Humidity Measurement Principle

Humidity measurement is an important tool for predicting the climate outdoors as well as
controlling the climate indoors. Humidity control is especially important in living, storage, and
manufacturing sites.

Definitions

Humidity is the measure of water vapor present in a gas. Vapor is a term that refers to the
gaseous form of a substance that normally exists as a solid or liquid. When liquid exists as a gas,
it exerts pressure on its surroundings. This pressure determines the amount of vapor in the air at a
given temperature. This value, known as vapor pressure, varies with temperature and pressure,
as well as from substance to substance. Water, for example, has a high vapor pressure at
temperatures near boiling (at the boiling point the vapor pressure = the atmospheric pressure). A
low vapor pressure at temperatures below freezing (all solids generally have low vapor
pressures; if they did not, they would evaporate). The vapor pressure rises as pressure decreases,
which explains why water boils at a lower temperature in higher altitudes (low pressure).

(1) Vapor pressure :Vapor pressure is the partial pressure of water vapor in the air, expressed in
hPa.

(2) Saturation vapor pressure :Saturation vapor pressure is the vapor pressure that is in a
thermodynamic equilibrium with the surface of water or ice, expressed in hPa.

(3) Dewpoint temperature: Dewpoint temperature is the air temperature at which the moist air
saturates respect to water at a given pressure.The dewpoint temperature is usually equal to or
lower than the actual air temperature. The temperature at which moist air saturates with respect
to ice is called the frost point temperature. the unit of these temperatures is ℃.

(4)Absolute humidity is a measure of the mass of the water vapor present in a specified volume.
Because the mass of water vapor is difficult to measure, a more common measurement called
relative humidity is used.

(5)Relative humidity (RH) is the percentage of the amount of water that the air can hold at a
given temperature. The following equation calculates the percent relative humidity.

Where:

Pa = actual pressure

Ps = saturated pressure

Relative Humidity is temperature dependent. At 100% RH, the actual pressure of the
water vapor is equal to the saturation pressure. The temperature where this exists is called
the dew point. Any cooling below the dew point causes water to condense. If the atmosphere
stabilizes at a constant humidity during the day, the falling temperatures at night may go below
the dew point causing the vapor to condense. The condensing vapor creates the phenomenon
commonly known as dew. A crucial fact to note is that it is only necessary for the sensor to
obtain one measurement, absolute humidity, RH, or dew point, because the other two can be
calculated using the ambient temperature, graphs or equations.Relative humidity As shown
below, relative humidity (H) is the ratio of the vapor pressure (e) of the moist air to its saturation
vapor pressure (es) at its temperature, which is expressed in %.

H = (e/es) × 100 %

H = (e/esw) × 100 %

H = (e/esi) × 100 %

where Hw and esw are the saturation vapor pressure with respect to water, and Hi and esi are the
saturation vapor pressure with respect to ice, respectively.

Sensing Methods

In general, obtaining a measure of humidity is not an easy task. Many of the instruments have
poor accuracy, narrow bandwidth, contamination problems, and hysteresis. Some of the
instruments are large, awkward, and expensive pieces of equipment. To compound the problem
there are few highly accurate devices for humidity generation and measurement, needed for use
in sensor calibration. Discussed below, are the different methods of humidity sensing.

Psychrometric Method

The oldest method for measuring relative humidity is the psychrometric method. Psychrometry is
commonly known as the “wet” and “dry” bulb method. A psychrometric sensor does not directly
sense humidity, but rather it senses temperature to indirectly find relative humidity. The sensing
elements can be thermometers, RTD’s, or thermistors. The first sensing element, the dry bulb,
measures ambient temperature. The second sensing element, the wet bulb, is enclosed in a wick
saturated with distilled water. Air forced across the wet bulb creates evaporation, which cools it
below ambient temperature. The amount of evaporation (cooling) is dependent on the vapor
pressure of the air. Using the wet and dry bulb temperatures, the relative humidity can be looked
up on a psychrometric chart. Looking up the %RH on a chart for every measurement is time-
consuming and cumbersome. With today’s technology, psychrometric charts and dew point
equations can be stored in a microprocessor, thus making this a direct sensing method for RH
and dew point.
The sling psychrometer dates back to the late 19 th century. It used mercury thermometers for
temperature measurement, and swinging the bulb around created air movement across the wet
bulb. Nowadays, the units have built in fans to ventilate the wet bulb. A psychrometric sensor has
good precision with %RH resolutions of 0.1%, humidity ranges from 10 – 100% at temperatures
from 32oF to 140oF, and accuracy’s of + 2%. The drawbacks of a psychrometric sensor are a slow
response time and they are substantially more expensive.

