I.

Introduction

Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. Water vapor is the gas phase of water
and is invisible. Humidity indicates the likelihood of precipitation, dew, or fog. Higher humidity
reduces the effectiveness of sweating in cooling the body by reducing the rate of evaporation of
moisture from the skin. This effect is calculated in a heat index table or humidex, used during
summer weather.

There are three main measurements of humidity: absolute, relative and specific. Absolute
humidity is the water content of air. Relative humidity, expressed as a percent, measures the
current absolute humidity relative to the maximum for that temperature. Specific humidity is
a ratio of the water vapor content of the mixture to the total air content on a mass basis.

For this experiment, only two measurements of humidity are to found. That is, relative
humidity and specified humidity or humidity ratio.

II. Theoretical Background

Definitions:

1. Specified humidity or humidity ratio, W is the mass of water vapour per unit mass of
dry air. In the usual air conditioning and drying application, air is assumed a perfect gas
(low pressure relative to its critical pressure)

W = lb of water vapor = 144Pv V/Rw Tu

lb of dry air 144Pa V/Ra T
= Pv / Rw
Pa / Ra
where, V = arbitrary volume of air vapor mixture, ft3 or m3
P = atm. pressure = Pa + Pv, psia or kPa
Pa = partial pressure of dry air, psia of kPa
Rw = gas constant of water vapor = 85.9 ft lb/lb R
Ra = gas constant of dry air = 53.35 ft lb/lb R
T = absolute temp. of air vapor mixture, R

Substituting the values of Rw and Ra in (1),

 W = 0.622 Pv / P Pv
2. Dry bulb temp. Tab or T is the temp. of the air water vapor mixture (given air) as
measure by a thermometer exposed to the mixture.
3. Wet bulb temp. Twb temp. indicated by a thermometer covered by a wicklike
material saturated with liquid being exposed to a flow of air maintain by a fan or by
swinging a sling psychrometer. Air velocities exceeding 3m/l (300 to 1000 fpm) is
recommended in order the connective heat transfer be large to radiant heat transfer.
4. Dew point temperature is the temp. at w/c water vapor start to condense when the air is
cooled at constant pressure.
5. Relative humidity ratio of the actual mass of the vapor to the mass of vapor required
to produce a saturated mixture at the same temp.
= Mv / Msat = Pv V/Rv T
Pg V/Rv T
= Pv/Pg
Note:
Pv is the actual partial pressure of the water vapor (steam) in air from its saturation
pressure at tab. Of the mixture, t. therefore, is the deviation of existing waer vapor (steam) in
air its saturation pressure at tab.

Psychrometric Chart
The psychrometric chart iss the most convenient method of determining and W giving
twg and tds (at least 2 properties to define the state A (Figure 1) of the given air.) It is the
graphical forms of the properties of air water vapor mixture, air tables, or those setes of
equations available.
The basic psychrometric chart consists of a plot of W against tde atstandard atmospheric
pressure, as in Figure 1. All other properties intersecting A can readily be found such as: W, ,
tsat, and h, v given tdb and twb.
 Figure 1.Psychrometric Chart
Guide

The enthalpy, h = ha + hs
= Cpt + Whg BTU / lb dry air
where, Cp = heat of air at constant pressure = 0.24 BTU / lb F
t = temp. of air vapor mixture, F
hg = enthalpy of saturated steam at temp. with air vapor mixture, BTU / lb

III. Materials used

Figure 2. Sling Psychrometer Figure 2. Barometer

IV. Methodology

The measurement of the Tds and Twb were taken using the sling psychrometer. It was
moved at velocities ranging from 300 to 1000 fpm until the values were constant. A
thermometer, covered with wet wicklike material, was placed in front of a blower until the
values were constant. The barometric pressure was measured. The W, , tsat, h and v were
determined using the psychrometric chart. Partial pressure, Pv of the water vapor in the mixture
and Pa of dry air was calculated. Mass of dry air and mass of water vapor in the mixture was
calculated.

V. Data and Results

Barometer Reading: 14.75 psi Pv: 0.46 psi

Time: 1:50 pm Pa: 14.29 psi

Place: M.E. Laboratory Ma: 0.0706 3

Date: August 03, 2016 Mw: 0.0014453 3

Tds: 86 F Mm: 0.07205 3
Twb: 79 F

W: 0.02
: 76.7 %
tsat: 74.3 F

h: 42.3 .R
3
v: 14.2

VI. Discussion of Data and Results

The dry bulb temperature at the time of the experiment is 86 F while the wet bulb
temperature is 79 F. With the two temperatures present, the humidity ratio (W) and the relative
humidity () were determine by consulting the psychrometric chart. Also, tsat, h, and v were
obtained by using the same chart.

VII. Conclusion

Relative humidity and humidity ratio can be determined using the psychrometric chart.
First thing to do is to determine the wet bulb and dry bulb temperature using the sling
psychrometer. When these two values are obtained, relative humidity and humidity ratio will be
located in the psychrometric chart.

VIII. Recommendations

This experiment should be done with utmost care to avoid accident caused by the sling
psychrometer. It is a great learning experience if the experiment will be done in two or more
different days in order to compare the humidity of that day to another day. Overall, this is a great
experiment and should be experienced by everybody.

IX. References

http://www.fao.org/docrep/x5036e/x5036e0x.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humidity