Psychrometric Chart (or Humidity Chart)

• A psychrometric chart is a graphical representation of the

thermodynamic properties of air-water system.

• There are a number of different charts. They differ with

respect to the barometric pressure, range of temperature, and
the choice of coordinates.

• The most popular charts have absolute humidity plotted

against dry-bulb temperature.

• Most published charts are for standard barometric pressure

(1 atm).
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2
3
 The Psychrometric Chart
Has Seven Lines.

Wet Bulb &

Enthalpy Saturation Curve
F G
D

Dew Point E A Absolute

Humidity Axis
D
Relative
Humidity
C B Specific Volume
Dry Bulb Axis

4
 Description of the
Psychometric Chart
• The horizontal axis forms the dry-bulb temperature scale and vertical lines
are lines of constant dry-bulb temperature.
• The dry-bulb temperature is the air temperature as measured by a
thermometer, thermocouple or other conventional temperature-measuring
device

Constant Dry-Bulb
Temperature (Tdb)

Dry Bulb Temperature (oC or oF) 5

 Description of the
Psychometric Chart

• The vertical axis is the absolute humidity

(or humidity ratio, moisture content)
scale and horizontal lines are lines of
constant humidity.

Absolute
Constant Humidity
Humidity or
Moisture
Content

[kg H2O(v)/kg
Dry Air (DA)]

6
 Description of the
Psychometric Chart (cont’d)
• Curves lines are used to represent relative
humidity (RH or hT). The line of saturation
(100 % RH) is used to provide the dew-point
temperature (Tdp) and the wet-bulb
temperature (Twb) scales. Lines of constant
dew-point are horizontal lines.
pH2O
Relative humidity, hT = x 100%
pH* 2 O  T 

7
 Description of the
Psychometric Chart (cont’d)

• Constant wet-bulb temperatures form diagonal lines on the chart.

A different set of diagonal lines represent lines of constant specific
volume.

8
 Description of the
Psychometric Chart (cont’d)
• Lines of constant enthalpy at saturation are closely aligned to the lines of constant
wet-bulb many charts use a single set of lines to represent constant wet-bulb
temperature and constant enthalpy . An enthalpy scale is typically placed above the
saturation line.
• Reference states for Enthalpy :- liquid water at 1 atm & 0oC, dry air at 1 atm & 0oC

• Enthalpy deviation – to correct the enthalpy of humid air that is not saturated (see
psychometric chart) 9
 Example 13 – How to Read the
Psychometric Chart?
 The dry bulb reading is 78 °F and the wet bulb is 65 °F. Using the chart
determine the following values. What is the:
 Relative Humidity?
50 percent
 Dew Point?
57.8 degrees
 Absolute Humidity?
0.0102 lbs. water / lb. dry air
 Specific Volume?
13.78 cu. ft. / lb. dry air
 Enthalphy?
30 Btu / lbs. dry air
 The amount of water in 1 ft3 of air?
7.4 x 10-4 lbs. water 10
 Working Session 11 –
Problem 8.69(a)
The latest weather report states that the temperature is 24°C and the
relative humidity is 50%.

a. A thermometer is mounted at the back porch of your house. What

temperature would it read

b. Using the chart determine the following values.

i. Wet bulb temperature (oC)

ii. Dew Point (oC)
iii. Absolute Humidity (kg H2O(v)/kg DA)
iv. Specific Volume (m3/kg DA)
v. Specific Enthalphy (kJ/kg DA)
vi. The amount of water (kg) in 1 m3 of humid air 11
 Working Session 11 –
Problem 8.69(a) – (cont’d)

i. Wet bulb temperature = 17 oC

ii. Dew Point = 13 oC
iii. Absolute Humidity (kg H2O(v)/kg DA) = 0.0092 kg H2O(v)/kg DA
iv. Specific Volume (m3/kg DA) = 0.855 m3/kg DA
v. Specific Enthalphy (kJ/kg DA) = (48 – 0.2) kJ/kg DA = 47.8 kJ/kg DA

vi. The amount of water (kg) in 1 m3 of humid air

3 1.00 kg DA 0.0092 kg H2 O
=1m Humid Air (HA) x 3
x
0.855 m HA 1.00 kg DA
= 0.0108 kg H2 O
12
 What Happens During Heating and
Cooling At Constant Pressure?
a. There is no change in the absolute humidity of the air-vapor
mixture, as long as no condensation occurs.
b. Cooling occurs from right to left… if superheated humid air
is cooled the system follows a horizontal path to the left
until the saturation curve (dew pt temp & 100% RH);
thereafter the gas phase follows the saturation curve
c. Heating occurs from left to right.
Cooling
d. There is a change in the sensible heat of
the air-vapor mixture.
e. Heat must be added or subtracted
Heating
to cause the temperature change.
Dry Bulb Temperature

13
 Example 14 – Problem 8.69(a) –
(Modified)
The latest weather report states that the temperature is 24°C and the relative
humidity is 50%. A sample of outside air is cooled at constant pressure.

a. At what temperature would condensation begin?

