The characteristics of ACE High Sensitive Hygrometer at low temperature below 0°C were measured with following results. This hygrometer of electric resistance type, having been developed by Prof. K. Shiba of Tokyo Universicty and having very small measuring elements (6. 0 × 3. 0 mm
2 × 0.2 mm) made from the pith of some plant, is quite available for measuring and remote-recording humidity distribution, especially a diffusion layer, and has excellent characteristics at usual temperature above 0°C in current use.
1) The hysteresis effect of the testing elements was not observed at -15°C. In the experiments, instantaneous change in humidity was made by using four vessels of a different constant humidity and the final humidity was about 65 % R.H. At such a humidity ehe hysteresis effect would be most prominent if it would exist.
2) As to the time lag characteristics : -
i) Wind effect (winth the velocity 0, 0. 5, 6 m/s, at, -20°C, making instantaneous change of about 20% R.H.) : The time constant at 0, 0.5, 6 m/s is 390, 200, 135 sec respecpectively for hydrating process and 540, 310, 220 sec respectively for dehydrating process.
ii) Temperature effect (winth the temperature 20, 0, -10, -20°C at the wind velocity 3 m/s, making instantaneous change of about 20% R.H.) : The time constant at 20, 0, -10, -20°C is 6, 20, 50, 140 sec respectively for hydrating process, and 25, 70, 130, 230 sec respectively for dehydrating process.
iii) The time lag characteristics of ACE Hygrometer at every temperature both above and below 0°C were found to be about 7 times better compared with those of Honeywell Hygrometer which is the best one of electric resistance type in current use.
3) According to the comparative test of the humidty elements of a different dimension, it would be possible to gain more excellent characteristics by decreasing the dimension, especially the thickness of the humidity element.
4) The diffusinong coefficient was determined from the data of gradient of water vapour pressure above the surface of ice by employing ACE Hygrometer in the low temperature room and the rate of evaporation of water from the surface of ice measured by means of the “dialguage method” measuring a decrease of the thickness. The value obtained was about 0.2 cm
2/s at -17°C and the range of the diffiusion layer was found to be about 0.5 cm above the surface of ice.
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