Feature
HUMIDITY :
ESSENTIAL TO BE JUST RIGHT
By Benjamin Brits
From personal comfort and health to medical facilities , electronics and various production processes , the level of moisture in any environment is most often critical to achieving optimal conditions .
When considering modern day life , we are often so consumed with digital devices and technology that we don ’ t think about the specific details that make life possible , easier and in many instances functional before comfort even comes into range .
Humidity conditions vary quite broadly depending mostly on location and can be an engineering challenge to implement the correct solutions while not breaking the bank in terms of energy consumption , although , some humidification solutions are amongst the cheapest and simplest forms of environment conditioning .
“ Most commonly both humidification and dehumidification are applied simultaneously where close control conditions are required to meet operational set points . An example of the need for simultaneous control is within indoor growing [ organic ] facilities where the transpiration rate varies during the growth stages , but relative humidity must be maintained to optimise plant growth . Alternatively , either humidification or de-humidification would be required if conditions outside of a desired range would have a negative impact or could cause damage over time ,” says Christiaan Schalekamp , technical sales manager at Humidair .
So , from cold rooms and surgeries , to preserving history , artefacts , collector ’ s items , or your favourite wines , and even in the production of foods , the control of moisture within a particular desired range is required in so many instances .
Variations in space temperature and humidity may also modify the dimensions and mechanical properties of many materials , systems or processing plants causing challenges and possibly irreversible outcomes through damage to equipment , health compromise or batch rejection . Here for example , one could consider the storage of timber , or the effects low humidity levels could have on electronic equipment static .
“ Humidification levels can add greatly to ideal conditioning ; however , it is expensive in terms of maintenance and running costs and therefore is normally not commonly implemented in an office or retail environment . It is critical thought in facilities such as operating theatres , certain laboratories , and factories . For instance , at a printing works the relative humidity is essential to their paper handling . De-humidification is part of the cooling process in conventional air conditioning systems since the water condenses on the cold coils , but this is not specifically ‘ controlled ’ if not a critical requirement ,” says Willie Kotze , mechanical building services associate at Zutari .
Humidair | Condair
A modular in-duct evaporative humidifier and cooler .
THE NEED FOR HUMIDITY CONTROL Around the world and even within South Africa , environments can be drastically different from one another . This not only includes inland or coastal factors but differing weather cycles depending on regions . This could be the extremes of any of the earth ’ s elements – permanent high humidity levels because of continual rain , or low levels due to habitats where relative humidity ( RH ) can be as low as a couple of percent such as in the South Australian desert .
34
RACA Journal I September 2021 www . hvacronline . co . za