I.

TITLE: DETERMINING AIR PROPERTIES USING SLING PSYCHROMETER

II. OBJECTIVES

The specific objectives of this experiment are to:

 Learn how to use a psychrometer.

 Know the precautions in using a psychrometer.
 Gather data using the psychrometer at different locations.
 Graph the gathered data on a psychrometric chart
 Define the different psychrometric properties using the data given and a psychrometric chart.
 Analyze the data taken on different location.
 Discuss the procedure for calculating psychrometric properties from measured values of barometric
pressure, dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures.
 Interpret the reason behind the data gathered

III. DISCUSSION

Psychrometrics, Psychrometry, and Hygometry are names for the field of engineering concerned
with the physical and thermodynamic properties of gases-vapor mixtures. Its principle is used especially
in the industry of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC). In human terms, our thermal
comfort is in large part of consequences of not just the temperature of the surrounding air, but the extent
to which the air is saturated with water vapour. At a given temperature and pressure the dry air can only
hold a certain maximum amount of moisture. When the moisture content is maximum, then the air is
known as saturated air, which is established by a neutral equilibrium between the moist air and the liquid
or solid phases of water.

The definitions of various psychrometric properties of air must be clarified in order to locate and
plot it at the chart.

Dry-bulb temperature (DBT)

The dry-bulb temperature is the temperature indicated by a thermometer exposed to the air in a
place sheltered from direct solar radiation. The term dry-bulb is customarily added to temperature to
distinguish it from wet-bulb and dewpoint temperature. In meteorology and psychrometrics the word
temperature by itself without a prefix usually means dry-bulb temperature. Technically, the temperature
registered by the dry-bulb thermometer of a psychrometer. The name implies that the sensing bulb or
element is in fact dry. WMO provides a 23-page chapter on the measurement of temperature.

Wet-bulb temperature (WBT)

The thermodynamic wet-bulb temperature is a thermodynamic property of a mixture of air and

water vapor. The value indicated by a wet-bulb thermometer often provides an adequate approximation of
the thermodynamic wet-bulb temperature.

The accuracy of a simple wet-bulb thermometer depends on how fast air passes over the bulb and
how well the thermometer is shielded from the radiant temperature of its surroundings. Speeds up to
5,000 ft/min (~60 mph) are best but it may be dangerous to move a thermometer at that speed. Errors up to
15% can occur if the air movement is too slow or if there is too much radiant heat present (from sunlight,
for example).

A wet bulb temperature taken with air moving at about 1–2 m/s is referred to as a screen
temperature, whereas a temperature taken with air moving about 3.5 m/s or more is referred to as sling
temperature.

A Psychrometer is a device that includes both a dry-bulb and a wet-bulb thermometer. A sling
psychrometer requires manual operation to create the airflow over the bulbs, but a powered
psychrometerincludes a fan for this function. Knowing both the dry-bulb temperature (DBT) and wet-bulb
temperature (WBT), one can determine the relative humidity (RH) from the psychrometric chart appropriate
to the air pressure.

Dew point temperature

The saturation temperature of the moisture present in the sample of air, it can also be defined as the
temperature at which the vapour changes into liquid (condensation). Usually the level at which water vapor
changes into liquid marks the base of the cloud in the atmosphere hence called condensation level. So the
temperature value that allows this process (condensation) to take place is called the 'dew point temperature'.
A simplified definition is the temperature at which the water vapour turns into "dew" (Chamunoda
Zambuko 2012).

Specific Humidity

Specific humidity is defined as the proportion of the mass of water vapor and mass of the moist air
sample (including both dry air and the water vapor); it is closely related to humidity ratio and always lower
in value.

Absolute humidity

The mass of water vapor per unit volume of air containing the water vapor. This quantity is also
known as the water vapor density.[4]

Relative humidity

The ratio of the vapor pressure of moisture in the sample to the saturation pressure at the dry bulb
temperature of the sample.

Specific enthalpy

Analogous to the specific enthalpy of a pure substance. In psychrometrics, the term quantifies the
total energy of both the dry air and water vapour per kilogram of dry air.

