Experiment No.

3
DETERMINATION OF AIR PROPERTIES
Course Code: MEP510L2
Course Title: ME LAB 3 ( THERMAL LAB. 2)
Section: ME51FA2
Student: Arcay, Michael John Roland M. (Leader)
Tomawis, Mohamad Khalid G. (Q. C.)
Vasquez, Rhine Stephen M. (S. O.)
Demetrio, Jose Marie C. (Performer)
Reyes, Christopher M. (Performer)
1. Objective:

Program: BSME
Date Performed: July 2, 2015
Date Submitted: July 16, 2015
Instructor: Engr. Nelson Dela Pena

The activity aims to introduce the properties of air.

2. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):
The students shall be able to:
2.1 Explain the properties of air
2.2. Determine the properties of air using the psychrometric chart
2.3 Develop professional work ethics, including precision, neatness, safety and ability to follow instruction.

3. Discussion:
Atmospheric air has a volumetric composition of 20.99 % oxygen, 78.03 % nitrogen, somewhat
less than 1 % argon, with small quantities of several inert gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide,
helium, hydrogen, and neon. For most engineering calculations, it is usually accurate enough to include all
inert gases as nitrogen and to use the analysis: 21 % oxygen and 79 % atmospheric nitrogen by volume.
Thus, in 100 moles of air, there are approximately 21 moles of O 2 and 79 moles of N2, or
79

moles N2
= 3.76

21

moles O2
or
ft3 N2

3.76
ft3 O2
The approximate gravimetric composition of air is 23.1 % O 2, 76.9 % N2, or there are 76.9 / 23.1 = 3.32 lb
N2 / lb O2.

Sling Psychrometer

Aneroid Barometer

4. Materials and Equipment:

Sling Psychrometer
Barometer
Cotton/Cloth
Tap Water
Steam Table
Stop watch

5. Procedure:
1. Using the barometer, determine the atmospheric pressure by placing the barometer on the
floor. Locations to conduct this experiment are as required by the manual or prescribed by your
instructor. Record each reading after 5 minutes.
2. Cover the bulb of one of the thermometers in the sling psychrometer with wet cloth or cotton (if
not permanently attached).
3. Rotate the sling psychrometer horizontal to the ground for five minutes.
4. Record the dry bulb and wet bulb temperature reading.
5. Plot the results on a Psychrometric Chart.
USEFUL FORMULAS:
a.) V =

Ra ( Tdb + 273 )
Patm - Pv

where:
Pv = P v -

(Patm - Pv ) (Tdb - Twb )

1500 - 1.44 Twb

Pw = Psat @ Twb
b.) % RH =

Pv
Pvs

where: Pvs = Psat @ Tdb

h = Cpa (Tdb 0) + whg
hg = hg @ Tdb

c.)

W =

0.622 Pv
Patm Pv

where:
= specific volume; m3/kg
= gas constant of air; KJ/kg-k
= dry bulb temperature; C
= atmospheric pressure
= vapor pressure
= pressure @ wet bulb temperature
= wet bulb temperature
= Relative Humidity
= saturated vapor pressure
= enthalpy
= Humidity ratio
= enthalpy @ saturated vapor

V
Ra
Tdb
Patm
Pv
Pw
Twb
RH
Pvs
h
w
hg

6. Data and Results:

Trial / Location
Atmospheric
Pressure
Wet Bulb
Temperature
Dry Bulb
Temperature
% Relative
Humidity
Humidity
Ratio
Enthalpy
(KJ/kg Dry Air)
Vapor
Pressure
Time (am)
Condition

1
Ice Plant
(A -102)

2
Boiler Room
(A -101)

3
Cooling Tower
1

4
Cooling Tower
2

5
Machine shop
(Room 108)

102.25 kPa

102.25 kPa

102.25 kPa

102.2 kPa

102.25 kPa

29C

30C

30C

33C

29C

30C

31C

31.5C

34C

30C

69.24%

73.37%

71.83%

75.15%

69.24%

0.0175 kgv /
kgda

0.0183 kgv /
kgda

0.0171 kgv /
kgda

0.0179 kgv /
kgda

0.0175 kgv /
kgda

74 kJ / kg

75.92 kJ / kg

71.82 kJ / kg

73.86 kJ / kg

74 kJ / kg

2.7752 kPa

2.9008 kPa

2.7166 kPa

2.8422 kPa

2.7752 kPa

9:50
No direct
sunlight

9:58
No direct
sunlight

10:07
No direct
sunlight

10:15
direct
sunlight

10:21
No direct
sunlight

Average Results:
Atmospheric Pressure:

102.24 kPa

Wet Bulb Temperature:

24.4 C

Dry Bulb Temperature:

28.6 C

% Relative Humidity:

72.46%

Humidity Ratio:

0.01766 kgv / kgda

Enthalpy:

