Air-Conditioning Processes and Cycles

An air-conditioning process describes the change in thermodynamic properties of moist

air between the initial and final stages of conditioning as well as the corresponding
energy and mass transfers between the moist air and a medium, such as water,
refrigerant, absorbent or adsorbent, or moist air itself. The energy balance and
conservation of mass are the two principles used for the analysis and the calculation of
the thermodynamic properties of the moist air. Generally, for a single air-conditioning
process, heat transfer or mass transfer is positive. However, for calculations that involve
several air-conditioning processes, heat supplied to the moist air is taken as positive
and heat rejected is negative. The sensible heat ratio (SHR) of an air-conditioning
process is defined as the ratio of the change in absolute value of sensible heat to the
change in absolute value of total heat, both in Btu/hr:
Sensible Heating or Cooling

A psychrometric process that involves the increase or decrease in the temperature of air
without changing its humidity ratio ,Example: passing moist air over a room space
heater and of kiln air over the heating coils Sensible heat is heat exchanged by a body
or thermodynamic system in which the exchange of heat changes the temperature of
the body or system, and some macroscopic variables of the body or system, but leaves
unchanged certain other macroscopic variables of the body or system, such as volume
or pressure

The term is used in contrast to a latent heat, which is the amount of heat exchanged
that is hidden, meaning it occurs without change of temperature. For example, during a
phase change such as the melting of ice, the temperature of the system containing the
ice and the liquid is constant until all ice has melted. The terms latent and sensible are
correlative.
The sensible heat of a thermodynamic process may be calculated as the product of the
body's mass
Sensible heat and latent heat are not special forms of energy. Rather, they describe
exchanges of heat under conditions specified in terms of their effect on a material or a
thermodynamic system.
In the writings of the early scientists who provided the foundations of thermodynamics,
sensible heat had a clear meaning in calorimetry. James Prescott Joule characterized it
in 1847 as an energy that was indicated by the thermometer.
Both sensible and latent heats are observed in many processes while transporting
energy in nature. Latent heat is associated with changes of state, measured at constant
temperature, especially the phase changes of atmospheric water vapor,
mostly vaporization and condensation, whereas sensible heat directly affects the
temperature of the atmosphere.
In meteorology, the term 'sensible heat flux' means the conductive heat flux from the
Earth's surface to the atmosphere. It is an important component of Earth's surface
energy budget. Sensible heat flux is commonly measured with the eddy
covariancemethod.
Sensible heating process when plotted on psychrometric chart is a horizontal line
directed towards right, which shows that relative humidity decreases on sensible
heating, but specific humidity remains constant. This is because the relative humidity is
the ratio of moisture content of air to the maximum amount of moisture that air can
hold at that same temperature. And with increasing temperature moisture capacity of air
increases.

Sensible Cooling of the Air

Cooling of the air is one of the most common psychrometric processes in the air
conditioning systems. The basic function of the air-conditioners is to cool the air
absorbed from the room or the atmosphere, which is at higher temperatures. The
sensible cooling of air is the process in which only the sensible heat of the air is
removed so as to reduce its temperature, and there is no change in the moisture
content (kg/kg of dry air) of the air. During sensible cooling process the dry bulb (DB)
temperature and wet bulb (WB) temperature of the air reduces, while the latent heat of
the air, and the dew point (DP) temperature of the air remains constant. There is overall
reduction in the enthalpy of the air.
In the ordinary window or the split air conditioner the cooling of air is carried out by
passing it over the evaporator coil, also called as the cooling coil. The room air or the
atmospheric air passes over this coil carrying the refrigerant at extremely low
temperatures, and gets cooled and passes to the space which is to be maintained at the
comfort conditions.
In general the sensible cooling process is carried out by passing the air over the coil. In
the unitary air conditioners these coils are cooled by the refrigerant passing through
them and are called also called evaporator coils. In central air conditioners these coils
are cooled by the chilled water, which is chilled by its passage through the evaporator of
the large air conditioning system. In certain cases the coil is also cooled by the some
gas passing inside it.
The sensible cooling process is represented by a straight horizontal line on
the psychrometric chart. The line starts from the initial DB temperature of the air and
ends at the final DB temperature of the air extending towards the left side from high
temperature to the low temperature (see the figure below). The sensible cooling line is
also the constant DP temperature line since the moisture content of the air remains
constant. The initial and final points on the psychrometric chart give all the properties of
the air.
Applications of Heating and Cooling for Sensible

Humidification Process

The process in which the moisture or water vapor or humidity is added to the air without
changing its dry bulb (DB) temperature is called as humidification process. This process
is represented by a straight vertical line on the psychrometric chart starting from the
initial value of relative humidity, extending upwards and ending at the final value of the
relative humidity. In actual practice the pure humidification process is not possible, since
the humidification is always accompanied by cooling or heating of the air. Humidification
process along with cooling or heating is used in number of air conditioning applications.
Let us see how these processes are obtained and how they are represented on the
psychrometric chart.
This article describes psychrometric processes like humidification, cooling and
humidification, and heating and humidification. The article describes how these
processes are achieved and how they are represented on the psychrometric chart.

