COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

CENTRAL PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY

ILOILO CITY, PHILIPPINES
Tel. Nos. (033) 3291971 (to 79) Local 1085
Fax No. (033) 3203004
Email: [email protected]

MODULE 1
HUMIDIFICATION and DEHUMIDIFICATION
Simultaneous Heat and Mass Transfer
Whenever mass is transferred, heat must also be transferred. When a component is
transferred from a gas phase to solution in liquid phase, the latent heat of condensation is
evolved. When a component is transferred from solution in one solvent to solution in a second
solvent, the difference between heats of solution of the solute in two solvents is evolved.
In unit operations as distillation, absorption, extraction, and leaching, the heat transfer
effects are small compared to mass transfer. However, there are unit operations where large
amounts of mass and heat transfers occur simultaneously. These operations are boiling,
evaporation, crystallization, drying, humidification, and dehumidification.

Humidification and Dehumidification

Humidification and dehumidification are the simplest operations where both heat and
mass transfer occur simultaneously. In these operations, two components and two phases are
involved. The liquid phase, most often water, is a single component and the gas phase consists
of a non-condensable gas, usually air, in which some vapor from the liquid phase is present.
Humidification is a unit operation in which water is transferred from the liquid phase to
the gas phase of a mixture of air and water vapor. Warm liquid water is contacted by cooler
gas-vapor mixture, thus cooling the liquid water. Water is evaporated into the air, thus
increasing the humidity of the air. Humidification therefore serves two purposes: cooling of
liquid water and increasing the humidity of the air. Both heat and mass are transferred toward
the gas phase.
Dehumidification is the reverse process of humidification, that is, the transfer of water
vapor is from the gas phase to the liquid phase. The warm gas-vapor mixture is contacted with
cool liquid. Vapor condenses from the gas phase, the gas phase cools and the liquid phase is
warmed. Both mass and heat are transferred toward the liquid phase.
Dehumidification is also an important step in an air-conditioning system. The equipment
is called a chiller, the function of which is to cool a gas-vapor mixture below its dew point
temperature to condense out some of the vapor content. Dehumidification may also be used as
part of a solvent-recovery system, but in these applications the condensable vapor is not water
but instead a solvent such as benzene, methanol or acetone.
Equipment for Humidification and Dehumidification
A. Spray Chamber

It is a practical form of humidification equipment used only for small scale

operations. The liquid is sprayed as mist through the gas stream; and mass and heat
transfers occur.

B. Cooling Tower

It is used for large-scale cooling of water. The tower is often made up of wood
although aluminum, steel, brick and concrete construction have been used. The tower
consists of wood slots that act like tower packing. The liquid is distributed evenly at the
top of the tower and flows down countercurrent to the gas that is fed at the bottom. The
humidified air issues out at the top of the tower.

C. Packed Tower

It is used to dehumidify air or to remove a single component from a non-

condensable gas.
Topic 1 – Quantities Usually Asked For, Their Definitions and The Formulas Used

A. Humidity

- is the measure of water content in humid air

moles of H2 O vapor
1. Molal Humidity , moles of dry air

𝐏𝐇𝟐 𝐎
𝒀=
𝐏𝐓 −𝐏𝐇𝟐 𝐎

Note: 𝑌 = hm ; PH2 O = Pv

mass of H2 O vapor
2. Absolute Humidity ,
mass of dry air

- actual mass of H2 O vapor present in the air-water vapor mixture

𝐏𝐇𝟐 𝐎 𝟏𝟖
𝒀= 𝒙
𝐏𝐓 −𝐏𝐇𝟐 𝐎 𝟐𝟗

𝑔 𝑔
Note: 𝑌 𝑜𝑟 ha ; PH2 O = Pv ; 𝑀𝑊𝐻2 𝑂 = 18 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀𝑊𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 29 𝑚𝑜𝑙

B. Relative Humidity

- is the ratio of the partial pressure of H2 O vapor in air to saturation pressure

(otherwise known as vapor pressure) of H2 O in the same temperature.

