Question:

Read the following statements.
A. Lower relative humidity results in a greater difference between the dry-bulb and wet-bulb temperatures.
B. Increase in sensible heat increases the relative humidity
C. Adiabatic dehumidification leads to increase in dry bulb temperature
Choose the correct statement from the options given below:

Show Hint

Remember: dry air (low RH) evaporates water rapidly, increasing the wet-bulb depression (A). Adiabatic dehumidification converts latent heat into sensible heat, raising the air's dry-bulb temperature (C).
  • A and B only
  • A, B and C
  • B and C only
  • A and C only
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Psychrometrics is the study of the thermodynamic properties of moist air, which is critical for designing air conditioning and drying systems in dairy plants.
Key properties include dry-bulb temperature (DBT), wet-bulb temperature (WBT), relative humidity (RH), and sensible heat.
Changes in air state are mapped as psychrometric processes, such as heating, cooling, humidification, and dehumidification.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let us analyze each statement individually:
1. Statement A describes the wet-bulb depression.
The difference between dry-bulb and wet-bulb temperatures (DBT - WBT) is called the wet-bulb depression.
When relative humidity is low, the air is dry and can absorb more moisture.
This promotes rapid evaporation of water from the wet-bulb thermometer sleeve, which absorbs latent heat and significantly lowers the wet-bulb temperature.
Therefore, lower relative humidity results in a larger wet-bulb depression.
Thus, Statement A is correct.
2. Statement B describes sensible heating.
Adding sensible heat to air increases its dry-bulb temperature without changing its absolute moisture content.
Because warm air has a higher moisture-holding capacity, its relative humidity decreases during heating.
Thus, Statement B is incorrect.
3. Statement C describes adiabatic dehumidification.
During adiabatic (sorbent-based) dehumidification, moisture is absorbed from the air by a solid desiccant.
As water vapor condenses onto the desiccant, its latent heat of vaporization is released into the air stream.
Because the process is adiabatic (no external heat exchange), this released latent heat is converted to sensible heat, raising the dry-bulb temperature of the air.
Thus, Statement C is correct.
Therefore, statements A and C are correct.

Step 3: Final Answer

The correct statements are A and C only.
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