ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY - The weight of water vapor in a given amount of air.

ABSOLUTE PRESSURE - Pressure measured with the base of zero. ABSOLUTE TEMPERATURE - A temperature scale expressed in degrees oF or oC using absolute zero as a base. Referred to as the Rankin or Kelvin scale. ABSOLUTE ZERO - The temperature at which molecular activity theoretically ceases. 456.69 oF or -273.16 oC. AIR CONDITIONING - The process of controlling the temperature, humidity, cleanliness and distribution of the air. AIR, Standard Conditions - Conditions at which capacity ratings for air conditioning equipment is rated. AMBIENT - Refers to the temperature surrounding a body or unit under test. ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE - The weight of a 1 unit column of the earth's atmosphere. BIMETAL - Two metals with different rates of expansion fastened together. When heated or cooled they will warp and can be made to open or close a switch or valve. BOILING POINT - The temperature at which the addition of any heat will begin a change of state from a liquid to a vapor. BRITISH THERMAL UNIT (BTU) - The amount of heat necessary to change the temperature of 1 pound of pure water 1 degree Fahrenheit (oF). CAPILLARY TUBE - A refrigerant control consisting of a small diameter tube which controls flow by restriction. They are carefully sized by inside diameter and length for each particular application. CENTIGRADE - A temperature scale with the freezing point of water 0 oC and the boiling point 100 oC at sea level. CHECK VALVE - A valve designed to permit flow in one direction only. COMPRESSION - The reduction of volume of a vapor or gas by mechanical means. COMPRESSION RATIO - The ratio determined by dividing the discharge pressure, in PSI (Pa), by the suction pressure in PSI (Pa). COMPRESSOR - A mechanical device used to compress gases. Three main types reciprocating, centrifugal and rotary. CONDENSATION POINT - The temperature at which the removal of any heat will begin a change of state from a vapor to a liquid. CONDENSING MEDIUM - The substance, usually air or water, to which the heat in a condenser is transferred. CONDENSING UNIT - The portion of a refrigeration system where the compression and condensation of refrigerant is accomplished. Sometimes referred to as the 'high side'. CONDUCTION - The transfer of heat from molecule to molecule within a substance. CONTACTOR - An electromagnetic actuated relay. Usually used to refer to the relay which closes the circuit to a compressor. CONVECTION - The transfer of heat by a moving fluid. COOLING ANTICIPATOR - A resistance heater (usually not adjustable) in parallel with the cooling circuit. It is 'on' when the current is 'off", adding heat to shorten the off cycle. COP - Ratio of work performed or accomplished as compared to the energy used. CUBIC FEET PER MINUTE - A common means of assigning quantitative values to volumes of air in transit, usually abbreviated CFM. CYCLE - The complete course of operation of a refrigerant back to a selected starting point in a system.

DENSITY - Mass or weight per unit of volume. DISCHARGE LINE - A tube used to convey the compressed refrigerant vapor from the compressor to the condenser inlet. DISCHARGE PRESSURE - The pressure read at the compressor outlet. Also called head pressure or high side pressure. DRY AIR - Air which contains no moisture vapor. DRY BULB TEMPERATURE - Temperature read with an ordinary thermometer. EFFECTIVE TEMPERATURE - An arbitrary concept which combines into a single value the effect of temperature, humidity, and air movement as sensed by the human body. ENTHALPY - Total amount of heat in one pound (kg) of a substance calculated from accepted temperature base, expressed in BTU's per pound mass (J/kg). EQUIVALENT LENGTH - That length of straight tubing which has the same pressure drop as the fitting, valve or accessory (of the same nominal size) being considered. EVAPORATIVE COOLING - The cooling effect of vaporization of a liquid in a moving air stream. EVAPORATOR - A device in which a liquid refrigerant is vaporized. Some superheating usually takes place. EVAPORATOR SUPERHEAT - The actual temperature of the refrigerant vapor at the evaporator exit as compared to the saturated vapor temperature indicated by the suction pressure. EXTERNAL STATIC PRESSURE - The sum of the static and velocity pressures of a moving air system at the point of measurement. FAHRENHEIT - A temperature scale with the freezing point of water 32 oF and the boiling point 212 oF at sea level. FEET PER MINUTE - A term assigned to a velocity of a moving air stream, usually express FPM. FILTER-DRIER - A device that removes moisture, acid and foreign matter from the refrigerant. FLASH GAS - Instantaneous evaporation of some liquid refrigerant at the metering device due to pressure drop which cools the remaining liquid refrigerant to desired evaporation temperature. FREEZING POINT - The temperature at which the removal of any heat will begin a change of state from a liquid to a solid. GAUGE PRESSURE - Pressure measured with atmospheric pressure as a base. HEAT - A form of energy causing the agitation of molecules within a substance. HEAT EXCHANGER - A device for the transfer of heat energy from the source to the conveying medium. HEAT FLOW - Heat flows from a warmer to a cooler substance. The rate depends upon the temperature difference, the area exposed and the type of material. HEAT OF COMPRESSION - The heat added to a vapor by the work done on it during compression. HEAT OF THE LIQUID - The increase in total heat (Enthalpy) per pound of a saturated liquid as its temperature is increased above a chosen base temperature. (Usually - 40 oF for refrigerants).

