Effect of Atmospheric Pressure on Wet Bulb Depression Raymond M. Wheeler, Michael A. Stasiak, Jamie Lawson, Cara Ann P. Wehkamp, and Michael A. Dixon NASA Biological Sciences Office Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA Department of Environmental Biology University of Guelph Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Reduced Pressures for Space Missions? Reduced gas leakage and hence reduced resupply costs Reduced structural mass Increased potential for finding transparent materials for space greenhouses Rapid egress for EVAs (spacewalks) without prolonged prebreathing and acclimation ------------------- How do environmental sensors perform at reduced pressures?
Effect of Pressure on Saturation Vapour Pressure (Rygalov et al., 2004, NASA Ken Space Center, FL) Saturation Pressure (kpa) 5 4 3 2 1 0 30 C 25 C 15 C 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Total Pressure (kpa) Steam table values for e s : 30ºC = 4.24 kpa; 25ºC = 3.17 kpa; 15ºC = 1.70 kpa (Kennan, Keyes, et al., 1978)
Different Equations for Calculating Saturation Water Vapour Pressures Goff-Gratch (1946) / and Smithsonian Tables (1984) Log 10 p w = -7.90298 (373.16/T-1) + 5.02808 Log 10 (373.16/T) - 1.3816 10-7 (10 11.344 (1-T/373.16) -1) + 8.1328 10-3 (10-3.49149 (373.16/T-1) -1) + Log 10 (1013.246) with T in [K] and p w in [hpa] Hyland and Wexler (1983) Log p w = -0.58002206 10 4 / T + 0.13914993 10 1-0.48640239 10-1 T + 0.41764768 10-4 T 2-0.14452093 10-7 T 3 + 0.65459673 10 1 Log(T) with T in [K] and p w in [Pa] Magnus Teten (Murray, 1967) Log10 p w = 7.5 t / (t+237.3) + 0.7858 with t in [ C] and p w in [hpa] Buck (1981, 1996) p w = 6.1121 e(18.678 - t / 234.5) t / (257.14 + t) [1996] p w = 6.1121 e17.502 t / (240.97 + t) [1981] with t in [ C] and p w in [hpa] Sonntag (1994) Log p w = -6096.9385 / T + 16.635794-2.711193 10-2 * T + 1.673952 10-5 * T 2 + 2.433502 * Log(T) with T in [K] and p w in [hpa]
All of these equations are related to saturation pressure of pure water vapour, but water vapour in air does not behave as a completely ideal gas and a corrections are required. Buck (1981) Equation: e s =( f ) 6.1121 exp 17.502 T 240.97 + T Where f = the enhancement factor for calculating vapor pressure of moist air instead of pure water vapor. Buck (1981) J. Appl. Meteorol. 20:1527-1532.
... I. 25 1. 2...... '.. 1 0 kpa -''I...... I. t5 I.. 05 I.. 0 o... 20.kP,., '"., ~ ~ 50.kPa ~ -, -- - i., " ~ "' I t- I _ ~ _ "I... I 10 kp:::i. -_..,-_ --._.,.....,... N..... _-. - L_,........ _L. t.-.. -r---.... Effect of temperature and pressure on enhancement factor for correcting moist air properties to that of pure water vapor. From: D.C. Shallcross. 2005. Intl. J. Heat and Mass Transfer 48:1785-1796.
Effects of Pressure on Evaporation Rates (Rygalov et al., 2004) Evaporation Rate (L m -2 d -1 ) 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Relative Humidity 0 25 50 75 100 95% 65% 50% Pressure (kpa) Related to increased gas diffusion rates at reduced pressures
Diffusion Coefficient (D v ) of Water Vapour at 25ºC 600 Diffusion Coefficient D v (mm -2 s -1 ) 500 400 300 200 100 Fick's Law for Molecular Diffusion: J B = -C D v [d(c B /C)/dy] where D v is the mass diffusivity or the diffusion coefficient and D v = (0.926/P)[T 2.5 /(T+245)] 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Pressure (kpa)
If evaporation rates increase at reduced pressures.. then wet-bulb (WB) depression should also increase.
