Experiment No.

1
PSYCHROMETRIC MEASUREMENTS
Course Code: ME 401
Course Title: ME Lab 1
Section: ME41FA2
Members: 1. Navidad Jr, Daniel L
2. Manliguez, Felix
3. Manalo, June Vicente
1.Objective(s):
The activity Aims to demonstrate the measurement of dry bulb and wet bulb
temperature using the sling psychrometer and the psychrometric chart.
2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The Students shall be able to:
2.1. Measure the dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures of the surrounding
atmosphere using the sling psychrometer.
2.2. Develop professional work ethics, including precision, neatness, safety
and ability to follow Instruction.

3.Discussion:
Air is Composed of nitrogen, oxygen, and small amounts of water vapor. Nitrogen
makes up 77%, while oxygen accounts for 23%. Water vapor can account for 0 to 3%
Under certain conditions. Water vapor is measured in grams or in some cases, pounds
per pound of dry air. Seven thousand (7,000) grains of water equal one pound.
Temperature determines the amount of water vapor that air can hold. Hotter
temperatures mean that air has a greater capacity to hold water suspended. Water is
considered out of air as it is cooled. Outside, water condensation becomes rain inside, it
becomes condensation on the window glass. Thus, dry air acts somewhat like a sponge.
It absorbs moisture. There are four properties of air that account for its behavior under
varying conditions. These properties are dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature,
dew point temperature, and relative humidity.

There are certain amounts of water vapor per pound of dry air. They can be plotted on a
phsychrometric chart. psychro is a greek term meaning cold. A psychrometer is an
instrument for measuring the aquous vapor in the atmosphere. A difference between a
wet bulb thermometer and a dry bulb thermometer is an indication of the dryness of the
air. A psychrometer then is a hygrometer which is a device for measuring water content
in air. A psychrometric chart indicates the different values of temperature and water
moisture in air. The dry bulb temperature is located in one place and the wet bulb in
another. If the two are known, it is easy to find the relative humidity and other factors
relating to air being checked. To obtain the relative humidity of air it is necessary to use
two thermometers. One thermometer is a dry bulb, the other is a wet bulb. The device
used to measure relative humidity is the sling psychrometer. It has two thermometers.
The wet bulb thermometer is moistened by a wick attached to the bulb. As the dual
thermometers are whirled, air passes over them. The dry and wet bulb temperatures are
recorded. Relative humidity is determined by graphs, slide rules or similar devices.
A sling psychrometer is an instrument that measures relative humidity ( a hygrometer .
the sling has two thermometers, a dry bulb and a wet bulb thermometer, mounted
together on a chain. The wet bulb thermometer is wrapped in muslin that is moistened
with distilled water. The user then swings the sling until the temperature stabilize, then
quickly notes the two temperatures. To interpret the readings and determine the
humidity, a chart is then used for specific altitude at which the reading was taken.
Basically the drier the is, the more moisture evaporates from the moistened muslincovered thermometer, and the greater the difference between the two thermometers. If
the relative humidity is 100% then the two temperatures will be the same.
Slings have been around for years, and are becoming less and less used for many
reasons. With the advent of digital hygrometers, its just easier to pull out a device and
read the screen. Additionally, besides being cumbersome and time consuming. Slings
contain mercury, a hazardous material, and must be handled with care. A sling will
typically read 5-10% high due to user error. Some of the mistakes that can be made
while using a sling are:
1. If the sock on the wet bulb thermometer is not clean, the humidity measured from a

sling will error on the high side.

2. If the water used for the wet bulb thermometer, is not distilled water, the humidity
measured from a sling will error on the high side.
3. If the sling is not swung around long enough, the humidity measured from a sling
Will error on the high side.
4. If the thermometer measurements are not read quickly enough after swinging the
sling, the humidity measured from a sling will error on the high side.
5. If the charts used to interpret the results are not for the same altitude where the
readings were taken, the humidity will be incorrect. Additionally, the charts are only
available in 100 increments, and it is often difficult to determine the exact altitude of the
user.
Sling psychrometers are the standard for accurately measuring ambient temperature
and humidity. Every meteorologist should know how to use one correctly.
1. Inspect the cotton wick on the sling psychrometer and make sure that it is in good
condition and firmly in contact with the temperature bulb. A psychrometer with a
yellowed or frayed wick will not give an accurate reading, and the wick should be
replaced. Do not touch the wick with your fingers, because contaminants will affect the
Accuracy, also check for a separated mercury column.
2. thoroughly saturate the wick with distilled water. If the water beads up and does not
easily soak in, the wick should be replaced.
3. Face into the wind (if any) and begin swinging the psychrometer at a steady,
comfortable pace (about 2 turns per second is good). Be extremely careful that you dont
strike the psychrometer on a nearby table, railing, or other obstruction also, keep it far
enough from your body that you dont pick up your own body heat.
4. After about 1 minute. Stop and check the wet bulb temperature, quickly reading it to
the nearest 1/10 degree (if you stop too long, the temperature will start ti change). Then
continue swinging the psychrometer for another minute or so, check the wet bulb
temperature again and see whether it has changed from your previous reading. If it has,
continue swinging for another minute and check again. Repeat as necessary. Your goal
is to get the lowest possible reading out of the wet bulb thermometer (assuming that it
started out near the dry air temperature). Important note: make sure that the wick does
not become too dry. If it does, you will need to add another drop or two of distilled water
and start over.
5. Carefully but quickly read and record the wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures to the
nearest0.1 degree, interpolating between thick marks as necessary.

