Humidification
Humidification
Humidification
HUMIDIFICATION
Compilation of Lectures and Solved Problems
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 2
HUMIDIFICATION
DEFINITION OF TERMS
HUMIDIFICATION
Involves the transfer of material between a pure liquid phase and a fixed gas that is nearly
insoluble in the liquid
HUMIDITY,
The mass of vapor carried by a unit mass of vapor-free gas; it depends only on the partial
pressure of the vapor in the mixture when the total pressure is fixed
= = = =
( ) ( )
SATURATED GAS
A gas in which the vapor is in equilibrium with the liquid at the gas temperature; the partial
pressure of vapor in saturated gas equals the vapor pressure of the liquid at the gas
temperature
=
( )
RELATIVE HUMIDITY,
Defined as the ratio of the partial pressure of the vapor to the vapor pressure of the liquid at
the gas temperature; it is usually expressed on a percentage basis; 100% relative humidity
means saturated gas and 0% relative humidity means vapor-free gas
PERCENT HUMIDITY,
Ratio of the actual humidity, H, to the saturation humidity, HS, at the gas temperature, also
on a percentage basis; percent humidity is less than the relative humidity
= =
HUMID HEAT,
Heat energy necessary to increase the temperature of 1 g or 1 lb of gas plus whatever vapor
it may contain by 1C or 1F
= +
HUMID VOLUME,
Total volume of a unit mass of vapor-free gas plus whatever vapor it may contain at 1 atm
and the gas temperature
.
= + /
= + /
DEW POINT
TOTAL ENTHALPY, i
Enthalpy of a unit mass of gas plus whatever vapor it may contain; to calculate h, two
reference states must be chosen, one for the gas and one for the vapour
= ( )+ + ( )
= ( )+
Temperature of the gas that would be attained if the gas were saturated in an adiabatic
process
( )+ =
+
= =
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 4
HUMIDIFICATION
Temperature obtained when the heat required to vaporize a small amount of liquid (water
for air-water system) into a large volume of gas (air for air-water system) exactly equals the
sensible heat transferred from the gas to the liquid.
HUMIDITY CHART
The rate of heat transfer from the gas to the liquid may be equated to the product of the rate
of vaporization and the sum of the latent heat of evaporation at temperature and the
sensible heat of the vapour; neglecting radiation
= + ( )
The rate of heat transfer may be expressed as:
= ( )
The rate of mass transfer may be expressed as:
= ( )
( )
= =
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 5
HUMIDIFICATION
Notations:
- mass of vapor
- mass of vapor-free gas
- mole fraction of vapor
mole fraction of vapor-free gas
molecular weight of vapor
molecular weight of vapor free gas
partial pressure of vapor
partial pressure of vapor-free gas
total pressure
saturation humidity
vapour pressure at the gas temperature
specific heat of gas
specific heat of vapor
gas temperature, in K or R
datum temperature for both gas and vapor ( T0 = 32F for air-water
problem)
latent heat of the liquid at T0
rate of sensible heat transfer to liquid
molal rate of vaporization
latent heat of the liquid at Tw
surface area of liquid
heat transfer coefficient between gas and surface of the liquid
temperature at the interface
mass transfer coefficient, mole per unit area per unit mole fraction
mole fraction of vapour at the interface
mole fraction of vapour in air-stream
(1 ) - one way diffusion factor
Schmidt Number
Prandtl Number
HUMIDIFICATION PROCESSES
1. SENSIBLE COOLING
During this process, the moisture content of air
remains constant but its temperature decreases as
it flows over a cooling coil. For moisture content to
remain constant the surface of the cooling coil
Humidity
t2 t1
Dry Bulb Temperature
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 6
HUMIDIFICATION
temperature. However, in practice, the exit air temperature will be higher than the
cooling coil temperature. Below shows the sensible cooling process O-A on a
psychrometric chart
Heat Balance:
= ( )
Enthalpy Balance:
= ( )
where:
entering air temperature
leaving air temperature
entering air enthalpy
leaving air enthalpy
2. SENSIBLE HEATING
Heat Balance:
Humidity
= ( )
Enthalpy Balance:
= ( )
t1 t2
Dry Bulb Temperature
3. ADIABATIC HUMIDIFICATION
W
Liquid
t2
H2 L2
h2 T2
Gas
W L1
t1 T1
H1
h1
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 7
HUMIDIFICATION
t1 HT = Hi = Hw = constant
H2
t2
Humidity
H1 T = ti = t w = constant
H2
H1
t1 t2
Dry Bulb Temperature
Material Balance:
= ( )
Heat Balance:
= ( )
= ( ) ( )+ ( )
= ( ) ( )+
= ( ) ( )+
( )= ( ) ( )+
Enthalpy Balance:
+ =
( )= ( )
( )= ( )
Where:
saturation humidity at gas wet bulb temperature
gas phase heat transfer coefficient
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 8
HUMIDIFICATION
4. ADIABATIC DEHUMIDIFICATION
t1 H1
T1 t2 HT1 H2
Humidity
H1
T2 HT2
H2
t1 t2
Dry Bulb Temperature
Material Balance:
= ( )
Heat Balance:
( )= ( )+ ( )
Enthalpy Balance:
( )= ( )
( )= ( )
( )= ( )
5. WATER COOLING
When warm liquid is brought into contact with unsaturated gas, part of the liquid
evaporates and the liquid temperature drops.
