Evaporation of Water: Error in Formula?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating water evaporation rates using various equations, with concerns raised about potential errors in formulas sourced from engineeringtoolbox.com. Users report inflated evaporation rates when applying these equations, particularly for pools, leading to unrealistic outcomes. Alternative equations were suggested, including one that factors in air velocity and vapor pressures, but these also yielded high evaporation estimates. Participants shared their calculations and experiences, noting that actual evaporation rates tend to be much lower, especially under typical conditions. The conversation highlights the need for accurate formulas and realistic expectations regarding water loss through evaporation.
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I am trying to calculate the rate (g/m2) of water evaporation given Temperature, Humidity, Air Speed, elevation.

The best source of an equation for this I have found is from engineeringtoolbox.com, but I have found a possible error in their calculation. (I am in a far off land with no access to real textbooks)

The equation:
g = Θ A (xs - x) (1)
where
g = amount of evaporated water (kg/h)
Θ = (25 + 19 v) = evaporation coefficient (kg/m2h)

However, later on the example switches air speed units:
g = ( 25 + 19 (0.5 (m/s)) ) ( 25 (m) 20 (m) ) ( 0,019826 (kg/kg) - 0.0115 (kg/kg)) / 3600
= 0.04 kg/s

When I use this equation with m/s and kg/s, I get an inflated evaporation rate (their example alone provides and incredible evaporation rate for a pool).

Can anyone give me a confirmation of this equation?

Is there a more recommended equation for calculating evaporation(and a source)?


Thank you
:3
 
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This should work.

M-dot= (A)(42.6+37.6V)(Pw-Pa)/Hv

where

m-dot= evaporation rate, kg/hr
A= surface area, m^2
V= air velocity over water surface, m/s
Pw= saturation vapor pressure at water temperature, mm Hg
Ps= saturation vapor pressure of air dew point, mm Hg
Hv= latent heat of vaporization of water at pool temperature, about 2270 KJ/Kg
 
This equation is also giving me inflated evaporation rates:

Using:
A = 9m2
V = 0.5m/s
Pw (at 25 deg. C) = 11.76 mmHg
Ps (at 50% RH) = 23.53 mmHg

Gives:
m-dot = 2.84 kg/hr

At this rate my pool will empty almost as fast as I can fill it.



I am using the following equations for computing the Pressures (in Pa, and in visualbasic)

Public Function Vap_Pres_Sat(TempK As Double) As Double

Vap_Pres_Sat = 22105649.25 * Exp((-27405.526 + 97.5413 * TempK + -0.146244 * TempK ^ 2 + 0.00012558 * TempK ^ 3 + -0.000000048502 * TempK ^ 4) / (4.34903 * TempK - 0.0039381 * TempK ^ 2))

End Function

Public Function Vap_Pres(TempK As Double, RH As Double) As Double

Vap_Pres = Vap_Pres_Sat(TempK) * RH

End Function
 
Pw@25 C = 23.71 mmHG

Ps@ 18 C = 15.46 mmHG ( 25 C air temp, 50% RH)

m-dot= 2 KG/hr, that is about .0022 cm/hr drop in water level for a 9 m^2 surface area

For a vapor pressure calculator goto:

www.csgnetwork.com/vaporpressurecalc.html

To review evaporation rate information goto:

"Measurement and analysis of Evaporation from an inactive outdoor swimming pool"

www.p2pays.org/ref/19/18985.pdf
 
I don't have a formula for you, however, I can tell you from experience that you can expect no more than a 1/2 inch of evaporation, for a full day, in the hottest of weather. You can expect increased evaporation if you are in a very windy area. If you think your evaporating too much water, turn the pool off overnight, if you've lost water overnite chances are you have a leak.
 
See

http://www.rlmartin.com/rspec/whatis/equations.htm

Bob S
 
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