Print this page Psychrometric Chart Fundamentals and its application to HVAC Troubleshooting
Timothy D. Blackburn, MBA, P.E.
Course Outline
If you can't use the psychrometic chart, you will be unable to effectively design HVAC systems or diagnose their problems. Would you like to finally understand this subject? If so, this is your chance. This course explores psychrometrics and the psychrometric chart in a clear and straightforward manner, as well as provide practical troubleshooting HVAC examples using the chart. For those who have had previous training in this area, it will be an overview; however, the course is suited for the beginner (Psychrometrics is introduced) as well as the advanced (using challenging examples). The course begins with an overview of psychrometric fundamentals, followed by an overview of the psychrometric chart and its practical application. The course concludes with 9 practical HVAC examples/challenges using the chart to analyze and/or develop a solution.
This course includes
a multiple choice quiz at the end,
Learning Objective
The following are the course learning objectives. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to understand the following and apply:
- Psychrometrics, including the following;
- Enthalpy;
- Sensible Heat;
- Latent Heat;
- Know the units of measure;
- Dry Bulb Temperature;
- Wet Bulb Temperature;
- Dew Point Temperature;
- Relative Humidity (RH);
- Specific Humidity or Humidity Ratio;
- Density;
- Specific Volume;
- Understand and be able to use the Psychrometric chart;
- Be able to determine a wide range of psychrometric data knowing two variables;
- Understand differences between Latent and Sensible changes;
- Understand relationship between Dewpoint, RH, Wetbulb, and Drybulb;
- Understand impact to RH from Latent and Sensible changes;
- Understand humidification and dehumidification;
- Be able to determine enthalpy changes;
- Understand heating and cooling cycles and plot them graphically on the Psychrometric chart; and
- Understand practical
HVAC troubleshooting examples that include problems with temperature and humidity.
Intended Audience
The intended audiences
are engineers, architects, project managers, maintenance/facilities engineers,
and owners. Especially, those involved in the design of HVAC systems, investigating
failures, or troubleshooting will benefit.
Benefit to Attendees
The attendee should be able to effectively understand and use the Psychrometric chart to understand temperature/moisture relationships in air, and its application to HVAC challenges.
Course
Introduction
If HVAC problems
and challenges are to be properly diagnosed and designed, it is essential that
the psychrometric chart and psychrometrics in general be clearly understood.
This course will review the essential elements of psychrometrics (the behavior
of mixtures of air and water vapor under varying conditions of heat) and the
chart that represents it. With this knowledge, you will be able to understand
many of the HVAC challenges that are certain to arise, as well as anticipate
problems before they occur, incorporating in your design.
Course Content
The
course content is in a PDF file (522 KB) Psychrometric
Chart Fundamentals and its application to HVAC Troubleshooting. You
need to open or download this document to study this course.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Definitions and Concepts
The Psychrometric Chart Template
The Psychrometric Chart - an Overview
Latent versus Sensible Changes
Relationship of Dewpoint, RH, Wetbulb, and Drybulb
Impact to Relative Humidity from Sensible Changes
Dehumidification
Humidification
Enthalpy Changes
Heating Cycles
Cooling Cycle
Try it yourself! (A Pop Quiz)
HVAC Troubleshooting Example #1
HVAC Troubleshooting Example #2
HVAC Troubleshooting Example #3
HVAC Troubleshooting Example #4
HVAC Troubleshooting Example #5
HVAC Troubleshooting Example #6
HVAC Troubleshooting Example #7
HVAC Troubleshooting Example #8
HVAC Troubleshooting Example #9
Using on-line data or software
Course Summary
Acknowledgments
Course Summary
This course presents an overview of the fundamentals of psychrometrics and using the psychrometric chart. Specific examples are provided for typical HVAC troubleshooting problems that have occurred in the Instructor's experience. It is essential that students have a fundamental understanding of the subject matter if they are to successfully design to avoid problems, as well as diagnose HVAC problems when they occur.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
