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Direct calculation of wet-bulb temperature and dew point temperature

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 International Journal of Agriculture Sciences
ISSN: 0975-3710 & E-ISSN: 0975-9107, Volume 11, Issue 20, 2019, pp.-9169-9171.
Available online at https://www.bioinfopublication.org/jouarchive.php?opt=&jouid=BPJ0000217

Research Article
DIRECT CALCULATION OF WET-BULB TEMPERATURE AND DEW-POINT TEMPERATURE

SINGH A.K.1, POONIA S.*1, JAIN D.1 AND SINGH D.2

1ICAR-Central Arid Zone and Research Institute, Jodhpur, 342 003, Rajasthan, India
2School of Energy and Environmental Studies, Devi Ahliya Viswavidyalaya, Indore, 452001, Madhya Pradesh, India
*Corresponding Author: Email - [email protected]

Received: October 05, 2019; Revised: October 25, 2019; Accepted: October 26, 2019; Published: October 30, 2019
Abstract: Simple and precise methods for accurate calculation of wet –bulb temperature and dew-point temperatures are presented in the paper. Input parameters required for
calculation of dew-point temperature and wet-bulb temperature are dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity. In this paper, the equations for determining dew point temperature
for the entire pressure range are given. The equations proposed here for saturation vapour pressure for temperature range (0ºC to 110ºC) has an average error of 0.042% only
and for temperature range (0ºC to -40ºC) error of 0.108% and the same equations can be rewritten to determine the value of dew-point temperature. The mean absolute deviation
in calculated values of dew-point temperature was 0.04%. The proposed method for dew-point temperature led to an average error of 0.083%as compared to that of correct
values. The mean absolute deviation in calculated values of wet-bulb temperature for the entire range (-40ºC to 110ºC) was 0.031ºC. The proposed method for wet-bulb
temperature led to an average error of 0.09% as compared to that of correct values.
Keywords: Dry-bulb temperature, Wet-bulb temperature, Dew point temperature and Relative humidity
Citation: Singh A.K., et al., (2019) Direct Calculation of Wet-bulb Temperature and Dew-point Temperature. International Journal of Agriculture Sciences, ISSN: 0975-3710
& E-ISSN: 0975-9107, Volume 11, Issue 20, pp.- 9169-9171.
Copyright: Copyright©2019 Singh A.K., et al., This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Academic Editor / Reviewer: Dr S. G. Savalia

Introduction
It is not difficult to determine the value of relative humidity when values of dry-bulb psychrometric properties. Several formulas for different temperature ranges were
temperature and wet-bulb temperature are given. One can use the psychrometric evaluated to find the most suitable and accurate ones for this analysis. They are
equation of saturation line for this purpose for any pressure, such as standard sea very complex and lengthy. However, vapour pressure was calculated by using the
level pressure (101325 Pa). However, there is no easy method to calculate wet- equation given by Dilley which is simple and precise [4]. His equation for
bulb temperature for known values of dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity. computing saturation vapour pressure in Pascal required slight modification (P a)
The psychrometric equation cannot be used for this purpose because it has an for accurate values of vapour pressure for the temperature range (0ºC to 65ºC)
exponential term, one linear term and even the value of psychrometric constant is and (65ºC to 110ºC) as given below:
not constant. The knowledge of psychrometric properties is fundamental to the
design of environmental control systems for plants, crops, animals and human 𝑃𝑤𝑠𝑇 = 611.213 𝑒𝑥𝑝 ⌊
17.273 𝑇
⌋ 1(a)
[1]. The equations presented in the study enable an engineer to calculate some 237.32+𝑇
(0°C < T ≤ 65.0°C) and
of the psychrometric properties, if any two independent psychrometric properties
of an air-water vapour mixture are known in addition to the atmospheric pressure.
For temperature above 65°C, the following equation is used:
Values of any two psychrometric properties are required for computing other
psychrometric properties. From these parameters one can easily determine other 17.2699 𝑇
psychrometric properties such as, relative humidity, enthalpy, humidity ratio, 𝑃𝑤𝑠 𝑇 = 611.679 𝑒𝑥𝑝 ⌊ ⌋ 2(a)
236.3435+1.01585𝑇
specific volume or vapour pressure. The determination of wet-bulb temperature is (65°C < T ≤ 110°C)
somewhat difficult. Either it is solved by trial and iterative method or the secant
method can be used, which is cumbersome [2]. Computational problem may occur For temperature below 0°C, the following relationship is used for computing
with this method at temperatures of 100ºC and above [3]. There is, however, no saturation vapour pressure,
easy analytical solution to get wet–bulb temperature from dry-bulb temperature
and relative humidity. Hence, there is a need to develop a simple method for the 𝑃𝑤𝑠 𝑇 = 610.78 𝑒𝑥𝑝 ⌊
21.874 𝑇
⌋ 3(a)
determination of the wet-bulb temperature. 265+0.9615𝑇
(0°C ≥ T ≥-40°C) and
Equations for determination of psychometric properties
Saturation Vapour pressure The above equation nos. 1(a), 2(a) and 3(a)have calculate the saturation vapour
The water vapour saturation is part and parcel of psychrometric calculations. pressure as a function of temperature. These equations should not be used
There is no dearth of formula for calculating vapour pressure. However, formulas outside the stated temperature ranges. The relationship is within 0.042 percent of
with very high accuracy should be used. The calculation of vapour pressure the correct values for temperature range (0°C–110°C) and 0.109 percent of the
should be as accurate as possible as it is used in determining many other values given by Wilhelm3 for the temperature range (0°C to –40°C).

