U21CH301

Process Calculations
L T P J C Course Category:
Professional Core
3 1 0 0 4 Course (PCC)

Dr. S. Balasubramanian PhD

Department of Chemical Engineering

KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology
Coimbatore 641407
9/20/24 ChemE 1
Composition of Vapor and Gas Humidity

1. Introduction
2. Terminologies used
3. Problems of air-mixture
4. Problems with condensable vapor
and non-condensable gas
9/20/24 ChemE 2
Composition of Vapor and Gas Humidity

1. Introduction

9/20/24 ChemE 3
Introduction Humidity

Several ways exist to express the concentration of a vapor

in a mixture with a non-condensable gas. When the vapor
is water vapor and the gas is air, the special term humidity
applies other wise the term saturation is used to refer any
gas-vapor combination.

9/20/24 ChemE 4
Introduction Humidity

The dew (vapor begins to

condense)
At the dew point partial pressure of the
water (or moisture) in the air is equal to
the vapor pressure of the water. The
vapor begins to condense.
The temperature at which the vapor start to
Water condense is called the dew point temperature

Air/gas (non-condensable)
Water vapor (condensable)

Air/gas in water (mixture) or vapor in gas

9/20/24 ChemE 5
Composition of Vapor and Gas Humidity

1. Introduction
2. Terminologies used
3. Problems of air-mixture
4. Problems with condensable vapor
and non-condensable gas
9/20/24 ChemE 6
Composition of Vapor and Gas Humidity

Terminologies used

9/20/24 ChemE 7
Introduction Humidity – Terminologies

- Dry bulb temperature

- Wet bulb temperature
- Dew point temperature
- Saturation
- Partial pressure
- Vapor pressure
- Total pressure
9/20/24 ChemE 8
 Introduction Humidity – Terminologies
Dry bulb temperature : The actual air temperature , normally 25°C
Wet bulb temperature : The temperature measured by a wet bulb thermometer
Dew point temperature : The temperature at which the vapor begins to condense.
Saturation : Refers to the maximum amount of water vapor (or any other vapor) that
air (or gas) can hold at a given temperature and pressure before it
begins to condense.
Partial pressure : The partial pressure of water vapor refers to the pressure exerted by
the water vapor molecules in the air as part of the total pressure of the
air-water mixture.
Vapor pressure : The pressure exerted by water vapor in the air
Total pressure : The total pressure of the air-water mixture is the sum of the partial
pressures of all gases present, i.e the dry air and the water vapor
P total = p dry air + p water vapor
9/20/24 ChemE 9
Introduction Humidity – Terminologies

Humidity
Molal humidity (molal saturation)
Relative humidity (relative saturation)
Percentage humidity (percentage saturation)

9/20/24 ChemE 10
Introduction Humidity – Terminologies

Humidity
Molal humidity (molal saturation)
Relative humidity (relative saturation)
Percentage humidity (percentage saturation)

9/20/24 ChemE 11
 Introduction Humidity – Terminologies

Humidity is the mass of water vapor per the mass of bone dry air

kg vapor mass water vapor ! (#$%&') !"#$% × *$%&+,%-. /&0123 (*/) !"#$% ! !"#$% × #$!"#$%
Humidity = = massdry air = =
kg dry air ! (#$%&') &%' "(% $% !"#$% )%** × *$%&+,%-. /&0123 (*/) &%' "(% ! !"#$% &%'' (") × #$*%+ ",%

Weight (Wt.) or Mass

Mole (𝑛) =
Molecular weight (MW)

Mole (𝑛) × Molecular weight (MW) = Weight (Wt.) or Mass

18 - molecular weight of water

29 - average molecular weight of air
! !"#$% × #$!"#$% ! !"#$% ×%& 𝑝 !"#$% - partial pressure of vapor (or water) in air (or gas) – water mixture
Humidity = = 𝑝 !"#$% &%'' (") - partial pressure of vapor free gas (or dry air)
! !"#$% &%'' (") $% *%+ ",% × #$!"#$% ! !"#$% &%'' (") × '(
𝑃 *$*"+ , total pressure of the air-water or vapor – gas mixture

