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The most valuable (c)air you can offer
Air, it’s crucial to each and every one of us. Onboard an aircraft, travellers will often neglect to consider the importance of an adequate and competent air supply. Luckily CTT Systems have it covered
Why is air so dry in the cabin? Air conditioning systems in modern aircraft are designed to take in approximately 50 percent of their air quota via the engines – in other words, atmospheric air from around 10,000 metres altitude. The remaining 50 percent consists of recirculated cabin air. Atmospheric air is extremely dry which means cabin air is also dry. Normally, the relative humidity (RH) in homes and offices is between 50 and 60 percent. In an aircraft, the level lies between 5 and 15 percent. In extreme cases, humidity levels as low as two percent have been recorded.
How does dry air effect people? Passenger comfort is mainly affected on long- haul flights of 5 to 18 hours. The human body is not designed to function in a dry environment (lower than 20% RH) and is adversely affected when subjected to it. In the dry conditions on board, many passengers experience irritated mucous membranes in the nose and throat, contact lenses have to be removed, there is an increased likelihood of colds, and a greater risk of bacteria spreading. Problems also occur with dry skin, allergies, etc. This especially applies to cabin crews, who are continuously exposed to low humidity levels. The problem is most apparent in business class and first class where there are fewer passengers and less moisture is generated. Conditions in tourist class are somewhat better as passenger density is higher and more moisture is generated. However, even in tourist class, moisture needs to be added to attain an acceptable humidity level.
Demands on enhanced comfort Passengers today are more knowledgeable and aware of their health, and the effects of flying. What’s more, people are much more conscious of how they spend their work and leisure time,
making demands on the possibilities to work and rest during flights. The airlines’ response is demonstrated in the fact that a majority of airlines have redesigned, or are in the proceeds of redesigning their cabins for improved comfort. Airlines spend millions of dollars installing better seating, video on demand, live TV, internet connections, etc, to meet passenger demands. Some airlines have even installed fake starry skies to simulate night skies and thus promote sleep. Air quality onboard is a matter of much discussion; many
passengers consider it to be poor, with fatigue, faintness, etc, as the result. The fact that people today fly longer, up to 18 hours, means that the effects of poor air quality are more pronounced. In all likelihood, we will see requirements for improved air quality onboard, with the emphasis on the level of humidity.
CAIR™ Cair™
– the technology consists of the CTT Zonal Drying™ System,
and a system for humidifying sections of the aircraft’s passenger and crew areas. The humidifying part of Cair™
consists of one or more
humidifiers with water supply systems. The humidifier uses the technique of evaporative humidification and has been developed in cooperation with Munters. The main component in the humidifier is a pad of glass fibre with specially designed air channels moistened via a spreader system. When dry air passes the moist surface of the pad, the water evaporates and the air is humidified while it is cooled. By dimensioning the pad according to the airflow to be humidified, as well as controlling the supply of water and air temperature before the pad, the
humidifier can operate without further regulation. Minerals and other contamination in the water are precipitated in the pad. The pad is replaced at regular intervals depending on the mineral content of the water. The risk of bacteria spreading via the humidifier is minimal since the water evaporates during transfer to the air and thus cannot carry any bacteria. The humidifier is installed in supply ducts to the zones to be humidified. Water is taken from the aircraft’s
regular water system. In addition to the actual
humidifier, the CAIR™ systems for
the new Airbus and Boeing aircraft, A380 and B787, incorporate a software- based control unit, moisture sensors and advanced water valves.
Cair™ Cair™
and its benefits is developed to meet passenger
requirements on health and increased well-being during flights. In-flight studies have shown that humidifying the cabin reduces tiredness and alleviates dehydration of the eyes, skin and mucous membranes. As the condition of the mucous membranes is essential for the body’s immune system, there is thus a reduced risk of viral infection during flights. CTT Systems’ goal with Cair™
well-being during flights. Cair™
level in the cabin, which has a positive effect on all the passenger’s senses. Passengers will feel better, sleep better, food and drink will taste better. Cair™
a unique opportunity to gain competitive advantages through improved comfort on long- haul flights – a strategic marketing tool in parity with in-flight entertainment.
is to improve the passenger’s sense of raises the humidity
means airlines around the world get
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