Tdp = 13 oC

b. Calculate the rate at which heat (kJ/s) must be removed for every 1 m3/s of
humid air before condensation occurs. (draw a process path on the
psychometric chart)

Q= ? kJ T2=13 oC
RH =50 %

1 m3 /s HA mDA kg/s dry air

mDA kg/s dry air 13 °C
24°C RH = 100 %
RH= 50 %
14
T1 = Tdb=24 oC
 Example 14 – Problem 8.69(a) –
(Modified) – (cont’d)

Simplified energy balance,

 =m
Q 
ˆ -H
 DA H2
ˆ
1  ….. Ĥi (kJ/kg DA)

m3 1.00 kg DA
m
Mass of dry air, DA =1.00 Humid Air (HA) x
s 0.855 m3 HA
kg
= 1.1696 DA
s

Rate of heat removed,


Q = mDA Hˆ -H
2 
ˆ =1.1696 kg DA  36.5 - 47.8  kJ
1
s kg DA
kJ
= -13.22
s 15
 Working Session 12 –
Recall Example 14
c. If the air is cooled to 10 °C at constant pressure, calculate the fraction of
water that condenses and the rate at which heat (kJ/s) must be removed for
every 1 m3/s of humid air. (draw a process path on the psychometric chart)
Q= ? kJ

1 m3/s HA mDA kg/s dry air

mDA kg/s dry air m2= kg/s water
m1 kg/s water 10 °C
24°C RH=100 %
RH= 50 % 10°C
m3= kg/s water condensed Tdp= 13oC
RH = 50 %
T2 =10oC
Mass balance, m1 = m2 + m3
m1 = mDA ha,1
m2 = mDA ha,2
T1 = Tdb=24oC
16
 Working Session 12 –
Recall Example 14 – (cont’d)
From Figure 8.4.1 kg H 2 O
h a,1 = 0.0092
kg DA
kg H 2 O
h a,2 = 0.0076
kg DA

m
1 = m
 2 +m
3
 kg  kg H2 O  kg
m
 1 = 1.1696 DA   0.0092  = 0.0108 H2 O
 s  kg DA  s
 kg  kg H2 O  kg
m
 2 = 1.1696 DA   0.0076  = 0.0089 H2 O
 s  kg DA  s
kg
m
 3 = 0.0019 H2 O
s
The fraction of water that condenses, m3 0.0019 kg H2 O condensed
 = = 0.176
m1 0.0108 kg H2 O fed
17
 Working Session 12 –
Recall Example 14 – (cont’d)
Simplified energy balance, Q   iHˆ i -  m iHˆ i
 = m
out in

Reference states : liquid water at 1 atm & 0 oC, dry air at 1 atm & 0 oC
min (kg) Ĥin(kJ/kg) @24oC mout (kg) Ĥout(kJ/kg)
Substance
@10 oC
Humid Air mDA kg DA Ĥ1 kJ/kg DA mDA kg DA Ĥ2 kJ/kg DA
H2O (l) - - m3 kg Ĥ3 kJ/kg

 The values of mDA (kg DA) & m3 (kg condensed water) are as previously
calculated
 The values of Ĥ1 & Ĥ2 in kJ/kg DA are obtained from Figure 8.4.2
 The value of Ĥ3 in kJ/kg is relative to the specific enthalpy of liquid water at
1 atm & 0oC 18
 Working Session 12 –
Recall Example 14 – (cont’d)

Reference states : liquid water at 1 atm & 0oC, dry air at 1 atm & 0oC
min (kg) Ĥin(kJ/kg) @24oC mout (kg) Ĥout(kJ/kg)
Substance
@10oC
Humid Air 1.1696 kg DA 47.8 kJ/kg DA 1.1696 kg DA 29.5 kJ/kg DA
H2O (l) - - 0.0019 kg 41.89 kJ/kg

kJ kJ
 
10
Ĥ3 =  Cp dT = Cp T = 4.189 o
10 - 0 o
C = 41.89
0
kg. C kg

Rate of heat removed, kJ

Q =  miHi -  miHi = - 21.32
  ˆ  ˆ
out in s

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 Working Session 13

Calculate the amount of sensible heat that must be added to 10 kg of air

at 13°C dry-bulb and 40 % relative humidity to raise the temperature of
the air to 32°C dry bulb. What is the corresponding relative humidity?