73.92 kJ / kg

Vapor Pressure:

2.802 kPa

7. Computation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data:

For Ice Plant A 102
Given:
Patm =102.25 kPa
T wb=29 C
T db=30 C
Required:
RH=?
hda=?
SH = ?
Pv =?
Solution:
For Vapor Pressure (Pv):

P
( atmPwb )(T dbT wb )
15001.44 T wb

P v =Pwb

; Pwb @29 =4.008 kPa

Using Steam Table, T-1

Pwb =0.004 mPa=4.008 kPa

Pv =4.008 kPa

(102.25 kPa4.008 kPa)(30 C29)

15001.44(29 )

Pv =3.9406 kPa
For Relative Humidity (RH); Ps @ dry bulb temp. 30 C = 4.246 kPa
P
RH = v 100
Ps

RH =

3.9406 kPa
100
4.246 kPa

RH =92.81
For Humidity Ratio (W):
0.622 ( Pv )
W=
Pb Pv

W=

0.622 ( 3.9406 kPa )

102.25 kPa3.9406 kPa

W =0.0249

kgv
kg da

For Enthalpy (h):

h=C pa ( t db 0 ) +W h g

h g @ 30 C=2556.3

h= 1.0062

h=93.84

kgv
kga

kg
KJ
KJ
(30 C ) + 0.0249 v 2556.3
kgaK
kga
kg

KJ
kg

For Boiler Room A 101

Given:
Patm =102.25 kPa
T wb=30 C
T db=31 C
Required:
RH=?
hda=?
SH = ?
Pv =?
Solution:
For Vapor Pressure (Pv):

)(

P
( atmPwb )(T dbT wb )
15001.44 T wb

P v =Pwb
Pwb =Psat @T wb
Pwb =0.004246 mPa=4.246 kPa

Pv =4.246 kPa

(102.25 kPa4.246 kPa)(31 C30)

15001.44(30 )

Pv =4.1787 kPa
For Relative Humidity (RH); Ps @ dry bulb temp. 31 C = 4.496 kPa
P
RH = v 100
Ps

RH =

4.1787 kPa
100
4.496 kPa

RH =92.94
For Humidity Ratio (W):
0.622 ( Pv )
W=
Pb Pv

W=

0.622 ( 4.1787 kPa )

102.25 kPa4.1787 kPa

W =0.0265

kgv
kg da

For Enthalpy (h):

h=C pa ( t db 0 ) +W h g

h g @ 31 C=2558.1

h= 1.0062

h=98.98

kg v
kg a

kg
KJ
KJ
(31 C ) + 0.0265 v 2558.1
kgaK
kg a
kg

KJ
kg

For Cooling Tower 1

Given:
Patm =102.25 kPa
T wb=30 C
T db=32 C
Required:
RH=?
hda=?
SH = ?
Pv =?
Solution:
For Vapor Pressure (Pv):
P
( atmPwb )(T dbT wb )
15001.44 T wb

P v =Pwb
Pwb =Psat @T wb
Pwb =0.004246 mPa=4.246 kPa

)(

Pv =4.246 kPa

(102.25 kPa4.246 kPa)(32 C30)

15001.44(30 )

Pv =4.1115 kPa
For Relative Humidity (RH); Ps @ dry bulb temp. 32 C = 4.756 kPa
P
RH = v 100
Ps

RH =

4.1115 kPa
100
4.756 kPa

RH=86.45

For Humidity Ratio (W):

0.622 ( Pv )
W=
Pb Pv

W=

0.622 ( 4.1115kPa )
102.25 kPa4.1115 kPa

W =0.0261

kg v
kg da

For Enthalpy (h):

h=C pa ( t db 0 ) +W h g

h g @ 32 C=2559.9

h= 1.0062

kg v
kg a

kg
KJ
KJ
(32 C ) + 0.0261 v 2559.9
kgaK
kg a
kg

)(

h=95.198

KJ
kg

For Cooling Tower 2

Given:
Patm =102.2 kPa
T wb=33 C
T db=34 C
Required:
RH=?
hda=?
SH = ?
Pv =?
Solution:
For Vapor Pressure (Pv):
P
( atmPwb )(T dbT wb )
15001.44 T wb

P v =Pwb

Pwb =Psat @T wb
Pwb =0.005034 mPa=5.034 kPa

Pv =5.034 kPa

(102.2 kPa5.034 kPa)(34 C33 )

15001.44(33 )

