Moisture in air

The quantity of moisture in the air is one of the major factors inuencing human comfort. In addition, moisture can have a serious inuence on the technical performance of materials comprising the building enclosure. It is therefore important to understand how moisture and air interact, a eld of study known as psychrometrics.

study of air/water mixtures

Psychrometrics:

Properties & components of air

Air is a mixture of components in a gaseous state, typically comprised of approximately:

Properties & components of air

The presence of water vapour in the air mixture determines the moisture level or humidity of the air. The fact that water changes states from gas to liquid, and in certain instances from liquid to solid within the temperature range normally experienced by buildings, is what can potentially lead to serious moisture problems within building assemblies.

other gasses 1%

nitrogen 78%

oxygen 21%

It is within this 1% of other gasses where water vapour can reside.

Moisture in air
The capacity of an air mixture to hold water vapour is limited. If water is permitted to evaporate into a closed container of air, an equilibrium is reached when no further net evaporation will occur, and the air mixture is said to be fully saturated.

Vapour pressure
The total pressure of the air mixture is comprised of the sum of the partial pressures of each of its components.

Ptotal = Poxygen + Pnitrogen + Pwater vapour + . . .

The partial pressure of the water vapour component is known as the vapour pressure. The higher the value of the vapour pressure, the greater the actual amount of water the air contains (measured in grams per cubic metre of air). When air is fully saturated, it is said to have reached its saturation vapour pressure. These saturated values have been determined, and can be plotted as a function of temperature.

evaporation

The amount of water vapour the air mixture will hold is primarily dependent on its temperature the higher the temperature, the more water vapour it can hold.

condensation

Saturated vapour pressure vs. temperature

Saturated vapour pressure vs. temperature

temp (C) -26 -25 -24 -23 -22 -21 -20 -19 -18 -17 -16 -15 -14 -13 -12 -11 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 pressure (Pa) 57.20 63.23 69.85 77.09 85.02 93.70 103.2 113.5 124.8 137.1 150.6 165.2 181.1 198.4 217.2 237.6 259.7 283.7 309.7 337.9 368.5 temp (C) -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 pressure (Pa) 401.5 437.2 475.7 517.3 562.3 610.8 656.6 705.5 757.5 812.9 871.9 934.7 1,001 1,072 1,147 1,227 1,312 1,402 1,497 1,598 1,704 temp (C) 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 pressure (Pa) 1,817 1,937 2,063 2,196 2,337 2,486 2,643 2,809 2,983 3,167 3,361 3,565 3,780 4,006 4,243 4,493 4,755 5,031 5,320 5,624 5,942 temp (C) 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 pressure (Pa) 6,276 6,626 6,993 7,378 7,780 8,202 8,642 9,103 9,586 10,090 10,620 11,170 11,740 12,330 12,960 13,610 14,290 15,000 15,740 16,510 17,310

Relative humidity
Relative humidity is another means of quantifying the amount of moisture in the air. It is the ratio of the actual amount of moisture in the air compared to the maximum amount it could hold under the same conditions, usually represented as a percentage. For example, a relative humidity value of 60% indicates that the air mixture contains 60% of the maximum moisture it is able to contain at that temperature.

Relative humidity
Since the amount of moisture air is capable of absorbing is a function of its temperature, a value of relative humidity is only meaningful if the temperature of the air is also known hence the term relative humidity.

A reading of 100% relative humidity indicates the air is fully saturated.

Psychrometric chart
The psychrometric chart is a two-dimensional graphic representation of the characteristics of air/water mixtures. Once a state point is determined and located on the chart, all of the physical properties of the mixture can be determined: dry bulb temperature wet bulb temperature dew point temperature density moisture content vapour pressure relative humidity enthalpy

Psychrometric chart

Psychrometric chart
Normal temperatures SI metric units Barometric pressure 101.325 kPa Sea level

Mollier diagram

Psychrometric chart
dry bulb temperature

Psychrometric chart
constant dry bulb temperature

Psychrometric chart
moisture content & vapour pressure

Psychrometric chart
constant moisture content

Psychrometric chart
constant enthalpy (energy)

Psychrometric chart
constant specic volume (density)

Psychrometric chart
constant relative humidity

Psychrometric chart
saturation curve (100% relative humidity)

Psychrometric chart
state point with given dry bulb temperature & relative humidity

Psychrometric chart
state point determines moisture content & vapour pressure

state point

state point moisture content & vapour pressure

dry bulb temperature

dry bulb temperature

Psychrometric chart
dew point temperature

Psychrometric chart
wet bulb temperature

state point moisture content & vapour pressure

state point moisture content & vapour pressure

dew point temperature

dry bulb temperature

dew point dry bulb temperature wet bulb temperature temperature

Sling psychrometer
An instrument comprised of two thermometers, one whose bulb remains dry and the other whose bulb is maintained wet using a dampened cloth.

