BASIC PROCESSES IN AIR-CONDITIONING

SAMPLE PROBLEMS

𝑚3
1. Determine the quantity of heat required to raise 14 𝑚𝑖𝑛 of air from 20℃ and 80% RH to 35℃. What is the final
𝑚3
volume flow rate of the air in ?
𝑚𝑖𝑛

Given: Req’d:
𝑚3 𝑎. ) 𝑄
𝑉́1 = 14
𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑡𝑑𝑏1 = 20℃ 𝑡𝑑𝑏2 = 35℃ 𝑏. ) 𝑉́2
𝑅𝐻1 = 80%

Solution:
This problem undergoes a process of sensible heating. How can I say that? Based on the given, we can solve
for the other properties at the initial condition. While for the final, we only have one property. That means, we will
assume that the moisture content (or specific humidity) of the air doesn’t change, or

𝑆𝐻1 = 𝑆𝐻2

and also, the problem says that “quantity of heat required to raise” means that we’re going to add a certain
amount of heat to the air. Another proof is the temperature. As you can see, the temperature increased from 20℃
to 35℃.

Before we proceed in finding the unknowns, we first solve the properties of air (initial and final condition)
that we will need, like the enthalpy and specific volume of air.

At the initial condition (point 1), we have 𝑡𝑑𝑏1 = 20℃ and 𝑅𝐻1 = 80%,

Solving for the specific volume,

𝑅𝑎 𝑇𝑎1
𝑣1 =
𝑃𝑇 − 𝑃𝑣1

For 𝑇𝑎1 ,

𝑇𝑎1 = 20℃ + 273 = 293 𝐾

For 𝑃𝑣1 ,

𝑃𝑣1 = 𝑃𝑠𝑎𝑡 @ 𝑡𝑑𝑝1 𝑜𝑟 𝑃𝑣1 = 𝑅𝐻1 (𝑃𝑑𝑏1 )

Since we don’t have the dewpoint temperature at the initial condition, we will use the the second formula
where,

𝑃𝑑𝑏1 = 𝑃𝑠𝑎𝑡 @ 𝑡𝑑𝑏1

𝑃𝑑𝑏1 = 𝑃𝑠𝑎𝑡 @ 20℃

Prepared by: Engr. FJRG

BASIC PROCESSES IN AIR-CONDITIONING
𝑃𝑑𝑏1 = 2.339 𝑘𝑃𝑎

Solving for the partial pressure of water vapor at point 1, 𝑃𝑣1 ,

𝑃𝑣1 = 0.8(2.339 𝑘𝑃𝑎 )

𝑃𝑣1 = 1.8712 𝑘𝑃𝑎

Now, solving for the specific volume at the initial condition, 𝑣1 ,

𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚
(0.28708 𝑘𝑔 − 𝐾 ) (293 𝐾)
𝑣1 =
𝑘𝑁
(101.325 − 1.8712) 2
𝑚

𝒎𝟑
𝒗𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟒𝟓𝟕𝟔𝟒
𝒌𝒈

Solving for the initial enthalpy value, ℎ1 ,

ℎ1 = 𝑐𝑝𝑎 (𝑡𝑑𝑏1 ) + 𝑆𝐻1 (ℎ𝑔1 )

For specific humidity at initial condition, 𝑆𝐻1 ,

0.622𝑃𝑣1
𝑆𝐻1 =
𝑃𝑇 − 𝑃𝑣1

0.622(1.8712 𝑘𝑃𝑎 )
𝑆𝐻1 =
(101.325 − 1.8712) 𝑘𝑃𝑎

𝑘𝑔𝑣
𝑆𝐻1 = 0.0117028
𝑘𝑔𝑎

For ℎ𝑔1 ,

ℎ𝑔1 = ℎ𝑔 @ 𝑡𝑑𝑏1

ℎ𝑔1 = ℎ𝑔 @ 20℃

𝑘𝐽
ℎ𝑔1 = 2538.1
𝑘𝑔𝑣

Now, solving for the enthalpy at the initial condition, ℎ1 ,

𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝑔𝑣 𝑘𝐽
ℎ1 = (1.0062 ) (20℃) + (0.0117028 ) (2538.1 )
𝑘𝑔𝑎 − ℃ 𝑘𝑔𝑎 𝑘𝑔𝑣

