1. What is a Dry and Wet Bulb Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the enthalpy of air based on dry bulb temperature, wet bulb temperature, and a wet factor.

Purpose: It helps HVAC professionals and engineers determine the energy content of air for system design and analysis.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( H \) — Enthalpy (kJ/kg)
• \( T_{dry} \) — Dry bulb temperature (°C)
• \( T_{wet} \) — Wet bulb temperature (°C)
• \( W \) — Wet factor (typically 2.5 for standard conditions)

Explanation: The dry bulb temperature represents sensible heat, while the wet bulb term accounts for latent heat in the air.

3. Importance of Enthalpy Calculation

Details: Accurate enthalpy values are crucial for designing efficient HVAC systems, calculating cooling loads, and analyzing psychrometric processes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures in °C, and the wet factor (default 2.5). The wet factor must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the wet factor?
A: The wet factor is an empirical coefficient that relates wet bulb temperature to the latent heat component of enthalpy.

Q2: What's a typical wet factor value?
A: For standard air conditions, 2.5 is commonly used, but this may vary with atmospheric pressure.

Q3: When would I change the wet factor?
A: Adjust for different altitudes or when working with non-standard air conditions.

Q4: How accurate is this simplified formula?
A: It provides reasonable estimates for most engineering applications, though psychrometric charts offer more precision.

Q5: Can I use Fahrenheit temperatures?
A: The calculator expects Celsius inputs. Convert Fahrenheit to Celsius first (°C = (°F - 32) × 5/9).