1. Elementary operations

Heat is exchanged between the air and the treatment systems in both latent and sensible forms.

Depending on air content and temperature level, the water involved in an air treatment operation may condense, evaporate or remain in a liquid or vapor state. The phase change of water in the air absorbs or rejects latent heat.

Sensible heat corresponds to the energy exchanged without any change in the phase of the water. This energy input results in a corresponding change in dry bulb temperature (cf. ) of the air. This temperature variation is therefore measurable, hence its name "sensible heat".

When heat exchange is mixed (sensible...