DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name of the staff : D. Simhachalam
Designation : Lecturer
Branch : A.E.I.E
Institute : K.D.R.G.P.T, Wanaparthy.
Semester : III
Subject : Process Instrumentation-I
Subject code : AEI-305
Topic : Conductivity, Weight and
Humidity measurement
Duration : 100 minutes

Subtopic : Definition of relative Humidity

Teaching Aids : PPT, animations,
AEI305. 85 To 86 Diagrams 1
 Objectives

Upon completion of this topic, you would be able to

know about

• Definition of Relative Humidity

• Necessity of Humidity measurement

AEI305. 85 To 86 2
 Definitions
Humidity
It is the measure of water vapor present in a gas
(or)
It is the weight of water vapor in unit weight of dry gas,
r
H 
g
Where, ωr = weight of water vapor
ωg = weight of dry gas

AEI305. 85 To 86 3
 Definitions…

• It is usually measured as absolute Humidity, Relative

Humidity and Dew point temperature

Absolute Humidity ( H )
• It is the weight of water vapor in unit weight of dry gas,

r
H
g

AEI305. 85 To 86 4
 Definitions…

Relative humidity (HR ):

• Relative humidity is the ratio of the mole fraction of

moisture in a gas mixture to the mole fraction of

moisture in a saturated mixer at the same

temperature and pressure

(or)

AEI305. 85 To 86 5
 Definitions…

Relative humidity is the partial pressure of the vapour

in the gas to its saturated partial pressure

HR=ρH/ρs

Specific humidity (HS) : This is the weight of the

vapour in unit of the mixture

AEI305. 85 To 86 6
 Definitions…

Relative humidity is the ratio of moisture actually

present in the gas to the maximum moisture the gas

can contain at that temperature.

AEI305. 85 To 86 7
 Definitions…

Dew point temperature

• It is a saturation temperature of a gas – water vapor
mixture at the corresponding vapour pressure
or
• The temperature at which water starts to condense on a
surface is called dew point temperature

AEI305. 85 To 86 8
 Definitions…

Hygrometer :
• It is an apparatus that measures humidity

AEI305. 85 To 86 9
 Units

• The ratio is expressed in percent.

• HR is always dependent on temperature

• The dry air i.e. with no moisture content has Relative

humidity is 0.0%
• The saturated air has Relative humidity is 100%.
• Saturated air means that the air contains all the
moisture content that it can hold at that particular
temperature and pressure
AEI305. 85 To 86 10
 Necessity of humidity measurement

• Humidity is an important process variable in a

number of industrial processes.

• Humidity/Moisture content affects the behavior of

many commercial materials.

AEI305. 85 To 86 11
 Necessity…

These commercial materials are

• Paper
• Textiles
• Paint
• Tobacco
• Soap powders
• Fertilizers

AEI305. 85 To 86 12
 Necessity…

• Lacquers
• Leather
• Celluloid
• Artificial resins
• Glues
• Films
• Wood products, etc.

AEI305. 85 To 86 13
 Necessity…

• Therefore humidity measurement and control are

necessary during many industrial processes.

• It is also necessary in heating and air conditioning

systems.

• For example, environmental heat and cold can be

endured without much discomfort if the humidity of air
is carefully controlled.

AEI305. 85 To 86 14
 Summary

We have discussed about

• Definition of Relative Humidity

• Necessity of Humidity measurement

AEI305. 85 To 86 15
 Quiz

1. The measure of water vapour present in a gas is

called
a) Dew point

b) Humidity

c) Both a) and b)

d) None

AEI305. 85 To 86 16
• The instrument is used to measure the Humidity
is
a) Hydrometer

b) Hygrometer

c) Densitometer

d) None

AEI305. 85 To 86 17
1. The temperature at which water starts to
condense on a surface is called
a) Absolute Humidity

b) Relative Humidity

c) dew point temperature

d) Above all

AEI305. 85 To 86 18
1. The saturated air has Relative humidity
a) 0.0%

b) 100%

c) 50%

d) None

AEI305. 85 To 86 19
1. The dry air has Relative humidity

a) 0.0%

b) 100%

c) 50%

d) None

AEI305. 85 To 86 20
1. Humidity/Moisture content affects the behavior of
many commercial materials.
a) False

b) True

c) Can not say

d) None

AEI305. 85 To 86 21
1. The Humidity is usually measured in terms of
a) Absolute Humidity

b) Relative Humidity

c) Dew point temperature

d) Above all

AEI305. 85 To 86 22
 Frequently Asked Questions

2. Define Relative Humidity

4. State the necessity of humidity measurement.

AEI305. 85 To 86 23