International Journal of Agriculture Sciences

ISSN: 0975-3710&E-ISSN: 0975-9107, Volume 11, Issue 20, 2019
|| Bioinfo Publications || 9169
 Direct Calculation of Wet-bulb Temperature and Dew-point Temperature

Table-1 Estimated values of Twb

(Temp. range) ° C T wb1 T wb2 T wb3
(-30 to < -5) T db [T db-0.3 (T db -T dp)] [T db-0.15(T db -T dp )]
(-5 to <30) T dp + 0.4 (T db-T dp ) T dp + 0.7 (T db-T dp ) T dp + 0.55(T db-T dp )
(30 to 110) T dp T dp + 0.3 (T db-T dp ) T dp + 0.15 (T db -T dp )

Table-2 Determination of dew-point temperature

T a (°C) P sTdb (P a )  (Fraction) P w (P a ) T dp (°C) (Calculated) T dp (°C) Table Error (%) Deviation
-30 37.938 0.338 12.823 -40.01 -40 0.025 0.01
20 2340.16 0.884 2068.71 -18.04 -18.03 0.005 0.01
35 5627.73 0.893 5025.55 32.97 32.97 0 0
100 101390 0.1 10139 46.22 46.08 0.304 0.14
0.083 0.04
Average error %) Mean absolute deviation
Average error (%) 0.040 Mean absolute deviation

Table-3 Determination of wet-bulb temperature

T wb1 (°C) P w1(P a) T wb2 (°C) P w2(P a) T wb3 (°C) P w3(P a) T wb (°C) T wb (°C) Error (%) Deviation(°C )
Calculated Table
-30 37.938 -33.06 -174.4 -31.53 -68.57 -30.362 -30.37 0.026 0.008
18.79 2090.64 19.39 2212.97 19.07 2147.39 18.648 18.68 0.171 0.032
32.97 4892.16 33.58 5107.03 33.28 5000.71 33.35 33.35 0 0
46.22 6660.55 62.35 19747.5 54.28 12208 51.274 51.19 0.164 0.084
0.09 0.031
Av.error(%) Mean absolute
deviation
Mean absolute deviation