Psychrometric Equation using Wet Bulb Temperature e s = e + γ (T db T wb ) γ = the psychrometric constant where γ = p A with p = pressure and A 6.53 x 10-4 K -1 for average size thermometers and aspiration rate of 4 m s -1 But e s is saturation vapour pressure at the wet bulb temperature! Thus this equation can t be used the to solve directly for T wb.
WATER- ~1ARTIAN ATMOSPHERE SYSTEM 50.0 kpo. p ~SSUJt\ En l!:ullpy dabjm : liq u.id wnl:er 0.00 -C..6 11 kpd. dry Martian tloosph.@r@ 0.00 "C. 1 U kpd. Martian t1lmosp b@~ composition : C'O:l 95.49 mol % ~ HO m l. L 60 mol 13 mol > co are mol, To OOtalD lru_o:> entb.:il Pl' ijdd. entb.:11 p}' de,, jilua n Lo entbil'lp)' lilt I ~ U L.i tiod. 160 HO 1 BO A. I'/:j If i V... ~ :'V I f, / I ".' : il..' k.."%, : y.. I. T v., y, :, I ~).OBO.osa.O~.054.052.O ~).048.049 ;;; '".0oU.c <>..042 g.04).oaa ~ ".038.f!.OM ~.032 2:-.O~) 'C.2'.OM 9.01l3 o 10 I 80 '. '. ' " ". ". '", 40.024 ~.022 'iii E.O ~) ::J.c.018 J!.018 ]'".014..:.012:.010.oos.008.004 Dry tolb tempera:lure ("C) Psychometric chart for water vapor in Martian atmosphere brought to 50 kpa pressure. From: D.C. Shallcross. 2005. Intl. J. Heat and Mass Transfer 48:1785-1796.
Themodynamic Wet Bulb Temperature vs. Pressure (at 25ºC Dry Bulb in Air and Martian Atmosphere) 25.0 70% RH 20.0 50% RH Temperature (ºC) 15.0 10.0 Open Symbols -- Air ( 78% N 2 21% O 2 ) (MW = 28.96) 30% RH 5.0 Solid Symbols -- Martian Atmosphere (95% CO 2 ) ( MW = 43.23) (from Shallcross 1997; 2005) 0.0 0 50 100 150 200 Pressure (kpa)
Psychrometric Chart for Pressure using Composite Thermodynamic Properties 4.5 "::]-.N:-:.!?"""" 2!J ~;;g;~~~~2~ 27 35 ~ 2 ~ 24 23 +~~~ 22 ~~~~~2 1 ~ m.d GI 0......, C:i: ;: 3 25-2 1.5 1 1~ ~ 1!I!lIiIl!!I!!!I!!!I!II!i!!i1I!!llIlIiillilllillili ~~~~ 11 ~~~~~ l e ~ ~ 1~ 0) '~~~~~~~l 14 ~ 13 12 11 -.l'><""l'" 10 ~~~~~~~~~7 9 6 ~~~~~~t~~~ 4 o ~ -10-8 -6-4 - ~ 0 2 01 0; B 10 1 ~ 14 1~ 1 8 <0 22 2-" 2:0; 26 30 32 ~ 3& 3D ~ O ~l dd "6 46 SO ~ o C H.-S. Ren. 2004. Construction of a generalized psychrometric chart for different pressures. J. Mech. Eng. Ed. 32(3):212-222.
Composite Psychrometric Chart Nomograph p, ~ Pro kp ~,IP, baf l I~ r~ D. Il I~ IlP 01 I, OHo I ~ O~! o L~,. OJ Q, 01- O! 12 ~.1 011! H.-S. Ren. 2004. Construction of a generalized psychrometric chart for different pressures. J. Mech. Eng. Ed. 32(3):212-222.
Thermodynamic Wet Bulb Temperature vs. Pressure (at Dry Bulb of 25ºC) 25 Relative Humidity 90% Temperature (ºC) 20 15 70% 50% 30% Data estimated from "Composite Psychrometric Charts Ren (2004) 10 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 Pressure (kpa)
Our objective was to directly measure wet bulb depression at different pressures and compare our results published psychrometric models for pressure effects.
