Department of Architecture University of Florida

Environmental Technology I ARC 3610

Morgan | Gold | Ogoli | Kim | Paek Spring, 2001

Homework Assignment 2 Psychrometry

This homework provides students with an opportunity to investigate and understand the thermodynamic properties of moist air. It is due at the beginning of the lab on Thursday, January 25th 2000. Psychrometry is the study of the properties of air. A psychrometric chart graphically describes the interactions between air, moisture, and heat energy. As air temperature rises, its ability to hold moisture rises; also warmer air becomes less dense. The part of the chart that describes the conditions at which most people are comfortable is called the comfort zone. The psychrometric chart, which may be used to graph a wide variety of processes, is actually a series of graphs superimposed on each other. They are described below.

1.

Dry-bulb temperature lines are plotted vertically along the horizontal axis of the psychrometric chart. Dry-bulb temperature is a measure of sensible heat. Sensible heat is what is felt or sensed and is measured by a dry-bulb thermometer. Sensible heat is the kind of heat that increases the temperature of air; an open fire in the fireplace of a living room increases sensible heat to the space.

2.

Wet-bulb temperature lines are plotted obliquely; these temperatures are an indirect measure of latent heat. Latent heat describes the embodied energy contained in moisture in the air. Latent heat is needed for a change of phase or state: water changing to water vapor (Latent heat of vaporization) or ice changing to water (Latent heat of fusion). For example, as boiling water evaporates it will increase the amount of latent heat in a space.

3.

Humidity ratio values are plotted horizontally along the vertical axis. Humidity ratio indicates the amount of moisture by weight within a given weight of air. Air conditioning processes that move the condition of air along these lines of constant humidity ratio are simple sensible heating (air passing through the heating coil of a furnace, or solar collector) and simple sensible cooling (air passes through the cooling coil of an air conditioner, before saturation).

4.

Enthalpy, or total heat, is plotted with oblique lines which are almost parallel to those of wet-bulb temperature. Enthalpy is the sum of the sensible and latent heat content of volume of air.

5.

Relative humidity lines curve across the chart from left to right at intervals of 10%. They begin at the bottom at 10% and end at the top with the saturation curve (100%). Relative humidity is an indication of how much moisture a volume of air contains compared with the maximum amount of moisture that the volume of air can contain.

6.

Specific Volume lines indicating cubic feet per pound (or cubic meter per kilogram) of dry air. Specific volume, which is the reciprocal of density, shows how the density of air varies as its temperature and moisture content vary. These lines are specific volume, the reciprocal of density.

The psychrometric chart can be used to describe the sensible, latent and total heat content of an air sample. The point on the chart describing those conditions is called the condition point. Changes in the air conditions can be explained by observing the directional change a new condition point makes with the original condition point.

Exercise For each of the 5 questions, use a copy of the psychrometric chart to plot the conditions given and to answer the subquestions. 1. Plot a point where the air is at 75F dry bulb temperature and 60% relative humidity. Determine the following parameters for this ambient condition: a. b. c. d. 2. Wet bulb temperature Dew point temperature Enthalpy Humidity ratio

Plot the condition of an air sample at 95F dry bulb temperature and 40% relative humidity. It is sensibly cooled down to a new temperature of 75F. Plot the new condition (connect the points with a line) and determine the following: a. b. c. d. e. Relative humidity at the new condition Wet bulb temperature at the new condition Change in relative humidity Change in humidity ratio Change in enthalpy

3.

For air at 90F dry-bulb temperature and 70% relative humidity, what happens as we attempt to sensibly cool the air to 70F? Plot a point at 90F and 25% relative humidity. Draw a line along a constant line of Enthalpy (no change in total heat content) until you reach 75F and 60% relative humidity. a. b. c. What happened to the heat as the sensible temperature was 15F cooler? What is the term generally used to describe this process? Would this strategy be appropriate in a climate such as that in Florida?

4.

5.

Which of the following air conditions contain more latent heat, more sensible heat, and greater enthalpy (total heat)? a. b. 85F dry bulb temperature and 70% relative humidity 95F and 30% relative humidity.

Explain your answer using the psychrometric chart to plot the points and add a brief annotation describing your conclusion.