Dew point temperature value of Pw equation 3(a) is used and the calculated value of T dp is is -18.02°C.
When the two input parameters; dry-bulb temperature (Ta) and relative humidity For Tdb as 35°C and  as 0.893, actual vapour pressure (P w) is calculated as
fraction (g) are given, the dew point temperature can be calculated by using 5925.549 Pa. For this value of Pw, we shall use the equation 3(a) and the
equations 1(b),2(b) and 3(b) by putting the value of actual vapour pressure (Pw) or calculated value of Tdp is is 32.97°C. For known values of Tdb as 100°C and  as
saturation vapour pressure at dew point temperature. First of all, the value of 0.100 actual vapour pressure (Pw=  x Tdb) is calculated as 10139 Pa. For this
saturation vapour pressure at dry-bulb temperature is determined by using the value of Pw, we shall use the equation 3(a) and the calculated value of Tdp is
equations 1(a),2(a) and 3(a) according to the temperature ranges specified 46.22°C.
therein. The saturation vapour pressure is then multiplied by relative humidity
fraction to determine actual vapour pressure. The dew-point temperature can be Wet-bulb temperature
determined by using equations [1(b),2(b) and 3(b)], which determine temperature The wet-bulb temperature can be estimated from the following well known
as a function of saturation pressure, for entire saturation pressure ranges (12.838 psychrometric relation:
to 143545 Pa).
The equation 1(a) can be rewritten for computing temperature as a function of Pw = PsTwb – B (Tdb-Twb) (4)
saturation vapour pressure as given below,
B is given by Dr Carrier equation as 66 Pa°C-1, Pw is saturation vapour pressure at
ws )P
237.32 ln(611.213 dew-point temperature, Ps Twb is saturation vapour pressure at wet-bulb
T=⌊ Pws ⌋ 1(b) temperature and (Tdb-Tw) is wet-bulb depression. Using the [Table-5], the effort
17.273−ln( )
611.213
(611.213 Pa ≤ PwsT or Pw ≤ 25064.53 Pa) was put in to reach in the close vicinity of wet-bulb temperature. It is generally
observed that wet-bulb temperature moves towards Tdb for Tdb ranging from -5 to -
The equation 2(a) can be rewritten for computing temperature as a function of 30°C, towards Tdp for Tdb ranging from 30 to 110°C and it keeps moving in the
vapour pressure as given below, middle of Tdb and Tdp for the temperature range of -5 to 30°C.The [Table-5] is
based on this assumption. With the help of [Table-1], we determine the three
𝑤𝑠 )
236.3435 𝑙𝑛(611.679
𝑃 values of estimated wet-bulb temperatures,Twb1, Twb2 and Twb3 and values of
𝑇=⌊ 𝑃𝑤𝑠 ⌋ 2(b) PsTwb1, PsTwb2 and PsTwb3 using equations (1a) or 1(b) or 1(c) and then actual
17.2699−1.01585 𝑙𝑛( )
611.679 vapour pressures (Pw1, Pw2 and Pw3) are determined from equation (4a,, 4b and
(25064.53 Pa<PwsT or Pw ≤ 143447 Pa) 4c) by putting the values of Pstwb1, Pstwb2, Pstwb3, Twb1 Twb2 and Twb3 as given
below; and given in [Table-3].
The equation 3(a) can be rewritten for computing temperature as a function of
vapour pressure as given below, Pw1 = PsTwb1 – B (Tdb-Twb) (4a)
𝑤𝑠 ) 𝑃
𝑇=⌊
265 𝑙𝑛(610.78
⌋ 3(b) Pw2 = PsTwb2 – B (Tdb-Twb) (4b)
𝑃
21.874−0.9615 𝑙𝑛( 𝑤𝑠 )
610.78
(610.78 Pa ≥ PwsT or Pw ≥ 12.838 Pa) Pw3 = PsTwb3 – B (Tdb-Twb) (4c)

To calculate the value of Tdp for Tdb as -30°C and  as 0.338, actual vapour Then we determine the accurate value of wet-bulb temperature using one of the
pressure is calculated as 12.823 Pa. For this value of Pw, we shall use the following equations. If Pw falls between Pw2 and Pw3, use equation 5(a). If value of
equation 3(c) and the calculated value of T dp is is -40.0°C. Similarly, for Tdb as Pw falls between Pw1 and Pw3, use equation 5(b). If Pw falls between Pw1 and Pw2,
20°C and  as 0.884 actual vapour pressure is calculated as 2068.705 P a. For this use equation 5(c).

International Journal of Agriculture Sciences

ISSN: 0975-3710&E-ISSN: 0975-9107, Volume 11, Issue 20, 2019
|| Bioinfo Publications || 9170
 Singh A.K., Poonia S., Jain D. and Singh D.

Partial pressure, Pa P
𝑇𝑤𝑏 =
[((𝑃𝑤2 −𝑃𝑤 )𝑇𝑤𝑏3 +𝑇𝑤𝑏2 (𝑃𝑤 −𝑃𝑤3 )]
5(a) Psychrometric constant B
(𝑃𝑤2 −𝑃𝑤3 )

Acknowledgement / Funding: Authors are thankful to ICAR-Central Arid Zone

Or, and Research Institute, Jodhpur, 342 003, Rajasthan, India
[((𝑃 −𝑃 )𝑇 +𝑇 (𝑃 −𝑃 )]
𝑇𝑤𝑏 = 𝑤1 𝑤 𝑤𝑏3 𝑤𝑏1 𝑤 𝑤3 5(b)
(𝑃𝑤1 −𝑃𝑤3 )
*Principal Investigator or Chairperson of research: Dr A.K. Singh
or Institute: ICAR-Central Arid Zone and Research Institute, Jodhpur, 342 003,
[((𝑃 −𝑃 )𝑇 +𝑇 (𝑃 −𝑃 )] Rajasthan, India
𝑇𝑤𝑏 = 𝑤1 𝑤 𝑤𝑏2 𝑤𝑏1 𝑤 𝑤2 5(c) Research project name or number: Research station trials
(𝑃𝑤1 −𝑃𝑤2 )

