High humidity does not only affect humans and their productivity, it can also have a seriously negative effect on your business and profits. This is Part 1 of a two-part series.
This vast concrete tunnel was dried effectively with industrial humidifiers, saving the client time and any delay penalties. Solenco
“We all know how awful it is to work in an office where the humidity is high, but we don’t consider the impact humidity has on the quality and delivery of physical processes and products, and the direct implications that a poorly controlled environment can therefore have on a company’s bottom line,” says Wynand Deyzel, Commercial Sales Manager for leading air treatment technology company Solenco.
Relative and absolute humidity
Relative humidity is the amount of moisture present in the air compared to the maximum amount the air can hold at a given temperature. High relative humidity makes the environment feel warmer and more uncomfortable, affecting both human comfort and the performance of certain industrial processes.
“Absolute humidity is the total amount of water vapor present in a particular volume of air, regardless of temperature. This measure is particularly important in industries where the concentration of water vapor in the air can affect product quality and process efficiency,” Deyzel explains.
Deyzel says while air-conditioning might make humidity a little less severe, it does not remove all the moisture from the environment, and this is where industrial processes really battle.
“The most effective way to remove humidity is through a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers remove water from the air until relative humidity is reduced to the level you choose and then it’s maintained at comfort level.”
Dehumidifiers, commercial rather than those meant for smaller spaces like homes, can be used across a variety of businesses, particularly in the construction, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, agriculture, and dry goods storage industries.
“Humidity in the food and beverage industry can lead to the growth of mould and bacteria, spoilage, and a decrease in product shelf life. In the electronics industry for example, it can cause condensation, leading to corrosion and system failures.”
Dehumidifiers in action
Construction & waterproofing
In a recent application, a contractor responsible for applying a special waterproofing treatment to the walls of a 400km-long water tunnel – an essential infrastructure supplying water from Lesotho to Gauteng – faced extreme delays due to high humidity. The waterproofing solution would not adhere to the tunnel walls, as the excessive moisture caused it to run off rather than bond properly. After multiple trials to determine the ideal site operational size and working conditions, multiple portable dehumidifiers are now effectively drying the walls, enabling the waterproofing application to proceed. This intervention is helping prevent significant delays and avoid costly contractual penalties in the ongoing project.