Specific volume

Analogous to the specific volume of a pure substance. However, in psychrometrics, the term
quantifies the total volume of both the dry air and water vapour per unit mass of dry air.
 Mean sea level or easily known as sea level is the average height of the earth’s surface. The
straightforward meaning of sea level is the midpoint between the mean lowest point and the mean highest
point on the earth’s surface. The location of the datum is in Newlyn in Cornwall. It is obtained by the
Ordinance survey over a period of six years of observation.

A Psychrometric chart graphically represents the thermodynamic properties of moist air. Standard
psychrometric charts are bounded by the dry-bulb temperature line (abscissa) and the vapour pressure
or humidity ratio (ordinate). The Left Hand Side of the psychrometric chart is bounded by the saturation
line. Figure 27.2 shows the schematic of a psychrometric chart. Psychrometric charts are readily
available for standard barometric pressure of 101.325 kPa at sea level and for normal temperatures (0-
50o C). ASHRAE has also developed psychrometric charts for other temperatures and barometric
pressures (for low temperatures: -40 to 10o C, high temperatures 10 to 120o C and very high
temperatures 100 to 120o C)

Psychrometric Chart

Sling-type Psychrometer
 Any instrument capable of measuring the psychrometric state of air is called a
psychrometer. As mentioned before, in order to measure the psychrometric state of air, it is required
to measure three independent parameters. Generally, two of these are the barometric pressure and air
dry-bulb temperature as they can be measured easily and with good accuracy.

Two types of psychrometers are commonly used. Each comprises of two thermometers with the
bulb of one covered by a moist wick. The two sensing bulbs are separated and shaded from each other
so that the radiation heat transfer between them becomes negligible. Radiation shields may have to be
used over the bulbs if the surrounding temperatures are considerably different from the air temperature.

The sling psychrometer is widely used for measurements involving room air or other applications
where the air velocity inside the room is small. The sling psychrometer consists of two thermometers
mounted side by side and fitted in a frame with a handle for whirling the device through air. The required
air circulation (≈ 3 to 5 m/s) over the sensing bulbs is obtained by whirling the psychrometer (≈ 300
RPM). Readings are taken when both the thermometers show steady-state readings.

Aspirated Psychrometer

In the aspirated psychrometer, the thermometers remain stationary, and a small fan, blower or
syringe moves the air across the thermometer bulbs.

The function of the wick on the wet-bulb thermometer is to provide a thin film of water on the
sensing bulb. To prevent errors, there should be a continuous film of water on the wick. The wicks made
of cotton or cloth should be replaced frequently, and only distilled water should be used for wetting it.
The wick should extend beyond the bulb by 1 or 2 cms to minimize the heat conduction effects along
the stem.
IV. DATA

TABLE 1 Data gathered

MERCURY ALCOHOL
LOCATION TIME CONDITION
tdb twb tdb twb
(˚C) (˚C) (˚C) (˚C)
1. TUP, Open
12:40 PM 28.9 25.9 30.9 23.1 Windy, wide open area with more than 100 persons.
Grounds
Windy, with 3 trees, 12 peoples eating and random
2. TUP, Pig Zone 12:53 PM 29.2 25.9 30.8 26.2 people passing by, 5 unused motorcycles and storage for
unused chairs
3. CIT, Sheet Metal
01:01 PM 29.1 25.8 30.8 26.9 Cloudy, 5 of us only
Zone
Near construction site, several students passing by. No
4. LIBRARY, Front 01:10 PM 29.0 26.0 30.6 26.0
direct contact in sunlight