𝒌𝑱
𝒉𝟏 = 𝟒𝟗. 𝟖𝟐𝟔𝟗
𝒌𝒈𝒂

Prepared by: Engr. FJRG

 BASIC PROCESSES IN AIR-CONDITIONING

At the final condition (point 2), we have 𝑡𝑑𝑏2 = 35℃ and 𝑆𝐻2 = 𝑆𝐻1 ,

Solving for the specific volume,

𝑅𝑎 𝑇𝑎2
𝑣2 =
𝑃𝑇 − 𝑃𝑣2

For 𝑇𝑎2 ,

𝑇𝑎2 = 35℃ + 273 = 308 𝐾

For 𝑃𝑣2 , since the specific humidity at the initial and final condition are the same, the same goes for the
partial pressure of water vapor,

𝑃𝑣2 = 𝑃𝑣1 = 1.8712 𝑘𝑃𝑎

Now, solving for the specific volume at the final condition, 𝑣2 ,

𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚
(0.28708 ) (308 𝐾)
𝑘𝑔 − 𝐾
𝑣2 =
𝑘𝑁
(101.325 − 1.8712) 2
𝑚

𝒎𝟑
𝒗𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟖𝟗𝟎𝟔𝟐
𝒌𝒈

Solving for the final enthalpy value, ℎ2 ,

ℎ2 = 𝑐𝑝𝑎 (𝑡𝑑𝑏2 ) + 𝑆𝐻2 (ℎ𝑔2 )

For ℎ𝑔2 ,

ℎ𝑔2 = ℎ𝑔 @ 𝑡𝑑𝑏2

ℎ𝑔2 = ℎ𝑔 @ 35℃

𝑘𝐽
ℎ𝑔2 = 2565.3
𝑘𝑔𝑣

Now, solving for the enthalpy at the final condition, ℎ2 ,

𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝑔𝑣 𝑘𝐽
ℎ2 = (1.0062 ) (35℃) + (0.0117028 ) (2565.3 )
𝑘𝑔𝑎 − ℃ 𝑘𝑔𝑎 𝑘𝑔𝑣

𝒌𝑱
𝒉𝟐 = 𝟔𝟓. 𝟐𝟑𝟖𝟐
𝒌𝒈𝒂

Prepared by: Engr. FJRG

 BASIC PROCESSES IN AIR-CONDITIONING
Now, we have the properties that we need to sove for the heat transferred and final volume flow rate.

To solve for 𝑄, we have the formula

𝑄 = 𝑚𝑎 (ℎ2 − ℎ1 )

If you can’t remember well the formula for the heat absorbed by the air, you can just remember instead
that the enthalpy difference must be the higher minus the lower enthalpy values. In our case, ℎ2 > ℎ1 .

We need to solve first the mass flow rate of air. This can be solved using the initial condition of the air.

𝑉́1
𝑚𝑎 =
𝑣1

𝑚 3 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛
14 𝑚𝑖𝑛 × 60 𝑠
𝑚𝑎 =
𝑚3
0.845764 𝑘𝑔

𝒌𝒈
𝒎𝒂 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟕𝟓𝟖𝟖𝟓
𝒔

By substitution,

𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝐽
𝑄 = (0.275885 ) (65.2382 − 49.8269)
𝑠 𝑘𝑔𝑎

𝑸 = 𝟒. 𝟐𝟓𝟏𝟕 𝒌𝑾

To solve for the volume flow rate at the final condition, the mass of air at the initial is equal to the final
since the mass of air is constant throughout the process. We wil also use the final specific volume for this equation.

𝑉́2
𝑚𝑎 = → 𝑉́2 = 𝑚𝑎 𝑣2
𝑣2

𝑘𝑔 𝑚3 60 𝑠
𝑉́2 = (0.275885 ) (0.889062 )×
𝑠 𝑘𝑔 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝒎𝟑
𝑽́𝟐 = 𝟏𝟒. 𝟕𝟏𝟔𝟕
𝒎𝒊𝒏

The volume flow rate at the final condition will be greater than the initial. Why? The air was heated up so
the tendency of it is to expand. If the air expands, it will occupy a larger space or volume. Hence, increasing the
volumetric flow.

Prepared by: Engr. FJRG

 BASIC PROCESSES IN AIR-CONDITIONING
𝑚3
2. How much heat and moisture (in kg/min) must be added to 28 𝑚𝑖𝑛 of air at 24℃ and 40% RH to raise it to 38℃
db and 24℃ dp temperatures?

