CHAPTER 3- PSYCHROMETRY AND WETTED-SURFACE HEAT

TRANSFER

3-1 Calculate the specific volume of an air-vapor mixture in cubic meters per kilogram of dry air when
the following conditions prevail: t = 30 C, W = 0.015 kg/kg, and pt = 90 kPa.

Solution:
Equation 3-4.
Ra T Ra T

pt  p

s
pa
T = 30 C + 273 = 303 K
Ra = 287 J/kg.K
Pt = 90 kPa = 90,000 Pa

Equation 3-2

0.622ps
W p p
t s

0.622ps
0.015  90  p
s
1.35 - 0.15ps = 0.622ps
ps = 2.1193 kPa

Ra T 287303
  pt  
ps 90000  2119.3
 = 0.99 m3/kg - - - Ans.

3-2. A sample of air has a dry-bulb temperature of 30 C and a wet-bulb temperature of 25 C. The barometric
pressure is 101 kPa. Using steam tables and Eqs. (3-2), (303), and (3-5), calculate (a) the humidity ration
if this air is adiabatically saturated, (b) the enthalpy of air if it is adiabatically saturated, (c) the humidity
ratio of the sample using Eq. (3-5), (d) the partial pressure of water vapor in the sample, and (e) the
relative humidity.

Solution:
Eq. 3-2.
0.622ps
W p p
t s
Eq. 3-3.
h = cpt + Whg

Eq. 3-5
h1 = h2 - (W2 - W1)hf

h1 = cpt1 + Whg1

hg1 at 30 C = 2556.4
kJ/kg t1 = 30 C
cp = 1.0 kJ/kg.K

Page 1 of 9
 CHAPTER 3- PSYCHROMETRY AND WETTED-SURFACE HEAT
TRANSFER

h
1

(
1
)
(
3
0
)

2
5
5
6
.
4
W
1

h
1

3
0

2
5
5
6
.
4
W
1

Page 2 of 9
h2 = cpt2 + Whg2

hg2 at 25 C = 2547.3
kJ/kg t2 = 25 C
cp = 1.0 kJ/kg.K

h2 = (1)(25) + 2547.3W2
h2 = 25 + 2547.3W2

hf at 25 C = 125.66

kJ/kg Then:

h1 = h2 - (W2 - W1)hf
30 + 2556.4W1 = 25 + 2547.3W2 - (W2 - W1)(125.66)
5 = 2421.64W2 - 2430.74W1

But,
W 0.622ps
2  p p
t s
ps at 25 C = 3.171 kPa
0.6223.171
W
2
101- 3.171
W2 = 0.0201 kg/kg

5 = 2421.64(0.0201) - 2430.74W1
W1 = 0.018 kg/kg

(a) Humidity Ratio

W2 = 0.0201 kg/kg - - - Ans.

(b) h2 = cpt2 + W2hg2

h2 = (1)(25) + (0.0201)(2547.3)
h2 = 76.2 kJ/kg - - - Ans.

(c) Humidity Ratio

W1 = 0.018 kg/kg - - - Ans.

(d) ps1
W 0.622ps
1  p p
t s

0.622ps
0.018  101 p
s
ps1 = 2.84 kPa
ps1 = 2840 kPa - - - Ans.
 CHAPTER 3- PSYCHROMETRY AND WETTED-SURFACE HEAT
TRANSFER

(e) At 30 C, ps = 4.241 kPa

Relative Humidity = (2.84 kPa / 4.241 kPa)(100%)

Relative Humidity = 67 % - - - Ans.

3.3 Using humidity ratios from the psychrometric chart, calculate the error in considering the wet-bulb line to
be the line of constant enthalpy at the point of 35 C dry-bulb temperature and 50 percent relative
humidity.

Solution:

Dry-bulb Temperature = 35 C
Relative Humidity = 50 %

Fig. 3-1, Psychrometric Chart.

At constant enthalpy line: Wet-bulb = 26.04
C At wet-bulb line = Wet-bulb = 26.17 C

Error = 26.17 C - 26.04 C

Error = 0.13 C

3-4. An air-vapor mixture has a dry-bulb temperature pf 30 C and a humidity ratio of 0.015. Calculate at
two different barometric pressures, 85 and 101 kPa, (a) the enthalpy and (b) the dew-point
temperature.

Solution:

At 30 C, ps = 4.241 kPa, hg = 2556.4 kJ/kg

(a) h = cpt +

Whg For 85 and 101

kPa
cp =
1.0 t =
30 C
W = 0.015 kg/kg
hg = 2556.4 kJ/kg

h = (1.0)(30) + (0.015)(2556.4)
h = 68.3 kJ/kg

(b) For dew-point:

0.622ps
W p p
t s

at 85 kPa

Page 3 of 9
 CHAPTER 3- PSYCHROMETRY AND WETTED-SURFACE HEAT
TRANSFER

0.622ps
0.015  p  p
t s
ps = 2.0016 kPa

Page 4 of 9
 Dew-Point = 17.5 C - - - Ans.

at 101 kPa

0.622ps
0.015  p  p
t s
ps = 2.3783 kPa

Dew-Point = 20.3 C - - - Ans.