HEAT TRANSFER - The three methods of heat transfer are conduction, convection and radiation. INCHES OF MERCURY - Atmospheric pressure is equal to 29.92 inches of mercury. LATENT HEAT - Heat that produces a change of state without a change in temperature; i.e., ice to water at 32 oF or water to steam at 212 oF. LATENT HEAT OF CONDENSATION - The amount of heat energy in BTU's that must be removed to change the state of one pound of a vapor to one pound of liquid at the same temperature. LATENT HEAT OF FUSION - The amount of heat energy, in BTU's required to change the state of one pound of a liquid to one pound of solid at the same temperature. LATENT HEAT OF MELTING - The amount of heat energy, in BTU'S, that must be removed to change the state of one pound of solid to one pound of liquid at the same temperature. LATENT HEAT OF VAPORIZATION - The amount of heat energy in BTU's required to change the state of one pound of a liquid to one pound of vapor at the same temperature. LIFT - To elevate a fluid from one level to a higher level. LIQUID LINE - A tube used to convey the liquid refrigerant from the condenser outlet to the refrigerant control device of the evaporator. MANOMETER - A tube filled with a liquid used to measure pressures. MBH - One MBH is equivalent to 1,000 BTU's per hour. MEAN TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCES - The mean of difference between the temperature of a fluid receiving and a fluid yielding heat. MELTING POINT - The temperature at which the addition of any heat will begin a change of state from a solid to a liquid. MERCURY MANOMETER - Used to measure vacuum in inches of mercury. MICRON - A unit used to measure high vacuums. One micron equals 1/25,400 of one inch mercury. MOLLIER CHART - A psychrometric chart. How-to convert between Mollier and Psyhrometric charts? MUFFLER - Device installed in hot gas line to silence discharge surges. OIL SEPARATOR - A device for separating out oil entrained in the discharge gas from the compressor and returning it to the crankcase. PARTIAL PRESSURE - The pressure exerted by any individual gas in a mixture. PITCH - The slope of a pipe line for the purpose of improving drainage. PITOT TUBE - A device comprising a small diameter orifice projecting directly into an air stream measuring total pressure and surrounded by an annular section with small diameter entrances normal to the flow, measuring static pressure; both sections are usually connected to a manometer to indicate velocity pressure. PRECHARGED LINES - Refrigerant line's which are filled with refrigerant and are sealed at both ends. The seals are broken when the lines are installed and the line charge becomes part of the total system charge. PRESSURE DROP - The decrease in pressure due to friction of a fluid or vapor as it passes through a tube or duct or/and lift. PRESSURE - TEMPERATURE RELATIONSHIP - The change effected in temperature when pressure is changed or vice versa. Only used at saturated conditions. An increase in