PH2O
%RH = X 100
PH∗ 2O

- it is also known as the percent of saturation humidity (𝑌 ∗ )

Note: The amount of H2 O vapor in the air at any given time is usually less than the required
to saturate air

where: PH2O – PP of H2 O vapor in air

PH∗ 2O – saturation pressure (VP) of H2 O
C. Percent Humidity

- is the ratio of absolute humidity to the saturation humidity

𝑌𝑎 PH2 O P − PH∗2 O
%𝑌 = ∗ = 𝑥 𝑋 100
𝑌 PT − PH2 O PH∗2 O

Note:

For air-water system at 1atm and lower temperature T

% RH = % 𝑌

If air-water system is involved

O % RH → dry air
10O % RH → saturated air

Antoine’s Equation – is used to determine vapor pressure of water

1730.63
PH∗2 O = antilog (8.07131 − )
T + 233.426

D. Humid Volume

- is the ratio of volume of air to mass of dry air

- it is used as conversion factor (CF) in determining the volumetric and mass
flow rates of air
- it represents the volume of dry air (DA) plus the volume of the vapor it
contains

1. Molal Humid Volume

T°F+460 1atm ft3 air
Vh = (1 + 𝑌)(359)( )( ) → lb mole DA
492 P

T°C+273.15 1atm m3 air

Vh = (1 + 𝑌)(22.4)( )( ) → kg mole DA
273.15 P

2. Absolute Humid Volume

1 𝑌 T°F+460 1atm ft3 air

Vh = (29 + 18)(359)( )( ) → lb DA
492 P

1 𝑌 T°C+273.15 1atm m3 air

Vh = ( + )(22.4)( )( )→
29 18 273.15 P kg DA
E. Humid Heat

- represents the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1g or 1lb

plus whatever vapor it may contain by 1°C or 1°F
Ch = CDA + CH2 O(V) 𝑌

1. Molal Humid Heat

Btu
Ch = 6.95 + 8.1 𝑌 → lb
mol DA °F

KJ
Ch = 29.08 + 33.89 𝑌 → kmol DA °C

2. Absolute Humid Heat

Btu
Ch = 0.24 + 0.45 𝑌 → lb DA °F

KJ
Ch = 1 + 1.87 𝑌 → kg DA °C

F. Total Enthalpy
- represents the enthalpy of DA and H2 O(V) it contains

H = HDA + HH2O(V) 𝑌

H = (CDA )(T − TO ) + [CH2O(V) (T − TO ) + 𝜆𝑂 ]𝑌

H = (CDA + CH2O(V) 𝑌)(T − TO ) + 𝜆𝑂 𝑌

Note: λO is latent heat of vaporization

1. Molal Enthalpy

Btu
H = (6.95 + 8.1 𝑌 )[(T(℉) − 32℉] + 19350𝑌 →
lbmol DA

KJ
H = (29.08 + 33.89 𝑌 )[(T(℃) − 0℃] + 45070𝑌 →
kg mol DA
 2. Absolute Enthalpy

Btu
H = (0.24 + 0.45 𝑌 )[(T(℉) − 32] + 1075𝑌 →
lb DA

kJ
H = (1.0 + 1.87𝑌 )[(T(℃) − 0] + 2500𝑌 →
kg DA

Definitions of Important Terms:

Dry Bulb Temperature (DBT)

- Temperature of air measured by the ordinary thermometer.

- Whenever ordinary thermometer is exposed to the atmosphere (not affected by
radiation and moisture), it indicates the DBT, which is nothing but the
atmospheric temperature.
- indicator of heat content
- actual or given temperature of air

Wet Bulb Temperature (WBT)

- Temperature of air also measured by the ordinary thermometer but the only
difference is that the bulb of the thermometer is covered by the wet cloth. When
the air comes in contact with the wet cloth it absorbs some moisture and gives up
some heat, due to which the temperature of the air reduces.
- Indirectly indicates the moisture content present in the air.
- It is affected by the RH of the air.

