Air - Moisture Holding Capacity vs. Temperature

The moisture holding capacity of air increases dramatically with increased temperature as indicated in the diagrams below.

Air Moisture Holding Capacity - SI Units

Moisture holding capacity of air - kg water per kg dry air:

Air Moisture Holding Capacity - Imperial Units

Moisture holding capacity of air - lb water per lb dry air:

Moisture holding capacity of air - lb water per 1000 cubic feet dry air:

Note - the moisture holding capacity of air at 100 ^oF (38 ^oC) is 10 times the moisture holding capacity of air at 30 ^oF (~ 0 ^oC). This is a very important observation - especially when working with drying processes where air is used to transport moisture away from process and products.

In general

• it is in general good energy economy to increase the air temperature in a dryer as much as possible! - the increased moisture transport capacity of air at higher temperature out-weights the increased energy-consumption for heating the dry air to higher temperature!