! !"#$% × #$!"#$% ! !"#$% ×%& ∵𝑃 01023 =𝑝 42516 + 𝑝 42516 7688 92: 16 ;6< 2=6
Humidity = = 𝑃 −𝑝 = 𝑝 42516 7688 92:
) -$-". / ! !"#$% × #$!"#$% ) -$-". / ! !"#$% × '( 01023 42516 16 ;6< 2=6

9/20/24 ChemE 12
Introduction Humidity – Terminologies
Show that

* (,-./0) !"#$% × #-./23.45 $/6789 (#$) !"#$% ! !"#$% × #$!"#$% ! !"#$% ×%&
Humidity = = =
* (,-./0) *%+ ",% × #-./23.45 $/6789 (#$) *%+ ",% ! !"#$% &%'' (") $% *%+ ",% × #$*%+ ",% ) -$-". / ! !"#$% × '(

We know ideal gas law, 𝑝𝑣 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇 expresses as moles in terms of 18 - molecular weight of water
29 - average molecular weight of air
partial pressure. That is, moles air – water mixture, dry air (or gas) in ! !"#$% - partial pressure of vapor (or water) in air (or gas) – water mixture
! !"#$% '%(( )"* - partial pressure of vapor free gas (or dry air)
water vapor (or vapor) # +$+", - total pressure of the air-water or vapor – gas mixture

!!"#$% ;
𝑛 :4!-5 = …….. (1)
<=

!!"#$% &%'' (") ;

𝑛 >5? 465(-5 :4!-5 @5//0 740) = …….. (2)
<=

* (,-./0) !"#$% × #-./23.45 $/6789 (#$) !"#$%

Substituting the equations (1) and (2) in the ratio , we have
* (,-./0) *%+ ",% × #-./23.45 $/6789 (#$) !"#$%

𝑝:4!-5 𝑉
× 𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 (𝑀𝑊) :4!-5 𝑝 :4!-5 × 𝑀𝑊:4!-5
𝑅𝑇 =
𝑝:4!-5 @5// 740 𝑉 𝑝 :4!-5 @5// 740 -5 >5? 465 × 𝑀𝑊>5? 465
× 𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 (𝑀𝑊) :4!-5
𝑅𝑇
9/20/24 ChemE 13
Introduction Humidity – Terminologies

! !"#$% × #$!"#$% ! !"#$% ×%& ∵" "#"$% =% &$'#( + % &$'#( )(** +$, #( -(. $/(
Now we have, =
! !"#$% &%'' (") $% *%+ ",% × #$*%+ ",% ) -$-". / ! !"#$% × '(

Finally we have,

kg vapor mass water vapor ! (#$%&') !"#$% × *$%&+,%-. /&0123 (*/) !"#$% 8 !"#$% × */!"#$%
Humidity =
kg dry air
=
mass
=
! (#$%&') &%' "(% $% !"#$% )%** × *$%&+,%-. /&0123 (*/) &%' "(%
= 8 !"#$% )%** +", × */&%' "(%
dry air

5 -./01 ×?@
Humidity =
A 202.3 4 5 -./01 × BC

9/20/24 ChemE 14
Introduction Humidity – Terminologies

Humidity
Molal humidity (molal saturation)
Relative humidity (relative saturation)
Percentage humidity (percentage saturation)

9/20/24 ChemE 15
Introduction Humidity – Terminologies

Molal humidity (molal saturation)

Moles of vapor divided by the moles of vapor-free gas.

&9:;<= &9:;<= (9:;<= (9:;<=

𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑙 ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 =
&9:;<= >=?? @:A
=
&B<B:C '&9:;<=
=
(9:;<= >=?? @:A
=(
B<B:C '(9:;<=

∵𝑛 9-94. =𝑛 :4!-5 + 𝑛 :4!-5 @5// 740 -5 >5? 465

𝑛 9-94. −𝑛 :4!-5 = 𝑛 :4!-5 @5// 740 -5 >5? 465

∵𝑃 9-94. =𝑝 :4!-5 + 𝑝 :4!-5 @5// 740 -5 >5? 465

𝑃 9-94. −𝑝 :4!-5 = 𝑝 :4!-5 @5// 740 -5 >5? 465

9/20/24 ChemE 16
Introduction Humidity – Terminologies

Humidity
Molal humidity (molal saturation)
Relative humidity (relative saturation)
Percentage humidity (percentage saturation)

