Desiccant Usage
Condensation Prevention
When cold surfaces are surrounded by moist air, water vapor will
condense on the surface if the dew point of the surface is lower
than the dew point of the surrounding air.
This phenomenon know as “sweating” often leads to corrosion
such as in water treatment plants or during surface preparation
and coating of storage tanks in the chemical industry.
Without moisture control, moisture condenses on ice rink surfaces
and softens the ice. Injection molding machines often use chilled
water to remove the heat from the plastic during forming.Condensation
can form on the molds causing disruption in the molding process.
Desiccant dehumidifiers are used to blanket the surface with dry
air resulting in condensation prevention and economic benefits to
the end user.
Condensation Prevention in the Meat Industry
Unwanted moisture is a problem in nearly all meat processing plants
throughout the world. Dangerous conditions, such as fogging, are
the results of unwanted moisture forming on equipment, floors, ceiling,
and walls. Condensation happens in meat and poultry processing plants
when warm humid air comes in contact with cooler surfaces such as
those found in cut rooms, chiller rooms and packaging rooms.
Increased scrutiny by the USDA has resulted in companies actively
searching for cost-effective solutions for fogging, icing, dripping,
and other moisture related problems in order to comply with the
USDA zero tolerance guidelines, and avoid the dreaded non-compliance
report.
Condensation is the problem, and desiccant dehumidification is
the solution. Desiccant dehumidifiers precisely control the humidity
and dew point in the plant so that condensation cannot occur. Contact
our local representative in your area to assist you with your facility
needs.
Corrosion Prevention
Corrosion can be defined as a change from one form to another through
chemical reaction, often times, the presence of moisture in the
air accelerates the reaction.
Most people are familiar with the term “rust” which
is nothing more than ferrous metals corroding in the presence of
water vapor. Crystals such as sodium iodide and lithium fluoride
can also corrode due to the water in the air.
Desiccant dehumidification has been used effectively in electronics
manufacturing, the storage of idle equipment such as in the military
and industrial plants as well as in chemical plant pipe galleries
just to name a few.
Moisture Regain Prevention
Hydroscopic materials have an affinity for water and are sensitive
to high relative humidity. Moisture regain by some of these materials
causes them to become sticky and to not flow freely causing catastrophic
problems in candy making, materials conveying, pharmaceutical and
vitamin tablet making and packaging.
In other cases, when moisture is introduced into the process product
quality suffers such as in pharmaceutical and semiconductor clean
rooms, laminated glass manufacturing and precision color printing.
Desiccant dehumidifiers are used to control the moisture content
of the air in the manufacturing process thus ensuring reliable operation
and product quality.
In many cases, the right equipment can facilitate the a large up
scaling of the production process, resulting in higher manufacturing
yields from production processes that are highly sensitive to humidity
exposure, such as lithium batteries.
Both desiccant dehumidifiers and mechanical refrigeration systems
can remove moisture from the air.
Mold, Mildew and Fungus Prevention
We are surrounded by mold and fungus. Without moisture they can
lay dormant for years and remain harmless, but when moisture is
added, fungi begin to grow.
Fungi feed on any carbon based material and when they become airborne,
they are often harmful to humans. As they feed, fungi can destroy
priceless art or historical objects as well as grains that are used
in breweries, seeds in storage or food products being shipped via
ocean freight.
Desiccant dehumidifiers are used to control the moisture content
of the air which surrounds the material or object to be protected
causing the micro-organisms to remain dormant.
Product Drying
In many industries, such as gelatin capsules, candy making, investment
casting and sausage making, drying product at elevated temperatures
causes catastrophic quality problems. The product will melt or the
ingredients will deteriorate.
Desiccant dehumidifiers are used to remove moisture at lower temperatures
resulting in quality products and efficient operation.
Hard candies often contain corn sugars and sorbitol, both of which
are highly hygroscopic. When humidity is high, the product can absorb
moisture and become sticky, which can cause it to stick to the packaging
machinery and wrapping material, slowing the process and creating
sanitary problems. Learn more about how Desiccant can be used in
candy processing applications.
Plastic Resin Drying
In plastics manufacturing, material must be free of moisture before
it is processed to ensure that the end product is defect free. Many
of today’s plastic resins are hygroscopic.
If the moisture is not properly removed it will boil off when heated
during the molding or extrusion process. This released vapor can
cause both structural and cosmetic flaws in the finished product.
Desiccant offers large volume desiccant rotor-based dehumidifiers,
loaders, and stainless steel hoppers for the purpose of drying plastic
resins to ensure quality products and efficient operation.
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