Approach difference of the water discharge temperature with that of the wet bulb
temperature
T2 HT2
H2
t2 HT1
Humidity
H1
t1
H1
H2
T1
t1 t2
Dry Bulb Temperature
Material Balance:
= ( )
Heat Balance:
( )= ( )+ ( )
Enthalpy Balance:
( )= ( )
( )= ( )
( )= ( )
pressure of vapour in saturated gas equals the vapour pressure of the liquid at the
gas temperature
=
( )
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 10
HUMIDIFICATION
PROBLEM # 01:
A cooling tower of a centralized air conditioning system handles 2,500 cu.m/h of water
which enters the tower at 40C. The cooled water leaves the tower at 30C. The drift loss is
0.2% while the blowdown is 0.5%. The water make-up is 50 cu.m/h. The air blown through
the tower enters at 25C and has a relative humidity of 80%. The air leaves the tower at
34C with a relative humidity of 98%. Calculate the volume of air, in cu.m/h at ambient
conditions that the forced draft fan of the cooling tower handles.
SOLUTION:
Water, L2
2,500 m3/h
T 2 = 40 C
AIR, W
t2 = 34 C
98% RH
Make-up
Water, M
50 m3/h
AIR, W
t1 = 25 C Water, L1
T1 = 30 C
80% RH
Properties of Air:
For the inlet air:
= 100
=
( )
(18)(0.3687 )
= = 0.0161
(28.84)(14.7 0.3687) . .
From figure 19.2 (Unit Operations 7th edition by McCabe and Smith)
Specific volume of dry air at 25C (77F) is 13.5 ft3/lb d.a
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 11
HUMIDIFICATION
.
= 13.5
.
77 + 460
+ 0.0161 0.7302
. 18 1
= 13.8507
.
For the outlet air:
= 100
(18)(0.7584 )
= = = 0.0340
( ) (28.84)(14.7 0.7584) . .
= , , .
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 12
HUMIDIFICATION
PROBLEM # 02:
In a plant laboratory having a floor area of 100 m2 and a ceiling height of 3 m, the
temperature and relative humidity are kept at 23.9C and 80%, respectively. The closed
loop air conditioning (AC) unit installed for the purpose has an air handling capacity to
change the air in the room of which 80% is void space, every ten minutes. The air leaving
the condenser of the AC unit has a temperature of 18.3C. Calculate:
SOLUTION:
Air, W
t1 = 23.9 C Air, W
80% RH t2 = 18.3 C
AIR CONDITIONING UNIT
Condensate, w
t1 = 18.3 C
=
( )
(18)(0.3442 )
= = 0.0150
(28.84)(14.7 0.3442) . .
From figure 19.2 (Unit Operations 7th edition by McCabe and Smith)
Specific volume of dry air at 23.9C (75.02F) is 13.5 ft3/lb d.a
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 13
HUMIDIFICATION
.
= 13.5
.
75.02 + 460
+ 0.0150 0.7302
. 18 1
= 13.8256
.
= 0.245 = 1.0258
1
= 1,440
2.2 . 0.028317
13.8256
. .
= 1,671.90
From figure 19.2 (Unit Operations 7th edition by McCabe and Smith)
= 0.243 = 1.0174
Solve for water condensed:
= ( )
.
