US EPA Evaporation Equation

The EPA Evaporation equation was developed to estimate evaporation from the surface of a pool of
liquid that is at or near ambient temperature. Please note that the equation as been modified from its
general form to be applicable to calculating evaporation from swimming pools.

Where:

E = Evaporation Rate (Gallons/Day)

A = Pool Surface Area (ft2)
W = Wind Speed Above Pool (mph)
P = Water's Vapor Pressure (mmHG) at Ambient Temperature
T = Temperature (F)
The saturation vapor pressure value should correspond to the water's surface temperature and can
be determined using a table such as the one found here. Be sure to select a value that corresponds
to the temperature of the water.

Stiver and Mackay Evaporation Equation

The following equation was developed by Warren Stiver and Dennis Mackay of the Chemical
Engineering Department at the University of Toronto. It can be used to estimate evaporation from the
surface of a pool of liquid that is at or near ambient temperature. Please note that the equation as
been modified from its general form to be applicable to calculating evaporation from swimming
pools.

Where:

E = Evaporation Rate (Gallons/Day)

A = Pool Surface Area (ft2)
W = Wind Speed Above Pool (mph)
P = Water's Vapor Pressure (mmHG) at Ambient Temperature
T = Temperature (F)
Notice that this equation is very similar to the EPA equation. The saturation vapor pressure value
should correspond to the water's surface temperature and can be pulled from the table referenced in
the first equation.

John W. Lund Evaporation Equation

In 2000, John Lund working at the Oregon Institute of Technology developed the following equation
specifically for determining evaporation in swimming pools. Please note that the equation as been
modified from its general form to be consistent with the rest of the article.

Activity Factors (F)

Residential Pool = 0.5

Condominium = 0.65

Hotel Pool = 0.8

Public Pool = 1.0

Wavepools = 1.5+

Where:

E = Evaporation Rate (Gallons/Day)

A = Pool Surface Area (ft2)
F = Activity Factor (See Table at Right)
P = Water's Vapor Pressure (mmHG) at Ambient Temperature
Pa = Water's Vapor Pressure (mmHG) at Dew Point Temperature
The saturation vapor pressure value should correspond to the water's surface temperature and can
be pulled from the table referenced in the first equation. This equation assumes a constant wind
current of 0.22mph (0.1 meters/sec) over the pool's surface.

ENGINEERING TOOL BOX.

Example - Evaporated Water from a Swimming Pool

For a swimming pool with water temperature 25oC the saturation humidity ratio is 0.02 kg/kg.
With an air temperature of 25oC and 50% relative humidity - the humidity ratio in the air
is 0.0098kg/kg - Mollier diagram.

For a 25 m x 20 m swimming pool and 0.5 m/s air velocity above the surface - the evaporation
can be calculated as

gs = ( 25 + 19 (0.5 m/s)) ((25 m) (20 m)) ((0.02 kg/kg) - (0.0098kg/kg)) / 3600

= 0.049 kg/s
Heat supply required to maintain the temperature of the water can be calculated as

q = (2257 kJ/kg) (0.049 kg/s)

= 110.6 kW

The energy loss and required heat supply can be reduced by

reducing the air velocity above the water surface - limited effect

reducing the size of the pool - not really practical

reducing the water temperature - not a comfort solution

reducing the air temperature - not a comfort solution

increase the moisture content in the air - may increase the condensation and damage of
the building constructions for indoor pools

remove the wet surface - possible with plastic blankets on the water surface outside
operation time. Very effective and commonly used