Dew Point Temperature (DPT)

- The temperature to which a vapor-gas mixture must be cooled at constant

humidity to become completely saturated.
- The temperature at which vapor begins to condense when the gas phase is cooled
at P = k.
- Temperature at which PPvapor is equal to the VP of the liquid at gas temperature.
𝐏𝐯 = 𝐏𝐯∗ (T°C)
- If DPT is close to dry air temperature → RH is high
- If DPT is below the dry air temperature → RH is low
 Adiabatic Saturation Temperature

- the temperature at which the vapor gas mixture would reach if it were saturated
through an adiabatic process

Note: For air-H2 O system, the WBT is approximately equal to the adiabatic saturation
temperature since the psychrometric ratio is 1.

Psychrometric ratio

- the ratio of heat transfer coefficient to the product of mass transfer coefficient and
hy
humid heat =
Ky Ch

Lewis Relations:
𝐶 hy
ℎ=M K
B y
MWgas
where: hy = heat transfer coefficient
Ky = mass transfer coefficient
Ch = humid heat

Psychrometry

- Use in the determination of properties of gas vapor mixture.

- Refers mainly to the systematized knowledge of the properties of air and water
but its broader meaning includes the principles which govern the properties and
behavior of mixtures of the so-called “fixed” gases with condensable vapors.

Humidity chart

- formally known as Psychrometric chart

- convenient diagram showing the vapor mixture

For air-H2 O system:

𝑑𝐹 = 2 + 𝐶 − 𝜋

dF of humid air = 2+2-1 = 3

where: C = and 𝜋 =

∴ It means that there are 3 properties needed, to know the other properties of air.
Humidity chart can only be used when P=1atm.
Humidification or Adiabatic cooling

Humidity is for air-water system and saturation is for any vapor-gas mixture. Percent
humidity is approximately equal to %RH for air-water system at lower temperature. But
percent saturation is not equal to percent relative saturation.

NOTE:
1. Humidity chart is only valid for system at P=1atm.
2. Humid volume relates the V’ (mass flow rate of air) with the volumetric flow
rate of air is equal to mass flow rate multiply by humid volume.

volumetric flow rate of air = (V ′ x Vh )

3. Tw or the wet bulb temperature is found through the humidity chart.

o Principle: At saturation temperature or at saturation point

%RH = 100%

o Principle: At dew point (Tdp )

PH2O = PH∗ 2 O T°C

4. For Simple Cooling/Heating

Principle: At simple cooling or simple heating [𝑌1 = 𝑌2 ]

1 2
ç ç
air COOLER air if T2 > dewpoint
T1 T2
(no condensation)
𝑌1 = 𝑌2
1 2
air ç ç
HEATER air if T2 < boiling point/bubble point
T1 T2
(no evaporation)
𝑌1 = 𝑌2

*follows a horizontal line

For simple cooling or heating

𝑌1 = 𝑌2
T2 T1

For condensation

T1 T2

For adiabatic operation [ TW1 = TW2 ]

T1 TW1 = TW2

T2

In Condenser / Chiller
1 2
air ç Condenser ç
air if T2 < dewpoint
/Chiller T2
T1

condensed H2 O
For adiabatic operation :
Principle : At adiabatic drying process :
1 2
ç ç
air Drier air
T1 T2
TW1 = TW2

(follows the adiabatic-saturation line)

Assignment: Learn how to use the psychrometric chart

Illustrative Examples:

Problem #1.

Air at 35°C and 1 atm has a RH of 70%. Find the absolute humidity, wet bulb temperature, the
dew point, humid volume, and specific enthalpy of the air.

Given: Air at T=35°C

70% RH @ 1atm

Required: 𝑌, 𝑇𝑤 , 𝑇𝑑𝑝 , 𝑉ℎ , H

Solution:

Using Humidity Chart [Fig.12-1 p.12-7 of Perry’s Chemical Engineering Handbook 8th Edition]

Air at 35°C and 70% RH (Note: The wet bulb T can only be found by humidity chart at 1atm)

𝑘𝑔 𝐻2 𝑂
𝑌 = 0.0251
𝑘𝑔 𝐷𝐴
𝑇𝑊 = 30°𝐶
𝑇𝑑𝑝 = 28.6°𝐶
𝑚3 𝑎𝑖𝑟
𝑉ℎ = 0.91
𝑘𝑔 𝐷𝐴

Alternative solution :