= 1,671.90 (0.0150 0.0132)
.
= . ( )
PROBLEM # 03:
At an oil refinery in Batangas, cooling water for the condensers and coolers in the plant is
provided by a closed-loop cooling water system. From the plant, used cooling water is sent
to a cooling tower to reduce its temperature. Make-up water is added before the cooled
water is circulated back to the plant. In the cooling tower, the used water enters the top at
an average bulk temperature of 40C. The cooled water accumulated at the basin below the
tower has a temperature of 25C. Ambient air at 25C and 50% RH is induced into the
tower and leaves at the top at 35C fully saturated. Heat losses to the surroundings may be
assumed to be negligible. For every cu.m of cooling water used in the plant, calculate:
c) the volume of ambient air, in cu.m, that is induced into the cooling tower
d) the quantity of make-up water, in liters, that has to be added to the system
SOLUTION:
Make-up
Water, M
AIR, W
Water, L1
t1 = 25 C
T1 = 25 C
50% RH
Properties of Air:
For the inlet air:
= 100
=
( )
(18)(0.2304 )
= = 0.0099
(28.84)(14.7 0.2304) . .
From figure 19.2 (Unit Operations 7th edition by McCabe and Smith)
Specific volume of dry air at 25C (77F) is 13.5 ft3/lb d.a
.
= 13.5
.
77 + 460
+ 0.0099 0.7302
. 18 1
= 13.7157
.
= 0.243
= ( )+
= 32 , = 1075.4
= 0.256
= ( )+
= 32 , = 1075.4
= 55.5952
=
0.028317
= (1,732.73 . ) 13.7157
.
= . ( )
Substitute W to equation 1
1,732.73
=
37.3134
= 46.4372
1 0.028317
= 46.4372
61.94
= . ( )
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 17
HUMIDIFICATION
PROBLEM # 04:
The semiconductor plant at the Food Terminal Export Zone, an adiabatic dryer is used
where air enters at 160F. If the air has a dew point of 68F and it picked up 0.08 lb water
per 100 cu. ft, how saturated is the air coming out of the dryer?
SOLUTION:
0.08 lb water per
100 cu ft air
Air, W
t1 = 160 F
tdp = 68 F Air, W
ADIABATIC DRYER
Properties of Air:
For the inlet air:
From figure 19.2 (Unit Operations 7th edition by McCabe and Smith)
At dew point of 68F, and dry bulb 160F
= 0.015
.
= 90
= 15.9773
.
.
= 100 = 6.2589
15.9773
. 0.015
= 100 = 0.0939
15.9773 .
0.08
= 100 = 0.08
100
= 0.0939 + 0.08 = 0.1739
0.1739
= = 0.0278
6.2589 . .
For adiabatic dryer, wet bulb remains constant, from the psychrometric chart
At 90F wet bulb and 0.0278 humidity
% = %
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 18
HUMIDIFICATION
PROBLEM # 05:
It is desired to condition saturated atmospheric air at 70F with entrained 0.0008 lb water
per cu ft air to hot air at 200F dry bulb and 115F wet bulb temperatures. The air is passed
thru a heater, then thru an adiabatic humidifier, then thru a reheater. The air, as it leaves
the adiabatic humidifier, has a humidity of 90%. Calculate the temperature of the air as it
leaves the (a) heater, and (b) adiabatic humidifier.
SOLUTION:
COND 3:
90%
COND 2: Humidity
HEATER HUMIDIFIER HEATER
COND 1:
Saturated
70 F COND 4:
0.0008 lb water Dry Bulb: 200 F
per cu ft air Wet Bulb: 115 F
% = 100
,
(100) 0.048
, =
90
, = 0.0533
.
, =
( )
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 19
HUMIDIFICATION
.
0.0533 28.84 (14.7 )
. .
=
.
18 + 0.0533 28.84
. .
= 1.1566
Therefore dry bulb temperature of the air leaving the adiabatic humidifier (from steam
table)
= . ( )
, =
( )
18 (0.3632 )
, =
.
28.84 (14.7 0.3632)
.
, = 0.0158
.
= , = 0.0158
.
Using the specific volume dry air vs temperature line
.
= 13.25
.
= 13.60
.
4. Final humidity of air leaving the heater (with entrained 0.0008 lb water per cu ft air)
= 0.0008 13.60
.