pressure results in a temperature increase. A decrease in temperature results in a pressure decrease. PUMPDOWN - Process of pumping refrigerant out of the evaporator and suction line at the end of the on- cycle by closing a solenoid valve in the liquid line and letting the compressor shut-off by the low pressure control. PSYCHROMETER - A devices having both a dry and wet bulb thermometer. It is used to determine the relative humidity in a conditioned space. Most have an indexed scale to allow direct conversion from the temperature readings to the percentage of relative humidity. PSYCHROMETRIC CHART - A chart on which can be found the properties of air under varying conditions of temperature, water vapor content, volume, etc. QUICK CONNECT - Name given to the end connections on precharged lines which screw on to mated fittings of the outdoor and indoor sections. Tightening the quick connections ruptures the seals on the fittings and the line charge becomes part of the total system charge. RADIATION - The transfer of heat without an intervening medium. It is absorbed on contact with a solid surface. RECEIVER - A vessel for holding refrigerant liquefied by the condenser. REFRIGERANT - A substance which produces a refrigerating effect while expanding or vaporizing. REFRIGERANT CONTROL - A device used to meter the amount of refrigerant to an evaporator. It also serves as a dividing point between the high and low pressure sides of the system. REFRIGERANT DISTRIBUTOR - A device which meters equal quantities of refrigerant to independent circuits in the evaporator coil. REFRIGERANT MIGRATION - The movement of refrigerant through the system to the compressor crankcase during the off-cycle, caused by its attraction to oil. REFRIGERANT OPERATING CHARGE - The total amount of refrigerant required by a a system for correct operation. REFRIGERANT VELOCITY - The rate at which refrigerant is moving at a given point in a system, usually given in feet per minute (FPM). REFRIGERATION - The transfer of heat from a place where it is not wanted to a place where its presence is not undesirable. REFRIGERATION EFFECT - The amount of heat a given quantity of refrigerant will absorb in changing from a liquid to a vapor at a given evaporating pressure. RELATIVE HUMIDITY - The percentage of water vapor present in a given quantity air compared to the amount it can hold at its temperature. RELAY - A device used to open and close an electrical circuit. The relay may may be actuated by a bimetal electrically heated strip, a rod wrapped with a fine resistance wire causing expansion when energized, a bellows actuated by expansion of a fluid or gas or an electromagnetic coil. REVERSING VALVE - A device in a heat pump that is electrically controlled to reverse the flow of refrigerant as the system is switched from cooling to heating; also called a four-way valve. RISER - A vertical tube or pipe which carries refrigerant in any form from a lower to a higher level.

SATURATED VAPOR - Vapor in contact with a liquid. SATURATION - A condition of stable equilibrium of a vapor and a liquid. SENSIBLE HEAT - Heat that can be measured or felt. Sensible heat always causes a temperature rise. SIGHT GLASS - A glass installed in the liquid line permitting visual inspection of the liquid refrigerant for the purpose of detecting vapor in the liquid. They also generally have a device included to monitor moisture content of the refrigerant. SLUGGING - A condition in which a quantity of liquid enters the compressor causing hammering and possible compressor damage. SPECIFIC HEAT - The amount of heat necessary to change the temperature of one pound of a substance 10 F. SPECIFIC VOLUME - The volume of a substance per unit of mass; i.e., standard air 13.33 cubic feet per pound. The reciprocal of density. STANDARD AIR DENSITY - 0.075 pounds per cubic foot. Equivalent to dry air at 70 o F and at sea level pressure. STATE CONDITION - Substances can exist in three states - solid, liquid or vapor. STATIC PRESSURE - The normal force per unit area at a small hole in the wall of a duct. STATIC TAP - A means by which static pressures of a duct system may be read directly, usually consisting of a small diameter hole in the side of the duct connected to a manometer. SUB COOLING - Cooling of a liquid, at a constant pressure, below the point at which it was condensed. SUBLIMATION - A condition where a substance changes from a solid to a gas without becoming a liquid. SUCTION LINE - A tube used to convey the refrigerant vapor from the evaporator outlet to the suction inlet of compressor. SUCTION LINE ACCUMULATOR - A device located in the suction line that intercepts quantities of a liquid refrigerant and thereby prevents damage to the compressor. SUPERHEAT - Heat added to a vapor after all liquid has been vaporized. TEMPERATURE - A measurement of heat intensity. THERMISTOR - Basically a semiconductor which has electrical resistance that varies inversely with temperature. THERMOSTAT - A bimetal actuated switch to close and open a circuit to indicate or terminate operation of a heating or air conditioning system. THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVE - Refrigerant control which monitors the flow rate according to the superheat at the evaporator outlet. TON OF REFRIGERATION - The amount of heat necessary to completely melt one ton of 32 oF ice in 24 hours. TOTAL HEAT (Enthalpy) - Total heat energy in a substance. The sum of sensible and latent heat. TOTAL PRESSURE - The sum of all partial pressures in a mixture of gases. TRAP - A depression or dip in refrigerant piping in which oil will collect. A trap may be placed at the base of a suction or hot gas riser to improve oil return up the riser. VACUUM - Any pressure below atmospheric pressure.

