to
15430 grains.

7.Relative humidity: It is the ratio of actual mass of the water vapour in a given volume of moist air
to the mass of water vapour in the same volume of saturated air at the same temperature and
pressure. It is briefly written as RH.

8.Dry bulb temperature: it is the temperature of air recorded by thermometer, when it is not
affected by the moisture present in the air. The dry bulb temperature (briefly written as DBT) is
generally denoted by td or tdb.

9.Wet bulb temperature: it is the temperature of air recorded by thermometer, when its bulb is
surrounded by a wet cloth exposed to the air. Such a thermometer is called *wet bulb
thermometer. The wet bulb temperature (briefly written as WBT) is generally denoted by tw or twb.

* A wet bulb thermometer has its bulb covered with a piece of soft cloth (or silk wick) which is exposed to the air. The
lower part of this cloth is dipped in a small basin of water. The water from the basin rises up in the cloth by capillary
action, and then gets evaporated. It may be noted that if relative humidity of air is high (i.e. the air contains more water
vapour), there will be little evaporation and thus there will be a small cooling effect. On the other hand, if relative
humidity of air is low (i.e. the air contains less water vapour), there will be more evaporation, and thus there will be
more cooling effect.

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 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
10. Dew point temperature: It is the temperature of air recorded by thermometer, when the
moisture (water vapour) present in it begins to condense. In other words, the dew point
temperature is the saturation temperature (tsat) corresponding to the partial pressure of water
vapour (pv). it is, usually, denoted by tdp. Since pv is very small, therefore saturation temperature
by water vapour (pv) is also low (less than the atmospheric or dry bulb temperature). The water
vapour in air exists in the superheated state and the moist air containing moisture in such a form
(i.e. superheated state) is said to be unsaturated air. When the partial pressure of water vapour
(pv) is equal to the saturation pressure (ps), the water vapour is in dry condition and the air will be
saturated air.
Notes: a) The dew point temperature is the temperature at which the water vapour begins to
condense.
b) For saturated air, the dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature and dew point
temperature is same.

11. Dew point depression: It is the difference between the dry bulb temperature and dew point
temperature of air.
12. Wet bulb depression: It is the difference between the dry bulb temperature and wet bulb
temperature at any point. The wet bulb temperature indicates relative humidity of air.

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 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
13. Psychrometer: There are many types of psychrometers, but the sling psychrometer as shown in
Fig.(1.1) is widely used. It consists of a dry bulb thermometer and a wet bulb thermometer
mounted side by side in a protective case that is attached to handle by a swivel connection so that
the case can be easily rotated. The dry bulb thermometer is directly exposed to air and measures
the actual temperature of the air. The bulb of the wet bulb thermometer is covered by a wick
thoroughly wetted by distilled water. The temperature measured by this wick covered bulb of a
thermometer is the temperature of liquid water in the wick and is called wet bulb temperature.
The sling psychrometer is rotated in the air for approximately one minute after which the
readings from both the thermometers are taken. This process is repeated several times to assure that
the lowest possible wet bulb temperature is recorded.

(a)

Fig.(1.1) Sling and aspiration psychrometers

(a) Sling psychrometer; (b) Aspiration psychrometers

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 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
1.3-Dalton's law of partial pressure:
It state, "The total pressure exerted by the mixture of air and water vapour is equal to the sum
of the pressures, which each constituent would exert, if it occupied the same space by itself".
It is possible to show that if Dalton's law holds, each component of the mixture obeys the
general gas law. As a consequence, it is sometimes more convenient to re-express the law in two
parts:
(i) The pressure exerted by each gas in a mixture of gases is independent of the presence of the
other gases, and
(ii) The total pressure exerted by a mixture of gases equals the sum of the partial pressures. Figure
(1.2) illustrates this. It shows an air-tight container under three different conditions, from which it
can be seen that the partial pressures exerted by the water vapour in (b) and (c) are equal, as are
those exerted by the dry air in (a) and (c) and, that in (a), (b) and (c), the total pressure equals the
sum of the partial pressures.
As in the two gas laws already considered, Dalton's law agrees with the results achieved by the
kinetic theory of gases and, to some extent, finds substantiation in experiment.