Pv =4.9671 kPa
For Relative Humidity (RH); Ps @ dry bulb temp. 28 C = 5.324 kPa

RH =

Pv
100
Ps

RH =

4.9671 kPa
100
5.324 kPa

RH =93.30
For Humidity Ratio (W):
0.622 ( Pv )
W=
Pb Pv

W=

0.622 ( 4.9671kPa )
102.2 kPa4.9671 kPa

W =0.0318

kgv
kg da

For Enthalpy (h):

h=C pa ( t db 0 ) +W h g

h g @ 34 C=2563.5

h= 1.0062

h=115.73

kg v
kg a

kg
KJ
KJ
(34 C )+ 0.0318 v 2563.5
kgaK
kg a
kg

KJ
kg

For Machine Shop A -108

Given:
Patm =102.25 kPa
T wb=29 C

)(

T db=30 C
Required:
RH=?
hda=?
SH = ?
Pv =?
Solution:
For Vapor Pressure (Pv):
P
( atmPwb )(T dbT wb )
15001.44 T wb

P v =Pwb

; Pwb @29 =4.008 kPa

Using Steam Table, T-1

Pwb =0.004 mPa=4.008 kPa

Pv =4.008 kPa

(102.25 kPa4.008 kPa)(30 C29)

15001.44(29 )

Pv =3.9406 kPa
For Relative Humidity (RH); Ps @ dry bulb temp. 30 C = 4.246 kPa
P
RH = v 100
Ps

RH =

3.9406 kPa
100
4.246 kPa

RH =92.81
For Humidity Ratio (W):

W=

0.622 ( Pv )
Pb Pv

W=

0.622 ( 3.9406 kPa )

102.25 kPa3.9406 kPa

W =0.0249

kgv
kg da

For Enthalpy (h):

h=C pa ( t db 0 ) +W h g

h g @ 30 C=2556.3

h= 1.0062

h=93.84

kgv
kga

kg
KJ
KJ
(30 C ) + 0.0249 v 2556.3
kgaK
kga
kg

KJ
kg

For Mean of Atmospheric Pressure

Given:
Trial 1 / Ice plant (A - 102):
102.25 kPa
Trial 2 / Boiler Room (A - 101): 102.25 kPa
Trial 3 / Cooling Tower 1:
102.25 kPa
Trial 4 / Cooling Tower 2:
102.2 kPa
Trial 5 / Machine Shop (A 108): 102.25 kPa
Required:
M atm =?
Solution:
M atm =

T 1+ T 2 +T 3+ T 4 +T 5
5

)(

M atm =

102.25 kPa+102.25 kPa+102.25 kPa+102.2 kPa+102.25 kPa

5

M atm =102.24 kPa

For Mean of Wet bulb Temperature

Given:
Trial 1 / Ice plant (A - 102):
29C
Trial 2 / Boiler Room (A - 101): 30C
Trial 3 / Cooling Tower 1:
30C
Trial 4 / Cooling Tower 2:
33C
Trial 5 / Machine Shop:
29C
Required:
M wb =?
Solution:
M wb =

T 1+ T 2 +T 3+T 4 +T 5
5

M wb =

29 +30 +30 + 33 +29

5

M wb =30.2

For Mean of Dry bulb Temperature

Given:
Trial 1 / Ice plant (A - 102):
30C
Trial 2 / Boiler Room (A - 101): 31C
Trial 3 / Cooling Tower 1:
32C
Trial 4 / Cooling Tower 2:
34C
Trial 5 / Machine Shop:
30C

Required:
M db=?
Solution:
M db=

T 1 +T 2+T 3 +T 4 +T 5
5

M db=

30+ 31+ 32+34 +30

5

M db=31.4

For Mean of Relative Humidity

Given:
Trial 1 / Ice plant (A - 102):
92.81%
Trial 2 / Boiler Room (A - 101): 92.94%
Trial 3 / Cooling Tower 1:
93.3%
Trial 4 / Cooling Tower 2:
86.45%
Trial 5 / Machine Shop:
92.81%
Required:
M RH =?
Solution:
M RH =

T 1 +T 2+ T 3 +T 4 +T 5
5

M RH =

92.81 + 92.94 + 93.3 +86.45 +92.81 .

5

M RH =91.66
For Mean of Humidity Ratio

Given:
Trial 1 / Ice plant (A - 102):
Trial 2 / Boiler Room (A - 101):
Trial 3 / Cooling Tower 1:
Trial 4 / Cooling Tower 2:
Trial 5 / Machine Shop:
Required:
M W =?