3-5. A cooling tower is a device that cools a spray of water by passing it through a stream of air. If 15 m3/s of
air is at 35 C dry-bulb and 24 C wet-bulb temperature and an atmospheric pressure of 101 kPa
enters the tower and the air leaves saturated at 31 C, (a) to what temperature can this airstream
cool a spray of water entering at 38 C with a flow rate of 20 kg/s and (b) how many kilograms per
second of make-up water must be added to compensate for the water that is evaporated?

Solution:
At 35 C dry-bulb, 24 C wet-bulb.

Fig. 3-1, Psychrometric

Chart h1 = 71.524 kJ/kg,
 1= 0.89274
m3/kg W1 =
0.0143 kg/kg
At 31 C saturated, Table A-2.
h2 = 105 kJ/kg
W2 = 0.0290 kg/kg

Then;
m = (15 m3/s) / (0.89274 m3/kg) = 16.8022 kg/s

(a) tw1 = 38 C
mw = 20
kg/s
cpw = 4.19 kJ/kg.K

mwcpw(tw1 - tw2) = m(h2 - h1)

(20)(4.19)(38 - tw2) = (16.8022)(105 - 71.524)

tw2 = 31.3 C - - - Ans.

(b) Make-Up Water =

mm mm = m(W2 -

W1 )
mm = (16.8022)(0.0290 - 0.0143)
 m m
= 0.247 kg/s - - - Ans.

3-6. In an air-conditioning unit 3.5 m3/s of air at 27 C dry-bulb temperature, 50 percent relative humidity,
and
 standard atmospheric pressure enters the unit. The leaving condition of the air is 13 C dry-bulb
temperature and 90 percent relative humdity. Using properties from the psychrometric chart, (a) calculate
the refrigerating capacity inkilowatts and (b) determine the rate of water removal from the air.

Solution:

At 27 C dry-buld, 5 Percent Relative

Humidity h1 = 55.311 kJ/kg,
 1= 0.86527
m3/kg W1 =
0.0112 kg/kg

At 13 C Dry-Bulb, 90 Percent Relative

Humidity h2 = 33.956 kJ/kg
W2 = 0.0084 kg/kg

m = (3.5 m3/s)/(0.86526 m3/kg) = 4.04498 kg/s

(a) Refrigerating Capacity

= m(h1 - h2)
= (4.04498)(55.311 - 33.956)
= 86.38 kW - - - Ans.

(b) Rate of Water Removal

= m(W1 - W2)
= (4.04498)(0.0112 - 0.0084)
= 0.0113 kg/s - - - Ans.

3-7. A stream of outdoor air is mixed with a stream of return air in an air-conditioning system that operates at
101 kPa pressure. The flow rate of outdoor air is 2 kg/s, and its condition is 35 C dry-bulb
temperature and 25 C wet-bulb temperature. The flow rate of return air is 3 kg/s, and its condition is
24 C and 50 percent relative humidity. Determine (a) the enthalpy of the mixture, (b) the humidity
ratio of the mixture, (c) the dry-bulb temperature of the mixture from the properties determined in
parts (a) and (b) and (d) the dry-bulb temperature by weighted average of the dry-bulb
temperatures of the entering streams.

Solutions:

Use Fig. 3-1, Psychrometric

Chart At 35 C Dry-Bulb, 24 C
Wet-Bulb h1 = 75.666 kJ/kg, m1
= 2 kg/s
W1 = 0.0159 kg/kg

At 24 C Dry-Bulb, 50 Percent Relative

Humidity h2 = 47.518 kJ/kg, m2 = 3 kg/s
W2 = 0.0093 kg/kg

(a) hm
 275.666  347.518

 23
hm = 58.777 kJ/kg - - - Ans.
 (b)

Wm
20.0159 
30.0093

23
Wm = 0.1194 kg/kg - - - Ans.

(c) At 58.777 kJ/kg and 0.01194

kg/kg. From Psychrometric Chart,
Fig. 3-1.

Dry-Bulb Temperature = 28.6 C - - - Ans.

(d)

t
235 
m 324

23
tm = 28.4 C - - - Ans.

3-8. The air conditions at the intake of an air compressor are 28 C, 50 percent relative humidity, and 101
kPa. The air is compressed to 400 kPa, then sent to an intercooler. If condensation of water vapor
from the compressed air is to be prevented, what is the minimum temperature to which the air can
be cooled in the intercooler?

Solution: At 28 C, ps = 3.778 kPa

At 50 percent relative humidity, ps = (0.5)(3.778 kPa) = 1.889 kPa

0.622ps
W p p
t s

Moisture ratio is constant

at 101 kPa

0.6221.889
W
101 1.889
W = 0.011855 kg/kg

at 400 kPa, determine ps

0.011855 0.622ps

400  ps

ps = 7.4812 kPa
From Table A-1.