5. CAFA, Stage 01:18 PM 28.1 25.9 29.9 21.5 Limited exposure to sunlight, severl students passing by
6. COE, Open Windy, open area, near a shed with 17 students.There are
01:27 PM 29.4 25.5 29.8 22.6
Grounds plants and floras around.
7. COE,
01:33 PM 26.9 25.5 29.6 22.9
Headquarters Atleast 7 students,
Enclosed area with approximately 40 students and
8. COE 33, Front 01:42 PM 30.0 21.5 28.9 25.5 professors, also there were some working electric fans.
No direct sunlight
9. COE 5th Floor
01:50 PM 29.4 26.3 31.2 26.1
Comfort Room No direct sunlight, warm and tight place
Enclosed area with 1 Air-conditioning unit, 1 laptop
10. COE 13, ME
01:58 PM 24.3 21.5 25.0 20.0 running, 2 lighting unit are operating and 5 persons
Faculty
inside.
TABLE 2 Alcohol based

ALCOHOL
SH RH v h tdp
tdb ttwb (kg/kgd.a.) (%) (m3/kgd.a.) (KJ/kgd.a.) (˚C)
(˚C) (˚C)
1 30.9 23.1 0.01456 51.85160 0.88150 68.33952 19.87029
2 30.8 26.2 0.01965 69.81313 0.88826 81.25359 24.64688
3 30.8 26.9 0.02089 74.06660 0.88997 84.41915 25.63703
4 30.6 26.0 0.01939 69.70370 0.88731 80.37621 24.43043
5 29.9 21.5 0.01263 47.75430 0.87593 62.35916 17.64580
6 29.8 22.6 0.01427 54.14203 0.87791 66.45826 19.55308
7 29.6 22.9 0.01480 56.77088 0.87807 67.61692 20.13020
8 28.9 25.5 0.01926 76.35977 0.88217 78.27031 24.32108
9 31.2 26.1 0.01931 67.08185 0.88895 80.79070 24.36171
10 25.0 20.0 0.01260 63.47539 0.86173 57.24342 17.61144

TABLE 3 Mercury-based
MERCURY
SH RH v h tdp
tdb ttwb (kg/kgd.a.) (%) (m3/kgd.a.) (KJ/kgd.a.) (˚C)
(˚C) (˚C)
1 28.9 25.9 0.01994 78.98250 0.88311 80.01425 24.88411
2 29.2 25.9 0.01981 77.14189 0.88381 80.00038 24.77997
3 29.1 25.8 0.01968 77.09870 0.88334 79.56619 24.67421
4 29.0 26.0 0.02007 79.02234 0.88358 80.45039 24.98925
5 28.1 25.9 0.02028 84.10887 0.88124 80.05125 25.15910
6 29.4 25.5 0.01904 73.39049 0.88333 78.24760 24.14194
7 26.9 25.5 0.02011 89.48597 0.87749 78.36130 25.02146
8 30.0 21.5 0.01258 47.32702 0.87617 62.35541 17.59452
9 29.4 26.3 0.02042 78.52655 0.88523 81.76558 25.27059
10 24.3 21.5 0.01497 78.37288 0.86293 62.57041 20.30928
TABLE 4: Data from psychrometric chart (MERCURY)

MERCURY
SH RH v h tdp
(kg/kgd.a.) (%) (m3/kgd.a.) (KJ/kgd.a.) (˚C)
tdb ttwb
(˚C) (˚C)
1 28.9 25.9 0.01990 79.00 0.8810 80.00 24.90
2 29.2 25.9 0.01970 76.50 0.8825 80.00 24.60
3 29.1 25.8 0.01960 76.50 0.8820 79.50 24.75
4 29.0 26.0 0.02000 78.40 0.8815 80.20 25.00
5 28.1 25.9 0.02010 83.00 0.8795 79.75 25.05
6 29.4 25.5 0.01900 72.50 0.8810 78.20 24.10
7 26.9 25.5 0.02010 90.00 0.8760 78.50 25.10
8 30.0 21.5 0.01280 48.00 0.8775 62.50 16.80
9 29.4 26.3 0.02050 78.00 0.8830 82.00 25.3
10 24.3 21.5 0.01500 77.50 0.8630 63.00 20.00

TABLE 5: Data from psychrometric chart (ALCOHOL)