Fig.(1.2) Dalton's law of partial pressure referred to a mixture of dry air and water vapour.

In other words, the total pressure exerted by air and water vapour mixture is equal to the barometric
pressure. Mathematically, barometric pressure of the mixture,
pb=pa+pv (1.1)
where pa=Partial pressure of dry air, and
pv= Partial pressure of water vapour.

1.3.1- STANDARD ATMOSPHERE

The temperature and barometric pressure of atmospheric air vary considerably with altitude
as well as with local geographic and weather conditions. The standard atmosphere gives a standard
of reference for estimating properties at various altitudes. At sea level, standard temperature is
15C; standard barometric pressure is 101.325 kPa. Temperature is assumed to decrease linearly

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 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
with increasing altitude throughout the troposphere (lower atmosphere), and to be constant in the
lower reaches of the stratosphere. The lower atmosphere is assumed to consist of dry air that
behaves as a perfect gas. Gravity is also assumed constant at the standard value, 9.806 65 m/s2.
Table 1.2 summarizes property data for altitudes to 10 000 m.

Pressure values in Table 1.2 may be calculated from

(
p = 101.325 1 2.25577 10 5 Z ) 5.2559
.. (1.2)

The equation for temperature as a function of altitude is

t = 15 0.0065Z . (1.3)
where
Z = altitude, m
p = barometric pressure, kPa
t = temperature, C
Equations (1.2) and (1.3) are accurate from 5000 m to 11 000 m.
For higher altitudes, comprehensive tables of barometric pressure

Table(1.2)

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 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
1.4-Psychrometric Relations
We have already discussed some psychrometric terms in Art. 1.2. These terms have some
relations between one another. The following psychrometric relations are important from the
subject point of view:
1. Specific humidity, humidity ratio or moisture content: It is the mass of water vapour present in
1 kg of dry air (in the air-vapour mixture) and is generally expressed in g/kg of dry air. It may also
be defined as the ratio of mass of water vapour to the mass of dry air in a given volume of the air-
vapour mixture.
Let pa , va , Ta , ma and Ra = Pressure, volume, absolute temperature, mass and gas constant
respectively for dry air, and
pv , vv , Tv , mv and Rv = Corresponding values for water vapour.
Assuming that the dry air and water vapour behave as perfect gases, we have for dry air,
pa va = ma Ra Ta .. (1.4)

and for water vapour pv vv = mv Rv Tv ...(1.5)

Also va = vv

and Ta = Tv = Td .(where Td is dry bulb temperature)

From equations (1.4) and (1.5), we have
pv mv Rv
=
pa ma Ra

mv Ra pv
Humidity ratio, W = =
ma Rv pa

Substituting Ra =0.287 kJ/kg K for dry air and Rv =0.461 kJ/kg K for water vapour above
equation, we have

0.287 pv p pv
W= = 0.622 v = 0.622 (Q pb = pa + pv )
0.461 pa pa pb pv

pv
W = 0.622 . (1.6)
pb pv
For saturated air (i.e. when the air holding maximum amount of water vapour), the humidity
ratio or maximum specific humidity,
ps
Ws = Wmax = 0.622 ... (1.7)
pb p s

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 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
where ps = partial pressure of air corresponding to saturation temperature (i.e. dry bulb

temperature t d ).
2.Degree of saturation or percentage humidity: We have already discussed that the degree of
saturation is the ratio of actual mass of water vapour in unit mass of dry air to the mass of water
vapour in the same mass of dry air when it is saturated at the same temperature (dry bulb
temperature). In other words, it may be defined as the ratio of actual of specific humidity to the
specific humidity of saturated air at the same dry bulb temperature. It is, usually, defined by .
Mathematically, degree of saturation,

0.622 pv p
1 s
W p pv p p p s pv pb
= = b = v b =
Ws t 0.622 ps p s pb pv p s 1 pv
pb p s pb
d

ps
1
pv pb
= .. (1.8)
p s 1 pv
pb

Notes :(a) The partial pressure of saturated air ( ps ) is obtain from the steam tables corresponding to

dry bulb temperature t d .