VAPOR BARRIER - The term applied to an impervious layer of material superimposed upon a layer of insulation. Vapor barriers are always applied on the warm side of the insulation layer. VAPOR PRESSURE - The pressure exerted by vapor. VELOCITY PRESSURE - In a moving fluid, the pressure capable of causing an equivalent velocity as applied to move the same fluid through an orifice such that all pressure energy expanded is converted into kinetic energy. WATER MANOMETER - Used to measure pressure in inches of water. WET BULB TEMPERATURE - Temperature read with a thermometer whose bulb is encased in a wetted wick.

PSYCHROMETRIC TERMS
Psychrometry is the science of studying thermodynamic properties of moist air and the use of these to analyze conditions and processes involving moist air. Air conditioning processes can be determined by using Psychrometric Charts or Mollier Diagrams. Common properties in the charts includes

dry-bulb temperature wet-bulb temperature relative humidity (RH) humidity ratio specific volume dew point temperature enthalpy

With at least two known properties it is possible to characterize the air in the intersection of the property lines - the state-point. With the intersection point located on the chart or diagram other properties can be read directly.

Dry-Bulb Temperature - Tdb

Dry-Bulb Temperature, usually referred to as the air temperature, is the air property that is most commonly used. People referring to air temperature normally referring to Dry Bulb Temperature. Dry-Bulb Temperature - Tdb - can be measured by using a normal thermometer. With Dry-Bulb Temperature the sensible heat content in the air can be determined along the bottom axis of the psychrometric chart. The vertical lines extending upward from this axis are constant-temperature lines.

Wet-Bulb Temperature - Twb

Wet-Bulb Temperature is associated with the moisture content of the air. Wet Bulb Temperature can be measured with a thermometer that has the bulb covered with a water-moistened bandage with air flowing over the thermometer. Wet-Bulb Temperatures are always lower than dry bulb temperatures with less than 100% relative humidity in the air. The Wet-Bulb Temperature and the Dry-Bulb Temperature will be identical with 100% relative humidity in the air (the air is at the saturation line). On the chart, the Wet-Bulb Temperature lines slopes a little upward to the left, and the temperature is read at the saturation line.

Relative Humidity - RH
Relative Humidity is the ratio of the mass of vater vapour contents in the humid air - mw - to the maximum possible mass of vapour - mwmax - at the actual pressure and temperature. Relative humidity can also be expressed as the ratio of water vapor pressure - pw, to the water vapor pressure of saturated air at the same temperature - pws. Relative humidity is expressed as a percentage. The moisture-holding capacity of air increases with air temperature. In practice the relative humidity will indicate the moisture level of the air compared to the maximum moisture-holding capacity of air at saturation. Note ! The moisture holding capacity of air increases dramatically with temperature! - important for drying processes. The relative humidity lines in the psychrometric chart are curved lines that move upwards to the right. The line representing saturated air where the relative humidity - RH is 100% - is the uppermost curved line in the chart.

Dew Point Temperature - Tdp

Dew Point is the temperature at which water vapor starts to condense in the air - the temperature at which air becomes completely saturated. Above this temperature the moisture stays in the air. The Dew Point Temperature can be read in the psychrometric charts by following the horizontal line from the state-point to the saturation line. The Dew Point Temperature is represented along the 100% relative humidity line.

Specific Volume of Humid Air - v

Specific Volume represents the space occupied by a unit weight of dry air (ft3/lb, m3/kg). Specific volume is indicated along the bottom axis of the psychrometric chart with the constantvolume lines slanting upward to the left.