For calculating the value of wet-bulb temperature three values of Twb are Author Contributions: All authors equally contributed
estimated (Twb1, Twb2 and Twb3 depending on which range Tdb falls in [Table-1].
Then the values of Pw1, Pw2, Pw3 and Pw (xPsTdb) are calculated. It is evident from Author statement: All authors read, reviewed, agreed and approved the final
[Table-2] and [Table-3] that for Tdb as -30°C and  as 0.338, the value of Pw falls manuscript. Note-All authors agreed that- Written informed consent was obtained
between Pw1 and Pw3 and therefore equation 5(b) is used. For known values of Tdb from all participants prior to publish / enrolment
as 20°C and  as 0.884, the value of Pw falls between Pw1 and Pw3 and therefore
equation 5(b) is used. For the input parameters; Tdb as 35°C and  as 0.893, the Study area / Sample Collection: CAZRI, Jodhpur, 342 003
value of Pw (5035.538) falls between Pw2 and Pw3 and therefore equation 5(a) is
used for calculating Twb. For given values of Tdb as 100°C and  as 0.1, the value Cultivar / Variety / Breed name: Nil
of Pw(10139) falls between Pw1 and Pw3 and therefore equation 5(b) is used.
Conflict of Interest: None declared
Accuracy and Limitations
The accuracy of the calculated values of dew point temperature depends on the Ethical approval: This article does not contain any studies with human
limits of temperature and vapour pressure. Within the limits specified, the participants or animals performed by any of the authors.
equations 1(b), 2(b) and 3(b) compute the accurate values of dew point Ethical Committee Approval Number: Nil
temperature, the average error being only 0.619 percent over the entire
temperature range (-40°C to 90.01°C). As far as water vapour saturation pressure References
is concerned, equation 3(a) has the accuracy of 0.031 percent of the correct [1] Singh A.K., Singh H., Singh S.P. and Sawhney R.L. (2002) Building
values of saturation vapour pressure for the temperature range (0°C to 65°C) and and Environment, 37, 415-419.
0.042 percent for the temperature range (0°C to 110°C) The errors go on [2] Conte S.C. (1965) Elementary Numerical Analysis, McGraw Hill, New
accumulating, if we go for still higher temperatures. Similarly, for the temperature York.
below freezing (0°C– 40°C), equation 3(a) gives the values of saturation vapour [3] Wilhelm L.R. (1976) ASAE Paper No.75-4019.
pressure within 0.108 percent of the values given by Wilhelm [3]. There are other [4] Dilley A.C. (1968) Journal of Applied Meteorology, 17, 717-719.
formulas available in the literature for calculating saturation vapour pressure [5] Wagner W. and Kretschmar H.J. (2008) International steam tables -
IAPWS [5], ASHRAE [6], Perry [7], Wexler and Greenspan [8] etc. which are more Properties of Water and Steam based on the industrial formulation
accurate than that used here [Table-2], but they are very complex and lengthy. In IAPWS-IF97. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, ISBN 978-3-540-
addition, those formulas cannot be used for determining the values of dew-point 21419-9.
temperature, whereas the relationships used here (equations 1(a), 2(a) and 3(a)) [6] ASHRAE (2009) Psychometrics fundamentals, 1.1-1.16.
for determining water vapour saturation pressure were rewritten as (1(b), 2(b) and [7] Poling B., Thomson G., Friend D., Rowley R. and Wilding W. (2008)
3(b)) for determining the values of dew-point temperature. These equations give Physical and chemical data. Perry’s Chemical Engineers Handbook.
very accurate values of both water vapour saturation pressure (average error [8] Wexler A., Hyland R. and Stewart R. (1983) Thermodynamic
0.042 percent) and dew-point temperature (average error 0.619 percent). properties of dry air, moist air and water and psychrometric charts.
Atlanta, GA: ASHRAE
Summary
The paper presents three equations for calculation of saturation vapour pressure
in three different temperature ranges (0°C to-40°C),(0°C to 65°C) and (65°C to
110°C).The equations to calculate dew point temperature as a function of actual
vapour pressure are also given. The relationships proposed here are valid for the
temperatures ranging from -40°C to 110°C. Outside the stated limits, the
equations need to be reformulated. The paper provides a simple method to
calculate wet-bulb temperature, one of the most important thermodynamic
properties of air-water mixture, by direct calculations.

Application of research: The psychrometric properties are very important for

calculating crop evapotranspiration and one also useful in drying of fruits and
vegetables.

Research Category: Psychrometric properties

Abbreviations:
Temperature, °C T
Relative humidity, fraction g

International Journal of Agriculture Sciences

ISSN: 0975-3710&E-ISSN: 0975-9107, Volume 11, Issue 20, 2019
|| Bioinfo Publications || 9171
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