Why evaporative cooling is a constant wet bulb temp process?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the concepts of wet bulb temperature (WBT) and dew point, emphasizing that while both reach 100% relative humidity, they are distinct thermodynamic measurements. Wet bulb temperature is defined as the lowest achievable temperature of air through evaporation, while the dew point is the temperature at which condensation begins. The conversation also highlights the adiabatic saturation process, noting that it involves constant enthalpy and redistribution of molecules, contrasting it with the heat transfer dynamics in wet bulb thermometers. The participants conclude that WBT is not exactly the same as the thermodynamic wet bulb temperature, as the latter pertains to fully saturated air.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamic principles, specifically enthalpy and humidity.
  • Familiarity with the concepts of wet bulb temperature and dew point.
  • Knowledge of evaporative cooling processes and their mechanisms.
  • Basic grasp of control volume analysis in thermodynamics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the differences between wet bulb temperature and dew point in detail.
  • Research the principles of adiabatic saturation processes in thermodynamics.
  • Explore the mechanics of evaporative coolers and their efficiency factors.
  • Learn about control volume analysis and its applications in thermodynamic systems.
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in thermodynamics, HVAC engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of evaporative cooling and humidity measurement.

Ravi Singh choudhary
Messages
123
Reaction score
7
Wet bulb temperature is the lowest thermodynamic temperature of air that can be achieved at ambient condition, by creating 100% relative humidity in the immediate surrounding of the thermometer using cotton wick.

As Wikipedia says "By contrast, the dew point is the temperature to which the ambient air must be cooled to reach 100% relative humidity assuming there is no evaporation into the air; it is the point where condensate (dew) and rain would form."

So I am clear with the definition of both the terms.
Now come to the adiabatic saturation process; where I understand how it is a constant enthalpy process; just redistribution of molecules within system.

My doubt:
(i) What is the difference between dew point and wet bulb temperature; both appears same to me?
(ii) In textbooks it is quoted as wet bulb temperature is approximately same as wet bulb temperature; why this approximately term is used. Both should have exactly same, as both have final condition of 100% relative humidity and both are achieved by evaporation of water molecules to the unsaturated air.

(iii)Now come to evaporative coolers; say a sand pot, it is also said to be constant wet bulb temperature process, HOW?; Wet bulb temperature is defined at the point where 100% relative humidity is achieved not before same as adiabatic saturation temperature.
 
Science news on Phys.org
Ravi Singh choudhary said:
(i) What is the difference between dew point and wet bulb temperature; both appears same to me?
Att 100% relative humidity they are.
One would notice a big difference at 0% relative humidity.

Ravi Singh choudhary said:
In textbooks it is quoted as wet bulb temperature is approximately same as wet bulb temperature
I believe you mean "adiabatic saturation temperature" for one of the terms.
Put a control volume around the long chamber for the adiabatic saturation process, and how is heat transferred. What temperature and of what are we recording at the output?

Put a control volume around the wet bulb process, and how is heat transferred. What temperature and of what are we recoding?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Ravi Singh choudhary
But adiabatic temperature is measured when air is saturated. In case of wet bulb only cotton wick is saturated, not the air flowing nearby, that means all the time water from cotton wick will evaporate there.
 
256bits said:
Put a control volume around the long chamber for the adiabatic saturation process, and how is heat transferred. What temperature and of what are we recording at the output?

Put a control volume around the wet bulb process, and how is heat transferred. What temperature and of what are we recoding?

Putting control volume around the long chamber for a adiabatic saturation process; there is no heat transfer across the boundary. Inside the boundary; water is evaporating and humidity is increasing. While in the case of wet bulb thermometer there is a heat transfer to the cotton wick and water is also at the same time evaporating from cotton maintaining equilibrium temperature.

Does that make sense?
 
Ravi Singh choudhary said:
Putting control volume around the long chamber for a adiabatic saturation process; there is no heat transfer across the boundary. Inside the boundary; water is evaporating and humidity is increasing. While in the case of wet bulb thermometer there is a heat transfer to the cotton wick and water is also at the same time evaporating from cotton maintaining equilibrium temperature.

Does that make sense?
Makes sense.
 
256bits said:
Makes sense.
I understood both individually. My doubt is; is it a coincidence of both things are same or what?
 
Bro as per my understanding WBT and thermodyanamic WBT has very little difference .Simply WBT is not at saturation of air but close to saturation of air but thermodyanamic WBT is for 100 %RH or fully saturated air .
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
11K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
10K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
12K