Moisture Content and Humidity Ratio - x

Moisture Content and Humidity Ratio is the amount of water vapor by weight in dry air. The moisture content of air is expressed as the weight of water vapor per unit weight of dry air (lbH2O/lbair, kgH2O/kgair). Humidity ratio is indicated along the right-hand axis in psychrometric charts.

Enthalpy - h

Enthalpy is the measure of the total thermal energy in air. Energy content is expressed as energy per unit weight of air (Btu/lbair, J/kgair). Enthalpy in the psychrometric chart can read from where the appropriate wet-bulb line crosses the diagonal scale above the saturation curve. Air with the same amount of energy may either be drier hotter air (higher sensible heat) or cooler moister air (higher latent heat).

The Dry Bulb, Wet Bulb and Dew Point temperatures are important to determine the state of humid air. The knowledge of only two of these values is enough to determine the state including the content of water vapor and the sensible and latent energy (enthalpy).

Dry Bulb Temperature - Tdb

The Dry Bulb temperature, usually referred to as air temperature, is the air property that is most common used. When people refer to the temperature of the air, they are normally referring to its dry bulb temperature. The Dry Bulb Temperature refers basically to the ambient air temperature. It is called "Dry Bulb" because the air temperature is indicated by a thermometer not affected by the moisture of the air. Dry-bulb temperature - Tdb, can be measured using a normal thermometer freely exposed to the air but shielded from radiation and moisture. The temperature is usually given in degrees Celsius (oC) or degrees Fahrenheit (oF). The SI unit is Kelvin (K). Zero Kelvin equals to -273oC.

The dry-bulb temperature is an indicator of heat content and is shown along the bottom axis of the psychrometric chart. Constant dry bulb temperatures appear as vertical lines in the psychrometric chart.

Wet Bulb Temperature - Twb

The Wet Bulb temperature is the temperature of adiabatic saturation. This is the temperature indicated by a moistened thermometer bulb exposed to the air flow. Wet Bulb temperature can be measured by using a thermometer with the bulb wrapped in wet muslin. The adiabatic evaporation of water from the thermometer and the cooling effect is indicated by a "wet bulb temperature" lower than the "dry bulb temperature" in the air. The rate of evaporation from the wet bandage on the bulb, and the temperature difference between the dry bulb and wet bulb, depends on the humidity of the air. The evaporation is reduced when the air contains more water vapor. The wet bulb temperature is always lower than the dry bulb temperature but will be identical with 100% relative humidity (the air is at the saturation line). Combining the dry bulb and wet bulb temperature in a psychrometric diagram or Mollier chart, gives the state of the humid air. Lines of constant wet bulb temperatures run diagonally from the upper left to the lower right in the Psychrometric Chart.

Dew Point Temperature - Tdp

The Dew Point is the temperature at which water vapor starts to condense out of the air (the temperature at which air becomes completely saturated). Above this temperature the moisture will stay in the air.

if the dew-point temperature is close to the dry air temperature - the relative humidity is high if the dew point is well below the dry air temperature - the relative humidity is low

If moisture condenses on a cold bottle taken from the refrigerator, the dew-point temperature of the air is above the temperature in the refrigerator. The Dew Point temperature can be measured by filling a metal can with water and some ice cubes. Stir by a thermometer and watch the outside of the can. When the vapor in the air starts to condensate on the outside of the can, the temperature on the thermometer is pretty close to the dew point of the actual air.

Humidity is the quantity of water vapor present in air. It can be expressed as an absolute, specific or a relative value. Relative humidity can be expressed by partial vapor and air pressure, density of the vapor and air, or by the actual mass of the vapor and air. Relative humidity is usually expressed in per cent and abbreviated by or RH.