Dew-Point = 40.3 C - - - Ans.

3-9. A winter air-conditioning system adds for humidification 0.0025 kg/s of saturated steam at 101 kPa
pressure to an airflow of 0.36 kg/s. The air is initially at a temperature of 15 C with a relative
humidity of 20 percent. What are the dry- and wet-bulb temperatures of the air leaving the
humidifier?

Solution:

At 15 C Dry-Bulb, 20 Percent Relative

Humidity h1 = 20.021 kJ/kg
W1 = 0.0021 kg/kg

At 101 kPa steam, hfg = 2675.85

kJ/kg ms = 0.0025 kg/s
m = 0.36 kg/s
ms = m(W2 -
W1)
0.0025 = 0.36(W2 - 0.002)
W2 = 0.00894 kg/kg

m(h2 - h1) = mshg

(0.36)(h2 - 20.021) = (0.0025)(2675.85)
h2 = 38.6 kJ/kg

Fig. 3-1, Psychrometric Chart

W2 = 0.00894 kg/kg
h2 = 38.6 kJ/kg

Dru-Bulb Temperature = 16.25

C Wet-Bulb Temperature =
13.89 C

3-10. Determine for the three cases listed below the magnitude in watts and the direction of transfer of
sensible heat [ using Eq. (3-8)], latent heat [ using Eq. (3-9)], and total heat [ using Eq. (3-14)]. the
area
c
is 0.15 m2 and h = 30 W/m2.K. Air at 30 C and 50 percent relative humidity is in contact with
water that is at a temperature of (a) 13 C, (b) 20 C, and (c) 28 C.

Solution:
Equation 3-8.
dqs = hcdA(ti - ta)
Equation 3-9.
dqL = hDdA(Wi - Wa)hfg
Equarion 3-14.

dqt hc dA  ha )
 c
(h i
pm
At 30 C, 50% Relative
Humidity ha = 63.965 kJ/kg =
63,965 J/kg Wa = 0.0134
kg/kg
(a) 13 C

dqs = hcdA(ti -

ta)
dqs = (30)(0.15)(13 - 30)
 CHAPTER 3- PSYCHROMETRY AND WETTED-SURFACE HEAT
TRANSFER

dqs = -76.5 W - - - Ans.

dqL = hDdA(Wi - Wa)hfg

Wi at 13 C = 0.00937 kg/kg from Table
A-2 hfg at 13 C = 2,470,840 J/kg
hD = hc / cpm
cpm = 1020 kJ/kg.K
hD = 30 / 1020 = 0.029412

dqL = (0.029412)(0.15)(0.00937 - 0.0134)(2,470,840)

dqL = -43.93 W - - - Ans.
hi at 13 C = 36,719 J/kg from Table A-2

300.15
dqt hc dA  ha )  36,719 
 c 63,965 1020
(h i
pm

dqt = -120.2 W - - - Ans.

(b) 20 C

dqs = hcdA(ti -

ta)
dqs = (30)(0.15)(20 - 30)
dqs = -45 W - - - Ans.

dqL = hDdA(Wi - Wa)hfg

Wi at 20 C = 0.01475 kg/kg from Table
A-2 hfg at 20 C = 2,454,340 J/kg
hD = hc / cpm
cpm = 1020 kJ/kg.K
hD = 30 / 1020 = 0.029412

dqL = (0.029412)(0.15)(0.01475 - 0.0134)(2,454,340)

dqL = 14.62 W - - - Ans.

hi at 20 C = 57,544 J/kg from Table A-2

300.15
dqt hc dA  ha )  57,544 
 c 63,965 1020
(h i
pm

dqt = -28.33 W - - - Ans.

(c) 28 C

Page 8 of 9
 CHAPTER 3- PSYCHROMETRY AND WETTED-SURFACE HEAT
TRANSFER

dqs = hcdA(ti -

ta)
dqs = (30)(0.15)(28 - 30)
dqs = -9.0 W - - - Ans.

Page 8 of 9
 CHAPTER 3- PSYCHROMETRY AND WETTED-SURFACE HEAT
TRANSFER

dqL = hDdA(Wi - Wa)hfg

Wi at 28 C = 0.02422 kg/kg from Table
A-2 hfg at 28 C = 2,435,390 J/kg
hD = hc / cpm
cpm = 1020 kJ/kg.K
hD = 30 / 1020 = 0.029412

dqL = (0.029412)(0.15)(0.02422 - 0.0134)(2,435,390)

dqL = 116.3 W - - - Ans.

hi at 28 C = 89,952 J/kg from Table A-2

300.15
dqt hc dA i  ha )  89,952  63,965
 c 1020
(h
pm

dqt = 114.6 W - - -
Ans. -000-

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