Using Antoine’s Equation , use dry bulb temperature to solve for PH∗ 2O
1730.63
𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑃𝐻∗2𝑂 = 8.07131 −
𝑇 + 233.426
1730.63
𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑃𝐻∗2 𝑂 = 8.07131 −
35 + 233.426

𝑃𝐻∗2 𝑂 = 42.071 𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔

𝑃𝐻2𝑂
%𝑅𝐻 = 𝑋 100
𝑃𝐻∗2 𝑂

𝑃𝐻2𝑂 = 0.7(42.071 𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔)

𝑃𝐻2𝑂 = 29.45𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔

𝑃𝐻2 𝑂 18 29.45 18
𝑌= 𝑥 = 𝑥
𝑃𝑇 − 𝑃𝐻2𝑂 29 760 − 29.45 29

𝑘𝑔 𝐻2 𝑂
𝑌 = 0.025021
𝑘𝑔 𝐷𝐴
Using Humidity Chart:
𝑇𝑊 = 30°𝐶

At dew point:
𝑃𝐻2𝑂 = 𝑃𝐻∗2𝑂

Using Antoine’s Equation , use PH2 O to solve for dew point temperature

1730.63
𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑃𝐻2𝑂 = 8.07131 −
𝑇 + 233.426
1730.63
𝑙𝑜𝑔 29.45 = 8.07131 −
𝑇𝑑𝑝 + 233.426

𝑇𝑑𝑝 = 28.702°𝐶
1 𝑌 𝑇°𝐶 + 273.15 1𝑎𝑡𝑚
𝑉ℎ = ( + )(22.4)( )( )
29 18 273.15 𝑃

1 0.025021 35 + 273.15 1𝑎𝑡𝑚

𝑉ℎ = ( + )(22.4)( )( )
29 18 273.15 1𝑎𝑡𝑚

𝑚 3 𝑎𝑖𝑟
𝑉ℎ = 0.90651
𝑘𝑔 𝐷𝐴

𝐻 = (1.0 + 1.87𝑌 )( 𝑇°𝐶 − 0) + 2500𝑌

𝐻 = (1.0 + 1.87(0.025021) )( 35°𝐶 − 0) + 2500(0.025021)

𝑘𝐽
𝐻 = 99.19
𝑘𝑔 𝐷𝐴

Answer:
𝒌𝒈 𝑯𝟐 𝑶
𝒀 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟓𝟎𝟐𝟏
𝒌𝒈 𝑫𝑨
𝑻𝑾 = 𝟑𝟎°𝑪
𝑻𝒅𝒑 = 𝟐𝟖. 𝟕𝟎𝟐°𝑪
𝒎𝟑 𝒂𝒊𝒓
𝑽𝒉 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟎𝟔𝟓𝟏
𝒌𝒈 𝑫𝑨
𝒌𝑱
𝑯 = 𝟗𝟗. 𝟏𝟗
𝒌𝒈 𝑫𝑨
 𝒌𝑱
𝑯 = 𝟗𝟗. 𝟏𝟗
𝒌𝒈 𝑫𝑨 𝒌𝒈 𝑯𝟐 𝑶
𝒀 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟓𝟎𝟐𝟏
𝒌𝒈 𝑫𝑨

𝑻𝒅𝑷 = 𝟐𝟖. 𝟖°𝑪

𝒎𝟑 𝒂𝒊𝒓
𝑻 = 𝟑𝟓°𝑪 𝑽𝒉 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟎𝟔𝟓𝟏
𝒌𝒈 𝑫𝑨
Problem Set

1. Air at 35°C and 1 atm has a RH of 70%. Find the absolute humidity, wet bulb
temperature, the dew point, humid volume, and specific enthalpy of the air.

2. Air at 20°C and 202.65 kPa has a RH of 65%. Find the absolute humidity, the dew
point and the density of air.

3. Air at 60°C and 1200mmHg has a wet bulb temperature of 30°C. Find the absolute
humidity, relative humidity, the dew point and humid volume of air.