Relative Humidity and Vapor Partial Pressure

Relative humidity can be expressed as the ratio of the vapor partial pressure of the air - to the saturation vapor partial pressure of the air at the actual dry bulb temperature. Relative humidity by partial pressure = pw / pws 100% where = relative humidity (%) pw = vapor partial pressure (mbar) pws = saturation vapor partial pressure at the actual dry bulb temperature (mbar)
1 bar = 1000 mbar = 105 Pa (N/m2) = 0.1 N/mm2 = 10,197 kp/m2 = 10.20 m H2O = 0.9869 atm = 14.50 psi (lbf/in2) = 106 dyn/cm2 = 750 mmHg

(1)

If the water vapor pressure in the air is 10.3 mbar the vapor saturates on a surface with 45oF. Note! The atmospheric pressure of air is 1013 mbar (101.325 kPa, 760 mmHg). As we can see the maximum water vapor pressure - the saturation pressure - is relatively small.
Example - Relative Humidity and Vapor Pressure

From the table above the saturation pressure at 70oF is 25.0 mbar. If the vapor pressure in the actual air is 10.3 mbar, the relative humidity can be calculated as: = (10.2 mbar) / (25.0 mbar) 100% = 41%

Relative Humidity and Vapor Density

Relative humidity can also be expressed as the ratio of the vapor density of the air - to the saturation vapor density at the the actual dry bulb temperature.

Relative humidity by density: = w / ws 100% where = relative humidity (%) w = vapor density (kg/m3) ws = vapor density at saturation at actual dry bulb temperature (kg/m3) A common unit for vapor density is g/m3. If the actual vapor density at 20oC is 10 g/m3 and the the saturation vapor density at this temperature is 17.3 g/m3, the relative humidity can be calculated as = (10 g/m3) / (17.3 g/m3) 100% = 57.8% (2b)

Relative Humidity and Vapor Mass

Relative humidity can also be expressed as the ratio at actual mass of water vapor in a given air volume - to the mass of water vapor required to saturate at this volume. Relative humidity can be expressed as: = mw / mws 100% where = relative humidity (%) mw = mass of water vapor in the given air volume (kg) mws = mass of water vapor required to saturate at this volume (kg)

(2c)

Weight of Water Vapor in Air

Specific Volume of Moist Air

Specific volume is defined as the total volume of humid air per mass unit of dry air
When discussing specific volume of moist air its necessary to differentiate between

specific volume of moist air per mass unit of dry air, or specific volume of moist air per mass unit of dry air and water vapor

Specific Volume of Moist Air per Mass Unit of Dry Air

Specific volume is defined as the total volume of dry air and water vapor mixture per kg of dry air (SI-units). The specific volume can be expressed as: vda = V / ma (1) where vda = specific volume of moist air per mass unit of dry air (m3/kg) V = total volume of moist air (m3) ma = mass of dry air (kg) When dry air and water vapor with the same temperature occupies the same volume the equation for an ideal gas can be applied. pa V = ma Ra T where pa = partial pressure air (Pa) Ra = 286.9 - the individual gas constant air (J/kg.K) T = temperature of the moist air (K) Combining (1) and (2): vda = Ra T / pa (3) (2)

The partial pressure of air can be expressed as: pa = p - pw (3b) where p = pressure in the humid air (Pa) pw = partial pressure water vapor (Pa) Combining (3) and (2b):

vda = Ra T / (p - pw)

(3c)

The ideal gas law can also be applied for the water vapor: pw V = mw Rw T where pw = partial pressure water vapor (Pa) Rw = 455 - the individual gas constant water vapor (J/kg.K) T = temperature of the moist air (K) The mass of water vapor can be expressed with the humidity ratio and the mass of air: mw = x ma where x = specific humidity or humidity ratio (kg/kg) Combining (4) and (5): pw V = x ma Rw T (6) (5) (4)

Combining (6) with (1): vda = x Rw T / pw Transforming (7): pw = x Rw T / vda (8) (7)

Combining (8) with (3c): vda = Ra T / (p - (x Rw T / vda)) (9)

(9) can be transformed to express the specific volume of moist air per unit mass of dry air as: vda = (1 + x Rw / Ra) Ra T / p (10)

Specific Volume of Moist Air per unit Mass of Dry Air and Water Vapor
Specific volume is defined as the total volume of dry air and water vapor mixture per kg of dry air and water vapor (SI-units). The specific volume can be expressed as:

v = V / ma + mw (11) where v = specific volume of moist air per mass unit of dry air and water vapor (m3/kg) Combining with (5): v = V / ma (1 + x) (12) Combining with (1): v = vda / (1 + x) (13) and the specific volume of moist air per unit mass of dry air and water vapor can be expressed as: v = (Ra T / p) [(1 + x Rw / Ra)/ (1 + x)] (14)

(14) can used to express the density of moist air.

