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 in the air - the latent heat

The total enthalpy - sensible and latent - is used when calculating cooling and heating processes.

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 dry air.

Specific Enthalpy of Moist Air

Specific enthalpy of moist air can be expressed as:

h = ha + x hw (1)

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)

Specific Enthalpy of Dry Air - Sensible Heat

Assuming constant pressure conditions the specific enthalpy of dry air can be expressed as:

ha = cpa t (2)

where

cpa = specific heat 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 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.
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 (3)

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 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)

= 1075 (Btu/lb)

Using (2) and (3), (1) can be modified to

h = cpa t + x [cpw t + hwe] (1b)

(1b) in metric units

h = (1.006 kJ/kgoC) t + x [(1.84 kJ/kgoC) t + (2501 kJ/kg)] (1c)

where

h = enthalpy (kJ/kg)

x = mass of water vapor (kg/kg)

t = temperature (oC)

Note! - that the reference points for metric and imperial enthalpies are different.

 the "reference" enthalpy h = 0 (kJ/kg) is at t = 0 oC and x = 0 kg/kg for metric units

 the "reference" enthalpy h = 0 (Btu/lb) is at t = 0 oF and x = 0 lb/lb for imperial units

You can not convert from metric to imperial enthalpy or vice versa directly.

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.

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 (2)

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)

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 (4)

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 (5)

where

x = specific humidity or humidity ratio (kg/kg)

Combining (4) and (5):

pw V = x ma Rw T (6)

Combining (6) with (1):

vda = x Rw T / pw (7)

Transforming (7):

pw = x Rw T / vda (8)

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 yhe inverse of specific volume of moist air - the density of moist air.

Humidity ratio can be expressed by mass of water - or by the vapor partial pressure in the moist
air.

Humidity Ratio by Mass

Humidity ratio can be expressed as the ratio between the actual mass of water vapor present in
moist air - to the mass of the dry air. Humidity ratio is normally expressed in kilogram or pounds of
water vapor per kilogram or pounds of dry air.

Humidity ratio expressed by mass:

x = mw / ma (1)

where

x = humidity ratio (kgwater/kgair, lbwater/lbdry_air)

mw = mass of water vapor (kg, lb)

ma = mass of dry air (kg, lb)

Humidity Ratio by Vapor Partial Pressure

Humidity ratio can also be expressed with the partial pressure of water vapor:

x = 0.62198 pw / (pa - pw) (2)

where

pw = partial pressure of water vapor in moist air (Pa, psi)

pa = atmospheric pressure of moist air (Pa, psi)

The maximum amount of water vapor in the air is achieved when pw = pws the saturation pressure of
water vapor at the actual temperature. (2) can be modified to:

xs = 0.62198 pws / (pa - pws) (3)

where

xs = specific humidity at saturation (kgwater/kgair, lbwater/lbdry_air)

pws = saturation pressure of water vapor

Example - Humidity Ratio of Moist Air

The specific humidity for saturated humid air at 20oC with water vapor partial pressure 2333 Pa at
atmospheric pressure of 101325 Pa (1013 mbar, 760 mmHg) can be calculated as:

x = 0.62198 (2333 Pa) / ((101325 Pa) - (2333 Pa))

= 0.0147 (kg/kg)

= 14.7 (g/kg)

Water vapor is almost always present in the surrounding air.

Saturation Pressure of Water Vapor

The maximum saturation pressure of the water vapor in moist air varies with the temperature of the
air vapor mixture and can be expressed as:

pws = e(77.3450 + 0.0057 T - 7235 / T) / T8.2 (1)

where

pws = water vapor saturation pressure (Pa)

e = the constant 2.718.......

T = dry bulb temperature of the moist air (K)

Density of Water Vapor

The density of water vapor can be expressed as:

ρw = 0.0022 pw / T (2)

where

pw = partial pressure water vapor (Pa, N/m2)

ρw = density water vapor (kg/m3)

T = absolute dry bulb temperature (K)

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 (2)

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)

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 (4)

where

pw = partial pressure water vapor (Pa)

Rw = 461.5 - 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 (5)

where
x = specific humidity or humidity ratio (kg/kg)

Combining (4) and (5):

pw V = x ma Rw T (6)

Combining (6) with (1):

vda = x Rw T / pw (7)

Transforming (7):

pw = x Rw T / vda (8)

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 yhe inverse of specific volume of moist air - the density of moist air.

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 (3)

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 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)

= 1075 (Btu/lb)

Using (2) and (3), (1) can be modified to

h = cpa t + x [cpw t + hwe] (1b)

(1b) in metric units

h = (1.006 kJ/kgoC) t + x [(1.84 kJ/kgoC) t + (2501 kJ/kg)] (1c)

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 + (1075 Btu/lb)] (1d)

where

h = enthalpy (Btu/lb)

x = mass of water vapor (lb/lb)

t = temperature (oF)

Note! - that the reference points for metric and imperial enthalpies are different.

 the "reference" enthalpy h = 0 (kJ/kg) is at t = 0 oC and x = 0 kg/kg for metric units

 the "reference" enthalpy h = 0 (Btu/lb) is at t = 0 oF and x = 0 lb/lb for imperial units

You can not convert from metric to imperial enthalpy or vice versa directly.
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 as 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 (2)

where

xs = humidity ratio at saturation (kg/kg)

cw = 4.19 - specific heat water (kJ/kgoC)

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 (3)

where

ci = 2.05 - specific heat ice (kJ/kg.oC)

him= 335 - melting heat of ice (kJ/kg)