There are various industrial sectors and each employs a large variety of processes. Thus, there's a need for dehumidifiers to sustain the consistency of products and their storage life.
This product is widely used in pharmaceutical, machining, foodstuff, and other industries. The scope of application of this dehumidifier varies from industry to industry.
To know more about how dehumidifiers are used in industrial processes, keep reading.
Overview of Industrial Refrigerated Dehumidifiers
Industrial Refrigerated Dehumidifiers use acceptable refrigeration systems to lower the dew point of air entering the facility. The process begins with dehumidification.
High humidity conditions in a cold environment can cause process equipment to freeze, potentially damaging the system. As per the articles, the refrigerated dehumidifiers lower the room temperature of the incoming air below the dew point.
At this point, condensation occurs and moisture is removed from the air stream. In other words, it cools and dries incoming outside air by passing it over a refrigerated coil.
Air is then heated or cooled, depending on the application needs, before being pushed into the facility.
Industrial Refrigerated Dehumidifiers
Different companies provide a wide range of dehumidification systems for industrial applications. The moisture may damage equipment and cause shortening of the shelf life allowing raw materials to dry.
They are developed for much more reliable extraction of moisture than air conditioners. As a bonus, they help control switch rooms temperature from the air by either add heating or cooling with the optional remote outdoor condensate.
It can also be used with a portable outdoor condensing unit such as an Outdoor thermostatic condenser that can be used for heating or cold outside.
Dew Points in Industrial Refrigeration Dehumidifiers
A Dew Point is the point at which moisture into air begins to condense in the form of temperature in which the air enters.
Many applications require lower dewpoint temperatures and are best supplied if desiccant dehumidifiers are not provided by a demand control ventilation system.
The Industrial refrigerated dehumidifiers deliver the highest dew point of temperatures.
Industrial Refrigerated Dehumidifier Options
Industrial dehumidifiers are available with a wide variety of design options and dehumidifier brands with moisture removal rates suiting the diverse industrial environment and use such as:
- Material Handling
Heavy-duty casters with large footprints for maximum stability and maneuverability.
- Environmental Comfort
Adjustable humidistat to match the desired humidity level in server rooms or buildings, as well as a remote dry-bulb sensor that can be placed on a wall or ceiling for fast and accurate measurements.
- Outdoor Dehumidifier Units
Outdoor units are available in both direct-expansion and heat-transfer designs with front or side service for simple installation.
- Multiple Unit Configurations
Many models are also offered as multiple unit configurations to provide greater capacity if required.
Benefits of Industrial Refrigerated Dehumidifiers
Advantages of industrial dehumidifiers over conventional units include dehumidifying devices. It will provide valuable assistance in providing dehumidification services to customers.
After installing an industrial dehumidifier, you will get the following benefits:
1. Longer Equipment Life and Increased Reliability
Removing moisture to improve air quality prevents contaminants such as salt and dirt from building up on equipment and causing corrosion.
In turn, this increases equipment life and reduces the likelihood of breakdowns.
2. Enhanced Product Quality
Reducing humidity to an appropriate level creates a healthier working environment and air quality for employees while also providing a higher-quality product or items.
3. Improved Aesthetics
Cleaner air helps reduce dust, dirt, and other particles on equipment, floors, and surfaces. The absence of these contaminants gives facilities a more polished appearance.
4. Increased Productivity
Dryer air allows employees to work more comfortably in their surroundings while also preventing problems caused by fine particles infiltrating equipment.
5. Greater Energy Efficiency
Dryer air means you will use less energy to heat or cool your building, which can lead to significant savings on utility bills.
How Effective Are Industrial Dehumidifiers?
Industrial dehumidifiers can remove up to 95% of the moisture in a given space. These can achieve a much lower dew point than conventional models.
As a result, the air feels cleaner and more comfortable in the space when an industrial fridge dehumidifier is in use.
How Long Does It Take for an Industrial Dehumidifier to Work?
The time it takes an industrial dehumidifier to perform its duties depends on the pint-size of the device, the size of the space, and the level of humidity in footage areas.
A unit capable of water removal with 10 gallons per day from a 1,000 square footage room will complete its task much more quickly than a comparable-sized machine designed to handle a 5,000 sq ft area.
Since an industrial dehumidifier can remove 95% of the moisture in a given space, it typically only takes a day or two for the unit to make an environment suitable for use.
Normally, commercial dehumidifiers can reduce humidity to within optimal levels in four to 10 hours.
Once the desired humidity level has been reached, the dehumidifier will maintain that humidity in the grow rooms and not cause more of a buildup of moisture in the air.
Industries Using Industrial Refrigeration Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers are reliable to maintain optimal levels of relative humidity. These keep facilities free of contaminants that may otherwise impact product quality or harm equipment.
Some of the industries that commonly use the dehumidifiers include:
1. Large-Scale Printing Systems
Cardboards and papers are highly hygroscopic, making them vulnerable to rapid changes in humidity.