Given: Req’d:
3 𝑎. ) 𝑄
𝑚
𝑉́1 = 28
𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑡𝑑𝑏1 = 24℃ 𝑡𝑑𝑏2 = 38℃ 𝑏. ) 𝑚𝑣
𝑅𝐻1 = 40% 𝑡𝑑𝑝2 = 24℃

Solution:
In this problem, we already have two (2) properties at each condition, so we can’t assume that the specific
humidity is the same, 𝑆𝐻1 ≠ 𝑆𝐻2 . The air undergoes a heating and humidifying process because of the key words
“heat and moisture must be added”.

To solve for 𝑄 and 𝑚𝑣 ,

𝑄 = 𝑚𝑎 (ℎ2 − ℎ1 ) 𝑚𝑣 = 𝑚𝑎 (𝑆𝐻2 − 𝑆𝐻1 )

Due to the process of heating and humidifying, most of the properties of air at the final condition will be
greater than the initial properties. So in solving for the heat and vapor added to the air, we use an enthalpy and
specific humidity difference as “final minus initial”. To solve for the uknowns, we need first to solve the properties
specifically enthalpy and specific humidity. We should also solve for the initial specific volume because we will
need it to solve for the mass flow rate of air.

At point 1, we have 𝑡𝑑𝑏1 = 24℃ and 𝑅𝐻1 = 40%,

Solving for 𝑣1 ,

𝑅𝑎 𝑇𝑎1
𝑣1 =
𝑃𝑇 − 𝑃𝑣1

For 𝑇𝑎1 ,

𝑇𝑎1 = 24℃ + 273 = 297 𝐾

For 𝑃𝑣1 ,

𝑃𝑣1 = 𝑅𝐻1 (𝑃𝑑𝑏1 )

Where,

𝑃𝑑𝑏1 = 𝑃𝑠𝑎𝑡 @ 𝑡𝑑𝑏1

𝑃𝑑𝑏1 = 𝑃𝑠𝑎𝑡 @ 24℃

𝑃𝑑𝑏1 = 2.985 𝑘𝑃𝑎

So,

Prepared by: Engr. FJRG

BASIC PROCESSES IN AIR-CONDITIONING
𝑃𝑣1 = 0.4(2.985 𝑘𝑃𝑎 )

𝑃𝑣1 = 1.194 𝑘𝑃𝑎

Now, by substitution,

𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚
(0.28708 𝑘𝑔 − 𝐾 ) (297 𝐾)
𝑣1 =
𝑘𝑁
(101.325 − 1.194) 2
𝑚

𝒎𝟑
𝒗𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟓𝟏𝟓𝟏𝟐
𝒌𝒈

Let’s also solve now the mass flow rate of air,

𝑉́1
𝑚𝑎 =
𝑣1

𝑚 3 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛
28 ×
𝑚𝑎 = 𝑚𝑖𝑛 60 𝑠
𝑚3
0.851512
𝑘𝑔

𝒌𝒈
𝒎𝒂 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟒𝟖𝟎𝟒𝟓
𝒔

Solving for the specific humidity at initial condition, 𝑆𝐻1 ,

0.622𝑃𝑣1
𝑆𝐻1 =
𝑃𝑇 − 𝑃𝑣1

0.622(1.194 𝑘𝑃𝑎 )
𝑆𝐻1 =
(101.325 − 1.194) 𝑘𝑃𝑎

𝒌𝒈𝒗
𝑺𝑯𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟕𝟒𝟏𝟕
𝒌𝒈𝒂

Solving for ℎ1 ,

ℎ1 = 𝑐𝑝𝑎 (𝑡𝑑𝑏1 ) + 𝑆𝐻1 (ℎ𝑔1 )

For ℎ𝑔1 ,

ℎ𝑔1 = ℎ𝑔 @ 𝑡𝑑𝑏1

ℎ𝑔1 = ℎ𝑔 @ 24℃

Prepared by: Engr. FJRG

BASIC PROCESSES IN AIR-CONDITIONING
𝑘𝐽
ℎ𝑔1 = 2545.4
𝑘𝑔𝑣

Now, solving for the enthalpy at the initial condition, ℎ1 ,

𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝑔𝑣 𝑘𝐽
ℎ1 = (1.0062 ) (24℃) + (0.007417 ) (2545.4 )
𝑘𝑔𝑎 − ℃ 𝑘𝑔𝑎 𝑘𝑔𝑣