Density of Dry Air, Water Vapor and Moist Humid Air

The density of air varies as the temperature and moisture content in the air varies. When the temperature increases the higher molecular motion results in an expansion of the volume and thus decreasing the density. The density of a gas, either it is dry air, water vapor or a mixture of dry air and water vapor moist or humid air, can be calculated on basis of the Ideal Gas Law.

Density of Dry Air

The density of dry air can be expressed as: a = 0.0035 pa / T where a = density dry air (kg/m3) pa = partial pressure of air (Pa, N/m2) T = absolute dry bulb temperature (K) (1)

Density of Water Vapor

The density of water vapor can be expressed as: w = 0.0022 pw / T where pw = partial pressure water vapor (Pa, N/m2) w = density water vapor (kg/m3) T = absolute dry bulb temperature (K) (2)

Density of Moist Air - an Air Vapor Mixture

The amount of water vapor in air influences density. Water vapor is a relatively light gas compared to diatomic Oxygen and diatomic Nitrogen - the dominant components in air. When water vapor content increases in the moist air the amount of Oxygen and Nitrogen decreases per unit volume and the density decreases because the mass is decreasing.

Dry air is more dense that humid air!

Based on the specific volume of moist air density can be expressed as: =1/v = (p / Ra T) (1 + x) / (1 + x Rw / Ra) where v = specific volume of moist air per mass unit of dry air and water vapor (m3/kg) Ra = 286.9 - the individual gas constant air (J/kg K) Rw = 461.5 - the individual gas constant water vapor (J/kg K) x = specific humidity or humidity ratio (kg/kg) p = pressure in the humid air (Pa) Density of dry air can be expressed as: da = p / Ra T where (4) (3)

da = density dry air (kg/m3) Combining (4) and (3): = da (1 + x) / (1 + x Rw / Ra) (5)

The gas constant ratio between water vapor and air is Rw / Ra = (461.5 J/kg K) / (286.9 J/kg K) = 1.609 Inserting the ratio in (5): = da (1 + x) / (1 + 1.609 x ) (6)

Note! As we can see from (6) increased moisture content will reduce the density of the moist air - Dry air is more dense than moist air.

Enthalpy of Moist and Humid Air

Moist air is a mixture of dry air and water vapor. In atmospheric air, water vapor content varies from 0 to 3% by mass. The enthalpy of moist and humid air includes the

enthalpy of the dry air - the sensible heat - and the enthalpy of the evaporated water - the latent heat

Specific enthalpy - h - (J/kg, Btu/lb) of moist air is defined as the total enthalpy (J, Btu) of the dry air and the water vapor mixture - per unit mass (kg, lb) of moist air.

Specific Enthalpy of Moist Air

Specific enthalpy of moist air can be expressed as: h = ha + x hw where h = specific enthalpy of moist air (kJ/kg, Btu/lb) ha = specific enthalpy of dry air (kJ/kg, Btu/lb) x = humidity ratio (kg/kg, lb/lb) hw = specific enthalpy of water vapor (kJ/kg, Btu/lb) (1)

Specific Enthalpy of Dry Air - Sensible Heat

Assuming constant pressure conditions the specific enthalpy of dry air can be expressed as: ha = cpa t where cpa = specific heat capacity of air at constant pressure (kJ/kgoC, kWs/kgK, Btu/lboF) t = air temperature (oC, oF) For air temperature between -100oC (-150oF) and 100oC (212oF) the specific heat capacity can be set to cpa = 1.006 (kJ/kgoC) = 0.240 (Btu/lboF) Note! that the enthalpy is 0 kJ/kg at 0oC. This is not correct according the definition of enthalpy in the thermodynamics, but for practical purposes in air psychrometrics this assumption is good enough since our interest is the enthalpy difference. (2)

Specific Enthalpy of Water Vapor - Latent Heat

Assuming constant pressure conditions the specific enthalpy of water vapor can be expressed as: hw = cpw t + hwe where cpw = specific heat of water vapor at constant pressure (kJ/kgoC, kWs/kgK) t = water vapor temperature (oC) hwe = evaporation heat of water at 0oC (kJ/kg) For water vapor the specific heat capacity can be set to cpw = 1.84 (kJ/kgoC) = 0.444 (Btu/lboF) The evaporation heat (water at 0oC) can be set to hwe = 2501 kJ/kg) (3)

