Industrial-size dehumidifier hire

A dehumidifier is a specialist piece of equipment designed to remove excess moisture from the air, controlling humidity levels within an enclosed space. This is important for many industrial and commercial environments where high humidity can lead to a host of problems, including mould growth, corrosion of machinery, damage to products and structures, and compromised air quality.

For large-scale applications, such as warehouses, construction sites, manufacturing or during flood restoration, standard domestic dehumidifiers are insufficient. Industrial-size dehumidifiers are more powerful, robust and engineered to handle vast air volumes and high moisture loads. They typically employ one of two technologies:

1. Desiccant dehumidifiers

   Desiccant dehumidifiers use a rotating wheel with a moisture-absorbing material like silica gel. As humid air passes through one section of the wheel, the desiccant material absorbs the moisture. A separate, heated airstream then passes through another section of the wheel to drive off the absorbed moisture from the desiccant as warm, wet air, which is then released outside.

2. Refrigerant dehumidifiers
   These units operate like a refrigerator or air conditioner, drawing in humid air over a set of cold coils (an evaporator). As the warm, moist air passes over these chilled coils, the water vapour in the air condenses into water. This collected water is drained away into a collection tank or directly via a hose. The now drier, cooler air is reheated by passing over warm coils (a condenser) before being released.

Both types of industrial dehumidifiers are designed for continuous, heavy-duty operation and can be equipped with advanced controls to maintain precise humidity levels for optimal environmental conditions.

Maintaining optimal humidity levels provides comfort while also protecting assets, ensuring operational efficiency and safeguarding health and safety. Uncontrolled high or low humidity can lead to significant problems:

Impacts of high humidity:

• Mould and mildew growth: excess moisture creates ideal conditions for mould and mildew. This not only causes aesthetic damage and unpleasant odours but can also lead to serious health issues for employees and contaminate sensitive materials, particularly in food production and pharmaceuticals, or on heritage sites.
• Corrosion and rust: high humidity accelerates the corrosion and rusting of metal machinery, tools, electrical components and structural elements. This can lead to costly repairs, equipment downtime and reduced lifespan of valuable assets.
• Product damage and spoilage: many materials and products are sensitive to moisture. Paper, textiles, wood, electronics, food and pharmaceutical products can warp, swell, become sticky, lose integrity or spoil prematurely due to high humidity, leading to waste and financial losses.
• Structure damage: persistent moisture can weaken building materials, lead to wood rot and compromise the structure integrity of a facility over time.
• Reduced efficiency and increased costs: damp environments can make HVAC systems work hard, increasing energy consumption. High humidity also slows down processes where drying or consistent material properties are key (e.g. paint drying or concrete curing), leading to delays and increased operational costs.
• Slipping hazards: condensation on floors can create slipping hazards, increasing the risk of workplace accidents.

Impacts of low humidity:

• Static electricity: very low humidity can increase static electricity, which can be problematic in environments with sensitive electronics (like data centres) or flammable materials.
• Material degradation: certain materials, particularly wood and some textiles, can become brittle, crack or shrink in excessively dry conditions.

Identifying high humidity early is important for preventing costly damage and ensuring a healthy, efficient environment. The following signs indicate a humidity problem in commercial or industrial facilities:

• Visible condensation
• Musty odours
• Mould and mildew growth
• Corrosion or rust on metal surfaces
• Warping or degradation of materials
• Sticky or clammy feeling in the air
• Unexplained problems with electronics or sensitive equipment
• Increased energy consumption in HVAC systems
• Pooling water or damp patches
• Increased allergic reactions or respiratory issues

If you observe any of these signs, it’s advisable to investigate your humidity levels. A professional assessment using tools like a hygrometer can confirm the exact relative humidity and help determine the appropriate dehumidification solution.

Determining the correct size industrial dehumidifier is important for effective and efficient humidity control. Unlike domestic units, sizing for large-scale commercial and industrial applications is a complex process that goes beyond simple room dimensions. An undersized unit will fail to achieve desired results, while an oversized one can lead to unnecessary energy consumption and cost.

Several factors must be considered to thoroughly specify the right dehumidifier:

1. Space volume (cubic feet/metres): you’ll need the length, width and height of the space. Larger volumes of air naturally contain more moisture and require greater capacity.
2. Current humidity levels (relative humidity (RH)): measure the existing relative humidity in the space. The higher the current RH, the more moisture needs to be removed, requiring a more powerful unit or a longer operating period.
3. Target humidity levels: what is the desired relative humidity you need to achieve and maintain? Some applications require very precise, low humidity (e.g. pharmaceutical, manufacturing, data centres), which often necessitates desiccant dehumidifiers.
4. Temperature of the environment: temperature impacts dehumidifier performance:
   1. Refrigerant dehumidifiers are most efficient in warmer conditions (typically above 15°C). Their performance drops off in cooler temperatures.
   2. Desiccant dehumidifiers are highly effective across a wider temperature range, especially in cooler environments or where very low dew points are required.
5. Sources of moisture load: this is often overlooked in industrial settings. Consider all potential sources of moisture generation:
   1. Infiltration: air entering from outside
   2. Processes: e.g. steam, drying of products, open water surfaces and combustion processes
   3. People: human occupancy adds moisture through respiration and perspiration
   4. Materials: products or building materials (like fresh concrete or wet timber) that are actively drying or releasing moisture
   5. Specific events: like water leaks, floods or heavy rainfall
6. Required air changes per hour (ACH): for effective drying and air circulation, especially in flood restoration or construction, the rate at which the air in the space needs to be circulated through the dehumidifier is important.
7. Ventilation and air flow: existing ventilation systems, natural airflow and the layout of the space will influence how effectively the dehumidifier can circulate air and remove moisture.

Given the complexity and the significant investment in industrial dehumidification, relying on rough guidelines can lead to suboptimal results. An experienced engineer can conduct a thorough site survey and perform precise load calculations, considering all the variables unique to your specific operation.