Eldin D.

Murillo BSAE-4 PSYCHROMETER Laboratory Exercise 1

AGENG 424 Engr. A. Maristaza

I.

Introduction Humidity is a term that everyone uses, but technically speaking, not always accurately. We sometimes assume air is at high humidity when we are uncomfortably warm. Relative humidity is expressed as a measure of the amount of water vapor the air contains as a percentage of the total amount it could contain at a specific temperature. If you think of air as a paper towel for a moment, it can only hold a specific amount of water at a specific temperature. However, unlike a paper towel, the total amount of moisture the air can hold changes as the temperature changes. As the air becomes warmer, it can hold a greater mass of moisture. To find out the relative humidity or moisture content of the air, one may use a psychrometer, a kind of hygrometer. A psychrometer is an instrument that computes both the wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures. Two thermometers are required to compute these constraints. From the values obtained, the relative humidity can be known.

II.

Objectives At the end of this laboratory exercise, I will be able to: a. b. c. d. Familiarize myself with the science behind the sling psychrometer; Learn how to use the sling psychrometer; Gain knowledge of the use of a psychrometric chart, and Find the useful applications of a psychrometer.

III.

Materials a. Bacharach Sling Psychrometer b. Improvised Sling Psychrometer - 2 pcs. Thermometer - Cotton

- Water - Stopwatch & Fan

IV.

Procedure Go to the ff. location: (classroom, aggies consultation room, 2nd floor lobby of aggies bldg., aggies elevator, 6th floor lobby of aggies bldg., CR men of SC bldg.) Get the temperatures of each location using Bacharach Sling Psychrometer and Improvised Sling Psychrometer. Do the temperature reading in Two (2) trials. Do the temperature readings at aggies consultation room with and without air-condition. Record each temperature reading.

V.

Data

Bacharach Sling Psychrometer Trial 1 Location Classroom Consultation room (no aircon) Lobby Elevator 6th floor Cr men (SC) Consultation room (w/ aircon) Improvised Sling Psychrometer Trial 1 Location Classroom Consultation room (no aircon) Lobby Elevator 6th floor Cr men (SC) Consultation room (w/ aircon) VI. Discussion a. The Science Behind The Sling Psychrometer A psychrometer is a device used to measure relative humidity of a certain area. A psychrometer has two bulbs: one wet and one dry. Both bulbs are Dry bulb 28 C 28 C 27 C 30 C 28 C 28 C 21 C Wet bulb 26 C 22 C 25 C 27 C 26 C 25 C 16 C Dry bulb 28 C 28 C 27 C 30 C 27 C 29 C 21 C Trial 2 Wet bulb 26 C 22 C 25 C 28 C 25 C 26 C 15 C Dry bulb 28.33 C 26.67 C 27.77 C 30 C 27.78 C 28.33 C 22.22 C Wet bulb 26.67 C 23.3 C 26.11 C 27.78 C 26.11 C 26.11 C 17.78 C Dry bulb 27.77 C 27.22 C 27.22 C 30 C 27.78 C 27.78 C 22.22 C Trial 2 Wet bulb 26.67 C 23.89 C 26.11 C 27.78 C 26.11 C 26.67 C 16.67 C

traditional thermometers, though one is covered with a wet towel. After a period of time, the water on the wet bulb evaporates and at that time, the temperature is measured on each bulb. The difference between the temperatures is noted. Then each is used on a chart to find the relative humidity of that temperature and area. A small difference between the temperatures of the bulbs shows a high relative humidity coming from a low evaporation rate. In dry air, evaporation happens faster showing a large difference in temperature thus giving you a low relative humidity. b. How to Use the Sling Psychrometer. A sling psychrometer is an instrument that measures relative humidity (a hygrometer). The sling has two thermometers, a dry bulb and a wet bulb thermometer, mounted together on a chain. The wet bulb thermometer is wrapped in muslin that is moistened with distilled water. The user then swings the sling until the temperatures stabilize, then quickly notes the two temperatures. Hence, to use a sling psychrometer, you have to swing the contraption (some have a little fan instead to blow across the bulbs). The air flowing over the one with gauze/alcohol will have evaporation going on around the bulb. The temperature that results on the bulb with the evaporation is called the wet-bulb temperature. The wet-bulb temp is in between the dewpoint (the point at which water vapor in the atmosphere can start condensing) and the regular air temperature. The reason that it is not the dewpoint is because as water evaporates, it gives off heat. So the result is that it shows a temperature higher than the actual dewpoint. c. How to Use the Psychrometric Chart To interpret the readings and determine the humidity, a chart is then used for the specific altitude at which the reading was taken. This chart is called the psychrometric chart. Basically, the drier the air is, the more moisture evaporates from the moistened muslin-covered thermometer, and the greater the difference between the two thermometers. If the relative humidity is 100%, then the two temperatures will be the same.

VII. Conclusion Using a psychrometer determines the humidity of a certain area by relating it to the temperature reading of a psychrometric chart. A psychrometer is composed of dry and wet bulbs. The reading from these dry and wet bulbs is projected to get the relative humidity. After the activity and as provided in the above data, I came to know about the science behind psychrometer. That humidity can be identified because of such device. Moreover, as seen from the data gathered and discussions above, I was able to successfully use a sling psychrometer in determining the humidity of some specified areas inside the campus. This I did with the use of a psychrometric chart that shows, by graphs, the parameters relating to water moisture in air. Lastly, I found out that psychrometers are used wherever the humidity and precipitation is an issue. Meteorology depends on psychrometers to forecast weather. Also, museums possessing valuable ancient works make use of the psychrometers. Greenhouses, humidors and saunas may also use psychrometers and within houses and in a lot of industrial applications, engineers use psychrometers for air conditioning maintenance and determine appropriate humidity levels for manufacturing.

References Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). Humidity. University of Central Florida. Retrieved on 4 March 2013 from website: http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/consumer/buildings/ basics/humidity.htm Innovation and Information for Sustainable Living. What is a Psychrometer? 2006-2011 InnovateUs Inc. Retrieved on 4 March 2013 from website: http://www.innovateus.net /science/what-psychrometer Walker, Ken. What is a Sling Psychrometer? Kestrel 4000 Pocket Weather Meter. Published on 12 August 2008. Retrieved on 4 March 2013 from website: http://www.kestrel4000.com.au/kestrel4000/what-is-a-sling-psychrometer-.html