Air Conditioning - Cooling and Condensate Generated

Water condensate in air conditioning systems

The cooling process of air conditioning units generates condensate water.

With specific humidity before and after a air conditioning unit known, the condensate generated can be calculated like

q_cond = q_air dw_lb / 8.33 v_da         (1)

where

q_cond = condensate generated (gallons per minute, gpm)

q_air = air flow (cubic feet per minute)

dw_lb = difference in specific humidity (lb_water / lb_{dry air})

v_da = specific volume of air (cubic feet/lb_{dry air})

With the specific humidity expressed in grams water per lb dry air - equation (1) can be expressed as

q_cond = q_air dw_gr / 7000 8.33 v_da         (2)

where

q_cond = condensate generated (gallons per minute)

q_air = air flow (cubic feet per minute)

dw_gr = difference in specific humidity (gr_water / lb_{dry air})

v_da = specific volume of air (cubic feet/lb_{dry air})

Engineering News

Resources, Tools and Basic Information for Engineering and Design of Technical Applications!