THE PAY-OFFS OF HUMIDITY MANAGEMENT CONTROLLING HUMIDITY LEVELS IS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANTLY OVERLOOKED ISSUES IN MODERN INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY, BUT HUMIDITY CONTROL TECHNOLOGY IS THE MOST COSTEFFECTIVE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE WAY TO TACKLE MANY PROBLEMS WIDESPREAD THROUGHOUT THE PRODUCTION INDUSTRY, EXPLAINS LINDSEY HENDERSON SALES DIRECTOR AT HUMIDITY SOLUTIONS
T
he ability to control levels of
over years. Controlling variables such as
humidity is one of the most
humidity must be a concern across all
significantly overlooked
steps of the production operation.
issues in modern industrial activity. Most people don’t
A good example of this is how a lack of
notice humidity to anywhere near the
humidity control in a whisky distillery was
same degree that they are aware of other
causing large losses due to evaporation.
equally basic phenomena, such as heat,
In this particular application the whisky
cold and draughts.
was being matured in oak casks over years to get its unique flavour and colour.
Humidity can have a profound influence
These wooden casks equalise with the
on materials, on production costs, on
surrounding air, which means liquid
service and maintenance expenditure
transforms outwards when the air
and on asset durability, as well as
humidity in the storage areas is too low,
energy consumption and the resultant
this means great volumes of loss of
environmental impact. This applies to
whisky and of course loss of income.
virtually all sectors of both manufacturing and service industry.
This ‘angels’ share’ that occurs in the maturing process is now controlled by
Uncontrolled Humidity makes nasty
installing an Adiabatic humidification
things happen:
system which uses a high pressure
Condensation Condensation is the result
pump station and controls several zones
of the fact that the air, which inevitably
independently using nozzles mounted
contains a certain level of moisture, has a
on heads that distribute the moisture in a
different temperature from the surfaces
controlled manner.
with which it comes into contact.
Humidifying to the correct level and
Corrosion & rust The combination of
stabilizing the humidity in the storage
humidity and oxygen makes metals
areas have ensured losses are at an
corrode, significantly affecting both
absolute minimum and profit margins are
strength and durability. Iron and steel rust
no longer affected.
and lose structural integrity, copper is plagued by verdigris, affecting electronics
Similarly, as too little humidity can cause
and electrical equipment.
issues, there are also many problems
Clumping & blockages Powders and
associated with too much humidity as
granulate absorb humidity particularly
stated above, whilst we may know of
easily. They then clump together,
these problems the important thing is
affecting quality and causing blockages
how they are dealt with.
in processing equipment, as well as
The layman’s idea about dealing with
providing a fertile breeding ground for
humidity and condensation problems is
bacteria.
simply to turn up the heating, However,
Inconsistent Product Conditions
turning up the heating has only very
Seasonal fluctuations in humidity result
limited effects on humidity.
in inconsistent production conditions that can affect product quality, energy
Heating does not alter the absolute level
consumption and profit margins.
of humidity present in the air – it only increases the overall temperature.
distillersjournal.info
Today’s operations strive for consistency
The relationship between the heat
and conformity across production and
content and the water vapour content of
SUMMER 2021
|
73
