MCAST BTEC National Diploma in Building Services Engineering

Building Services Science

Psychrometrics
Joseph Gatt

Psychrometrics

April 2010

Contents Task 1 - P.33.6 Psychrometric Properties ....................................................... 3 Introduction ............................................................................................... 3 Processes .................................................................................................. 4 Air Mixing .................................................................................................. 6 Plant Sizing ................................................................................................ 8 Condensation ............................................................................................. 9 Task 2 M.33.5 Calculations .......................................................................11 A ............................................................................................................. 11 B ............................................................................................................. 12 Task 3 D.33.5 Calculations .......................................................................14 A ............................................................................................................. 14 B ............................................................................................................. 15 References................................................................................................... 16

Joseph Gatt

Page 2 of 16

Psychrometrics

April 2010

Task 1 - P.33.6 Psychrometric Properties Define and describe the important psychrometric properties of air and water vapour mixtures. Show values, from tables of psychrometric properties and accurate values for a range of specified conditions when given two know conditions. You should also recognise and explain the psychrometric charts and graphical representation of psychrometric tables. You must also identify and explain the various values that can be obtained from a psychrometric chart. Introduction The characteristics of mixed air and water vapour, which is indeed the science of moist air conditions, represent the psychrometry. For simplified presentation of data, graphical psychrometric details are also available. A set of graphs which are combined so that they plot the relationships between the different variables used to specify humidity represent also the psychrometric chart.

Environmental Science in Building; Page 85

Joseph Gatt

Page 3 of 16

Psychrometrics

April 2010

The following measurements can be determined from the above psychrometric chart. Dry bulb temperature Wet bulb temperature Dew point temperature Relative humidity Moisture content Vapour pressure

It should be noted that the saturation curve represents 100% relative humidity. Moreover, the DB, WB, and DP temperatures all have the same value at this saturated condition. A psychrometric chart is strictly valid or one value of atmospheric pressure, which is the sea level pressure of 101.3kPa or 1 bar. This pressure is however the common standard. Sensible and latent heat contents, which are of particular use to building services engineers, can be of additional information and found on some versions of the psychrometric charts. Processes Two properties of the air must be known in order to locate a representative air condition on the psychrometric chart. The dry and wet bulb temperatures are however the easiest coordinates to obtain. These two temperatures can be measured by means of a sling psychrometer, also known as a whirling or sling hygrometer. For instance, if the meter indicates 24C DB, and 17C WB, the following air properties can be determined from the chart. AIR CONDITION DB Temperature WB Temperature Relative Humidity DP Temperature Specific Enthalpy Specific Volume Moisture Content Vapour Pressure PROPERTY VALUE 24C 17C 50% 13C 48kJ/kg 0.86m3/kg 0.0096kg/kg 1mB

Joseph Gatt

Page 4 of 16

Psychrometrics

April 2010

Air condition is based on heating, cooling, humidification and dehumidification. By means of lines drawn on the psychrometric chart, these processes can be represented. A horizontal line drawn from left to right represents the sensible heating (DB temperature) with no change in moisture content, but a reduction in relative humidity. A vertical line drawn from bottom to top represents the latent heating, which is also the effect of steam humidification. This process keeps the DB temperature constant, but increases the moisture content and the relative humidity. A horizontal line drawn from right to left represents the sensible cooling. This process indicated a decrease in DB temperature, constant moisture content, and an increase in relative humidity. An incline following the WB temperature line represents cooling by water spray humidifier, which is also known as the adiabatic humidification. This process also indicates an increase in relative humidity. A vertical line drawn from top to bottom represents the dehumidification, where the moisture content and relative humidity decreases.

Building Services Handbook; Page 250

Joseph Gatt

Page 5 of 16

Psychrometrics

April 2010

The relative humidity may be reduced to an unacceptable level by sensible heating, i.e. <30%. On the other hand, the relative humidity may be increased to an unacceptable level, i.e. >70%.

Building Services Handbook; Page 251 Air Mixing Mixing of two airstreams frequently occurs when combining fresh air with recirculated air from within a building. By drawing a straight line between the two conditions and calculating a point relative to the proportions of mass flow rate, the process can be represented.