Experimental Approach Measure wet bulb temperatures five different pressures and three different relative humidities: Pressures: 10, 20, 50, 80, and 100 kpa Relative Humidities: 30, 50, and 70% Each combination allowed to equilibrate for at least 90 minutes, then a 30-min segment of data was averaged for WB, DB, Dew Point, Chamber Air Temperature, Chamber RH, and Water Temperature
Hypobaric Test Chamber University of Guelph, CESF
Environmental Monitoring and Control: Wet Bulb / Dry Bulb Enercorp Model HT-WD-A Psychrometer Two matched platinum RTD temperature probes Constant aspiration -- 3 m s -1 Humidity Control Honeywell Model HIH-3602-A Capacitance Sensors (2) Temperature Control Argus TN 21 Thermisters (2) Dew Point Measurements General Eastern Model 1100DP (1) Humidity Calibration / Comparison (at 100 kpa) Vaisala HMP42 Handheld RH/Temp Probe Pressure Monitoring / Control MKS Barotron Capacitance Manometer Water temperature for the psychrometer reservoir
Wet / Dry Psychrometer Enercorp Inst. Ltd. (Model HT-WD-A) Signal Transmitter Exhaust Fan Air Inlet Tube with Cotton Wick RTD Temp Probe Water Reservoir
Wet Bulb Measurements versus Atmospheric Pressure 25 Dry Bulb Temp. = 25 C y = 0.826 Ln(x) + 16.64 R 2 = 0.722 20 70% RH y = 1.593 Ln(x) + 10.23 Temperature (ºC) 15 10 50% RH R 2 = 0.976 y = 3.002 Ln(x) + 1.349 R 2 = 0.993 5 30% RH Filled symbols represent our Wet Bulb measurements; Open symbols are adiabatic saturation temperatures from Shallcross (1997, 2005) and Ren (2004) (red triangles). 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Pressure (kpa)
Conclusions Our measurements of wet bulb depression at different pressures matched the modeled adiabatic saturation temps reasonably well. At a dry bulb temp of 25 C, the normal wet bulb temp for 30% RH and 100 kpa is ~15 C, but this dropped to ~8 C at 10 kpa. The results suggest that psychrometers need direct calibration at the target pressures or that pressure corrected charts are required. For a given vapour pressure deficit, any moist surfaces, including transpiring plant leaves, will be cooler at lower pressures due to the increased evaporation rates.
Thanks to the CESRF Team at University of Guelph Mike Stasiak Jamie Lawson
Questions? Welcome to Florida!
Wet Bulb Temperature vs. Adiabatic Saturation Temperature Wet Bulb Temperature: The temperature of a sensor covered with pure water that is evaporating freely into the ambient air stream. Typically taken with a matched dry bulb (DB) reading under constant aspiration (3-5 m s -1 ) and shielded from radiation. But WB readings can be affected by the aspiration rate, mass of the sensor, water temperature, properties of the wick, and water purity. Adiabatic Saturation Temperature (also called Thermodynamic Wet Bulb Temperature): The thermodynamic state resulting from adiabatic saturation, where there is no heat or mass transfer involved, and is independent of the measurement technique.
The Psychrometric Chart
Averaged* Chart of Dynamic WB Temperature vs. Pressure 25.0 y = 0.897 Ln (x) + 16.88 ; R 2 = 0.976 70% RH 20.0 y = 1.844 Ln (x) + 9.445 ; R 2 = 0.980 Temperature (ºC) 15.0 10.0 50% RH y = 3.245 Ln (x) - 0.410 ; R 2 = 0.992 5.0 30% RH 0.0 0 50 100 150 200 250 Pressure (kpa) Data for 12 and 20 kpa for CO 2 (95%) atmosphere; 80, 140, and 200 kpa for air; 50 and 100 averaged for CO 2 and air (Shallcross, 1997).