Humidity, constant

The reader should be familiar with the use of the air-water psychrometric chart (Figure 2.5). If not, the reader should take a look at some of the problems at the end of Chapters 2 and 3. By way of review, the basic chart consists of a humidity(>/)-temperature (dry-bulb) set of coordinates along with additional parameters (curves) of constant relative humidity, constant moist volume (humid volume), adiabatic cooling curves (which are the same as the wet-bulb or psychrometric lines, for water vapor only) and the 100% relative humidity curve, also called the saturated-air curve. If any two values are known, we can determine the air-moisture condition on Figure 2.5 and evaluate all other required parameters. 

Potatoes cracked. Cause Uneven soil moisture. If soil is alternately dry then wet. roots may split their skins. Prevent problems by keeping soil evenly moist and storage humidity constant. Some cultivars, such as Jeu ell and Puerto Rico 198 , are somewhat resistant to cracking. 

Figure 8-20. Resistivity of hardened cement paste and mortar versus relative humidity. Constant RH exposure, age of samples 384 days (Biirchler et al., 1996a).

The hydration shell is formed with the increasing of the water content of the sample and the NA transforms from the unordered to A- and then to B form, in the case of DNA and DNA-like polynucleotides and salt concentrations similar to in vivo conditions. The reverse process, dehydration of NA, results in the reverse conformational transitions but they take place at the values of relative humidity (r.h.) less than the forward direction [12]. Thus, there is a conformational hysteresis over the hydration-dehydration loop. The adsorption isotherms of the NAs, i.e. the plots of the number of the adsorbed water molecules versus the r.h. of the sample at constant temperature, also demonstrate the hysteresis phenomena [13]. The hysteresis is i( producible and its value does not decrease for at least a week. 

However, the B.E.T. and modificated B.E.T as well as isotherm of d Arcy and Watt fit the experimental data only in some range of the relative humidities up to about 80-85%. At the same time the adsorption in the interval 90-100% is of great interest for in this interval the A— B conformational transition, which is of biological importance, takes place [17], [18]. This disagreement can be the result of the fact that the adsorbed water molecules can form a regular lattice, structure of which depends on the conformation of the NA. To take into account this fact we assume that the water binding constants depend on the conformational variables of the model, i.e ... 

Table 11.4 Solutions for Maintaining Constant Humidity Table 11.5 Concentration of Solutions of H2SO4, NaOH, and CaCi2 Giving Specified Vapor Pressures and Percent Humidities at 25°C Table 11.6 Relative Humidity from Wet and Dry Bulb Thermometer Readings Table 11.7 Relative Humidity from Dew Point Readings...

A saturated aqueous solution in contact with an excess of a definite solid phase at a given temperature will maintain constant humidity in an enclosed space. Table 11.4 gives a number of salts suitable for this purpose. The aqueous tension (vapor pressure, in millimeters of Hg) of a solution at a given temperature is found by multiplying the decimal fraction of the humidity by the aqueous tension at 100 percent humidity for the specific temperature. For example, the aqueous tension of a saturated solution of NaCl at 20°C is 0.757 X 17.54 = 13.28 mmHg and at 80°C it is 0.764 X 355.1 = 271.3 mmHg. 

Vineyard site is important to wine quaUty and character and interacts with variety. The general climate must not be too cold, too hot, or too humid. A mild, dry climate that still induces a dormant season, like the Mediterranean area and California, is desirable. A relatively constant weather pattern year-to-year is also sought. The nearer to the limits of cold tolerance, for example, that the climate comes, the more likely are disastrous vintages. The modifying influence of close bodies of water, sun-facing slopes, or frost-resisting air drainage can make one vineyard more desirable than another nearby. 

Dew-point Temperature (DPT). DPT is the temperature at which the condensation of water vapor in a space begins for a given state of humidity and pressure as the temperature is reduced. It is the temperature corresponding to saturation (100% rh) for a given absolute humidity at constant pressure. 

A constant temperature is required for close-tolerance measuring, gauging, machining, or grinding operations, to prevent expansion and contraction of machine parts, machined products, and measuring devices. In this instance a constant temperature is normally more important than the temperature level. Relative humidity is secondary in importance but should not go above 45% to minimise formation of a surface moisture film. 

Where highly poHshed surfaces are manufactured or stored for short intervals between different phases of processing, relative humidity and temperature are both maintained constant to minimise surface moisture films. If these surfaces are shipped or stored for extended intervals, protective coverings or coatings may be required. 