9/20/24 ChemE 17
Introduction Humidity – Terminologies

Relative Humidity, RH (relative saturation)

𝑝!"#$%
𝑅𝐻 =
𝑝∗

𝑝!"#$% - Partial pressure of the vapor in the air – water or gas – vapor mixture
𝑝∗ - Partial pressure of the vapor in the air – water or gas – vapor mixture
If the gas or air is saturated at the given temperature of the mixture.
i.e. the vapor pressure of the vapor component

9/20/24 ChemE 18
Introduction Humidity – Terminologies

Relative Humidity, RH (relative saturation)

𝑝!"#$%
𝑝!"#$% 𝑃'$'"( 𝑛!"#$%
𝑅𝐻 = = ∗ =
𝑝∗ 𝑝!"#$% 𝑛!"#$% "' )"'*%"'+$,
𝑃'$'"(
𝑝!"#$% - Partial pressure of the vapor in the air – water or gas – vapor mixture
𝑝∗ - Partial pressure of the vapor in the air – water or gas – vapor mixture
If the gas or air is saturated at the given temperature of the mixture.
i.e. the vapor pressure of the vapor component

9/20/24 ChemE 19
Introduction Humidity – Terminologies

Humidity
Molal humidity (molal saturation)
Relative humidity (relative saturation)
Percentage humidity (percentage saturation)

9/20/24 ChemE 20
Introduction Humidity – Terminologies

Humidity
Molal humidity (molal saturation)
Relative humidity (relative saturation)
Percentage humidity (percentage saturation)

9/20/24 ChemE 21
 Introduction Humidity – Terminologies

Percentage humidity, hp (percentage saturation)

𝑝>?<@A
ℎ= 𝑃B@B?C − 𝑝>?<@A
ℎ< = ∗ = ∗ ×100
ℎ= 𝑝>?<@A
∗
𝑃B@B?C − 𝑝>?<@A
ℎ= - Molal humidity
∗
ℎ= - Molal humidity at saturation

𝑝>?<@A - Partial pressure of the vapor in the air – water or gas – vapor mixture
𝑝∗ - Partial pressure of the vapor in the air – water or gas – vapor mixture
If the gas or air is saturated at the given temperature of the mixture.
i.e. the vapor pressure of the vapor component
𝑃*+*,- - Total pressure of the dry air (or gas)– vapor mixture
9/20/24 ChemE 22
Introduction Humidity – Terminologies

Summary if Relationships used for vapor – gas mixture

9/20/24 ChemE 23
Composition of Vapor and Gas Humidity

1. Introduction
2. Terminologies used
3. Problems of air-mixture
4. Problems with condensable vapor
and non-condensable gas
9/20/24 ChemE 24
Composition of Vapor and Gas Humidity

Problems of air-mixture

9/20/24 ChemE 25
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Problem Statement

The humidity of air at 30°C (86°F) and a total pressure of 750 mm Hg

absolute (100 kPa) is 0.0055. Calculate (a) the percent relative humidity, (b)
the molal humidity, and (c) the partial pressure of the water vapor in the
air. Provide your answers in SI System of Units. Take the saturation vapor
pressure of water at 30°C is 𝑝DDE = 4.24 kPa

9/20/24 ChemE 26
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Problem Statement
The humidity of air at 30°C (86°F) and a total pressure of 750 mm Hg absolute (100 kPa) is 0.0055. Calculate (a)
the percent relative humidity, (b) the molal humidity, and (c) the partial pressure of the water vapor in the air.
Provide your answers in SI System of Units. Take the saturation vapor pressure of water at 30°C is 𝑝E5F = 4.24
kPa

Given
Temperature (T) = 30°C + 273 = 303 K
Total pressure (Ptotal) = 750 mm Hg = 750 × 0.133322 = 99.99 ≅ 100 kPa
Humidity (H) = 0.0055 kg water vapor per kg dry air
(this is the ratio of the mass of water vapor to the mass of dry air).