Cooling and Humidification Process

Cooling and humidification process is one of the most commonly used air conditioning
application for the cooling purposes. In this process the moisture is added to the air by
passing it over the stream or spray of water which is at temperature lower than the dry
bulb temperature of the air. When the ordinary air passes over the stream of water, the
particles of water present within the stream tend to get evaporated by giving up the heat
to the stream. The evaporated water is absorbed by the air so its moisture content, thus
the humidity increases. At the same time, since the temperature of the absorbed
moisture is less than the DB bulb temperature of the air, there is reduction in the overall
temperature of the air. Since the heat is released in the stream or spray of water, its
temperature increases.
One of the most popular applications of cooling and humidification is the evaporative
cooler, also called as the desert cooler. The evaporative cooler is the sort of big box
inside which is a small water tank, small water pump and the fan. The water from the
tank is circulated by the pump and is also sprayed inside the box. The fan blows strong
currents of air over the water sprays, thus cooling the air and humidifying it
simultaneously. The evaporative cooler is highly effective cooling devise having very
low initial and running cost compared to the unitary air conditioners. For cooling
purposes, the cooling and humidification process can be used only in dry and hot
climates like desert areas, countries like India, China, Africa etc. This cooling process
cannot be used in hot and high humidity climates.
The cooling and humidification process is also used in various industries like textile,
where certain level of temperature and moisture content has to be maintained. In such
cases large quantity of water is sprayed, and large blowers are used to blow the air over
the spray of water.
During the cooling and humidification process the dry bulb of the air reduces, its wet
bulb and the dew point temperature increases, while its moisture content and thus the
relative humidity also increases. Also, the sensible heat of the air reduces, while the
latent heat of the air increases resulting in the overall increase in the enthalpy of the air.
Cooling and humidification process is represented by an angular line on the
psychrometric chart starting from the given value of the dry bulb temperature and the
relative humidity and extending upwards toward left.

Heating and Humidification Process

In heating and humidification psychrometric process of the air, the dry bulb temperature
as well as the humidity of the air increases. The heating and humidification process is
carried out by passing the air over spray of water, which is maintained at temperature
higher than the dry bulb temperature of air or by mixing air and the steam.
When the ordinary air is passed over the spray of water maintained at temperature
higher than the dry bulb temperature of the air, the moisture particles from the spray
tend to get evaporated and get absorbed in the air due to which the moisture content of
the air increase. At the same time, since the temperature of the moisture is greater than
the dry bulb temperature of the air, there is overall increase in its temperature.
 During heating and humidification process the dry bulb, wet bulb, and dew point
temperature of the air increases along with its relative humidity. The heating and
humidification process is represented on the psychrometric chart by an angular line that
starts from the given value of the dry bulb temperature and extends upwards towards
right

Applications of Heating and Cooling for Humidifications

Industrial & commercial humidification for every applicationCondair humidifiers and
evaporative cooling systems have been helping improve productivity and health in many
commercial and industrial applications throughout the World for over 60 years .

Cleanrooms & laboratories humidification

Improves production efficiencies.

Industrial & commercial humidification for every application

 Humidification in food & beverage manufacturing. Humidity control can enhance
productivity in food & beverage manufacturing to improve product quality and reduce
waste. ...
 Humidification in industrial & commercial manufacturing. ...
 Other humidifier applications.

Condair humidifiers & evaporative cooling systems have been helping improve
productivity, sustainability and health in many commercial and industrial applications
throughout the World for over 60 years. Throughout various industries, the correct level
of humidity is of such significant importance that it becomes an essential success factor
for manufacturing productivity. For example, due to electrostatic charging, efficient
handling of paper in the printing industry depends heavily on an appropriate level of air
humidity. Moreover, various production procedures in the pharmaceutical industry are
only conceivable of if the correct humidity is ensured. Waste heat from machines and
procedural processes is neutralized through evaporative cooling. Please find the
benefits of humidification for your needs in this application section.

Dehumidification Process
The process in which the moisture or water vapor or the humidity is removed from the
air keeping its dry bulb (DB) temperature constant is called as the dehumidification
process. This process is represented by a straight vertical line on the psychrometric
chart starting from the initial value of relative humidity, extending downwards and
ending at the final value of the relative humidity. Like the pure humidification process, in
actual practice the pure dehumidification process is not possible, since the
dehumidification is always accompanied by cooling or heating of the air.
Dehumidification process along with cooling or heating is used in number of air
conditioning applications. Let us see how these processes are obtained and how they
are represented on the psychrometric chart.
This article describes psychrometric processes like dehumidification, cooling and
dehumidification, and heating and dehumidification. The article describes how these
processes are achieved and how they are represented on the psychrometric chart.

