DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name of the staff : D. Simhachalam
Designation : Lecturer
Branch : A.E.I.E
Institute : K.D.R.G.P.T, Wanaparthy.
Semester : III
Subject : Process Instrumentation-I
Subject code : AEI-305
Topic : Conductivity, Weight and
Humidity measurement
Duration : 100 minutes

Subtopic : Condensation type Hygrometer

Teaching Aids : PPT’s, animations,
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 Objectives

Upon completion of this topic, you will be able to

know about

• Condensation of hygrometer

• Description
• Principle of operation

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 Recap

In the last class we have discussed in previous

lesson about

• The description and principle of operation of

Electrolytic hygrometer

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 Introduction

• The temperature at which water starts to condense

on a surface is called Dew point temperature.

• Dew point can be measured from -80°C to 100°C.

• The three most widely used methods used to detect

the dew point include:

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 Introduction …

1. The lithium chloride saturated salt

3. The aluminum oxide

5. The surface condensation type sensor

Let us study the condensation type hygrometer

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 Description

• It mainly consists of a polished surface (Mirror) in a

chamber

• The mirror receives a jet of air or gas whose dew

point is to be measured.

• The gas or jet of air is continuously supplied.

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 Description…

• There is provision for heating or cooling the mirror by

using heater or freezer.

• The schematic diagram is shown in figure below.

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 Diagram
Light
source

Photocell

Figure1. The schematic diagram of Condensation

Hygrometer
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 Operation

• When the mirror is cooled the water vapor in the air

or gas condenses

• And condensation of fogging appears on the surface.

• The formation of fogging can be detected in the

following procedure.

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 Operation …

• The arrangement consists of two photocells and one

standard light source.

• The light falls on the mirror from the source is

reflected on one photocell

• The other photocell receives light straightly from the

source.

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 Operation …

• If the mirror is fogging due to condensation, it greatly

reduces the amount of light reflected from the source.

• And detected by the photocell.

• A difference signal is produced at the output of the

comparator

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 Operation …

• This is the indication of the formation of fogging.

• The temperature at which the first droplet appears on

the surface is taken as dew point temperature.

• This dew point is measured with a suitable

temperature measuring device

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 Operation …

• Thermocouple is used as a temperature sensing

device.

• The output of the comparator is sent to the actuating

unit.

• Actuating unit switches on the heater if there is any

difference signal.

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 Operation …

• Actuating unit switches on the freezer if there is no

difference signal.

• The system operation can be continued by

alternatively heating the mirror to dry it

• And then cooling it until dew forms by the feed back

arrangements.

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 Operation …

It measures:

• HR : 1 to 100%

• Inaccuracy: 0.2 to 0.4°C dew point

or
1% HR between 20% RH and 90%RH

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Condensation type Hygrometer

Fig 2

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Condensation type Hygrometer

Fig 3
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 Summary

We have discussed about

• The description and principle of operation of

condensation type hygrometer.

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 Quiz

1. The temperature at which water starts to

condense on a surface is called
a) Boiling point temperature
b) Dew point temperature
c) Melting point temperature
d) None

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1. The Condensation type hygrometer is used to
measure

a) The Dew Point temperature

b) Humidity
c) Both a) and b)
d) None

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1. The Condensation type hygrometer consists
a) One photocell
b) Two photocells
c) Three photocells
d) Four photocells

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1. The Condensation type hygrometer contains a
mirror which is a
a) Finely grinded
b) Polished
c) Both a) and b)
d) None

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1. The range of condensation type hygrometer dew
point measurement is from
• -40°C to 80°C
• -60°C to 100°C.
• -80°C to 100°C
• -80°C to 120°C

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 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Explain the description and principle of operation of

condensation hygrometer.

2. Draw the schematic diagram of condensation type

hygrometer

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