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The quantity of any gas in a mixture can be expressed as a pressure. The major
components of air are nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor, so total atmospheric
pressure is composed of the partial pressures of these three gases. While
nitrogen and oxygen exist in stable concentrations, the concentration of water
vapor is highly variable and must be measured to be determined.
The maximum partial pressure of water vapor is strictly a function of
temperature. For example, at 20 C (68 F), the maximum partial pressure of
water vapor is 23.5 mbar. The value of 23.5 mbar is said to be the saturation
vapor pressure at 20 C (68 F). In a 20 C (68 F), saturated environment,
the addition of more water vapor results in the formation of condensation. This Vaisala DRYCAP Hand-held Dewpoint
condensation phenomenon can be exploited to measure water vapor content. Meter
Gas of unknown water vapor concentration is passed over 3. What is the effect of pressure on dew
a temperature-controlled surface. The surface is cooled point?
until condensation forms. The temperature at which
Increasing the pressure of a gas increases the dew point
condensation forms is called the dew point temperature.
temperature of the gas. Consider an example of air at
Because there is a unique correlation between
atmospheric pressure of 1013.3 mbar with a dew point
temperature and saturation vapor pressure (remember,
temperature of -10 C (14 F). From the table above,
the maximum partial pressure of water vapor, also known
the partial pressure of water vapor (designated by the
as saturation vapor pressure, is strictly a function of
symbol e) is 2.8 mbar. If this air is compressed and the
temperature), measuring the dew point temperature of
total pressure is doubled to 2026.6 mbar, then according
a gas is a direct measurement of the partial pressure
to Daltons law, the partial pressure of water vapor, e,
of water vapor. Knowing the dew point temperature,
is also doubled to the value of 5.6 mbar. The dew point
the corresponding saturation vapor pressure can be
temperature corresponding to 5.6 mbar is approximately
calculated or looked up. The following table shows some
-1 C (30 F), so it is clear that increasing the pressure
values for temperature and the corresponding saturation
of the air has also increased the dew point temperature
vapor pressure:
of the air. Conversely, expanding a compressed gas to
atmospheric pressure decreases the partial pressures of
Temperature Saturation vapor
all of the component gases, including water vapor, and
C (F) pressure (mbar)
therefore decreases the dew point temperature of the gas.
20 (68) 23.5 The relationship of total pressure to the partial pressure
0 (32) 6.1 of water vapor, e, can be expressed as follows:
-10 (14) 2.8
P1/P2 = e1/e2
-20 (-4) 1.3
-40 (-40) 0.2 By converting dew point temperature to the corresponding
saturation vapor pressure, it is easy to calculate the
2. What is the difference between dew effect of changing total pressure on the saturation vapor
point and pressure dew point? pressure. The new saturation vapor pressure value can
then be converted back to the corresponding dew point
The term pressure dew point is encountered when
temperature. These calculations can be done manually
measuring the dew point temperature of gases at
using tables, or performed by various kinds of software.
pressures higher than atmospheric pressure. It refers to
the dew point temperature of a gas under pressure. This is
important because changing the pressure of a gas changes
the dew point temperature of the gas.
6 10 50
D. The best tubing material is stainless steel(SS). 9. How often should a dew point sensor
Nonmetallic tubing can absorb and desorb water vapor, be checked or calibrated?
creating a lag in measurement response. If SS tubing is
It is best to follow the manufacturers recommendation.
not available, consider using PTFE or other materials
Vaisala suggests a one or two year calibration interval,
that do not absorb water. Avoid the use of clear plastic
depending on the instrument. Sometimes a simple field
tubing or yellow rubber tubing.
check against a calibrated portable instrument is sufficient
E. It is possible to reduce installation costs for permanent to verify correct operation of other instruments. Vaisala
dew point instruments by installing the sensor directly provides detailed calibration information in the Users
in the compressed air line. In these cases it is important Guide that is shipped with each instrument. Any time that
to choose a location where the sensor has adequate you have doubts about the performance of your dew point
airflow and where the temperature of the compressed instruments, it is wise to check their calibration.
air is at or near ambient
Sample gas
outlet
Sample gas
inlet
DSC74B
Sample gas
outlet
Measurement in
atmospheric Sampling Cell
Removable Valve for Td Probe
pressure flow limiter
Sample gas
inlet DSC74B Diffusion coil
DSC74C
The DSS70A fully integrated sampling system expands the For more information about Vaisala dew point
versatility of a dew point sensor, enabling measurement measurement instruments for compressed air,
of other plant processes that might not be under positive please visit www.vaisala.com/compressedair.
pressure.