ALCOHOL
SH RH v h tdp
(kg/kgd.a.) (%) (m3/kgd.a.) (KJ/kgd.a.) (˚C)
tdb ttwb
(˚C) (˚C)
1 30.9 23.1 0.01480 52.50 0.8795 69.00 19.90
2 30.8 26.2 0.01970 70.00 0.8860 82.00 24.80
3 30.8 26.9 0.02090 74.00 0.8880 84.50 25.90
4 30.6 26.0 0.01940 69.50 0.8850 80.50 24.40
5 29.9 21.5 0.01280 49.00 0.8750 62.50 16.95
6 29.8 22.6 0.01450 55.10 0.8765 66.50 19.50
7 29.6 22.9 0.01490 56.00 0.8775 67.50 19.95
8 28.9 25.5 0.01920 76.20 0.8800 78.25 24.50
9 31.2 26.1 0.01910 67.00 0.8885 81.00 24.25
10 25.0 20.0 0.01260 63.00 0.8620 57.00 16.60

V. INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME

Intended Learning Outcome

 The students who conducted the experiment were able to use the psychrometer with ease, resulting to a
more accurate gathered values.
 The students who conducted the experiment were able to know the effects of the environment of the
location where the experiments were held.
 The students have a better understanding regarding the different psychrometric properties.
 The students were able to analyze and discuss the methodology of obtaining data using the sling
psychrometer in different locations.
 The students were able to interpret the data gathered from the experiment and plot these data in the
psychrometric chart.
 VI. OBSERVATION

As the experiment proceeds, it can be observed that there are various precautions on using a sling
psychrometer. The first one is to procure a satisfiable data on a sling psychrometer, it is required to
continuously spin it in a minimum time of two minutes. It is also necessary to spin it overhead for it not
hit any undesirable objects. The wet bulb thermometer is also required to be moistened up every start of
the experiment. The data gathered from the sling psychrometer should also be read immediately because
it was fast to revert to its normal reading.

The gathered data can be observed to be varying in terms of the location it was taken, the number
of people gathered area and the weather condition on the specified area. Closed area takes lower reading
compared to open area. The reading indoors also varies to outdoor. Other conditions like the ventilation,
height of the location and air conditioning also affects the gathered data.

The two types of psychrometer also produces varied data. The mercury thermometer can be
observed, mostly of the time, to produce a higher temperature than the alcohol one

VII. ANALYSIS
Many factors can affect the properties of air and it varies according to location. It can vary
whether the location is indoors, outdoors, elevated, closed, open, ventilated or air conditioned. The
weather also directly affects the air properties, whether its sunny, cloudy, rainy or windy. The relative
humidity or the moisture content of the air can also affect the readings of the experiment
On the processing of data, the most accurate method is either to use the application or program
that is designated to compute the various properties of air or to use the given formulas. These two methods
are preferable compared to using the psychrometric chart that requires the need to estimate the point of
intersection on the graph.
VIII. CONCLUSION

Upon the completion of the experiment, it is concluded that the factors that can affect the reading
of a sling psychrometer are the manner it was spun, how long, the location and the weather. The manner
and how long it was spun can vary the reading since spinning it wrongly can lessen the accuracy of the
reading and spinning it to quickly can also make reading less accurate. The weather and the location
directly affect the properties of air that needs to be measured so it also directly affects the reading of a
sling psychrometer.

IX. RECOMMENDATION

Using a sling psychrometer is quite a risk since it can slip out of the hand of the conductor of the
experiment if not handled with extra care. It is also quite a tedious task since spinning the sling
psychrometer for two minutes is not an easy task. It is recommended to make the sling psychrometer
lighter and make the grip easier to handle. Much better is to design it so that it can automatically spin by
itself and the conductor of the experiment just needs to raise it overhead.

X. REFERENCES

• https://extension.psu.edu/

• Kharagpur (n.d.) Psychrometry. Retrieved

http://nptel.ac.in/courses/112105129/pdf/R&AC%20Lecture%2027.pdf

• Psychrometry (n.d.) In PersonalCity.edu. Retrieved

http://personal.cityu.edu.hk/~bsapplec/psychrom.htm