4. It is desired to condition saturated atmospheric air at 70°F to hot air at 200°F dry bulb and
115°F wet bulb temperature. The air is passed through a heater, an adiabatic humidifier and
then through a reheater. The air as it leaves the humidifier has a humidity of 80%.For
𝑓𝑡 3
100 of air entering the heater, calculate
𝑚𝑖𝑛
a) The temperature of the air as it leaves the heater and as it leaves the humidifier.
b) The volumetric flowrate of the air leaving the humidifier.
c) The heat needed in the heater.

𝑚3
5. An air conditioner is designed to bring 250 𝑚𝑖𝑛 of outside air at 35°C, 32°C wet bulb and
1000mmHg to 10°C, thereby condensing a portion of the water vapor and then to reheat the
air at constant pressure releasing into a room at 20°C. Calculate,
kg
a) condensate,mH2O
min
b) kW needed in the heater, q
𝑚3
c) the volumetric flowrate of the air delivered to the room ( 𝑚𝑖𝑛 ), V̇ 3

m3
6. 35 min of air at 65°C, 20% RH is passed over a refrigerated coil and thereby brought
to 16°C, 90% RH with condensed moisture withdrawn at 12°C. The air is then
reheated by means of electric heating coil to 65°C. Find
𝑘𝑔
a) moisture removed,
𝑚𝑖𝑛
b) 𝑞1 , 𝐾𝑊
c) 𝑞2 , 𝐾𝑊

ft3
7. Air at 120°F, 105°F wet bulb and 850mmHg is fed to a condenser at the rate of 50 min
and the air leaves the condenser at 50°F and 850mmHg. Calculate the rate of
condensation.

8. In the semi-conductor plant, an adiabatic drier is used where air enters at a

kgH O
temperature of 70°C. If air has a dewpoint of 20°C,and picks up 0.012 m32 of
entering air, how saturated is the air coming out of the drier?
Things to note of about % saturation and % relative saturation

 A higher % RH means that the air-water mixture is more humid.

At 100% RH, air is saturated and is at its dew point.

 When the amount of water vapor in the air is at its maximum, or 100%, the air will
be saturated.

 When there is no water vapor in the air, the saturation would be equal to 0%.

 Saturation is the measure of the amount of vapor in the gas.

 Relative Saturation is the measure of the vapor in the gas to the maximum amount
of vapor that the gas can hold.

 A pure component vaporizes or condenses at one temperature.

 A liquid below to bubble point = subcooled liquid

A liquid at its bubble point = saturated liquid
A vapor at its dew point = saturated vapor

Let me write their difference in their formula forms.

𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑣𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑟

% 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑥100
𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑣𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑟

% 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = % 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (*when vapor concentrations equal to 0 but

are difference at all other conditions)

𝑃𝑣
% 𝑅𝑆 = 𝑃𝑠 (100) = 𝑌𝑟 𝑃𝑣 = partial pressure of vapor
𝑃𝑠 = vapor pressure of pure liquid

𝑛𝑣 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑟
% 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = (100) = 𝑌𝑠 𝑛𝑣 = 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑛𝑠
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑟
𝑛𝑣 = 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

To compare which is greater or smaller, use Dalton’s Law

𝑛𝑣 𝑃𝑣
= equation 1
1 𝑃−𝑃𝑣
𝑛𝑠 𝑃𝑠
= equation 2
1 𝑃−𝑃𝑠
Divide equation 1 by equation 2:
 𝑛𝑣 𝑃𝑣 𝑃−𝑃𝑠
= ( )
𝑛𝑠 𝑃𝑠 𝑃−𝑃𝑣
𝑃 − 𝑃𝑠
𝑌𝑠 = 𝑌𝑟 ( )
𝑃 − 𝑃𝑣
P = total P

 𝑃𝑠 > 𝑃𝑣 *always greater

 % saturation is always less than % relative saturation

In some cases, percent saturation or percent humidity is equal to RH. We could understand
it further by thinking of it as a glass of water.

% humidity or saturation is the amount of water in the glass/ the amount could not change
even if the 𝐻2 0 is transferred to a container of the different size.

RH is affected by 𝑇𝑑𝑏 (size of the glass) and H (amount of water present)

 At low temperature, these two are equal. Outside of these conditions, these two are
not equal.
 For example, a warm air can contain more water vapor which leads to a smaller
relative saturation since the vapor would take up more space if compared to the
maximum amount it can contain.