𝒌𝑱
𝒉𝟏 = 𝟒𝟑. 𝟎𝟐𝟖𝟎
𝒌𝒈𝒂

At point 2, we have 𝑡𝑑𝑏2 = 38℃ and 𝑡𝑑𝑝2 = 24℃,

Solving for the specific humidity at final condition, 𝑆𝐻2 ,

0.622𝑃𝑣2
𝑆𝐻2 =
𝑃𝑇 − 𝑃𝑣2

For 𝑃𝑣2 ,

𝑃𝑣2 = 𝑃𝑠𝑎𝑡 @ 𝑡𝑑𝑝2

𝑃𝑣2 = 𝑃𝑠𝑎𝑡 @ 24℃

𝑃𝑣2 = 2.985 𝑘𝑃𝑎

Substituting to the formula for 𝑆𝐻2 ,

0.622(2.985 𝑘𝑃𝑎 )
𝑆𝐻2 =
(101.325 − 2.985) 𝑘𝑃𝑎

𝒌𝒈𝒗
𝑺𝑯𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟎𝟏
𝒌𝒈𝒂

Solving for ℎ2 ,

ℎ2 = 𝑐𝑝𝑎 (𝑡𝑑𝑏2 ) + 𝑆𝐻2 (ℎ𝑔2 )

For ℎ𝑔2 ,

ℎ𝑔2 = ℎ𝑔 @ 𝑡𝑑𝑏2

ℎ𝑔2 = ℎ𝑔 @ 38℃

𝑘𝐽
ℎ𝑔2 = 2570.7
𝑘𝑔𝑣

Prepared by: Engr. FJRG

BASIC PROCESSES IN AIR-CONDITIONING

Now, solving for the enthalpy at the initial condition, ℎ2 ,

𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝑔𝑣 𝑘𝐽
ℎ2 = (1.0062 ) (38℃) + (0.0188801 ) (2570.7 )
𝑘𝑔𝑎 − ℃ 𝑘𝑔𝑎 𝑘𝑔𝑣

𝒌𝑱
𝒉𝟐 = 𝟖𝟔. 𝟕𝟕𝟎𝟕
𝒌𝒈𝒂

Now, to solve for the heat absorbed by the air,

𝑄 = 𝑚𝑎 (ℎ2 − ℎ1 )

𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝐽
𝑄 = (0.548045 ) (86.7707 − 43.0280)
𝑠 𝑘𝑔𝑎

𝑸 = 𝟐𝟑. 𝟗𝟕𝟑𝟎 𝒌𝑾

Solving for the mass of vapor added in the air, 𝑚𝑣 ,

𝑚𝑣 = 𝑚𝑎 (𝑆𝐻2 − 𝑆𝐻1 )

𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔𝑣 60 𝑠
𝑚𝑣 = (0.548045 ) (0.0188801 − 0.007417) ×
𝑠 𝑘𝑔𝑎 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝒌𝒈
𝒎𝒗 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟕𝟔𝟗𝟑𝟖
𝒎𝒊𝒏

Prepared by: Engr. FJRG

 BASIC PROCESSES IN AIR-CONDITIONING

𝑘𝑔
3. A 0.5 sample of air has an initial condition of 30℃ db and 24℃ dp temperatures. How much heat must be
𝑠
transferred to have a saturated final condition of 20℃?

Given: Req’d:
𝑘𝑔
𝑚𝑎 = 0.5
𝑠 𝑄
𝑡𝑑𝑏1 = 30℃ 𝑡𝑑𝑏2 = 20℃
𝑡𝑑𝑝1 = 24℃ 𝑅𝐻2 = 100%

Solution:
This problem may seem a little bit tricky. If you we will ask why is there “𝑅𝐻2 = 100%” in the tabulated
given, this is because the final condition of the air is “saturated”. At this condition, the relative humidity of the air is
100% and the dry-bulb, wet-bulb, and dewpoint temperature of the air are all the same which is equal to 20℃. If
you didn’t notice the keyword “saturated”, you may assume that this process could be a sensible cooling because of
the reduction of temperature. But it is not. Since the condition of the air became saturated, the specific humidity of
the air is not constant throughout the process.
If you think about this, saturation pressure at dewpoint temperature correponds to the partial pressure of
water vapor. And specific humidity is directly propotional to the partial pressure of water vapor. This means that,
the higher the dewpoint temperature, the higher its specific humidity, the lower the dewpoint temperature, the
lower its specific humidity. The dewpoint temperature at the initial and final condition are 24℃ and 20℃,
respectively, so, the specific humidity at initial condition will be higher than the final condition. Since the final
specific humidity is lower than the initial condition, there is a reduction or condensation in water vapor.
The air in this problem undergoes a cooling and dehumidification process.