Dew Point Method

Another method for measuring humidity is using a dew point sensor. There are two common
types of dew point sensors, the cooled condensation surface type, or a solution of saturated
lithium chloride. The solution of saturated lithium chloride does not directly sense relative
humidity. Saturating a wick with resistive electrodes in the solution and an excitation current
through the wick creates joule heating. The heating causes some of the solution to evaporate,
which reduces the resistance and slows heating. Eventually equilibrium is reached and the
temperature of the solution can then be related to the dew point.
The cooled condensation surface type detects very accurately the temperature at which
condensation begins. The most common device used is a mirror to detect for condensation. The
system is set up so an LED (light emitting diode) reflects off the mirror at an angle of about 45
degrees. A photo-transistor detects the reflected light. Then, the temperature of the mirror is
electronically controlled. The system works by cooling the mirror’s surface below the ambient
temperature until condensation forms. The condensation on the surface of the mirror causes the
LED’s light to scatter. The scattered light creates a sudden drop in the output of the photo-
transistor. At this point, the surface temperature of the mirror is read using a temperature sensor
such as an RTD or thermistor. This temperature is the dew point. With a feedback loop, the
cooling or heating of the mirror continuously tracks the dew point. There are a few different
designs of condensation surfaces that are also used. The chilled mirror method is the most stable
and accurate method to determine relative humidity. It is crucial to keep the mirror clean and
ensure the temperature sensor and mirror is of high quality. This method has the best humidity
range (0-100%RH) and can be used for numerous gases at many pressures. These instruments are
bulky and very expensive.

Hygrometric Method

The hygrometric method of relative humidity sensing is the most common. The instruments are
generally compact, reliable, and inexpensive. Hygrometric humidity sensors provide an output
that is directly indicative of humidity. The first humidity sensing elements were mechanical in
nature. Physical dimensions of various materials will change with the adsorption 1 of water. Some
examples of these are hair, animal membrane, and some plastics. To build a sensor from these
materials the element is kept in tension with a spring. A strain gage monitors the displacement
caused by a change in the moisture content of the air. The output of the strain gage is directly
proportional to the relative humidity. A second method of hygrometry is coating an oscillating
crystal (quartz) with a hygroscopic coating. When the coating adsorbs water the mass changes
which then changes the crystal’s oscillating frequency. A more obscure method is an electrolytic
hygrometer. This method is complicated and not used frequently enough to warrant explanation.
Recent strides in thin film and micromachining technology make it possible to produce high
quality resistive and capacitive hygrometric sensors. These sensors have become more accurate,
compact, and stable in recent years making them popular in industry. The materials used to
produce these sensing elements have the ability to change their electrical characteristics with the
adsorption of water. The materials have changed over the years from electrolytic salts, to
ceramics, to the recently popular polymers. The new designs in sensing material have overcome
many problems. The first major problem with the sensors was narrow bandwidths. Each
individual sensor was only reliable over a span of 10 to 20% relative humidity. Numerous
manufactured sensors with specific spans cover the entire %RH span. Then there was a problem
when adsorbed water left impurities behind on the surface. These impurities would change the
electrical characteristics of the sensing materials. The polymers used now have overcome these
early problems.

A capacitive sensor is built like a parallel-plate capacitor. The sensing element serves as the
dielectric. As the moisture in the air changes the water vapor, the sensing polymer changes with
adsorption, resulting in a dielectric constant change. The dielectric constant is directly
proportional to the capacitance, which is inversely proportional to the %RH. New techniques in
producing thin films have made these, accurate, stable, and easy to manufacture large quantities.