6. Use whatever method is available (psychrometric computer. Skew-T diagram, or

table) to compute the dew point and relative humidity. Important tips. Most beginners do
not take accurate psychrometer readings because of the following common mistakes:
(1) not ventilating the psychrometer long enough to reach equilibrium, (2) not getting the
wick wet enough, or letting it dry out. (3) holding it too close to the body or taking too
long to read the thermometers, (4) touching the bulb ends with the hands while reading;
(5) not facing into breeze. Every one of these mistakes usually leads to a wet bulb
temperature reading is too warm.

The Sling Psychrometer

The Psychrometric Chart (Metric Units)

The Psychrometric Chart (English Units)

4. Materials and Equipment:

Sling Psychrometer
Psychrometric Chart
Stop Watch

5. Procedure:
1. Check the sling psychrometer to ensure that thermometers are properly
secured
2. Wet the wick of the wet bulb thermometer until it is saturated.
3. The instructor should designate the locations (inside the campus) where
measurements of wet bulb and dry bulb temperature are to be performed.
4. To get the dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures. Whirl the sling psychrometer for about
2 minutes within the designated locations. Be sure the sling psychrometer will not hit
anybody while it is being whirled. Repeat this procedure for at least ten different areas in
the designated locations.
5. Repeat procedure 4 in all the designated locations.
6. Use the psychrometer chart to get the other properties of air required by this
experiment.
6. Data and Result:

Location: Laboratory (Ground Floor)

Time: 11:09 AM
Condition:

Weather: Sunny
Location: Ventilated
Dry Bulb: 33.5 C
Wet Bulb: 29.5 C
Enthalphy (h): 97 Kj/kg
Specific Volume (v): 0.901 m/kg
Relative Humidity: 75%
Humidity Moisture: 0.0247 kg/kga
Due Point: 28.4 C
Location: Ground Floor (Comfort Room)
Time: 11:14 AM
Condition:

Weather: Sunny
Location: No Ventilation
Dry Bulb: 32 C
Wet Bulb: 29 C
Enthalphy (h): 94.5 Kj/kg
Specific Volume (v): 0.897 m/kg
Relative Humidity: 80%
Humidity Moisture: .0243 kg/kga
Due Point: 28.2 C

Location: Ground Floor (Student Projects Preparation Area)

Time: 11:19 AM
Condition:

Weather: Sunny
Location: No Ventilation
Dry Bulb: 34 C
Wet Bulb: 29.9 C
Enthalphy (h): 99.4 Kj/kg
Specific Volume (v): 0.904 m/kg
Relative Humidity: 74%
Humidity Moisture: 0.0255 kg/kga
Due Point: 28.8 C

Location: Study Area

Time: 11:23
Condition:

Weather: Sunny
Location: Ventilated and Windy
Dry Bulb: 33 C
Wet Bulb: 29.5 C
Enthalphy (h): 97 Kj/kg
Specific Volume (v): 0.90 m/kg
Relative Humidity: 77%
Humidity Moisture: 0.0249 kg/kga
Due Point: 28.6 C

Location: Study Area near Marine Engine

Time: 11: 40 AM
Condition:

Weather: Sunny
Location: Open Area (Windy)
Dry Bulb: 34 C
Wet Bulb: 31 C
Enthalphy (h):105 Kj/kg
Specific Volume (v): 0.901 m/kg
Relative Humidity:80%
Humidity Moisture: 0.0279 kg/kga
Due Point: 30.1 C

Location: Arlegui 2nd floor (hallway)

Time: 11:46 AM
Condition:

Weather: Sunny
Location: No Ventilation
Dry Bulb: 32 C
Wet Bulb: 29.7 C
Enthalphy (h): 98 Kj/kg
Specific Volume (v): 0.891 m/kg
Relative Humidity: 86.5%
Humidity Moisture: 0.0261 kg/kga
Due Point: 29.2 C

Location: Arlegui 3nd floor (Classroom)

Time: 11:50 AM
Condition:

Weather: Sunny
Location: Not Ventilated
Dry Bulb: 32 C
Wet Bulb: 28.8 C
Enthalphy (h): 94 Kj/kg
Specific Volume (v): 0.895 m/kg
Relative Humidity: 79%
Humidity Moisture: 0.024 kg/kga
Due Point: 32 C

Location: Library
Time: 11:56 AM
Condition:

Weather: Sunny
Location: Fully Airconditioned
Dry Bulb: 26 C
Wet Bulb: 23 C
Enthalphy (h): 73 Kj/kg
Specific Volume (v): 0.871 m/kg
Relative Humidity: 85%
Humidity Moisture: 0.018 kg/kga
Due Point: 21.8 C

Location: Arlegui building7th Floor

Time: 12:03 PM
Condition:

Weather: Sunny
Location: No Ventilation
Dry Bulb: 36 C
Wet Bulb: 31 C
Enthalphy (h): 110.5 Kj/kg
Specific Volume (v): 0.917 m/kg
Relative Humidity: 75%
Humidity Moisture: 0.029 kg/kga
Due Point: 29.7 C

Location: Arlegui Building 5th Floor (Window near the fire exit of Library)
Time: 12:08PM
Condition:

Weather: Sunny
Location: Windy (Open Area)
Dry Bulb: 34 C
Wet Bulb: 30 C
Enthalphy (h): 103.5 Kj/kg
Specific Volume (v): 0.906 m/kg
Relative Humidity: 79%
Humidity Moisture: 0.027 kg/kga
Due Point: 28.8 C

Interpretation: