APPENDIX B

Physical Properties of
Selected Gases and
Composition of Air

Table B-1
Molecular weight, specic weight, and density of gases found in water at
standard conditions (0 C, 1 atm)
Gas Formula Molecular Weight, g/mol Density, g/L
Air 28.97a 1.2928
Ammonia NH3 17.03 0.7708
Carbon dioxide CO2 44.00 1.9768
Carbon monoxide CO 28.00 1.2501
Hydrogen H2 2.016 0.0898
Hydrogen sulde H2 S 34.08 1.5392
Methane CH4 16.03 0.7167
Nitrogen N2 28.02 1.2507
Oxygen O2 32.00 1.4289

Source: Adapted from R. H. Perry, D. W. Green, and J. O. Maloney (1984) Chemical Engineers
Handbook, 6th ed., McGraw-Hill, New York.
a Value reported in the literature vary depending on the standard conditions. Note: (0.7803

28.02) + (0.2099 32.00) + (0.0094 39.95) + (0.0003 44.00) = 28.97.

MWHs Water Treatment: Principles and Design, Third Edition 1857

John C. Crittenden, R. Rhodes Trussell, David W. Hand, Kerry J. Howe and George Tchobanoglous
Copyright 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
1858 Appendix B Physical Properties of Selected Gases and Composition of Air

Table B-2
Composition of dry air at 0 C and 1.0 atm
Percent Percent
Gas Formula by Volumea by Weight
Nitrogen N2 78.03 75.47
Oxygen O2 20.99 23.18
Argon Ar 0.94 1.30
Carbon dioxide CO2 0.039 0.05
Otherd 0.01
a Adapted from North American Combustion Handbook, 2nd ed., North American Mfg.,

Cleveland, OH.
b Hydrogen, neon, helium, krypton, xenon.

Table B-3
Density and viscosity of air (SI units)
Dynamic Kinematic
Temperature Density Viscositya,b Viscosity
T
( C) (kg/m3 ) ( 105 kg/m s) ( 105 m2 /s)
0 1.293 1.736 1.343
5 1.269 1.762 1.388
10 1.247 1.787 1.433
15 1.225 1.812 1.479
20 1.204 1.837 1.525
25 1.184 1.862 1.572
30 1.165 1.886 1.619
35 1.146 1.910 1.667
40 1.127 1.934 1.716
45 1.110 1.958 1.765
50 1.093 1.982 1.814
60 1.060 2.029 1.915
70 1.029 2.075 2.017
80 1.000 2.121 2.121
90 0.972 2.166 2.228
100 0.946 2.210 2.336
a Dynamic viscosity can also be expressed in units of N s/m2 .
b Dynamic viscosity calculated at <http://www.lmnoeng.com/Flow/GasViscosity.htm>
 B-2 Change in Atmospheric Pressure with Elevation 1859

B-1 Density of Air at Other Temperatures

The following relationship can be used to compute the density of air, a , at
other temperatures at atmospheric pressure:
PM
a =
RT

where a = density of air, g/m3

P = atmospheric pressure, 1.01325 105 N/m2
M = molecular weight of air (see Table B-1), 28.97 g/mol
R = universal gas constant, 8.314 N m/(mol K)
T = temperature, K (273.15 + C)

For example, at 20 C, the density of air is

(1.01325 105 N/m2 )(28.97 g/mol)
a,20 C =
[8.314 N m/(mol K)][(273.15 + 20)K]

= 1204 g/m3 = 1.204 kg/m3

B-2 Change in Atmospheric Pressure with Elevation

The following relationship can be used to compute the change in atmo-
spheric pressure with elevation:
 
Pb gM (zb za )
= exp
Pa RT

where P b = pressure at elevation z b , N/m2

P a = atmospheric pressure at sea level, 1.01325 105 N/m2
g = acceleration due to gravity, 9.81 m/s2
M = molecular weight of air (see Table B-1), 28.97 g/mol
z = elevation, m
R = universal gas constant, 8.314 N m/(mol K)
T = temperature, K (273.15 + C)