H2

Enthalpy
H1

40%

13 oC
32
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 Working Session 13 – (cont’d)

a. Locate the 13°C dry bulb and 40 % RH point.

b. Follow the enthalpies line to Ĥ1.
c. Move horizontally to intercept the vertical line of 32°C dry bulb
d. Follow enthalpies line Ĥ2.
e. Ĥ2 = 42-0.45 = 41.55 kJ/kg DA. Ĥ2
f. Ĥ1 = 22.75-0.075 = 22.675 kJ/kg DA. Enthalpy
Ĥ1
ˆ -H
Q = m (H ˆ )
2 1
40%
kJ
Q =10 kg (41.55 - 22.675)
kg DA
Q = 188.75 kJ
13 oC 32
The relative humidity is now ~ 12%. 21
 What is Humidification and
Dehumidification?
A. Humidification adds moisture to the air which increase the absolute
humidity.
B. Dehumidificaiton remove moisture from the air which decrease the
absolute humidity.

Dehumidification
Humidification

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 How is Humidity Increased?

A. Water is added in vapor form.

B. Water is converted from liquid to gas.
C. There is an increase in the energy level.

Humidification

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 How is Humidity Decreased?

A. There is a change from gas to liquid.

B. There is a decrease in the energy level.
C. With the loss of energy, condensation occurs.

Dehumidification

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 Example 15

How much moisture is needed to raise the relative humidity of an air-

vapor mixture from 12 % to 50 % and the temperature stays at 75°F.

Water needed,
= final absolute humidity - initial absolute humidity
= 0.0094 - 0.0022 = 0.0072 lbs water / lb dry air lbs water/
lb dry air

0.0094
50 %
0.0022
12%

75°
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 Working Session 14

How much heat is needed to evaporate the water that’s needed to

increase the relative humidity from 12% to 50% and the temperature
stays at 75°.
lbs water/
lb dry air
50 %
0.0094

0.0022
12 %

75°db
26
 Working Session 14 –
The amount of heat ….
 Btu needed = final enthalpy - initial enthalpy
 Btu needed = 28.0 Btu/lb dry air - 21.0 Btu’s/lb dry air
 Btu needed = 7.0 Btu per lb dry air
H2

H1 50 %

12 %

75°db
27
 Adiabatic Cooling

• Adiabatic cooling is said to have taken place when a warm gas is

brought into contact with a cold liquid, causing the gas to cool and
some of the liquid to evaporate and with an assumption that no
heat is lost to its surrounding during the gas-to-liquid heat
transfer process.

• Examples of common adiabatic cooling process

• Spray cooling , spray humidification

• Spray dehumidification
• Drying
• Spray drying

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 Adiabatic Cooling Process

• Air undergoing adiabatic cooling through contact with liquid water

moves along a constant wet-bulb temperature line on the
psychrometric chart from its initial condition towards the 100 %
relative humidity curve

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 Adiabatic Saturation Temperature (Tas)

Assuming;

1. (Cp)air, (Cp)H2O, and (∆Hvap)H2O, are independent of temperature at the

prevailing process conditions.
2. The enthalpy changes undergone by the unevaporated liquid water and the
solid (if there is one) in going from T2 to T4 are negligible compared to the
changes undergone by the entering wet air and the evaporated water.
3. The heat required to raise liquid water from T2 to T3 is negligible compared
to the heat of vaporization of water. 30
 Adiabatic Saturation Temperature (Tas)

and the process is adiabatic (Q = 0), then the simplified energy equation
becomes;

If the outlet temperature T3 is low enough, the air leaves saturated with water
(i.e. RH = 100 %) then the temperature corresponding to this condition is
called the adiabatic saturation temperature (Tas) & happens to coincide with
the wet bulb temperature (i.e. Tas = Twb)

