HUMIDITY CONTROL Energy efficiency in humidity control


Contractors and consultants often come to Humidity Solutions for advice about low energy humidity control, says business development manager Simon Marshall, and by identifying a few key application criteria we can make a sound recommendation. Firstly, we would look at whether the application requires a humidifier, dehumidifier or both. Secondly, does the application require cooling? Thirdly, what is the duty required?


Humidification Low-energy humidifiers are generally adiabatic systems which include ultrasonic, high-pressure spray and evaporative humidifiers. Because no heat energy is required the power source is only to power oscillators in the case of the ultrasonics or small pumps in the case of the evaporative or spray system. Consequently, these use approximately 10% of the energy to run the humidifiers compared with steam generation. In addition, these cold-water humidifiers provide cooling to the air which can reduce the load on traditional air conditioning. Two energy savings in one system result in potentially lower running costs for the temperature/humidity control after adding the humidifier. Despite using a lot of energy themselves, steam humidifiers may in some cases be the low-energy option for the system. The reason for this is that adiabatic humidifiers, whilst using a small amount of energy themselves, do cool the air. However, if the building or process requires heating, then this cooling effect may not be welcome. This heat energy equates to the amount of energy difference between a similarly sized adiabatic system versus a steam humidifier – so no system energy saving. Retrofit systems or new designs may require a larger heating coil


to be added to provide this extra heat, larger burners, and bigger heat pumps, all of which come at a capital and running cost. Taking the energy source into account and the cost per kW is also part of the calculation. It takes the same amount of


energy to convert water to steam whatever the technology. However, where the energy can be saved is in the way that the system prevents condensation, which when produced is throwing energy down the drain.


So we can also make the steam humidifiers as efficient as possible – the normal steam humidifier has a drain cycle to remove dissolved solids from the steam cylinder to extend the maintenance period. However, by adding a reverse osmosis plant we can remove the minerals before entering the boiling process – the drain cycle is no longer needed so can be turned off which stops hot, heated water from going to the drain making this system 20% more energy efficient. For additional energy saving the solution is the Neptronic X-stream Technology which is a high-efficiency insulated steam distribution multi-lance with patented steam ejector eyelets to distribute the hottest steam into the airflow. The double wall 304 stainless steel tubes are filled with Armacell


to provide insulation to greatly reduce heat loss and therefore limit the condensate generation. Specially engineered silicone eyelets prevent condensate ejection on start-up and allows the condensate to flow back into the X-stream to be reevaporated, so again reducing the condensate loss and increasing efficiency.


Dehumidification


There are two types of dehumidifiers – refrigerant and desiccant. The refrigerant dehumidifiers have a cold coil which drops the passing air down to below its dew point causing the moisture in the air to condense with the water going to drain. These are ideal for warm environments above 10°C and where the humidity needs to be kept at 40%rh and above – ideal for swimming pools, laboratories and temperature- controlled storage facilities. By keeping the humidity at the desired level of around 50%rh can result in energy efficiency as the air heat levels can be reduced without the humidity creating ceiling condensation for example. Desiccant dehumidifiers use a silica rotor to remove the moisture from the air and vent the moisture as humid air to the outside. These are best suited for unheated stores or where low humidity is


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CONTACT OUR EXPERTS E: info@humiditysolutions.co.uk W: humiditysolutions.co.uk T: +44 (0)1372 571 200


• Free site visits • Quick turnaround on quotes • Wide range of humidity control systems in stock • Decades of experience in a variety of industries • Low energy solutions • Free technical support on our products over the phone • Full UK coverage for service and maintenance • Close control of +/-1% relative humidity possible


Small neat Reverse osmosis plant serving as a steam humidifier


required - in the case of lithium-ion battery production the humidity is at 0%rh (-120°C dewpoint). In the case of ultradry battery


production, Cotes dehumidifiers are constructed with three rotors to allow the dehumidifier to run at lower temperatures, and a two-rotor system which facilitates the use of alternative sources of energy such as heat pumps, using process waste heat and solar. This greatly reduces the running costs of not only the dehumidifier but the whole manufacturing process. More standard applications such as unheated car storage (shown in the picture) use a built-in heat recovery unit to harvest the waste heat ensuring maximum efficiency and the lowest possible energy consumption.


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20/11/24 11:24 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER DECEMBER 2024 17


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