To guarantee a consistent moisture content in paper or cardboard, printing facilities must keep moisture levels within a specific tolerance to prevent the drying out of printing inks and bonding materials as needed.
If humidity levels are uncontrolled, the paper may curl, deform, jam, and not retain ink correctly. Thus, dehumidifiers can assist reduce variations in moisture levels due to seasonal changes and weather conditions.
Related Article: Are Dehumidifiers Used in Printing?
2. Grinding and Machining Facilities
Metal parts and machined pieces are often manufactured at a certain humidity level because a high concentration of moisture can affect the quality of metal.
It can lead to increased contact resistance, less power, and entrapped gas between workpieces resulting in poor welding joints or weak spots on finished pieces.
In manufacturing facilities for large quantities of materials, a refrigerated dehumidifier can help maintain a more consistent humidity level and prevent these problems from occurring.
Related Article: Are Dehumidifiers Used in Grinding and Machining?
3. Food Packaging and Processing
The food packaging and processing industry are highly sensitive to humidity levels, particularly in cold storage.
Changes in temperature or humidity can cause several problems including the loss of product freshness and a greater risk of spoilage.
Food manufacturers must keep humidity levels low to prevent spoilage or contamination caused by mold, fungi, and bacteria.
A dehumidifier can help maintain a constant relative humidity within the required limits so that any material stored remains safe, fresh, and at the appropriate moisture level.
By dehumidifying food processing areas, refrigerated units can increase product quality while also preventing bacterial growth that may cause the spread of infection in cases of contact with humans.
Related Article: Are Dehumidifiers Used in Food Packaging and Processing?
4. Pharmaceuticals and Drug Manufacturing
The pharmaceutical and drug manufacturing industry is concerned with the safe and effective production of medications.
A dehumidifier placed in a site helps maintain the correct relative humidity level (RH) by absorbing the moisture that would otherwise affect product quality or introduce risks into production.
Humidity levels must be carefully controlled to avoid degradation in the quality of the product as well as problems with transportation, storage, and packaging.
5. Electronics Manufacturing and Repair
Electronics components are known to be extremely sensitive to moisture.
Relative humidity levels should be kept below 21% RH for most electronic equipment. Other products, such as computers and batteries, may require even stricter conditions.
A dehumidifier can help control humidity in the environment so that products remain stable and not affected by changes in temperature or humidity.
Dehumidification is also important for electronics manufacturing because any moisture can cause corrosion or tarnishing on surfaces, leading to early product failure.
Differences Between Industrial, Commercial, and Residential Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers are generally broken up into 3 categories: residential, commercial, and industrial.
Industrial Dehumidifiers
These dehumidifiers are very similar to their commercial counterparts, but they are designed for higher capacity and can handle much larger spaces.
They also come with more advanced features that allow them to serve specific purposes within an industrial setting. The units are much larger, designed to remove moisture from much larger spaces.
Commercial Dehumidifiers
These dehumidifiers are designed for areas with smaller spaces and lower amounts of water content in the air.
They are generally used in business settings or high-moisture environments like kitchens, laundries, bathrooms, and basements.
Commercial units can be purchased with advanced features like automatic defrosting systems, which are not available on residential units.
Residential Dehumidifiers
These dehumidifiers are designed to remove moisture from smaller spaces such as single rooms, basements, and bathrooms.
These units typically come with basic functions and features that give them the ability to serve their purpose quickly and efficiently.
Dehumidifiers in Industrial Processes FAQ
Can We Use Industrial Size Dehumidifiers to Gather Drinking Water?
Many of the dehumidifiers purchased for industrial processes usually can collect water from the air.
They will not be able to provide drinking quality water but can be used to produce either non-potable (non-drinkable) water or greywater (wastewater).
Related Article: Can You Drink Water From a Dehumidifier? Uses & Is It Safe?
How Would a Dehumidifier Impact the Overall Cooling Efficiency of a Central Air Conditioner During Very Hot Weather?
A dehumidifier is generally used as a separate cooling method. It would help reduce the humidity around the cooled area which would help increase the overall efficiency of your AC unit.
A substantial reduction in relative humidity means that less moisture is being absorbed into the air which will ultimately decrease how much energy it takes to cool the air.
Can Dehumidifiers Be Used in an Unheated Cold Area?
Yes, a dehumidifier can be used in an unheated cold area. A dehumidifier works by taking the moisture out of the air.
A dehumidifier can quickly turn a cold, unheated area into a more comfortable space which will allow heat to be more easily transferred throughout the space.
Do Dehumidifiers Work in Cars and Where Should You Put Them?
Dehumidifiers can be used in cars and other vehicles. The best place to put a dehumidifier is in the back of a car so it does not have direct contact with objects and people.
Related Article: Can You Use a Dehumidifier in a Car?