(b) If the relative humidity, = pv ps is equal to zero, then the humidity ratio, W=0, i.e. for

dry air, = 0 .
(c) If the relative humidity, = pv ps is equal to 1, then W = Ws and = 1 . Thus varies
between 0 and 1.
3.Relative humidity: We have already discussed that the relative humidity is the ratio of actual mass
of water vapour (mv ) in a given volume of moist air to the mass of water vapour (ms ) in the same

volume of saturated air at the same temperature and pressure. it is usually denoted by .
Mathematically, relative humidity,

mv
= .... (1.9)
ms

Let pv , vv , Tv , mv and Rv =Pressure, volume, absolute temperature, mass and gas constant
respectively for water vapour in actual conditions, and
ps , vs , Ts , ms and Rs = Corresponding values for water vapour in saturated air.

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 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
We know that for water vapour in actual conditions,
pv vv = mv Rv Tv .. (1.10)
Similarly, for water vapour in saturated air,
p s vs = ms Rs Ts .. (1.11)
According to the definitions,
vv = v s

and Tv = Ts

Also Rv = Rs = 0.416 kJ / kg K
from equations (1.10) and (1.11), relative humidity,
mv pv
= = . (1.12)
ms p s
Thus, the relative humidity may also be defined as the ratio of actual partial pressure of water
vapour in moist air at a given temperature (dry bulb temperature) to the saturation pressure of water
vapour (or partial pressure of water vapour in saturated air) at the same temperature.
The relative humidity may also be obtained as discussed below:
We know that degree of saturation,
ps ps
1 1 p
pv pb p
= = b
Q = v
p s 1 pv 1 p s ps
pb pb

= . (1.13)
1 (1 ) s
p
pb
Note: For saturated air, the relative humidity is 100%
4.pressure of water vapour: The partial pressure of water vapour in the air, when the air is un
saturated we can be calculated according to the experimental equation,
pv = psw pb A(td t w ) .. (1.14)
where
pv =Partial pressure of water vapour in wet air

psw =Saturation pressure corresponding to wet bulb temperature (from steam table(table 1.4))

pb =Barometric pressure,

td =Dry bulb temperature,

t w =Wet bulb temperature,

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 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
A= Constant equal to 6.66 10 4 C 1 , t w 0 C

or 5.94 10 4 C 1 , t w < 0 C
5.Vapour density or absolute humidity: We have already discussed that the vapour density or
absolute humidity is the mass of water vapour present in 1 m3 of dry air.
Let vv =Volume of water vapour in m3/kg of dry air at its partial pressure,

va = Volume of dry air in m3/kg of dry air at its partial pressure

v =Density of water vapour in kg/m3 corresponding to its partial pressure and dry
bulb temperature td , and

a =Density of dry air in kg/m3 of dry air.

We know that mass of water vapour,
mv = vv v (1.15)

and mass of dry air, ma = va a (1.16)

Dividing equation (1.15) by equation (1.16),
mv vv v
=
ma va a

Since va = vv , therefore humidity ratio,

mv v
W= = or v = W a ..(1.17)
ma a

We know that pa va = ma Ra Ta

1
Since va = and ma = 1kg , therefore substituting these values in above expression we get
a
1 pa
pa = Ra Td or a = .. (1.18)
a Ra Td