9/20/24 ChemE 27
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Problem Statement
𝑝:4!-5
(a) Percent Relative Humidity 𝑅𝐻 = We need to find the 𝑝:4!-5 , it can be done with the help of humidity
𝑝∗
We know, Humidity (H) = 0.0055 kg water vapor per kg dry air from the problem statement

kg vapor ! (#$%&') !"#$% × *$%&+,%-. /&0123 (*/) !"#$% 8 !"#$% × */!"#$% 8 !"#$% ×JK
Humidity = 0.0055
kg dry air
=
! (#$%&') &%' "(% $% !"#$% )%** × *$%&+,%-. /&0123 (*/) &%' "(%
= 8 !"#$% )%** +", × */&%' "(%
=L
-$-". / 8 !"#$% × DM

kg vapor 5 -./01 ×?@ Rearranging this equation and solving for 𝑝 we will have
Humidity = 0.0055 = 42516
kg dry air A 202.3 4 5 -./01 × BC

8!"#$% 𝑝42516 0.88

𝑝 42516 = 0.88 𝑘𝑃𝑎 ; Substituting this value in 𝑅𝐻 = , we have 𝑅𝐻 = = = 0.2075
8∗ 𝑝∗ 4.24

𝑝42516 0.88
% 𝑅𝐻 = ∗ ×100 = ×100 = 20.75% ≈ 21%
𝑝 4.24

9/20/24 ChemE 28
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Problem Statement
(b) Molal Humidity The molal humidity is the ratio of the moles of water vapor to the
moles of dry air. It can be expressed as

*!"#$% !!"#$% !!"#$%

M𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑙 ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = Molal humidity =
*-$-". B*!"#$%
=
!!"#$% &%'' (")
=!
-$-". B!!"#$%

!!"#$% 0.88
Molal humidity = = 100 −0.88 =8.878×10−3
!-$-". B!!"#$%

moles of water vapor

Molal humidity = 8.878×10−3 ≈9 ×10−3
moles of dry air

moles of water vapor

Molal humidity ≈ 9 ×10−3
moles of dry air

9/20/24 ChemE 29
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Problem Statement

Solution

(a) The percent relative humidity is 21%.

(b) The molal humidity is 0.009 moles of water vapor per mole of dry air.
(c) The partial pressure of water vapor is 0.88 kPa.

9/20/24 ChemE 30
Composition of Vapor and Gas Humidity

1. Introduction
2. Terminologies used
3. Problems of air-mixture
4. Problems with condensable vapor
and non-condensable gas
9/20/24 ChemE 31
Composition of Vapor and Gas Humidity

Problems with condensable vapor

and non-condensable gas
9/20/24 ChemE 32
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Problem Statement

A mixture of air and benzene is found to have a 50% relative saturation at

27°C and an absolute pressure of 110 kPa. What is the mole fraction of
benzene in the air?

Given

Relative Saturation (RS) = 50%

Temperature (T) = 27°C

Absolute Pressure (Ptotal) = 110 kPa

9/20/24 ChemE 33
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Calculations Method 1 Use of Steam Stable for vapor pressure data

9/20/24 ChemE 34
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Calculations

9/20/24 ChemE 35
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Calculations

The mole fraction of Benzene

The mole fraction of benzene in the air is 0.0636 or 6.36%.

9/20/24 ChemE 36
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Calculations Method 2 Using Antoine Equation to obtain vapor pressure

The Antoine equation is a mathematical expression used to estimate the vapor

pressure of a pure substance at a specific temperature. This equation is
especially useful in psychrometry (humidity), chemical engineering
thermodynamics, and physical chemistry for modeling phase equilibria and
designing systems involving drying, boiling, condensation, humidification,
cooling towers and distillation.

9/20/24 ChemE 37
 Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Calculations Method 2 Using Antoine Equation to obtain vapor pressure

The general form of the Antoine equation is:

where:

These constants A, B, and C are obtained experimentally and vary depending on the substance and the temperature range.
Tables or databases often provide Antoine constants for a wide range of compounds over specific temperature ranges.
9/20/24 ChemE 38
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Calculations Method 2 Using Antoine Equation to obtain vapor pressure

The general form of the Antoine equation is:

The constants A, B, and C for the benzene between 1oC and 80oC from the handbooks are, A =
6.90565, B = 1211.033 and C = 220.790. Substituting these values in above equation with T = 27oC
in the above equation and solving for 𝑃, we will have 𝑃 = 104.47 mmHg. Again converting this 𝑃 =
∗
104.47 mmHg in terms of kPa, then we will have, 𝑝=>&?>&> = 14.11 kPa

9/20/24 ChemE 39
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Calculations Method 2 Using Antoine Equation to obtain vapor pressure

14.1 7.05 𝑘𝑃𝑎

∵ 𝑝C/*D/*/ = 𝑃9-94. × 𝑦C/*D*/

From ideal gas to Daltons law

application

9/20/24 ChemE 40
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Calculations Method 2 Using Antoine Equation to obtain vapor pressure

The mole fraction of Benzene

7.05
𝟎. 𝟎𝟔𝟒𝟎

0.0640or= 6.36%.
The mole fraction of benzene in the air is 0.0636 6.40 %
9/20/24 ChemE 41
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Absolute Humidity in terms of mass and volume of air water mixture

Mass of Water Vapor (kg)

Absolute Humidity =
Volume of Air (m3)

Practice Problem

The volume of air in a process is observed as 15m3 and contains 0.013 kg of water vapor
at a temperature of 25oC. Calculate the absolute humidity of this air

9/20/24 ChemE 42
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Practice Problem

The volume of air in a process is observed as 15 m3 and contains 0.013 kg of water

vapor at a temperature of 25oC. Calculate the absolute humidity of this air

Mass of Water Vapor (kg) 0.025

Absolute Humidity = = = 0.0005
Volume of Air (m3) 50

Mass of Water Vapor (kg)

Absolute Humidity = 0.005
Volume of Air (m3)

9/20/24 ChemE 43
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Practice Problems
1. A TV announcer says that the dew point is 92°F. If you compress the air at 110°F and 2 psig,
what is the percent relative humidity? For water in the temperature range of 1°C to 100°C,
the Antoine constants are typically provided as: A = 8.07131; B = 1730.63 and C = 233.426

2. Toluene is mixed with air at 21°C in such proportions that the partial pressure of the
vapor is 10 mm Hg. The total pressure is 745 mm Hg.

Calculate the following:

(a) The relative saturation
(b) The moles of toluene per mole of vapor-free gas (molal saturation)
(c) The weight of toluene per unit weight of vapor-free gas (saturation in terms of mass)

For toluene in the temperature range of 1°C to 110°C, the Antoine constants are typically
provided as: A = 6.95465; B = 1344.80 and C = 219.48

9/20/24 ChemE 44
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Practice Problems
1. A TV announcer says that the dew point is 92°F. If you compress the air at 110°F and 2 psig,
what is the percent relative humidity? For water in the temperature range of 1°C to 100°C,
the Antoine constants are typically provided as: A = 8.07131; B = 1730.63 and C = 233.426

2. Toluene is mixed with air at 21°C in such proportions that the partial pressure of the
vapor is 10 mm Hg. The total pressure is 745 mm Hg.

Calculate the following:

(a) The relative saturation
(b) The moles of toluene per mole of vapor-free gas (molal saturation)
(c) The weight of toluene per unit weight of vapor-free gas (saturation in terms of mass)

For toluene in the temperature range of 1°C to 110°C, the Antoine constants are typically provided
as: A = 6.95465; B = 1344.80 and C = 219.48

9/20/24 ChemE 45
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Practice Problems

3. The vapor pressure of styrene is 100 mmHg at 82oC and 200 mm Hg at 100oC. A gas that
consists of 10 mole% styrene and 90 mole% non-condensables is contained in a tank at 100oC
and 1000 mm Hg. Calculate:
(i) The relative saturation
(ii) The molal saturation and percentage saturation
(iii) The dew point of the gas

4. If a gas (or air) at 100°F and 30 in. Hg has a molal humidity of 0.03 mole of H2O per mole of dry air,
calculate: (i) the relative humidity (%). Data: Saturation vapor pressure at 60°C as 150.1 mm Hg

9/20/24 ChemE 46
Introduction Humidity – Calculations

Confucius was a Chinese philosopher and politician

11/11/24 ChemE 47
Humidity General
Text Book
Equation
References

11/11/24 ChemE 48
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11/11/24 ChemE 49