What are the Methods of Measuring Humidity?

With the development of technology, there are more and more machines and equipment to improve the quality of life. Dehumidifiers, which help to reduce the moisture in the air and purify the air in your house, are a favorite product for many people. There are many types of dehumidifiers on the market today, including compressor dehumidifiers, desiccant dehumidifiers, and refrigerant dehumidifiers.

Installing a high-quality dehumidifier is the perfect solution for damp, dusty, or musty indoor environments. In addition to dehumidifying and sterilizing, a quality desiccant dehumidifier can also help to remove dust mites from the atmosphere and improve indoor air quality overall.

But not all models of dehumidifiers are suitable for the same environment. Due to differences in air humidity and temperature, the appropriate choice of dehumidifier varies from environment to environment. This article focuses on three methods of measuring humidity, which are relative humidity, absolute humidity, and dew point.

Humidity can be measured in several ways: relative humidity, absolute humidity, and dew point. Here we try to explain the different methods of measuring humidity.

Absolute humidity.

Absolute humidity is the amount of moisture in the air. The first thing to make clear is that absolute humidity is a measure of the amount of moisture in the air, which does not take temperature into account. In other words, the arithmetic value obtained by dividing the mass of water vapor of dry air in the volume is the figure for the absolute humidity. From experiments, it is clear that as the hotter the air gets , the more water it can hold. Normally, when the air is saturated at 30 °C, the absolute humidity in the atmosphere ranges from near 0 to approximately 30 grams per cubic meter. So if you take an average summer air of 22 °C and 55% RH, the absolute humidity is 9 g/kg. Once you know the absolute humidity, the relative humidity is easy to be understood.

Relative humidity.

The relative humidity is a percentage value. In terms of absolute humidity, relative humidity is the percentage of water vapor pressure in the air compared to the saturation water vapor pressure at the same temperature. It can also be understood as the ratio of the absolute humidity of wet air to the maximum absolute humidity possible at the same temperature. A relative humidity reading of 100% means that the air is completely saturated with water vapor and cannot be held any longer, thus potentially allowing rain in the atmosphere and condensation in the plant. When the moisture content remains constant and the temperature rises, the relative humidity decreases. Again, using the example of air at 22°C and 55% moisture content, the absolute humidity level is 9 g/kg. In this case, the lower the temperature, the more humidity the air can retain. So if we raise the temperature to 30°C but keep the absolute humidity constant, the relative humidity will decrease to 34% RH. And if we lower the temperature from 22°C to 12°C and keep the absolute humidity constant, we will have a relative humidity that increases to twice the original level.

Dew point.

The dew point is the saturation temperature of water in the air, which is related to relative humidity. Relative humidity of 100% means that the dew point is equal to the current temperature and that the air is saturated with water to the maximum extent. For example, at 22°C and 100% RH, the dew point of air is also 22°C. This temperature is also the same temperature of water at which is released from the air and condenses on surrounding surfaces.

Depending on the needs of the application, you can choose different measurement methods. The relative humidity is the most common option and is suitable for most applications. If you need to find a suitable dehumidifier, it is best to use the relative humidity measurement method to reduce errors. Absolute humidity may be more appropriate for changing temperatures and is often used for spray drying. Dew point is often used to try to prevent condensation or ice from forming on cold surfaces operating in warmer areas.

To keep the ambient humidity in a good zone, you can choose professional dehumidifier equipment. Our company has the best dehumidifiers, and professional dehumidifier systems to meet all your needs.