The heat transferred in the air can be calculated using the formula,

𝑄 = 𝑚𝑎 (ℎ1 − ℎ2 )

Solving for the enthalpy at initial condition, ℎ1 ,

ℎ1 = 𝑐𝑝𝑎 (𝑡𝑑𝑏1 ) + 𝑆𝐻1 (ℎ𝑔1 )

Solving for 𝑆𝐻1 ,

0.622𝑃𝑣1
𝑆𝐻1 =
𝑃𝑇 − 𝑃𝑣1

For 𝑃𝑣1 ,

𝑃𝑣1 = 𝑃𝑠𝑎𝑡 @ 𝑡𝑑𝑝1

𝑃𝑣1 = 𝑃𝑠𝑎𝑡 @ 24℃

𝑃𝑣1 = 2.985 𝑘𝑃𝑎

0.622(2.985 𝑘𝑃𝑎 )
𝑆𝐻1 =
(101.325 − 2.985) 𝑘𝑃𝑎

Prepared by: Engr. FJRG

BASIC PROCESSES IN AIR-CONDITIONING
𝒌𝒈𝒗
𝑺𝑯𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟎𝟏
𝒌𝒈𝒂

For ℎ𝑔1 ,

ℎ𝑔1 = ℎ𝑔 @ 𝑡𝑑𝑏1

ℎ𝑔1 = ℎ𝑔 @ 30℃

𝑘𝐽
ℎ𝑔1 = 2556.3
𝑘𝑔𝑣

Now, solving for the enthalpy at the initial condition, ℎ1 ,

𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝑔𝑣 𝑘𝐽
ℎ1 = (1.0062 ) (30℃) + (0.0188801 ) (2556.3 )
𝑘𝑔𝑎 − ℃ 𝑘𝑔𝑎 𝑘𝑔𝑣

𝒌𝑱
𝒉𝟏 = 𝟕𝟖. 𝟒𝟒𝟗𝟐
𝒌𝒈𝒂

Solving for the enthalpy at final condition, ℎ2 ,

ℎ2 = 𝑐𝑝𝑎 (𝑡𝑑𝑏2 ) + 𝑆𝐻2 (ℎ𝑔2 )

Solving for 𝑆𝐻2 ,

0.622𝑃𝑣2
𝑆𝐻2 =
𝑃𝑇 − 𝑃𝑣2

For 𝑃𝑣2 ,

𝑃𝑣2 = 𝑃𝑠𝑎𝑡 @ 𝑡𝑑𝑝2

𝑃𝑣2 = 𝑃𝑠𝑎𝑡 @ 20℃

𝑃𝑣2 = 2.339 𝑘𝑃𝑎

0.622(2.339 𝑘𝑃𝑎 )
𝑆𝐻2 =
(101.325 − 2.339) 𝑘𝑃𝑎

𝒌𝒈𝒗
𝑺𝑯𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟒𝟔𝟗𝟕𝟔
𝒌𝒈𝒂

For ℎ𝑔2 ,

ℎ𝑔2 = ℎ𝑔 @ 𝑡𝑑𝑏2

Prepared by: Engr. FJRG

BASIC PROCESSES IN AIR-CONDITIONING

ℎ𝑔2 = ℎ𝑔 @ 20℃

𝑘𝐽
ℎ𝑔2 = 2538.1
𝑘𝑔𝑣

Now, solving for the enthalpy at the final condition, ℎ2 ,

𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝑔𝑣 𝑘𝐽
ℎ2 = (1.0062 ) (20℃) + (0.0146976 ) (2538.1 )
𝑘𝑔𝑎 − ℃ 𝑘𝑔𝑎 𝑘𝑔𝑣

𝒌𝑱
𝒉𝟐 = 𝟓𝟕. 𝟒𝟐𝟖𝟎
𝒌𝒈𝒂

Now, to solve for the heat transferred from the air,

𝑄 = 𝑚𝑎 (ℎ1 − ℎ2 )

𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝐽
𝑄 = (0.5 ) (78.4492 − 57.4280)
𝑠 𝑘𝑔𝑎

𝑸 = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟓𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝒌𝑾

Prepared by: Engr. FJRG