Substituting the value of a equ. (1.18) in equation (1.17), we have

W pa W ( pb pv )
v = = (Q pb = pa + pv )
Ra Td Ra Td

W ( pb p v )
v = .... (1.19)
Ra Td

where pa =Pressure of air in kN/m2,

Ra =Gas constant for air=0.287 kJ/kg K, and

Td =Dry bulb temperature in K

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 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
6.Enthalpy (Total heat) of moist air: The enthalpy of moist air is numerically equal to the enthalpy
of dry air plus the enthalpy of water vapour associated with dry air.
h = ha + W hv .(1.20)
ha= 1.005 Tdb 0C >Tdb>-10 C ..(1.21a )
ha=1.007 Tdb - 0.026 60C >Tdb>0 C ..(1.21b )
Where
h: The enthalpy moist air kJ/kg of dry air
ha: The enthalpy of dry air kJ/kg of dry air
hv: The enthalpy of water vapour kJ/kg of dry air
Assuming that the water vapour in the rang of temperatures from 0 C to 60C is generate from
water at 0 C temperature and the specific heat for the superheated water vapour is constant. We can
use the following equation to calculate enthalpy of water vapour:
hv = 2501 + 1.84t ..(1.22 )
Now we can substituting the equations (1.21 ) and (1.22 ) in equation (1.20 ) to get on the
approximating equation accepting accuracy to calculating enthalpy of moist air at rang of
temperature from 0 C to 60C :
h = (1.007t 0.026) + W (2501 + 1.84t ) ..(1.23 )
Example 1.1: The readings from a sling psychrometer are as follows: dry bulb temperature = 30 C;
wet bulb temperature = 20 C; barometer reading =740 mm of Hg.
Using steam tables, determine: 1.Dew point temperature, 2.Relative humidity, 3.Specific
humidity, 4. Degree of saturation, 5. Vapour density, 6. Enthalpy of mixture per kg of dry air.
Solution: Given: td=30 C , tw = 20 C , pb = 740 mm Hg
1. Dew point temperature
First of all, let us find the partial pressure of vapour (pv).
From steam tables (table 1.4), we find that the saturation pressure corresponding to wet bulb
temperature of 20 C is
psw=0.023388 bar
We know that barometric pressure,
pb = 740 mm of Hg (Given)
=740133.4=98 716 N/m2 (Q 1mm of Hg=133.4 N/m2)
= 0.98716 bar (Q 1bar=105 N/m2)
Q Partial pressure of vapour

pv = psw pb A(td t w )
=0.023388- 0.987166.6610-4(30-20)= 0.0168 bar

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 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
Since the dew point temperature is the saturation temperature corresponding to the partial
pressure of water vapour (pv), therefore from steam tables(table 1.4), we find that corresponding to
a pressure of 0.01703 bar, the dew point temperature is
tdp15 C Ans.
2. Relative humidity
From steam tables (table 1.4), we find that the saturation pressure of vapour corresponding to dry
bulb temperature of 30 C is
ps=0.04246 bar
We know that relative humidity,
pv 0.0168
= = = 0.3959 or 39.59 % Ans.
ps 0.04246
3. Specific humidity
We know that Specific humidity,
0.622 pv 0.622 0.0168 0.01044
W= = = = 0.010768 kg / kg of dry air
pb p v 0.98716 0.0168 0.97036
= 10.768 g / kg of dry air
4. Degree of saturation
We know that Specific humidity of saturated air,
0.622 ps 0.622 0.04246 0.02641
Ws = = = = 0.027955 kg / kg of dry air
pb p s 0.98716 0.04246 0.944
We know that degree of saturation,

W 0.010768
= = = 0.385 or 38.5% Ans.
Ws td 0.027955
Note: The degree of saturation () may also be calculated from the following relation:

pv pb ps 0.0168 0.98716 0.04246

= = = 0.385 or 38.5% Ans.
ps pb pv 0.04246 0.98716 0.0168
4. Vapour density
We know that vapour density,
W ( pb pv ) 0.010768 (0.98716 0.0168)
v = = = 0.012015 kg / m 3 of dry air Ans.
Ra Td 287 (273 + 30 )
5. Enthalpy of mixture per kg of dry air
We know that enthalpy of moist air,
h = (1.007t d 0.026) + W (2501 + 1.84t d )
=(1.00730-0.026)+0.010768(2501+1.8430)=57.7 kJ/kg of dry air Ans.