The resistive types of hygrometers are the sensors ACI uses in their products. The sensors consist
of placing a thin film of sensing polymer over a set of comb electrodes. Figure 1 is a
representation of the physical parts of the humidity sensor. The sensor adsorbs water into the
humidity sensing material, which changes the polymers resistance. Other materials adsorb the
water, which changes just the surface resistivity. Because the water is absorbed the bulk
resistance of the polymer changes making the sensor resistant to surface contamination. The
sensor requires an AC excitation current. So there is no chance electrolysis or separation of the
humidity-sensing polymer can occur. Thin film technology makes these sensors accurate, stable,
and easy to manufacture. The choice of material assures they have fast response times with little
hysteresis. Another attraction is their small size and low cost.

HYGROMETER

A hygrometer is a useful gadget that measures relative humidity. This aids in the measurement
of water vapour. This device is excellent for detecting water vapour in soil, air, or any other
confined place. This is a particularly helpful tool for monitoring humidity.

What is a Hygrometer?

A hygrometer is used to measure the amount of water vapour in the air, soil, and enclosed places.
Instruments for measuring humidity typically rely on measurements of other values, such
as temperature, pressure, mass, or a mechanical or electrical change in a substance caused by the
absorption of moisture. By calibrating and calculating these measured quantities, humidity can
be determined.

Principle Of Measurement

When water or ice covers the bulb of a thermometer (wet-bulb), latent heat is removed from the
surface of the bulb as the water evaporates, and the wet-bulb temperature becomes lower than the
air (dry-bulb) temperature. At a lower humidity, water evaporates more actively, so that the wet-
bulb temperature lowerssharply. The aspirated psychrometer measures humidity by measuring
the difference between the dry-bulb temperature and wet-bulb temperature.

Invention of Hygrometer

In 1480, Leonardo da Vinci developed a primitive hygrometer. In 1755, Swiss polymath Johann
Heinrich Lambert devised a version that was more contemporary. In 1783, Swiss physicist and
geologist Horace Bénédict de Saussure built the first hygrometer that measured humidity using
human hair.

Hygrometer Diagram
There are two bulbs in a hygrometer: one moist and one dry. One of the bulbs is covered with a
wet or dry towel to simulate a thermometer. After a length of time, the water on the bulb
evaporates, and the temperature of each bulb is then measured. The difference in temperatures is
recorded. The temperatures are then plotted on a chart to determine the relative humidity for each
temperature and location. Relative humidity is a ratio, therefore ratios do not have units. A tiny
temperature difference between the bulbs indicates a high relative humidity resulting from a low
evaporation rate. In dry air, evaporation occurs more rapidly, resulting in a large temperature
differential and a low relative humidity.

Hygrometer Working Principle

A hygrometer measures the amount of water vapour in the air, soil, or enclosed areas. This
equipment typically relies on measurements of variables such as temperature, pressure, and
weight, as well as a fundamental mechanical or electrical change as moisture is concentrated.
The environment’s temperature, air mass, atmospheric pressure, and moisture content are used to
calculate humidity.

The hygrometer consists of two thermometers that are placed side by side. The first
thermometer’s bulb is exposed to the air, while the second thermometer’s bulb is wrapped in a
damp cloth. The water on the cloth causes evaporation and heat loss from the bulb, resulting in
lower results than on a thermometer with a dry bulb.

Evaporative cooling is a technique for cooling the air via the evaporation of water. The
temperature decreases as water evaporate from the moist bulb. Wet and dry bulbs have the same
temperature at 100 percent humidity because the air is saturated with moisture and cannot hold
any more. In the absence of evaporation, the temperature of the wet and dry bulbs would be
identical. The relationship between the evaporation from the wet bulb and the relative humidity
is inverse. When humidity is high, the temperature change in a wet bulb is reduced.

A hygrometer employs two distinct methods to measure and report humidity. Some hygrometers
provide readings in millilitres per cubic centimetre, which represents the amount of water
contained within a specific volume of air. Other hygrometers report the relative humidity of the
air as a percentage. A high percentage implies an extremely humid day.

