Characterizing Effects of Temperature and Humidity on Misting Evaporative Efficiency

Abstract

Tests were conducted to determine effects of air temperature and humidity on misting efficiency b, defined as the fraction of the misting water flow rate which evaporates, for misting systems producing droplet mean volume diameters of approximately 65 mm. Results obtained from a chamber with controlled inlet air conditions and an experimental poultry building showed that b increased with temperature and decreased with relative humidity. In the laboratory tests, b ranged from 0.15 at a temperature of 29.4C and relative humidity of 59% to 0.43 at 35.4C and 41% relative humidity. In the building tests, b ranged from 0.32 at 26.8C and 73% relative humidity to 0.66 at 30.6C and 54% relative humidity.