The temperature and humidity should be maintained at comfort conditions consistent with the operator s expected level of activity in order to minimise perspiration. Constant temperature and humidity may also be required in machine rooms to prevent the etching or corrosion of machine parts. If perspiration causes only minor damage to the product and results in few rejects, then inside design conditions at 27°C and 40% rh are satisfactory. Where even small amounts of perspiration cause extreme damage to precision-machined parts and result in a high amount of rejects, inside design conditions of 21°C and 40% rh are recommended. 

Temperature and Humidity. Temperature is probably the easiest environmental factor to control. The main concern is that the temperature remains constant to prevent the thermal expansions and contractions that are particularly dangerous to composite objects. Another factor regarding temperature is the inverse relation to relative humidity under conditions of constant absolute humidity, such as exist in closed areas. High extremes in temperature are especially undesirable, as they increase reaction rates. Areas in which objects are exhibited and stored must be accessible thus a reasonable temperature setting is generally recommended to be about 21°C. 

If the temperature of the space in which an object is placed were truly constant, a sealed case having a constant absolute humidity would also have a constant relative humidity. Because temperature is subject to some variations and totally leakproof cases are not easy to buHd, a second solution is often sought by placing the objects in reasonably weU-sealed cases in which the relative humidity is kept at a constant value by means of a buffeting agent. 

Because the mechanical properties of hydrophilic fibers are critically dependent on moisture regain, it is vital that such fibers be tested under constant conditions of temperature and humidity. Standard conditions used in the textile industry are 65% relative humidity and 21°C (1,2,21,96). ASTM D1909, D2118, and D2720 Hst accepted commercial moisture regain values used in the buying and selling of fibers. 

The effect of plasticizers and temperature on the permeabiUty of small molecules in a typical vinyUdene chloride copolymer has been studied thoroughly. The oxygen permeabiUty doubles with the addition of about 1.7 parts per hundred resin (phr) of common plasticizers, or a temperature increase of 8°C (91). The effects of temperature and plasticizer on the permeabiUty are shown in Figure 4. The moisture (water) vapor transmission rate (MVTR or WVTR) doubles with the addition of about 3.5 phr of common plasticizers (92). The dependence of the WVTR on temperature is a Htde more comphcated. WVTR is commonly reported at a constant difference in relative humidity and not at a constant partial pressure difference. WVTR is a mixed term that increases with increasing temperature because both the fundamental permeabiUty and the fundamental partial pressure at constant relative humidity increase. Carbon dioxide permeabiUty doubles with the addition of about 1.8 phr of common plasticizers, or a temperature increase of 7°C (93). 

At equihbrium with relative humidity below 100%, the moisture ia wood is present primarily ia the cell wads. The moisture content at which the ceU wads would be saturated and the ced cavities empty is caded the fiber saturation poiat. Actuady, such distribution is impossible. Beginning at - 90% relative humidity, some condensation may occur ia smad capidaries. The determination of the fiber saturation poiat is based on the fact that certain properties of wood (eg, strength and volume) change uniformly at first with increasing moisture content and then become iadependent of the moisture content (Fig. 2). The equdibrium moisture content (usuady determined by extrapolation), at which the property becomes constant at 25 to 30% moisture, is represented by the fiber saturation poiat. 

The drying mechanisms of desiccants may be classified as foUows Class 1 chemical reaction, which forms either a new compound or a hydrate Class 2 physical absorption with constant relative humidity or vapor pressure (solid + water + saturated solution) Class 3 physical absorption with variable relative humidity or vapor pressure (soHd or liquid + water + diluted solution) and Class 4 physical adsorption. 

Because calcium chloride has a number of hydrates, the one that is in equiUbrium with a saturated solution is a function of the temperature. In this case, the sohd is dissolved as it absorbs water to form the saturated solution, and three phases are present soHd, saturated solution, and vapor. Systems having these three phases, or two soHds and a vapor phase, have a constant vapor pressure at a given temperature. Therefore, Class 2 drying agents can be used to maintain a constant relative humidity. 

In addition to transport properties, the adhesive properties are characterized by tensile measurements. For instance, the peel strength is deterrnined by measuring the force required to pull the adhesive from a substrate at a constant speed in a controUed temperature and humidity environment. 

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