Psychrometric chart
wet bulb temperature

As the instrument is swung in the air, the temperature of the wet bulb thermometer gradually drops due to evaporation, until an equilibrium temperature is eventually reached. This is known as the wet bulb temperature.

state point moisture content & vapour pressure

dew point dry bulb temperature wet bulb temperature temperature

Psychrometric chart
movement from one state point to another

Psychrometric chart
combining of air/water mixtures with dierent state points state point 2

state point 2

state point 1

new state point state point 1

Psychrometric chart
showing ASHRAE thermal comfort envelopes for summer & winter

Example: Exterior vapour pressures

If during the daytime at 25C the Relative Humidity (RH) is 50%, what would be the anticipated RH at night if the temperature falls to 0C, assuming no change in moisture content of the air? a) using Saturated Vapour Table: Saturation vapour pressure for 25C is 3,167 Pa (from table), therefore a 50% RH indicates a vapour pressure of: summer envelope pv = 0.50 x 3,167 Pa = 1,583 Pa The saturated vapour pressure at night for 0C is 611 Pa, therefore: RH at night = 1,583 Pa / 611 Pa = 2.59 = 259% > 100% RH Therefore condensation (dew or frost) will occur until RH is brought down to 100%.

winter envelope

Example: Exterior vapour pressures

If during the daytime at 25C the Relative Humidity (RH) is 50%, what would be the anticipated RH at night if the temperature falls to 0C, assuming no change in moisture content of the air? b) using Psychrometric Chart: Find 25C dry bulb temperature on the chart, move up to 50% RH. Move horizontally left until saturation line is reached. Follow saturation line down to a dry bulb temperature of 10C. during which time condensation will occur to remove moisture from the air while the RH remains at 100%.

Example: Water vapour in air

a) Find the surface temperature at which condensation will begin when the indoor condition is 23C with 60% RH. 1) Using Saturated Vapour Table, saturation pressure at 23C is 2,809 Pa. Partial pressure pw = 0.60 x 2,809 Pa = 1,685 Pa Temperature having saturation pressure of 1,685 Pa is 14.8C. 2) Using Psychrometric Chart, at a temperature of 23C, move vertically up the chart to a RH of 60%. Move horizontally left until saturation temperature is reached. Move down to read dew point temperature of 15C.

Example: Water vapour in air

b) For the same air temperature (23C), determine the surface temperature at which condensation will begin when the RH is 80%. 1) Using Saturated Vapour Table, saturation pressure at 23C is 2,809 Pa. Partial pressure pw = 0.80 x 2,809 Pa = 2,247 Pa Temperature having saturation pressure of 2,247 Pa is 19.5C. 2) Using Psychrometric Chart, at a temperature of 23C, move vertically up the chart to a RH of 80%. Move horizontally left until saturation temperature is reached. Move down to read dew point temperature of 19.5C.

Vapour movement by diusion

Diusion in a mechanism by which water vapour moves through a permeable material as a result of a dierence in water vapour pressures.

It is a typically a slow process which is observed in many building enclosure assemblies, when there is a dierence in vapour pressure from one side of the assembly to the other

Example: Vapour pressures

A) Winter in Yellowknife: With exterior conditions of 28.5C and 90% RH, and interior conditions of 20C and 40% RH, what are the interior and exterior vapour pressures, and in which direction will diusion occur? Exterior: From Saturated Vapour Table, saturation vapour pressure at 28.5C is 0.044 kPa, therefore: Vapour pressure with 90% RH = 0.90 x 0.044 kPa = 0.040 kPa Interior: Similarly, saturation vapour pressure at 20C is 2.337 kPa, therefore: Vapour pressure with 40% RH = 0.40 x 2.337 kPa = 0.935 kPa Vapour diusion will occur from interior ---> exterior

