Controlling and or mitigating humidity in the air is vital in many industrial applications. Understanding the right solution for your application requires three principle considerations: types of air drying equipment, the necessary size of that equipment, and effective use of the same.
In this article, we will examine the considerations for some of the leading industrial applications of dry air solutions.
The problem of condensation
When industrial machinery and equipment requires cooling, condensation becomes an issue. Moisture in the machinery can be damaging to moving parts and or the products they are manufacturing.
“Never under estimate the damage that can be caused by condensation,” says Dan Wise, writing for the Plant Maintenance Resource Center. “An inconsistent supply of dry air will cause production problems. For example, the moisture will wash away the lubrication from air tools, and cause erratic performance, downtime and maintenance.”
Wise further cautions, “The presence of water will lead to the formation of rust and scale in the air piping system. This solid contamination will foul equipment.” Air dryers and inline filtration products overloaded with liquid contamination will underperform or cease to function altogether. A back up of moisture into the compressor can also become problematic. Where pipes are the concern, insulation can go a long way.
Common applications
Hydroscopic materials are any materials that draw moisture out of the atmosphere surrounding them. When hydroscopic materials – rubbers, plastic, powders, etc. – are used, process difficulties can occur in a humid atmosphere. Dry air used for storage and in the production area can alleviate this situation.
Wrapping and packaging equipment, particularly of food and pharmaceutical products, is another application where moisture control is essential. When products are packaged with a heat-sealing process, the container’s own moisture content may adversely affect the adhesion of the sealing material. Here again, surrounding the equipment with dry air is the solution.
Goods in storage, such as textiles, wood, metal materials, seeds and grains, and dehydrated foods can also be susceptible to degradative processes such as mildew, rust, and corrosion where moisture is present in the air. Experts agree that an atmosphere of less than 40% relative humidity keeps these degradative processes at bay.
Other applications for dry air solutions include any processes or equipment involving or which contain ferrous metal and other materials susceptible to rust or corrosion.
Q Applied Systems is a leading representative of state-of-the-art HVAC, moisture control, fume and dust collection equipment manufacturers. Find out how Q Applied Systems can help you find the best solutions to your dry air applications by reading about our manufacturing partners or by calling (858) 435-2236 today.
