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I) Objective
The objective of this experiment is to examine the state of moist air as it enters and passes
through the air handling unit. When weather conditions permit, the process investigated is
cooling with dehumidification. During cooler, dryer times a heating and humidifying process is
investigated. Based on measurements of air dry-bulb temperatures, humidity levels and flow
rates it is possible to evaluate both the sensible and latent energy changes that the air undergoes
as it passes through the process.
II) Background
A psychrometric chart provides a convenient way to look at the processes. In the charts shown
below, the processes begin at state 1. The enthalpy values on the psychrometric charts are
specific values, i.e. they are per unit mass (for convenience, they are customarily expressed in
terms of unit mass of dry air).
Heating/humidifying:
In the heating/humidifying process the air first passes through a heat exchanger and then through
the humidifier where steam at a mass flow rate of up to 25.7 lbmw/hr and specific enthalpy hw is
sprayed into the air stream. The heating and humidification of the air is best considered by
looking at the two processes sequentially. The first, from state 1 to state 2, is the sensible
heating that occurs when the air passes through the heat exchanger. The second, from state 2 to
state 3, is the humidification process.
During the sensible heating process the rate of energy added to the moist air, 1 Q& 2 , is written as:
& = m& (h h )
a 2
1
1 Q2
Eqn. 1
where: h1= the specific enthalpy of the moist air upstream of the heating coil
h2= the specific enthalpy of the moist air downstream of the heating coil (and upstream of
the humidifier.)
m& a = the mass flow rate of dry air through the process.
In the humidification process the energy equation is:
Eqn. 2
where: h3= the specific enthalpy of the moist air downstream of the humidifier
hw= the specific enthalpy of the steam
m& w = mass flow rate of the steam
4-1
Eqn. 3
where: W2= humidity ratio of the moist air upstream of the humidifier
W3= humidity ratio of the moist air downstream of the humidifier
Combining these equations leads to the result:
h3 h2
= hw
W3 W2
Eqn. 4
where the left side of the equation represents the slope of the humidification process on a
psychrometric chart. Thus the direction of the process can be determined from the enthalpy of
the steam added to the air stream and the enthalpy moisture protractor on a psychrometric
chart.
h3
Enthalpy, h
h2
W3
h1
1
t1
W1 = W2
Moisture Content
hw
t2 t3
Dry-Bulb Temperature
Eqn. 5
4-2
where hf,2 is the enthalpy of saturated liquid at temperature t2. The second term in the square
bracket is the enthalpy associated with the liquid condensate as it runs out of the cooling coil.
This term is small compared to (h1-h2) which is the enthalpy difference to cool the air and
condense the water. The approximation is often made where the process is divided into sensible,
(S), and latent, (L), components.
Eqn. 6
Eqn. 7
Then Q& R ~
= Q& RS + Q& RL
Eqn. 8
Q& RS
Q& RS + Q& RL
Eqn. 9
Eqn. 10
Saturation
Line
ha
Enthalpy, h
1
W1
h2
W2 = Wa
2
t2
t1 = ta
Moisture Content
h1
Dry-Bulb Temperature
A dew point hygrometer is used to measure the dew point temperature of the air. This
instrument uses a thermoelectric refrigeration module to cool a highly reflective plate until
condensation forms. A light source shines on the plate and when condensation occurs, the
reflected intensity measured by a photosensor drops significantly. The instrument then maintains
the plate at the dew point temperature through a feedback control system.
4-3
III) Procedure
Write a simple data acquisition program to measure the air dry-bulb temperatures. Set the speed
of the fan to 45 Hz. Measure the velocity pressure and determine the volumetric airflow rate.
Measure the dry bulb and dew point temperatures necessary to determine the heating and
humidifying or cooling and dehumidifying processes. Also, measure the dry bulb and wet bulb
temperatures needed to locate any mixing process at the inlet to the air handling unit.
Refer to Appendix H for channel assignments of instruments and calibration relationships.
4-4
Name
Date
in. Hg
in. H2O
Fan Frequency
Hz.
Location
Power Supply for Avg.
Temp. sensors
State Point
Aspirated psychrometer
Aspirated psychrometer
V
F
F
Vaisala
Relative humidity
Vaisala
Type K
Dewpoint hygrometer
Aspirated psychrometer
Aspirated psychrometer
Dewpoint temp
Dry bulb temp
Wet bulb temp
N/A
%
F
F
F
F
Vaisala
Relative humidity
Vaisala
Type K
Dewpoint hygrometer
11
N/A
Air Upstream of HX
10
Air Downstream of
Cooling Coil
Channel Units
Measurement Device
Power Supply
Measurement
Power Supply
Return Air
N/A
1
Outdoor Air
Dewpoint temp
Dry bulb temp
Dewpoint temp
Dewpoint hygrometer
Vaisala
Relative humidity
Vaisala
4
5
5
6
Dewpoint temp
Dewpoint hygrometer
Dewpoint temp
Dewpoint hygrometer
N/A
%
F
F
F
F
N/A
11
N/A
12
N/A
12
F
F
F
F
F
Air Downstream of HX
13
Air Downstream of
Humidifier
14
Vaisala
Relative humidity
Vaisala
Pitot
Tube
Location
N/A
Humidifier Steam
N/A
4-5
F
F
N/A
14
15
16
Value