Cooling and Dehumidification Process

The process in which the air is cooled sensibly and at the same time the moisture is
removed from it is called as cooling and dehumidification process. Cooling and
dehumidification process is obtained when the air at the given dry bulb and dew point
(DP) temperature is cooled below the dew point temperature.
Let us understand the cooling and dehumidification process in more details. When the
air comes in contact with the cooling coil that is maintained at the temperature below its
dew point temperature, its DB temperature starts reducing. The process of cooling
continues and at some point it reaches the value of dew point temperature of the air. At
this point the water vapor within the air starts getting converted into the dew particles
due to which the dew is formed on the surface of the cooling and the moisture content
of the air reduces thereby reducing its humidity level. Thus when the air is cooled below
its dew point temperature, there is cooling as well as dehumidification of air.
The cooling and dehumidification process is most widely used air conditioning
application. It is used in all types of window, split, packaged and central air conditioning
systems for producing the comfort conditions inside the space to be cooled. In the
window and split air conditioners the evaporator coil or cooling coil is maintained at
temperature lower than the dew point temperature of the room air or the atmospheric air
by the cool refrigerant passing through it. When the room air passes over this coil its DB
temperature reduces and at the same time moisture is also removed since the air is
cooled below its DP temperature. The dew formed on the cooling coil is removed out by
small tubing. In the central air conditioning systems the cooling coil is cooled by the
refrigerant or the chilled water. When the room air passes over this coil, it gets cooled
and dehumidified.
In the general the cooling and dehumidification process is obtained by passing the air
over coil through which the cool refrigerant, chilled water or cooled gas is passed.
During the cooling and dehumidification process the dry bulb, wet bulb and the dew
point temperature of air reduces. Similarly, the sensible heat and the latent heat of the
air also reduce leading to overall reduction in the enthalpy of the air. The cooling and
dehumidification process is represented by a straight angular line on the psychrometric
chart. The line starts from the given value of the DB temperature and extends
downwards towards left.
Heating and Dehumidification Process

The process in which the air is heated and at the same time moisture is removed from it
is called as heating and dehumidification process. This process is obtained by passing
the air over certain chemicals like alumina and molecular sieves. These elements have
inherent properties due to which they keep on releasing the heat and also have the
tendency to absorb the moisture. These are called as the hygroscopic chemicals.
In actual practice the hygroscopic elements are enclosed in the large vessel and the
high pressure air is passed inside the vessel through one opening. When the air comes
in contact with the chemicals the moisture from the air is absorbed and since the
chemicals emit heat, the DB temperature of the air increases. The hot and dehumidified
air comes out from the vessel through other opening in the vessel. The inlet and outlet
openings of the vessel are controlled by the valve.
The heating and humidification process is commonly used for reducing the dew point
temperature of air. There are number of automatic valves in the chemical plants that are
operated by the compressed air at high pressure. If the dew point temperature of this air
is high, there are chances of formation of dew inside the valves which can lead to their
corrosion and also faulty their operation. Thus it is very important that the air passing to
such automatic valves have very low dew point temperature. The heating and
dehumidification process by using hygroscopic materials is used often in the air drying
units.
During the heating and dehumidification process dry bulb temperature of the air
increases while its dew point and wet bulb temperature reduces. On the psychrometric
chart, this process is represented by a straight angular line starting from the given DB
temperature conditions and extending downwards towards right to the final DB
temperature conditions.
Applications of Heat and Cooling for Dehumidifications

Desiccant dehumidifiers can speed up the recovery of structural materials, flooring, and
anything else damaged by water. Whether you have an emergency pipe break or a
planned construction job, a desiccant dehumidifier helps to maintain proper moisture
levels and combat any problems with humidity and mold.

Tank Cleaning, Painting & Coating

After cleaning a tank and blasting it down to exposed steel, the slightest bit of moisture
in the air can cause corrosion before a new coating is applied. Desiccant dehumidifiers
are essential in many tank cleaning applications so that only dry air is circulated in the
clean tank before a new coating is applied. Temporary climate control is required in
virtually all industrial painting, coating and blasting applications, and we frequently work
with specialized industries, including petrochemical, marine, municipal, and power plant
industries

Emergency Water Damage Drying

Emergencies, like water main breaks and weather-related flooding, require immediate
action. A little bit of moisture can soon become a bunch of mold, which leads to a giant,
costly problem. Renting a dehumidifier is essential in these situations, and the
specialists at Priority Rental can help you out in these unplanned emergencies

Construction Drying
Desiccant dehumidifiers are often required due to excessive water, moisture or mold
during the course of construction. This helps to establish proper drying, preserve HVAC
equipment, and prevent moisture from embedding within walls, thereby reducing mold
risks. It also permits drywall and millwork to proceed regardless of external moisture.

Specific Applications
Priority Rental helps companies in various industries to meet their dehumidification
needs for industrial painting and coating projects. Our units have been used for a
number of painting & coating applications, including the following:
 Bridges
 Water Towers
 Water Treatment Tanks
 Oil & Petroleum Tanks
 Chemical Tanks

 Grain Elevators
 Underground Storage Tanks
 Aboveground Storage Tanks
 Ships & Shipyards
 Offshore Platforms