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Psychrometry : It is the branch of science which deals with the study of the mixture of dry air and water vapor. In air conditioning estimations air is taken as a mixture of dry air and water vapor. The principles of psychrometry apply to any physical system consisting of gas-vapor mixtures.

The Pschrometry terms: Dry air Moist air Saturated air Degree of Saturation Humidity Absolute Humidity Relative Humidity Dry bulb temperature Wet bulb temperature Dew point Temperature Dew point Depression

Moist Air : The mixture of dry air and water vapor. The quantity of water vapor present in air is known as moisture.
Saturated Air : When moist air contains maximum amount of water vapor that it can hold, it is called saturated air. Unsaturated Air : Moist air which is not saturated. Humidity Ratio : The weight of water vapor per unit weight of dry air in a vapor air mixture. It is also called Specific Humidity. Degree of Saturation : The ratio of the prevailing humidity ratio of moist air to the humidity ratio of saturated air at the same temperature and pressure. Relative Humidity : The ratio of actual weight of water vapor in a given volume to the weight of water vapor contained in the same volume at the same temperature when the air is saturated.
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A Sling Psychrometer is used to measure relative humidity.

Following are the pschrometry relationship: 1. Specific Humidity, humidity ratio & moisture content. 2. Degree of Saturation or percentage humidity 3. Relative Humidity 4. Pressure of Water vapour 5. Vapour density & absolute humidity
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Psychrometer Parts:
Dry Bulb Thermometer
Wet Bulb Thermometer Reservoir and Stocking

DRY

WET

Dry-bulb Temperature : The temperature which is recorded by a thermometer whose reading is not affected by the humidity ratio or by thermal radiation.
Wet-bulb Temperature : The temperature which is recorded by a thermometer when its bulb is covered with wet cloth and is exposed to a current of moving air. The difference between dry-bulb temperature and wet-bulb temperature is known as wet-bulb depression. Dew Point Temperature : The saturation temperature which corresponds to the existing humidity ratio and barometric pressure. Generally dew point temperature is taken to be the temperature at which condensation will just begin when the moist air mixture under consideration is cooled at constant pressure.

Enthalpy of Air: It is the Total heat of air. It is considered that the enthalpy of moist air is a concern of Air conditioning Engineer.
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On the side of the psychrometer is a sliding scale which calculates relative humidity for us.

Align the dry-bulb reading with the wet-bulb reading. The arrow will point to the relative humidity reading on the center scale. Its easy!
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Psychometric Chart : The graphical representation of various thermodynamic properties of moist air. In this abscissa represents dry bulb temperature and ordinate represents specific humidity.

Using our wet- and drybulb temperatures, we can consult tables made by scientists

to determine humidity and saturation value.

Psychometric Processes : The various processes which are involved in air conditioning to change the psychometric properties of air according to requirement.

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But why do we sling it

around

and around?

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What happens to your skin when you sweat and then stand in a breeze?

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As the wet-bulb thermometer goes through the air

1. Water evaporates

2. Energy is used; water changes from liquid to vapor

3. Wet-bulb temperature goes down

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What influences how much the wet-bulb temperature goes down?

Temperature Humidity
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Now we can calculate relative humidity!

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Partial Relative Humidity Chart for 30 C

Difference Between Dry Bulb and Wet Bulb Temperatures Relative Humidity

None
0.5 1.0 1.5 9.0 9.5 14.5 15.0 18.0

100%
96% 93% 89% 44% 42% 19% 17% 5%

Fortunately, we dont have to do all this every time

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For Help:
AMSTI-GLOBE www.amsti.org/globe Judy Reeves The GLOBE Program www.globe.gov Lynn Vaughan
AMSTI-GLOBE Resource Specialist lynn@amsti.org

AMSTI-GLOBE Resource Specialist judy@amsti.org

Robin Nelson
AMSTI-GLOBE Administrator robin@amsti.org

Jerry Cobbs

AMSTI-GLOBE Technology Specialist jerry@amsti.org