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 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
Example 1.2: The humidity ration of atmospheric air at 28 C dry bulb temperature and 760 mm of
mercury is 0.016 kg/kg of dry air. Determine: 1. partial pressure of water vapour; 2. Relative
humidity; 3. Dew point temperature; 4. Specific enthalpy; and 5. Vapour density.
Solution. Given: td=28 C , pb = 760 mm Hg , W=0.016 kg/kg of dry air
1. Partial pressure of water vapour
Let pv= Partial pressure of water vapour.
We know that humidity ratio (W),
0.622 pv 0.622 pv
0.016 = =
pb p v 760 pv
12.16-0.016 pv =0.622 pv or 0.638 pv=12.16
pv =19.06 mm of Hg
=19.06133.4=2542.6 N/m2 Ans.
2. Relative humidity
From steam tables (table 1.4), we find that the saturation pressure of vapour corresponding to dry
bulb temperature of 28 C is
ps=3.7822 kPa =3782.2 N/m2
Relative humidity,
pv 2542.6
= = = 0.672 or 67.2% Ans.
p s 3782.2
3. Dew point temperature
Since the dew point temperature is the saturation temperature corresponding to the partial
pressure of water vapour(pv), therefore from steam tables (table 1.4), we find that corresponding to
a pressure of 2542.6 N/m2(0.025426 bar), the dew point temperature is,
tdp=21.1 C Ans.
4. Specific enthalpy
From steam tables(table 1.4), latent heat of vaporization of water corresponding to a dew point
temperature of 21.1 C,
We know that enthalpy of moist air,
h = (1.007t d 0.026) + W (2501 + 1.84t d )
=(1.00728-0.026)+0.016(2501+1.8428)
=69.01 kJ/kg of dry air Ans.
5. Vapour density
We know that vapour density,
W ( pb pv ) 0.016(760 19.06 )
v = = = 0.0183 kg / m 3 of dry air Ans.
Ra Td 287(273 + 28)

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 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
1.5- Thermodynamic Wet Bulb Temperature or Adiabatic Saturation Temperature
The thermodynamic wet bulb temperature or adiabatic saturation temperature is the
temperature at which the air can be brought to saturation state, adiabatically, by the evaporation of
water into the following air. The equipment used for the adiabatic saturation of air, in its simplest
form, consists of an insulated chamber containing adequate quantity of water. There is also an
arrangement for extra water (know as make-up water) to flow into the chamber from its top, as
shown in fig. (1.3). Let the unsaturated air enters the chamber at section 1. As the air passes through
the chamber over a long sheet of water, the water evaporates which is carried with the flowing
stream of air, and specific humidity of air increases. The make up water is added to the chamber at
this temperature to make the water level constant. Both the air and water are cooled as the
evaporation takes place. This process continues until the energy transferred from the air to the water
is equal to the energy required to vaporize the water. When steady conditions are reached, the air
flowing at section 2 is saturated with water vapour. The temperature of the saturated air at section 2
is known as thermodynamic wet bulb temperature or adiabatic saturation temperature.
During the adiabatic saturation process, the partial pressure of vapour increases, although the
total pressure of the air-vapour mixture remains constant. The unsaturated air initially at dry bulb
temperature td1 is cooled adiabatically to dry bulb temperature td2 which is equal to the adiabatic
saturation temperature tw. It may be noted that the adiabatic saturation temperature is taken equal to
the wet bulb temperature for all practical purposes.

1.3

Let h1=Enthalpy of unsaturated air at section 1,

W1= Specific humidity of air at section 1,
h2, W2=Corresponding values of saturated air at section 2, and
hfw =Sensible heat of water at adiabatic saturation temperature.

