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    Terminology: Humidity

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    The document defines key terminology used in humidification processes. It discusses concepts like relative humidity, absolute humidity, dew point temperature, latent heat, and sensible heat. Vapor migration is also explained, which is the tendency of water vapor to move from areas of higher vapor pressure to lower vapor pressure. A proper understanding of these technical terms is important for fully comprehending humidification systems and their design.

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    Terminology: Humidity

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    The document defines key terminology used in humidification processes. It discusses concepts like relative humidity, absolute humidity, dew point temperature, latent heat, and sensible heat. Vapor migration is also explained, which is the tendency of water vapor to move from areas of higher vapor pressure to lower vapor pressure. A proper understanding of these technical terms is important for fully comprehending humidification systems and their design.

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    The document defines key terminology used in humidification processes. It discusses concepts like relative humidity, absolute humidity, dew point temperature, latent heat, and sensible heat. Vapor migration is also explained, which is the tendency of water vapor to move from areas of higher vapor pressure to lower vapor pressure. A proper understanding of these technical terms is important for fully comprehending humidification systems and their design.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    27 views3 pages

    Terminology: Humidity

    Uploaded by

    Anonymous KzJcjGCJb
    The document defines key terminology used in humidification processes. It discusses concepts like relative humidity, absolute humidity, dew point temperature, latent heat, and sensible heat. Vapor migration is also explained, which is the tendency of water vapor to move from areas of higher vapor pressure to lower vapor pressure. A proper understanding of these technical terms is important for fully comprehending humidification systems and their design.

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    Terminology

    Although humidification itself is a simple process, it does work within the confines
    of certain very specific terminology. To understand the humidification process
    completely, it is most important that we first have a good understanding of that basic
    terminology.

    Humidity
    Air, for the purpose of this discussion, is defined as a gaseous mixture of nitrogen,
    oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor (humidity), several inert gases, and traces of
    ozone and submicroscopic solid matter, sometimes called permanent atmospheric
    substances.

    All other airborne substances are considered contaminants. The water vapor
    (humidity), being a gas, occupies space along with the other gases of the air.

    In HVAC engineering, air is considered as being made up of only two components,


    dry air and water vapor. The properties of the dry air, which is composed of
    nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and rare gases, remain relatively unchanged as the
    temperature of the air rises and falls.

    The water vapor, on the other hand, may undergo considerable alteration as
    the temperature changes, including changes of state (condensing and freezing).
    Substantial amounts of energy are involved in these transformations.

    In measuring these changes and when working with the processing of air for
    various air conditioning problems, the engineer is concerned with two basic laws,
    Thermodynamics and Psychrometry.

    Thermodynamics is the study of heat energy transformations and substances that are
    affected by them.

    Psychrometry deals with the measurement of atmospheric conditions, particularly


    the moisture mixed with air.

    A psychrometric chart is a graphic representation of the thermodynamic tables that


    the HVAC engineer finds convenient to use when plotting solutions for the various
    air-conditioning processes involving water vapor and temperature changes.

    Relative Humidity
    When we wish to describe the wetness or dryness of air at a given temperature and
    pressure, we use the term relative humidity. RH tells us the amount of moisture
    present in the air at a given temperature compared to what the air could hold at that
    temperature if it were saturated. It is expressed as a percentage.

    Page 
    Absolute Humidity, Humidity Ratio and Specific Humidity
    Each of the above terms is expressed as a number that describes a unit weight of
    water vapor associated with a unit weight of dry air. It is commonly expressed as
    fractional pounds (or kilograms) of water vapor per pound (or kilogram) of dry air,
    or if the use of whole numbers is preferred, it is expressed in grains of moisture per
    pound of dry air. There are 7000 grains in one pound.

    Duct Equivalent Relative Humidity


    This is the relative humidity of a duct air stream at a given temperature as compared
    to the relative humidity of the space served, which is usually at a different
    temperature. For example, a 55°F duct air stream has a duct equivalent relative
    humidity of 80% when compared to a room condition of 72°F and 45% relative
    humidity. This data is needed when absorption distance evaluations of duct steam
    dispersers are being made.

    Dry Bulb Temperature


    This is simply the temperature of the air indicated by any type of thermometer or
    thermocouple that has not been affected by evaporation or radiation.

    Wet Bulb Temperature


    This is an expression of the temperature of the air when a wick or sock, wetted with
    water, encases the sensing element of a dry bulb thermometer and air is passed over
    it at a velocity of 700 feet per minute or more. The drier the air, the greater is the
    cooling caused by evaporation and, therefore, the lower the wet bulb temperature.

    Mean Radiant Temperature


    This is the temperature of a uniform black enclosure in which a solid body or
    occupant would lose the same amount of heat by radiation only as in a non-uniform
    environment, such as a room that has cool walls.

    This factor is one of the components that make up the Standard Effective
    Temperature Index.

    Dew-Point Temperature
    This is the saturation temperature corresponding to the humidity ratio and pressure
    of a given moist-air state. In other words, it is the surface temperature at which
    moisture begins to condense on that surface. The more humid the air, the higher
    the dew-point temperature. Conversely, the dryer the air, the lower the dew-point
    temperature.

    Vapor Migration
    Water vapor, being a gas, behaves under the laws of low pressure gases. One of these
    laws, simply stated, says that “in a mixture of gases, the total pressure is the sum of
    the individual pressures exerted by each of the gases.” This means that, in a mixture
    of water vapor and dry air, the water vapor exerts its own vapor pressure and will
    migrate from areas of higher vapor pressure to areas of lower vapor pressure. This
    migration occurs regardless of air movement. If the air movement is in the same

    Page 
    physical direction as the force of the pressure differential, it will be accelerated. This
    characteristic can sometimes be taken advantage of when designing a humidification
    system for a large space served by more than one air distribution system.

    Further, the rate of movement at which this migration takes place is dependent upon
    the vapor pressure difference between the two areas. The greater the difference, the
    faster the migration.

    It is important to keep this phenomenon in mind when designing humidification


    for buildings or spaces within buildings. It may be necessary to consider the use of
    building materials having vapor barrier qualities in order to prevent loss of moisture,
    condensation and/or frost formation within the walls of the structure, resulting in
    damage.

    Latent Heat
    Latent means hidden. In HVAC usage, latent commonly refers to change of state,
    which is the heat involved in fusion (freezing water or melting ice) or vaporization
    (creating water vapor) or condensation with no change in temperature. For water,
    fusion requires 144 BTU per pound and vaporization or condensation requires 970
    BTU per pound. These values, which are for sea-level atmospheric pressure, vary as
    the pressure changes. Latent heat is not the same for all substances.

    Sensible Heat
    Sensible means in this case, that which can be sensed. In HVAC usage, it refers to the
    heat required to cause a change in temperature. The change is detected or sensed by
    the use of a thermometer.

    Specific Heat
    This is the heat required to cause a one-degree change in temperature in a unit mass
    of a substance. Common units are BTUs per pound (Fahrenheit degree) or calories
    per gram (Celsius degree). The specific heat of water is 1.

    The Humidification Experts


    DRI-STEEM Corporation
    14949 Technology Drive
    Eden Prairie, MN 55344
    Phone: 952.949.2415
    Fax: 952.229.3200
    www.dristeem.com

    Terminology.indd - 08/07 Rev A Page 

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