PENMAN EQUATION

EMPIRICAL METHOD

Mat Jasper Basil

Penman Equation to Estimate

Potential Evapotranspiration (PET)
Penmans equation is based on sound theoretical reasoning
and is obtained by a combination of the energy balance
and mass transfer approach.
- It is used to estimateevaporationfrom water, and land

Penman Equation to Estimate

Potential Evapotranspiration (PET)

Eep potential evapotranspiration(mm/day)

Rn net radiation(MJ/m/d)
G heat flux density to the ground
l latent heat of vaporization(MJ/kg)
U2 wind speed(m/sec)
- slope of the saturation vapor pressure- temperature curve(kpa/ C)
g - psychometric constant(kpa/C)
P atmospheric pressure
es-ed - vapor pressure deficit

= 0.2(0.00738T + 0.8072)7 0.000116

P = 101.3 0.01055H

g = Cp P
0.622l

l = 2.501 2.361x10-3 T

(Ti+1 Ti-1)
G = 4.2 ------------t

Example:
Estimate the Eep for Aug 2, 1992 from a field close to Hoytville, OH, using
Penmans method. Radiation data, wind speed and pan evaporation were
measured at the site. The other weather data are taken from the Hoytville
daily summaries published by NOAA:
Tavg(Aug 2)=18.6C;
Tmax(Aug 2) = 24.4C;
Tavg(Aug 1) = 15C;
ed(8am) = 1.1759kPa;

Tmin(Aug 2) = 12.8C;
Tavg(Aug 3) = 20.6C;
U2 = 1.83m/sec;

R1 = 19.33MJ/m2/d;
ELEV = 213.4m and lat = 41N

Solution
Calcute
: for G
(20.6 -15.0)
G = 4.2 ------------------- = 11.76MJ/m2/d
2
Calculate l
l = (2.501 2.361x10-3)(18.6) = 2.4571MJ/Kg

Calculate for P
P = 101.3 0.01055(213.4) = 99.05kPa
0.001013(99.05)
g=
=0.0657
0.622(2.4571)
-----------------------

Calculate
= 0.2[0.00738(18.6) + 0.8072]7 0.000116 =
0.134
Rn = 10.63MJ/m2/d
es-ed = 1.0927 kPa
0.657
0.134(10.63 11.76)
+
0.134+0.0657
0.134+0.0657 (6.43)(1+0.53(1.83))(1.0927)
2.4571

Eep =
Eep = 1.54mm/d

Empirical Method
Empirical equations are available to estimate lake
evaporation using commonly available meteorological
data.
Empirical Evaporation Equation
Meyers Formula: EL = KM (ew-ea)(1+u9/16)

Meyers formula
EL = KM (ew-ea)(1+u9/16)
EL lake evaporation in mm/day
Ew - saturated vapor pressure at the water surface temperature in mm of
mercury
Ea actual vapor pressure of overlying air at a specific height in mm of
mercury
u9 monthly mean wind velocity in km/h at about 9m above ground
KM coefficient accounting for various other factors with a value of 0.36
for large deep waters and 0.50 for small, shallow waters

Example
A reservoir with a surface area of 250 hectares had the following average
values of climate parameters during a week:
Water temperature = 20C
Relative humidity = 40%
Wind velocity at 1m above ground surface = 16km/h.
saturated vapor pressure = 17.54mm
Actual vapor pressure = 7.02mm
Estimate the average daily evaporation from the lake.

Solution:
Ew = 17.54mm
Ea = 7.02mm
U9 = U1 x (9)1/7 = 21.9km/h
EL = 0.36(17.53 7.02)(1 + 21.9/16)
EL = 8.97mm/day