Joseph Gatt

Page 6 of 16

Psychrometrics

April 2010

Building Services Handbook; Page 252

Joseph Gatt

Page 7 of 16

Psychrometrics

April 2010

Plant Sizing

Building Services Handbook; Page 253

Joseph Gatt

Page 8 of 16

Psychrometrics

April 2010

Building Services Handbook; Page 254 Condensation By providing a balance between heating, ventilation, and insulation, the internal surface condensation can be minimised. A situation where the internal surfaces are colder than the adjacent air temperatures can be produced by inadequate, intermitted or partial heating. From the moisture in the warmer air, this will attract dampness to the surfaces. A high level of humidity will also be present by a low rate of ventilation. External and internal environment conditions can be plotted on a psychrometric chart to predict the risk of surface condensation, as illustrated below.

Joseph Gatt

Page 9 of 16

Psychrometrics

April 2010

Building Services Handbook; Page 255

Joseph Gatt

Page 10 of 16

Psychrometrics

April 2010

Task 2 M.33.5 Calculations A A body of fresh air of DB temperature 30C and WB temperature 27C is mixed with return air of DB temperature 21C and WB temperature 16C. Twice the mass of return air is used as fresh air. Find the DB and WB temperatures of the mixture, together with the relative humidity, the moisture content and specific enthalpy. 2 21 1 30 24 3

From the chart Reference DB Temperature WB Temperature Relative Humidity RH Moisture Content Specific Enthalpy Value 24C 20.3C 70.2% 0.0134kg/kg 58.5kJ/kg

Joseph Gatt

Page 11 of 16

Psychrometrics

April 2010

B A body of air is at a temperature of 24C and RH of 50%. If the moisture content is increased from 0.0086 0.0124kg/kg; i. Find the increase in WB and DP temperatures and specific enthalpy

At 24C DB 50% RH WB = 16.3C DP = 12C Specific H = 46kJ/kg

At 0.0124kg/kg of moisture content DB = 24C WB = 19.1C DP = 17.3C Specific H = 55kJ/kg

Hence the increase in WB = 19.1 16.3 = 2.8C DP = 17.3 12 = 5.3C Specific H = 55 46 = 9kJ/kg

ii.

Determine the change in RH

RH at 0.0086kg/kg of moist air = 50% RH at 0.0124kg/kg of moist air = 70% Hence 70 50 = 20% change in RH

iii.

If 300m3 of air passes through the system every minute and the density of air is 1.3kg/m3, calculate the mass of moisture added per minute

Mass of air passing per minute 200m3 x 1.3kg/m3 = 260kg

Joseph Gatt

Page 12 of 16

Psychrometrics

April 2010

Moisture added 0.0124 0.0086 = 0.0038kg/kg

Mass of moisture added per minute 260kg x 0.0038kg/kg = 0.988kg/minute

Joseph Gatt

Page 13 of 16

Psychrometrics

April 2010

Task 3 D.33.5 Calculations A An air conditioning plant is used to cool supply air at 30C DB and 22C WB to 20C DB and 14C WB, in factory of 1500m3 volume requiring 6 air changes per hour. Find the chiller and reheater rating. 6 1500 2.5 / 3600

Convert m3/s to kg/s by establishing the specific volume At 30C DB 22C WB = 0.88m3/kg (chiller) At 10C DB 10C WB = 0.81m3/kg (reheater) 2.5 2.8 0.88 2.5 3.1 0.81 Enthalpy values for chilling and reheating 65 52 = 13kJ/kg (chilling) 39 29 = 10kJ/kg (reheating) Chiller rating 2.8kg/s x 13kJ/kg = 36.4kW Reheater rating 3.1kg/s x 10kJ/kg = 31kW

Joseph Gatt

Page 14 of 16

Psychrometrics

April 2010

B Supply air at 5C DB and 1C WB is required at the delivery condition of 20C DB and 14C WB in the same factory. By plotting the preheat and adiabatic saturation process on the chart find the preheater rating. Convert m3/s to kg/s At 5C DB 1C WB = 0.79m3/kg Using same Q of question A (2.5m3/s) 2.5 3.2/ 0.79 Enthalpy values 28.5 11.5 = 17kJ/kg Preheater rating 3.2kg/s x 17kJ/kg = 54.4kW

Joseph Gatt

Page 15 of 16

Psychrometrics

April 2010

References Building Services Handbook; 5th Edition; Hall & Greeno Environmental Science in Building; 6th Edition; Randall McMullan

Joseph Gatt

Page 16 of 16