Psychrometric chart

Yellowknife winter exterior

Yellowknife winter interior

Example: Vapour pressures

B) Summer in Yellowknife: With exterior conditions of 16.5C and 60% RH, and interior conditions of 25C and 40% RH, what are the interior and exterior vapour pressures, and in which direction will diusion occur? Exterior: From Saturated Vapour Table, saturation vapour pressure at 16.5C is 1.877 kPa, therefore: Vapour pressure with 60% RH = 0.60 x 1.877 kPa = 1.126 kPa Interior: Similarly, saturation vapour pressure at 25C is 3.167 kPa, therefore: Vapour pressure with 40% RH = 0.40 x 3.167 kPa = 1.27 kPa Vapour diusion will occur from interior ---> exterior

Psychrometric chart

Yellowknife winter exterior

Yellowknife summer exterior Yellowknife winter interior

Yellowknife summer interior

Example: Vapour pressures

A) Winter in Montreal: With exterior conditions of 15C and 80% RH, and interior conditions of 20C and 40% RH, what are the interior and exterior vapour pressures of water, and which direction will diusion occur? Exterior: From table, saturation vapour pressure at 15C is 165.2 Pa, therefore vapour pressure with 80% RH = 0.80 x 165.2 Pa = 132 Pa Interior: Saturation vapour pressure at 20C is 2,337 Pa, therefore vapour pressure with 40% RH = 0.40 x 2,337 Pa = 935 Pa Vapour diusion will occur from interior ---> exterior

Psychrometric chart

Montreal winter exterior

Montreal winter interior

Example: Vapour pressures

B) Summer in Montreal: With exterior conditions of 30C and 80% RH, and interior conditions of 25C and 50% RH, what are the interior and exterior vapour pressures of water, and which direction will diusion occur? Exterior: From table, saturation vapour pressure at 30C is 4,243 Pa, therefore vapour pressure with 80% RH = 0.80 x 4,243 Pa = 3,394 Pa Interior: Saturation vapour pressure at 25C is 3,167 Pa, therefore vapour pressure with 50% RH = 0.50 x 3,167 Pa = 1,584 Pa Vapour diusion will occur from exterior ---> interior

Psychrometric chart

Montreal summer exterior

Montreal winter exterior

Montreal summer interior Montreal winter interior

Monthly average temperatures, drybulb & dewpoint

Monthly average temperatures, drybulb & dewpoint

Monthly Temperature & Vapour Pressure Analysis

A month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec B Tdry bulb
C

Vancouver
F VPactual
Pa

Monthly Temperature & Vapour Pressure Analysis

A month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec B Tdry bulb
C

Montreal
F VPactual
Pa

C Tdewpoint
C

D MC
g/kgdry air

E VPsat
Pa

G RH
%

C Tdewpoint
C

D MC
g/kgdry air

E VPsat
Pa

G RH
%

2.5 4.5 5.5 8.5 12.0 15.0 17.5 17.0 14.0 10.0 6.0 4.0
from table

0.0 2.0 2.5 4.5 7.5 10.5 12.5 13.0 11.0 7.5 3.5 2.0
from table

3.8 4.5 4.7 5.2 6.5 8.0 9.1 9.4 8.3 6.5 4.7 4.3
horizontal on psychrometric chart from TDP to right axis

726 836 897 1103 1395 1698 1995 1930 1591 1221 929 807
from VPsat table using TDB

624 703 727 861 1074 1290 1494 1505 1321 1026 799 711
from VPsat table using TDP

86 84 81 78 77 76 75 78 83 84 86 88
col F / col E

-10 -9.0 -2.5 5.5 13.0 18.5 21.0 19.5 14.5 8.5 2.0 -7.0
from table

-13.5 -13.0 -7.0 -0.5 5.5 12.0 14.5 14.0 10.0 4.0 -1.5 -10.0
from table

1.1 1.8 3.1 5.6 9.4 13.5 15.8 14.4 10.4 7.0 4.4 2.1
horizontal on psychrometric chart from TDP to right axis

260 284 497 903 1497 2130 2486 2267 1651 1110 706 338
from VPsat table using TDB

190 199 343 587 913 1405 1666 1609 1238 821 550 264
from VPsat table using TDP

73 70 69 65 61 66 67 71 75 74 78 78
col F / col E

The text and images used in this presentation have been obtained from a number of di erent sources. This information has been assembled speci cally for the delivery of the course CIVL 478 Building Science & the Building Enclosure, and forms an integral part of the course material which is required for examination. The presentation is intended for educational purposes only, to be used solely by students enrolled in the course. It is not to be distributed electronically or in hard copy format to any other party. Greg Johnson