TIM 013 07.
97
Pressure Dew Point Conversion
Determining Comparable Readings Among Multiple Platforms
When installing a moisture analyzer, sometimes the reading is
different than what you expected. This difference is often due to
a change in the pressure at the measurement point where the
new probe has been installed. For example, a probe is installed
at line pressure in a process where the previous method of
measurement was at atmospheric pressure. The problem then
becomes one of predicting the pressure effect on the probe and
achieving the desired result.
Dew point temperature is always directly related to the partial
pressure of water vapor in the gas. In other words, if you know
the dew point, the partial pressure of water for that dew point
temperature can be found in published tables. S e e G e n e r a l
Eastern’s Humidity Handbook.
The ability to predict the dew point change from the total
pressure change is based on physical laws which govern the
behavior of gases. The Ideal Gas Law and Dalton's Law are
both in operation here. The Ideal Gas Law gives the relationship
of pressure, temperature, and volume in PV = nRT. Dalton's Law
states that total pressure is equal to the sum of all the partial
pressures of the component gases.
PT = P1 + P2 + P3 + ... + Pn
Simplified for the moisture problem, Dalton's Law
becomes:
PT = PD R Y G A S E S + PH 2 O ( W A T E R V A P O R )
If the total pressure changes, a l l the partial pressures will
change in the same proportion. This includes the partial
pressure of water in the sample. Since the total pressure change
is easy to measure, the resulting change in dew point
temperature becomes predictable using the following
calculation procedure:
Sample problem: If the dew point measured at a total line
pressure of 180 psig is 53.6°F, what would the dew point be if
the same sample were measured at atmospheric pressure?
1. Since the moisture table is in °C, convert the 53.6°F to
12°C.
2. Look up the vapor pressure for 12°C dew point — 10.518
mmHg.
3. Convert the original psig value into atmospheres by adding
14.7 psia to the 180 psig to get psia. This gives 194.7 psia,
which we divide by 14.7 to get 13.2449 atmospheres.
4. Since the total pressure change is a factor of 13.2449 to 1,
the resulting vapor pressure goes through the same
change. Dividing the 10.518 mmHg by 13.2449
atmospheres gives 0.794 mmHg vapor pressure at the
reduced pressure.
5. Referring to a vapor pressure table, the 0.794 mmHg vapor
pressure converts into -19.76°C dew point. This converts
into -3.57°F dew point at atmospheric pressure.
A similar calculation can be performed to predict the dew point
temperature for an increase in total pressure. An example of this
would be where the measurement could not be made at
pressure. There might still be a need for avoiding a high dew
point temperature to prevent condensation or freeze-ups in the
piping.
Sample problem: If the dew point measured after dropping the
pressure to atmospheric is -40°C, what would the pressure dew
point be if the line pressure were 80 psig? (See Figure 1.)
1. Even though the moisture table is in °C, -40°F equals -
40°C.
2. Look up the vapor pressure for the 40°C dew point, which
is 0.0966 mmHg.
3. Convert the line psig value into atmospheres by adding
14.7 psia to the 80 psig to get psia. This gives 94.7 psia,
which we divide by 14.7 to get 6.442 atmospheres. Figure 2
4. Since the total pressure change is a factor of 6.442 to 1,
the resulting vapor pressure goes through the same
change. Multiplying the 0.0966 mmHg by 6.442 The calculations in this Application Note are based on the
atmospheres gives 0.622 mmHg vapor pressures at the Ideal Gas Law. At elevated pressures water vapor deviates
increased pressure. from the ideal gas law, however enhancement factors can be
employed to compensate.
5. Referring to the vapor pressure table, the 0.622 mmHg
vapor pressure converts into 022.3°C dew point. This
converts into -8.14°F dew point at line pressure.
In the above example, if the temperature of any section of the
piping drops to -8.14°F, there will be a danger of condensing
inside the pipe, freezing, and then bursting the lines.
An easier method for measuring and comparing another
measurement at a different pressure is to simply operate at the
same pressures. The gold/aluminum oxide sensor General
Eastern uses for measuring the moisture is sensitive to change in
vapor pressure. A basic sample system which reduces or
equalizes the pressure will allow the two to agree within the
tolerances of the respective instruments. The flow cell diagram
on the next page, Figure 2, illustrates how simple this system
could be.

This flow cell installation has inlet and outlet valves that can
be used to operate the probe at line or
atmospheric pressure. If the inlet valve is opened completely
and the outlet valve is used to throttle the sample, the probe
will operate at line pressure. If the outlet valve is opened and
the inlet valve is used for throttling, the probe will operate at
atmospheric pressure. This installation provides the flexibility
for reading at a pressure that fits the application.

Sometimes the ability to change the pressure is not an option,

as in a system where the exhaust is routed back into a pressure
very close to the original inlet pressure.