The Blueprint of Water

Wet-bulb temperature

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Wet-bulb temperature

Definition

The lowest temperature achievable through evaporative cooling alone, measured with a water-soaked thermometer spun through the air.

Measured with a sling psychrometer, the wet-bulb temperature falls below the dry-bulb temperature as humidity drops, because drier air permits faster evaporation and more cooling. At 100 percent relative humidity the wet-bulb equals the dry-bulb temperature. A cooling tower cannot cool water below the surrounding wet-bulb temperature, which sets the theoretical floor on tower performance and explains why swamp coolers struggle in humid air.

Relative humidity limit on evaporation · Dry-bulb temperature · Evaporative Cooling

How it connects

Part of The Blueprint of Water · 📏 measurement

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