31
 What is Evaporative Cooling?

 Through evaporation, moisture in the

air accumulates and the air temperature
decreases.
 Sensible heat from the air vaporizes
water from liquid to gaseous phase.
 There is no loss or gain of heat within Addition of
the system because the amount of moisture
sensible heat removed equals latent
heat added to the water.
 The process follows a constant enthalpy
line and hence the process is also Lowering of dry bulb temp
known as adiabatic cooling
 The maximum temperature reduction is  Evaporative cooling lowers the dry bulb
the difference between starting dry bulb temperature. It is used where a lower
temperature and its wet bulb temperature is desired.
temperature. 32
 Example 16

A chicken producer is considering installing evaporative cooling

in a breeding herd building. The outside air has a 32°C dry bulb
temperature and 35 percent relative humidity,

a. What is the lowest temperature that can theoretically be

obtained from the air coming off the cooling pads. (~ 21oC )

b. However, due to the inefficiency of evaporative coolers, the

temperature of the air coming off the cooling pads will be 2oC
above the lowest attainable temperature in part (a). Estimate
the relative humidity under these conditions. (~ 23oC ,
RH~85%)
33
 Working Session 15

A chicken producer is considering installing an evaporative

cooling system in a breeding herd building. Air enters the
cooler at 35°C dry bulb and 30% relative humidity and leaves
at 27°C

a. Determine the amount of water (kg/hr) needed for an

evaporative cooler when 1000 m3/hr humid air passes
through a livestock building per hour.

a. Calculate also the flowrate (m3/hr) of air entering the

cooler and the corresponding relative humidity of the air
leaving the cooler.
34
 Working Session 15

Dry Air 1000 m3/hr humid air

m1 kg m3 = (m1 + m2) kg
T1 = 35 0C T3 = 27 0C
RH1 = 30 % y3 kg H2O/kg DA
y1 kg H2O/kg DA
Liquid Water kg water/
m2 kg kg dry air

0.0143
30 %
0.0106

Dry Bulb Temp. 27 °C 35 °C

Vhumid ~ 0.8694 m3/kg DA 0.888 m3/kg DA

35
 Working Session 15

a. Read absolute humidity value for 35°C and 30% relative humidity
 y1=0.0106 kg water/kg DA
b. Extend enthalphy line toward saturation curve.
c. Read absolute humidity value for 27°C
 y3=0.0143 kg water/kg DA.
d. Water added/kg dry air:
0.0143 - 0.0106 = 0.0037 kg water/kg DA
e. kg of dry air required
= (1000 m3 air /hr) x (kg DA /0.8694 m3 air) = 1150kg DA /hr
f. Total water added
= 0.0037 kg water/kg DA x 1150 kg DA/hr = 4.256 kg/hr water
g. Air flowrate entering a cooler
= 1150 kg DA /hr x 0.888 m3/kg DA = 1021 m3/hr
h. Relative humidity of air leaving a cooler
= ~ 65% 36
 Question #2 – Final Exam 2005/06

Analysis of an air stream gives a dry bulb and wet bulb temperature
of 25°C and 18°C, respectively. Based on this information, answer
the following questions. You are also required to show your work
on the chart provided.

a. What is the relative humidity?

b. If the stream is passed through a 100% efficient evaporative cooler, it
will be fully saturated. In this condition, what will be the
temperature?
c. If the air stream enters a storage room with a temperature of 0°C
and a relative humidity of 95%, will it increase or decrease the
moisture content. Show your calculations.
d. If the air that leaves a wet-coil evaporator at 0°C and 100% relative
humidity is heated to 2°C, what is its relative humidity?
. 37
 Question #2 – Final Exam 2005/06

Analysis of an air stream gives a dry bulb and wet bulb temperature
of 25°C and 18°C, respectively. Based on this information, answer
the following questions. You are also required to show your work
on the chart provided.

a. What is the relative humidity? (~51%)

b. If the stream is passed through a 100% efficient evaporative cooler, it
will be fully saturated. In this condition, what will be the
temperature? (18°C)
c. If the air stream enters a storage room with a temperature of 0°C
and a relative humidity of 95%, will it increase or decrease the
moisture content. Show your calculations. (0.01 kg/kg DA  0.0038
kg/kg DA, moisture content decreases)
d. If the air that leaves a wet-coil evaporator at 0°C and 100% relative
humidity is heated to 2°C, what is its relative humidity? (~80%)
38
.