= 1075 (Btu/lb) Using (2) and (3), (1) can be modified to h = cpa t + x [cpw t + hwe] (1b) in metric units h = (1.006 kJ/kgoC) t + x [(1.84 kJ/kgoC) t + (2501 kJ/kg)] where h = enthalpy (kJ/kg) x = mass of water vapor (kg/kg) t = temperature (oC) (1b) in Imperial units h = (0.240 Btu/lboF) t + x [(0.444 Btu/lboF) t + (970 Btu/lb)] where h = enthalpy (Btu/lb) x = mass of water vapor (lb/lb) t = temperature (oF) (1d) (1c) (1b)

Example - Enthalpy in Moist Air

The enthalpy of humid air at 25oC with specific moisture content x = 0.0203 kg/kg (saturation), can be calculated as: h = (1.006 kJ/kgoC) (25oC) + (0.0203 kg/kg) [(1.84 kJ/kgoC) (25oC) + (2501 kJ/kg)] = (25.15 kJ/kg) + [(0.93 kJ/kg) + (50.77 kJ/kg)] = 76.9 (kJ/kg) Note! The latent heat due to evaporation of water is the major part of the enthalpy. The sensible heat due to heating evaporated water vapor can be almost neglected.

Enthalpy of Moist Air containing Water - Fog

If the air contains more water than limited by saturation, some of the water exists as droplets - as fog. The enthalpy of moist air with fog can be expressed as: h = cpa t + xs [cpw t + hwe] + (x - xs) cw t where xs = humidity ratio at saturation (kg/kg) cw = 4.19 - specific heat capacity of water (kJ/kgoC) (2)

Enthalpy of Moist Air containing Ice or Snow

If the air contains water as ice or snow, the enthalpy of air can be expressed as: h = cpa t + xs [cpw t + hwe] + (x - xs) ci t - (x - xs) him where ci = 2.05 - specific heat capacity of ice (kJ/kg.oC) him= 335 - melting heat of ice (kJ/kg) (3)

Cooling Loads - Latent and Sensible Heat

The design cooling load (or heat gain) is the amount of heat energy to be removed from a house by the HVAC equipment to maintain the house at indoor design temperature when worst case outdoor design temperature is being experienced. There are two types of cooling loads:

sensible cooling load latent cooling load

The sensible cooling load refers to the dry bulb temperature of the building and the latent cooling load refers to the wet bulb temperature of the building. In the summer, humidity influence in the selection of the HVAC equipment and the latent load as well as the sensible load must be calculated.

Cooling and Heating Equations

Factors that influence to the sensible cooling load

Glass windows or doors Sunlight striking windows, skylights, or glass doors and heating the room Exterior walls Partitions (that separate spaces of different temperatures)

Ceilings under an attic Roofs Floors over an open crawl space Air infiltration through cracks in the building, doors, and windows People in the building Equipment and appliances operated in the summer Lights

Notice that below grade walls, below grade floors, and floors on concrete slabs do not increase the cooling load on the structure and are therefore ignored. Other sensible heat gains are taken care of by the HVAC equipment before the air reaches the rooms (system gains). Two items that require additional sensible cooling capacity from the HVAC equipment are:

Ductwork located in an unconditioned space Ventilation air (air that is mechanically introduced into the building)

Sensible Heat Load and Required Air Volume Chart

Sensible heat load - heating or cooling - and required air volume to keep temperature constant at various temperature differences between entering air and room air are indicated in the chart below:

Sensible Heat Load and Required Air Volume Chart (pdf)

Factors that influence to the latent cooling load

Moisture is introduced into a structure through:

People Equipment and appliances Air infiltration through cracks in the building, doors, and windows

Other latent heat gain is taken care of by the HVAC equipment before the air reaches the rooms (system gain).
Latent Heat Load and Required Air Volume Chart

Latent heat load - humidifying and dehumidifying - and required air volume to keep temperature constant at various temperature differences between entering air and room air are indicated in the chart below: