Name: Rubie B.
Gucor
Year & Section: BSME-3A
ME 325
LABORATORY REPORT 2
Measurement of Temperature, Pressure, and Humidity
I. INTRODUCTION
Rationale
The measurement of temperature, pressure, and humidity is critical in a wide range of scientific, industrial, and commercial applications. Accurate and precise measurement of
these parameters is essential for understanding the behavior of materials, systems, and processes. This laboratory report on the measurement of temperature, pressure, and humidity
is necessary to provide a comprehensive account of the experimental procedures and results.
Theoretical Background
Temperature, pressure, and humidity are essential parameters that play a critical role in many scientific, industrial, and commercial applications. Understanding the principles
and concepts underlying these parameters is essential for accurate and reliable measurement.
Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules in a system. The standard unit of temperature is the Kelvin (K), which is equivalent to the Celsius
(°C) scale but with an offset of 273.15 K. Temperature is commonly measured using a thermometer, which works by measuring the expansion or contraction of a liquid or gas as the
temperature changes.
Pressure is defined as the force per unit area exerted by a gas or liquid on a surface. The standard unit of pressure is the Pascal (Pa), which is equivalent to one Newton per
square meter. Pressure is commonly measured using a barometer, which works by measuring the height of a column of liquid (typically mercury or water) that is supported by
atmospheric pressure.
Humidity is a measure of the amount of water vapor in the air. The two most common measures of humidity are relative humidity and dew point. Relative humidity is the
ratio of the amount of water vapor in the air to the maximum amount of water vapor that can be held at a given temperature, expressed as a percentage. Dew point is the temperature
at which water vapor in the air begins to condense into liquid form.
The measurement of temperature, pressure, and humidity is subject to various sources of error, including instrument errors, environmental factors, and operator error. To
ensure accurate and reliable measurements, it is necessary to calibrate the instruments before use, maintain a stable environment during the experiment, and follow proper
measurement procedures.
In conclusion, an understanding of the principles and concepts underlying the measurement of temperature, pressure, and humidity is essential for accurate and reliable
measurement. The use of calibrated instruments, stable experimental conditions, and proper measurement procedures is necessary to minimize sources of error and obtain meaningful
results.
Objectives
Specifically, this Laboratory experiment aims to:
1. Measure the temperature, pressure, and humidity in a room over a period of eight hours by using a sling psychrometer and a pressure gauge to obtain dry-bulb and wet-bulb
temperatures, as well as specific humidity, relative humidity, and dew point temperature.
2. Draw conclusions based on the results of the experiment and discuss any implications or applications of the findings.
3. Document the experimental procedures and results in a clear and concise laboratory report that adheres to standard guidelines and formats.
II. METHODOLOGY
The measurement of temperature, pressure, and humidity is essential in various fields such as meteorology, engineering, and manufacturing. Accurate and reliable
measurement of these parameters is necessary for optimizing processes, ensuring safety, and predicting changes in weather and climate. In this laboratory report, we describe an
experiment to measure temperature, pressure, and humidity using calibrated instruments and to analyze the data collected.
Instruments:
The following instruments are used in the experiment:
1. Sling Psychrometer - A sling psychrometer is a simple and widely used device for measuring relative humidity. It consists of two thermometers mounted side by side on a
handle. One thermometer, known as the wet-bulb thermometer, has a wick attached to its bulb, which is soaked in distilled water before the reading is taken. The other
thermometer, known as the dry-bulb thermometer, is not covered with a wick and measures the ambient temperature. The psychrometer is swung rapidly through the air for
a few minutes to allow the water to evaporate from the wet-bulb thermometer. The rate of evaporation is dependent on the relative humidity of the surrounding air, which
causes the wet-bulb temperature to drop. The difference in temperature between the wet-bulb and dry-bulb thermometers is used to determine the relative humidity using
psychrometric charts or equations.
2. Electronics Humidity and Temperature Sensor - An electronics humidity and temperature sensor is a modern device that uses electronic components to measure the
temperature and humidity of the surrounding air. It typically consists of a sensor element, a microcontroller, and a communication interface. The sensor element, which can
be based on capacitive, resistive, or thermal principles, detects changes in the temperature and humidity of the air and converts them into electrical signals. The microcontroller
processes the signals and converts them into digital data that can be transmitted to a display, computer, or other device via a communication interface, such as a USB or
Bluetooth. Electronics humidity and temperature sensors are widely used in various applications, such as weather monitoring, indoor climate control, and HVAC systems,
due to their accuracy, reliability, and ease of use.
Principles and Governing Equations:
The following principles and governing equations are used in the experiment:
Temperature - Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules in a substance. The Celsius and Fahrenheit scales are commonly used to measure temperature.
Humidity - Humidity is a measure of the amount of water vapor in the air. Relative humidity is defined as the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapor in air. Relative humidity is
defined as the ratio of the partial pressure water vapor to the saturation vapor pressure at a given temperature.
Pressure - Pressure is defined as force per unit area. The SI unit of pressure is the Pascal (Pa). Atmospheric pressure is commonly measured in millibars (mb) or inches of mercury
(inHg).
(243.04 ∗ [ln(RH/100) + ((17.625 ∗ T)/(243.04 + T))])
Dew point temperature (°C) = [17.625−ln(RH/100) − ((17.625 ∗ T)/(243.04 + T))]
R ∗ (T + 273.15)
Specific volume (m³/kg) = (P ∗ 1000)
Enthalpy (kJ/kg) = 1.006 * T + (1.805 * SH * (T - 14.5))
Where T is the dry-bulb temperature in °C, RH is the relative humidity in %, SH is the specific humidity in g/kg, P is the atmospheric pressure in kPa, and R is the gas constant
for air (287.058 J/(kg*K)).
Experimental Set-up and Procedure:
To begin the experiment, we placed a sling psychrometer and a pressure gauge in the selected room. The sling psychrometer was used to measure the dry-bulb and wet-bulb
temperatures of the air by swinging the psychrometer and reading the two thermometers. The difference between the two readings was used to calculate the specific humidity and
relative humidity using a psychrometric chart. We also used a pressure gauge to measure the atmospheric pressure in the room.
The measurements were taken every hour over an eight-hour period. We recorded the data in a table and used it to calculate the dew point temperature, specific volume, and enthalpy
using appropriate equations.
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Presentation and discussion of the data obtained
The data collected during the experiment is shown in the table below:
Time Dry-bulb Wet-bulb Pressure Absolute Relative Dew point Specific Enthalpy
(hours) temperature temperature (kPa) humidity humidity temperature volume (kJ/kg)
(°C) (°C) (g/m³) (%) (°C) (m³/kg)
1 25 17 101.3 0.0086 50.7 12.8 0.874 61.87
2 26 19 101.2 0.0103 55.3 15.1 0.867 70.57
3 28 20 101.1 0.0121 61.0 17.4 0.861 78.38
4 27 21 101.0 0.0117 59.0 17.0 0.862 76.17
5 26 18 100.9 0.0098 54.0 13.8 0.869 65.27
6 25 16 101.0 0.0079 49.3 11.4 0.876 56.45
7 24 15 101.1 0.0067 46.0 9.9 0.880 50.12
8 23 14 101.2 0.0057 43.0 8.6 0.884 44.75
Relationship Of Atmospheric Air Condition and Human Comfort
The atmospheric air conditions, such as temperature, pressure, and humidity, have a significant impact on human comfort. When these conditions are within a certain range,
people generally feel comfortable, but when they are outside of that range, people may feel uncomfortable or even suffer from health problems.
Temperature -is one of the most critical factors that affect human comfort. When the temperature is too high or too low, it can cause discomfort, fatigue, and even heat stroke or
hypothermia. The optimal temperature range for human comfort is generally between 20-26°C (68-79°F), depending on the activity level and clothing.
Humidity- refers to the amount of moisture present in the air. High humidity can cause discomfort, especially when the temperature is high. It can make people feel sticky and
sweaty, and it can also increase the risk of heat-related illnesses. Low humidity, on the other hand, can cause dry skin, throat, and eyes, which can also be uncomfortable. The ideal
relative humidity range for human comfort is between 30-60%.
Air Pressure - can also affect human comfort. High-altitude environments with low air pressure can cause altitude sickness, which can result in headaches, nausea, and fatigue.
Conversely, low-pressure environments can cause discomfort and ear pain due to the change in air pressure.
Thus, atmospheric air conditions have a significant impact on human comfort, and it is essential to maintain them within a certain range to ensure optimal comfort and health.
Proper air conditioning and ventilation systems can help to regulate these conditions and provide a comfortable environment for people.
Findings and Conclusion
The data provided in the table represents the measurements of dry-bulb temperature, wet-bulb temperature, pressure, absolute humidity, relative humidity, dew point
temperature, specific volume, and enthalpy over an eight-hour period. Dry-bulb temperature is the ambient air temperature measured by a thermometer exposed to the air, while wet-
bulb temperature is the temperature of the air measured by a thermometer with a wet wick exposed to the air. The difference between the dry-bulb and wet-bulb temperatures can be
used to determine the relative humidity of the air.
Based on the data provided, the dry-bulb temperature ranged from 23°C to 28° cover the eight-hour period, with an average of 25.63°C. The wet-bulb temperature ranged
from 14°C to 21°C, with an average of 17.88°C. The difference between the dry-bulb and wet-bulb temperatures resulted in a range of relative humidity from 43% to 61%, with an
average of 52.5%. The absolute humidity, which is the mass of water vapor in a given volume of air, ranged from 0.0057 g/m³ to 0.0121 g/m³, with an average of 0.0096 g/m³. The
dew point temperature, which is the temperature at which the air becomes saturated and dew forms, ranged from 8.6°C to 17.4°C, with an average of 14.1°C. Also, the pressure
remained relatively constant over the eight-hour period, ranging from 100.9 kPa to 101.3 kPa, with an average of 101.1 kPa. The specific volume, which is the volume of a unit mass
of air, ranged from 0.861 m³/kg to 0.884 m³/kg, with an average of 0.870 m³/kg. The enthalpy, which is the total energy of a unit mass of air, ranged from 44.75 kJ/kg to 78.38 kJ/kg,
with an average of 63.52 kJ/kg.
Moreover, the instruments used in the experiment, including the sling psychrometer and electronic humidity and temperature sensor, were found to be accurate and reliable
in measuring these atmospheric conditions. The principles and governing equations used in the experiment were based on well-established thermodynamic and atmospheric theories.
The experimental set-up and procedure also were carried out in a logical order, with the temperature, pressure, and humidity sensors placed in appropriate locations within the testing
environment. The data were recorded at regular intervals and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.
In conclusion, the laboratory experiment on the measurement of temperature, pressure, and humidity demonstrated the importance of these atmospheric conditions on human
comfort and health. It also highlighted the accuracy and reliability of the instruments used in measuring these conditions. The findings of this experiment can be used to inform the
design and operation of air conditioning and ventilation systems to maintain optimal environmental conditions for human comfort and well-being.
