ME430: AIR CONDITIONIG

7
LECTURE

Introduction to Psychrometry
and Psychrometric Chart
Introduction to Psychrometry
Basics
Atmospheric air:
 Composes the gaseous components of dry air including nitrogen, oxygen,
carbon dioxide, etc; as well as water vapour and other miscellaneous
contaminants.
 The standard atmosphere is at sea level, temperature = 15oC, barometric
pressure 101.325 kPa
Dry Air
 Atmosphere air with all water vapour and contaminants removed
The saturated vapour pressure =
Moist Air atmospheric pressure, water boils!
 A binary (only 2 component) mixture of dry air
and water vapor.
 Water vapour exist in atmospheric air in certain
amount from zero (dry air) to a maximum
(saturated)
 The amount of ‘saturated’ water vapour
depends on temperature and pressure
‘Saturation’ is a state of neutral equilibrium
between moist air and the condensed water
phase The foundation of a Psychrometric Chart
Introduction to Psychrometry
Psychometry
 Psychrometry is the science dealing with
the physical laws of air – water mixtures.

 When designing an air conditioning

system, the temperature and moisture
content of the air to be conditioned, and
the same properties of the air needed to
produce the desired air conditioning effect,
must be known. Once these properties are
known, the air conditioning task can be
determined. This analysis can be
performed using the psychrometric
chart.

 The psychrometric chart graphically

displays several physical properties of air
over a broad range of conditions. Knowing
the relationship of these air properties aids
the task of air conditioning system design
and analysis.
Introduction to Psychrometry
Psychometric Chart
The psychrometric chart
contains five physical
properties to describe
the characteristics of air:

I. Dry-bulb temperature
II. Wet-bulb
temperature
III. Dew-point
temperature
IV. Relative humidity
V. Humidity ratio
Introduction to Psychrometry
1. Dry-Bulb Temperature (DBT)
Dry-bulb temperatures are read from an ordinary thermometer
that has a dry bulb.
DBT is the temperature of air measured by a thermometer freely
exposed to the air
Introduction to Psychrometry
2. Wet-Bulb Temperature (WBT)
 Wet-bulb temperatures are
read from a thermometer
whose bulb is covered by a wet
wick.
 The difference between the
wet-bulb temperature and the
dry bulb temperature is caused
by the cooling effect produced
by the evaporation of moisture
from the wick.
 The difference between dry-
bulb and wet-bulb temperature
readings is a measure of the
dryness of air. The drier the air,
the greater the difference
between the dry-bulb and wet-
bulb readings.
Introduction to Psychrometry
3. Condensation Occurs at Dew Point (Tdp):
The third property, dew-point temperature,
is the temperature at which moisture leaves
the air and condenses on objects, just as
dew forms on grass and plant leaves.
Introduction to Psychrometry
Fog Occurs When Air is Saturated
When the dry-bulb, wet-bulb,
and dew-point temperatures
are the same, the air is
saturated.
It can hold no more moisture.
When air is at a saturated
condition, moisture entering
the air displaces moisture
within the air. The displaced
moisture leaves the air in the
form of fine droplets. When
this condition occurs in
nature, it is called fog.
Introduction to Psychrometry
4. Relative Humidity (RH):
Introduction to Psychrometry
- Relative humidity is a misapplied term. It is often used in place of absolute
humidity. The key is the word “relative.” To understand this concept, a law of
nature must be Reviewed.
- Air is a compressible fluid and its volume changes with cooling and
heating. Water is not compressible, Therefore given a specific
amount, it will always occupy the same amount of volume.
- As moisture laden air is
heated or cooled the air
volume changes but the
moisture does not. Thus
there is a change in relative v=K(T/P)
humidity, without a change V = Volume
T = Temperature
in actual water content.
P = Pressure
Temperature

K = Constant
Volume

Pressure
Introduction to Psychrometry
5. Humidity Ratio (ꞷ)
 humidity ratio describes the actual weight of water in an air
– water vapor mixture.
 Humidity ratio can be expressed as pounds of moisture
per pound of dry air, or grams of moisture per gram of
dry air.
Introduction to Psychrometry
Specific Volume (ѵ)
Specific volume is defined as the volume of one pound of dry air at a
specific temperature and pressure. As one pound of air is heated it
occupies more space—the specific volume increases.
Introduction to Psychrometry
Enthalpy
Enthalpy describes the total amount of heat energy, both sensible and latent,
in one pound of air at its present condition. It is expressed in Btu per pound of
dry air (Btu/lb). When displayed in formulas, enthalpy is usually designated as
h.
Introduction to Psychrometry
Mass (both dry air & water) and Energy Balance:

The enthalpy change of dry air during a process can be determined from:

The mass of water vapor present per unit mass of dry air is called the
specific or absolute humidity ω,
Introduction to Psychrometry
Design Conditions
For example, let's assume that the summer design conditions are
95°F dry bulb and 78°F wet bulb. What is the relative humidity,
humidity ratio, and dew point?
Introduction to Psychrometry
EXAMPLE:
Consider a room that contains air at 1 atm, 35°C, and 40 percent
relative humidity. Using the psychrometric chart, determine:
(a) the specific humidity.
(b) the enthalpy.
(c) the wet-bulb temperature.
(d) the dew-point temperature.
(e) the specific volume of the air.
Solution:
(a) the specific humidity.
ω = 0.0142 kg water/kg dry air
(b) the enthalpy.
h = 71.5 kJ/kg dry air.
(c) the wet-bulb temperature.
Twb = 24°C.
(d) the dew-point temperature.
Tdp = 19.4°C.
(e) the specific volume of the air.
v = 0.893 m3 /kg dry air
Introduction to Psychrometry
Psychrometric Chart

ASHRAE develops a set of psychrometric charts for different

uses
 Charts 1 to 4 are at sea level
 Chart 1 to 4 at different temperature ranges
 Chart 1 : 0oC to 50oC (most commonly used)
 Chart 5 at 750m altitude (0 to 50oC )
 Chart 6 at 1500m altitude (0 to 50oC )
 Chart 7 at 2250m altitude (0 to 50oC )
 Chart 8 to 16 for 200 to 320oC.
Introduction to Psychrometry
Introduction to Psychrometry
Introduction to Psychrometry
Introduction to Psychrometry