0.0249 kg v / kgda
0.0265 kg v / kgda
0.0261 kg v / kgda
0.0318 kg v / kgda
0.0249 kg v / kgda

Solution:
M W=

T 1 +T 2+ T 3 +T 4 +T 5
5

0.0249
M W=

kg v
kg
kg
kg
kg
+ 0.0249 v +0.0265 v + 0.0261 v +0.0318 v
kgda
kg da
kgda
kg da
kgda
5

M W =0.02684

kgv
kg da

For Mean of Enthaply

Given:
Trial 1 / Ice plant (A - 102):
Trial 2 / Boiler Room (A - 101):
Trial 3 / Cooling Tower 1:
Trial 4 / Cooling Tower 2:
Trial 5 / Machine Shop:
Required:
M h=?
Solution:
M h=

T 1 +T 2+T 3 +T 4 +T 5
5

93.84 kJ / kg
98.98kJ / kg
95.198 kJ / kg
115.75 kJ / kg
93.85 / kg

93.84
M h=

kJ
kJ
kJ
kJ
kJ
+98.98 +95.198 +115.75 + 93.85
kg
kg
kg
kg
kg
5

M h=99.518

kJ
kg

For Mean of Vapor Pressure

Given:
Trial 1 / Ice plant (A - 102):
Trial 2 / Boiler Room (A - 101):
Trial 3 / Cooling Tower 1:
Trial 4 / Cooling Tower 2:
Trial 5 / Machine Shop
Required:
M Pv =?

3.9406 kPa
4.1787 kPa
4.1115 kPa
4.9671 kPa
3.9406 kPa

Solution:
M Pv =

T 1 +T 2+T 3 +T 4 +T 5
5

M Pv =

3.9406 kPa+4.1787 kPa+ 4.1115 kPa+4.9671 kPa+3.9406 kPa

5

M Pv =4.2277 kPa

40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

Dry bulb Temperature (C)

Pressure (kPa)

Figure 1
Plot on Psychrometric Chart at 102.25 kPa

Closer view for Figure 1

Figure 2
Plot on Psychrometric Chart on 102.2 kPa

Closer view for Figure 2

Analysis and Interpretation of Data:

Based on the data gathered from the experiment, using the above formula of the properties of air, the
values of temperatures and pressures depends on the assigned location. Wet bulb temperatures are low
because its already fall and winter is just around the corner.
Atmospheric pressure did not change in trial 3 and trial 5 which are different elevation. Normally
atmospheric pressure drops as you go up in higher places. Pressure drops at 265 millibars at every 10 km
elevation, so the atmospheric pressure in trial 3 and trial 5 remains the same.

8. Conclusion and Recommendation:

By performing this experiment it helps me understand more about the properties of air. Air is composed
of dry air and water vapor. Dry air is non-condensable while water vapor is the amount of space in air that
can hold water. It is non-condensable and it varies depends of the temperature and pressure of the
surrounding.
In determining the properties of air I used the empirical formulas and steam table to get the values of
saturation pressures and enthalpies. I also try to use the Psychrometric chart, the datas I get from the chart
and the computed datas has a little difference. But I think the results in using the empirical formulas are
much more accurate than the Psychrometric chart in determining the properties of air.
In performing the experiment always follow the instructions carefully and make sure the equipment and
materials to be used are in good condition. In our case we used two sling psychrometers, and then
compare both of their readings. I think the other one is faulty because the reading in the wet bulb and the
dry bulb is too high compared to the other one, plus we performed the experiment during night time and its
already fall so the temperature is expected to be lower.

9. Assessment Rubric:
T I P - V PAA 0 5 4 D
Revision Status/Date:0/2009 September 09

CRITERIA

TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

RUBRIC FOR LABORATORY PERFORMANCE
BEGINNER
ACCEPTABLE
PROFICIENT
1
2
3

Laboratory Skills
Manipulative Members do not
Skills
demonstrate needed
skills.
Experimental Members are unable to
Set-up
set-up the materials.

Members occasionally
demonstrate needed
skills.
Members are able to
set-up the materials
with supervision.
Members occasionally
demonstrate targeted
process skills.

Members always
demonstrate needed
skills.
Members are able to
set-up the material with
minimum supervision.
Members always
demonstrate targeted
process skills.

Process
Skills

Members do not
demonstrate targeted
process skills.

Safety
Precautions

Members do not follow

safety precautions.

Members follow safety Members follow safety

precautions most of the precautions at all
time.
times.

Members do not finish

on time with incomplete
data.

Members finish on time

with incomplete data.

Work Habits
Time
Management/
Conduct of
Experiment
Cooperative
and
Teamwork

Members finish ahead

of time with complete
data and time to revise
data.
Members do not know
Members have defined Members are on tasks
their tasks and have no responsibilities most of and have
defined responsibilities. the time. Group
responsibilities at all
Group conflicts have to conflicts are
times. Group conflicts
be settled by the
cooperatively managed are cooperatively
teacher.
most of the time.
managed at all times.
Neatness and Messy workplace during Clean and orderly
Clean and orderly
Orderliness
and after the
workplace with
workplace at all times
experiment.
occasional mess during during and after the
and after the
experiment.
experiment.
Ability to do
Members require
Members require
Members do not need
independent supervision by the
occasional supervision to be supervised by the
work
teacher.
by the teacher.
teacher.
Other Comments/Observations:

TOTAL SCORE

SCORE

RATING=
x 100%