= 0.01088
.
= 0.0158 + 0.01088 = 0.02668
. . .
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 20
HUMIDIFICATION
= ( )
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 21
HUMIDIFICATION
PROBLEM # 06:
If 400 lb of air at a dry bulb temperature of 56 F and wet bulb temperature of 50 F are
mixed with 855 lb of air at a dry bulb temperature of 82 F and a wet bulb temperature of
60 F. What will be the dry bulb and wet bulb temperature of the mixture?.
SOLUTION:
A = 400 lb
Dry Bulb: 56 F
Wet Bulb: 50 F
MIXER Mixture
B = 855 lb
Dry Bulb: 82 F
Wet Bulb: 60 F
1. Properties of air B
From the psychrometric chart (figure 19.2 McCabe and Smith)
= 0.0075
.
= 13.5
.
= 0.241
.
2. Properties of air A
From the psychrometric chart (figure 19.2 McCabe and Smith)
= 0.009
.
= 13
.
= 0.242
.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 22
HUMIDIFICATION
0.0075 .
= 855
. (1 + 0.0075)
= 6.3648
= 3.5679 + 6.3648
= 9.9327
9.9327 1,255
=
1,255 (1,255 9.9327) .
= 0.0080
.
= .
From the psychrometric chart, given the humidity and dry bulb of the mixture
=
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 23
HUMIDIFICATION
PROBLEM # 07:
A coke packed humidifier is to be designed to cool 2,000 cfm of saturated air from 130 to 65
F at barometric pressure. Cooling water at 55F will be allowed to heat up to 110F. Gas
velocity will be 1,200 lb of dry air per sq ft of total cross section. Water velocity is 1,150
lb/h per sq ft of total cross section. Over-all coefficient of sensible heat transfer from air to
water = 250 BTU/hft3F. Calculate the height and diameter of cooling tower required and
the amount of cooling water needed per hour.
SOLUTION:
COKE-
PACKED
HUMIDIFIER
Cooling water
Air 110 F
Dry Bulb: 130 F
=
( )
(18)(2.225)
= = 0.1113
(28.84)(14.7 2.225) .
From the psychrometric chart, using the saturated volume vs temperature line
= 17.5
.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 24
HUMIDIFICATION
= 0.243
.
PROBLEM # 08:
It is desired to air condition the enclosed assembly hall of a local university. The hall
measures 120 ft x 40 ft x 70 ft. This is to be charged every 6 minutes and it is also to be
maintained at 70 F and a relative saturation of 50%. At the warmest period of the year, the
outside air is 95 F and 70% relative saturation. It is planned to cool and dehumidify this
air to the desired humidity by the use of a coke-packed tower. The air will leave the tower
saturated and it is to be reheated to the desired temperature before being blown to the hall.
City water for available for cooling is 45 F.
DATA:
1) The over-all coefficient of a sensible heat transfer from air to water, UGa = 250
BTU/hft3F
2) lb inlet water per sq ft cross section, L/S = 1,150
3) assume latent heat of vaporization = 1,055 BTU/lb
4) mass velocity of air = 1,200 lb/hft2
SOLUTION:
Condition
2
Air
Dry Bulb: 95 F Condition
70% saturation 1
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 26
HUMIDIFICATION
=
( )
(18)(0.3632)
= = 0.0158
(28.84)(14.7 0.3632) .
0.0158 (50)
.
= = 0.0079
100 .
From the psychrometric chart, using the specific volume dry air vs temperature line
.
= 13.40
.
. 0.0079 10.731 (70 + 460)
.
= 13.40 +
. 18 (14.7 )
= 13.57
.
= 0.241
.
= = 0.0079
.
=
( )
(18)(0.8162)
= = 0.0367
(28.84)(14.7 0.8162) .
0.0367 (70)
.
= = 0.0257
100 .
From the psychrometric chart, using the specific volume dry air vs temperature line
.
= 13.90
.
. 0.0257 10.731 (95 + 460)
.
= 13.90 +
. 18 (14.7 )
= 14.48
.
= 0.255
.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 28
HUMIDIFICATION
= .
= (211.6404 ) 1,150
= 243,386.46
= 7,364,535.656 = 7,364,535.656
= ( )
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SERIES 29
HUMIDIFICATION