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 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
Balancing the enthalpies of air at inlet and outlet (i.e. at section 1 and 2),
h1 + (W2 W1 )h fw = h2 ...(1.24)

or h1 W1h fw = h2 W2 h fw .(1.25)

The term (h2 W2 h fw ) is known as sigma heat and remains constant during the adiabatic

process.
We know that h1 = ha1 + W1 hv1

and h2 = ha 2 + W2 hv 2

where ha1 =Enthalpy of 1 kg of dry air at dry bulb temperature td 1

*
hv1 =Enthalpy of superheated vapour at td 1 per kg of vapour,

ha 2 =Enthalpy of 1 kg of dry air at wet bulb temperature t w , and

hv 2 =Enthalpy of superheated vapour at wet bulb temperature t w

per kg of vapour.

Now the equation (1.25) may be written as:

(ha1 + W1 hv1 ) W1h fw = (ha 2 + W2 hv 2 ) W2h fw

W1 (hv1 h fw ) = W2 (hv 2 h fw ) + ha 2 ha1

W2 (hv 2 h fw ) + ha 2 ha1
W1 = .(1.25)
hv1 h fw

* In psychrometry, the enthalpy of superheated vapour at dry bulb temperature td 1 is taken equal to the enthalpy of
saturated vapour corresponding to dry bulb temperature td 1

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 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
Example 1.3: Atmospheric air at 0.965 bar enters the adiabatic saturator. The wet bulb temperature
is 20C and dry bulb temperature is 31C during adiabatic saturation process. Determine:
1. humidity ratio of the entering air; 2. Vapour pressure and relative humidity at 31C; and 3. dew
point temperature.

Solution. Given: pb = 0.965 bar ; tw =20 C ; td =31 C

1. Humidity ratio of the entering air
Let W1 = Humidity ratio of the entering air, and
W2 = Humidity ratio of the saturation air.
First, let us find the value of W2. From psychrometric or steam tables(table 1.4), we find that
saturation pressure of vapour at 20C,
pv2 =0.023388 bar
Enthalpy of saturated vapour at 20C,
hs2 = hg2=2537.38 kJ/kg
Sensible heat of water at 20C,
hfw= 83.9 kJ/kg
and enthalpy of saturated vapour at 31C,
hs1 = hg1=2557.32 kJ/kg
We know that enthalpy of unsaturated air corresponding to dry bulb temperature of 31C,
ha1=m cp td =11.00531=31.155 kJ/kg (Taking cp for air =1.005 kJ/kg K)
Enthalpy of 1 kg of saturated air corresponding to wet bulb temperature of 20C,
ha2=m cp tw =11.00520=20.1 kJ/kg
We know that
0.622 pv 2 0.622 0.023388
W2 = = = 0.0154 kg / kg of dry air
pb pv 2 0.965 0.023388

W2 (hv 2 h fw ) + ha 2 ha1
W1 =
hv1 h fw
0.0154(2537.38 83.9 ) + 20.1 31.155
= = 0.0108 kg / kg of dry air
2557.32 83.9
2. Vapour pressure and relative humidity at 31C
Let pv1 = Vapour pressure at 31C.
We know that humidity ratio of the entering air (W1 ),

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 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
0.622 pv1
W1 =
pb pv1
0.622 pv1
0.0108 = pv1 = 0.0164 bar
0.965 pv1

From psychrometric or steam tables (table 1.4), we find that the saturation pressure corresponding
to 31C is
ps = 0.04495 bar

Relative humidity,
pv1 0.0164
= = = 0.365 or 36.5%
ps 0.04495
3. Dew point temperature
Since the dew point temperature (tdp) is the saturation temperature corresponding to the partial
pressure of water vapour (pv1), therefore from psychrometric or steam tables (table 1.4), we find that
corresponding to pressure of 0.0164 bar, the dew point temperature is
1.7055 1.598 1.64 1.598
=
15 14 X 14
1.64 1.598
X = + 14 = 14.39 P bar
1.7055 1.598
X=tdp =14.39C
1.7055

1.64

1.598 T C
14 X 15

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 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry

Table(1.3)

18
 Chapter O ne Psychrom etry

Table(1.3)

19
Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
Table(1.4)

20
Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
Table(1.4)

21
Chapter O ne Psychrom etry
Table(1.4)

22