The hygrometer operates based on the evaporative cooling phenomenon. Its theory demonstrates
that as water evaporates from any surface, it cools as the water molecules absorb thermal energy
from the surface. Due to this cooling effect, the wet-bulb temperature is always lower than the
dry-bulb temperature.

Types of Hygrometer

 Psychrometers,
 Dew-Point Hygrometer,
 Mechanical Hygrometer
 Electrical Hygrometer.

Psychrometer

A psychrometer consists of two thermometers, one with a dry bulb and the other with a wet bulb,
and measures humidity via evaporative cooling. As moisture evaporates from the wet bulb, its
temperature decreases, and relative humidity is calculated using a psychrometric chart based on
the temperature differential between the wet- and dry-bulb thermometers. The simplest
hydrometer, a sling psychrometer, employs this wet/dry bulb approach with thermometers
attached to a chain or rope and suspended in the air.

Dew-Point Hygrometer
The most accurate hygrometer available is a condensation or “cooled mirror dew point”
hygrometer. Electronic feedback regulates the temperature of a chilled mirror exposed to the
open air, maintaining a dynamic equilibrium between condensation and evaporation. An
optoelectronic device detects condensation on the surface of the mirror and measures the dew
point temperature, or the temperature at which air gets so saturated with water vapour that it can
no longer hold it and condensation occurs.

Mechanical Hygrometer

The hair hygrometer measures humidity using hair under stress. When relative humidity
increases, hair length increases, and when it decreases, hair length decreases. This device
employs human or horse hair linked to levers that amplify minute length variations. A
hygrograph, which consists of an ink pen and a rotating cylinder, records daily changes in
humidity. Hair hygrometers are less precise than their equivalents and register considerable
inaccuracies at extremely high and low relative humidity levels.

Electrical Hygrometer

Utilizing materials with an electrical resistance that fluctuates with the quantity of moisture
absorbed, electronic gadgets measure humidity. The two most popular types of sensors are
capacitive and resistive. Using an electrical signal between two plates, capacitive
sensors measure the variations in the amount of water vapour in the air. When water is absorbed,
the polymer membrane of a resistive sensor registers changes in conductivity.

Hair Hygrometer
These hygrometers use a human hair or animal hair as the sensing element. The hair expands and
contracts with changes in humidity, and this expansion and contraction is used to move a pointer
or generate an electrical signal. Hair hygrometers are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, but
they can be inaccurate in high or low humidity conditions.

Wet and Dry Bulb Hygrometer

Wet-bulb hygrometers use a wet wick to measure the relative humidity. The relative humidity is
the ratio of the actual amount of water vapour in the air to the maximum amount of water vapor
that the air can hold at a given temperature. Wet-bulb hygrometers are often used in meteorology
and weather forecasting.

A dry-bulb hygrometer measures the temperature of the air. It is typically used in conjunction
with a wet-bulb hygrometer to measure the relative humidity. It consists of a thermometer with a
wick. The wick is kept dry, and the temperature of the wick is measured.

Uses of Hygrometer

Following are the uses of hygrometer.

o Combining the hydrometer’s reading with that of a thermometer to create the heat
index is one of its applications. A heat index of 105 or above is hazardous to human
health.

o Meteorologists commonly include relative humidity in their daily weather reports,

particularly during the warmer months of the year when it tends to approach 100 per cent.
A hydrometer is a crucial component of their predictions.

o A home hygrometer detects the relative humidity within the home.

o Hygrometers have a variety of commercial applications, including the monitoring of

humidity in storage facilities for old books, food, furniture, musical instruments, and
other goods susceptible to moisture damage.

o Commercial and domestic saunas use both a thermometer and a hygrometer to measure
the air quality.

o Another use is a humidor for cigars. Over time, humidity has a significant impact on the
quality of the tobacco in cigars that have been preserved.

o A hygrometer is necessary for ensuring proper temperature and humidity.

o Museums house priceless pieces of art, antiquities, documents, and other rare and old
objects that are extremely sensitive to temperature and humidity. A hygrometer is a
critical aspect of that protection. Extremely high relative humidity is dangerous and must
be avoided.