Heating and Dehumidification

The process of heating the air while simultaneously extracting moisture from it is referred to as a heating and dehumidification process. This process is named after both of its components. This method involves passing the air across a variety of substances, such as alumina and molecular sieves, to get the desired effect. Because of the inherent qualities that they possess, these components continue to give off heat and have a propensity for taking in moisture. In addition, they have the capacity to conduct electricity. These substances have been given the name of hygroscopic compounds. In practical laboratory use, the hygroscopic components are contained within the big tank, and high-pressure air is introduced into the vessel through a single aperture. Because the chemicals give off heat, the DB temperature of the air rises when it comes into contact with them. At the same time, the moisture in the air is drawn out of the air and taken in by the chemicals. Other openings in the tank allow for the release of the heated and dehumidified air from the vessel itself. 

The valve is responsible for controlling both the inlet and the outflow holes of the vessel.

It is usual practice to use the process of heating and humidification in order to lower the temperature of the air’s dew point.

Dehumidifiers

Desiccant dehumidifiers, also known as absorption dehumidifiers, work by attaching moisture to hydrophilic materials like silica gel in order to remove it from the air. Cartridges, gel, or powder containing a hydrophilic material are typically found in less expensive household units. Larger commercial systems remove moisture from the air by drying it with hot air, which then recycles the sorbent and vents the humid air outside the building. A new category of membrane dehumidifiers, such as the ionic membrane dehumidifier, dispose of water not as a liquid but as a vapour rather than collecting it in a container. It’s possible that the goal of these more recent technologies is to achieve better performance or achieve reduced system sizes.

Energy Efficacy of Dehumidifiers

Willis Carrier, an American inventor, invented the first dehumidifier in 1902 with the intention of removing moisture from the air at a printing company in Brooklyn. Carrier noted that the discovery eventually served as inspiration for additional breakthroughs in the field of air conditioning. These “active” dehumidifiers removed moisture from the air by condensing it. On the other hand, “passive” methods of controlling humidity, such as increasing the amount of natural ventilation, have been employed for a very long time.

Applications of Dehumidifiers and their Positive Effects on Health

If you or a member of your family suffers from asthma or allergies, a dehumidifier may help alleviate the symptoms and make it easier to breathe. This article will assist you in determining whether purchasing a dehumidifier for your living space is an investment that is worth making. In primary school, you probably learned about the water cycle, which consists of three stages:

•  evaporation
•  condensation 
• precipitation

What you might not be aware of is that the water cycle is always taking place in the air that you are breathing, even while you are spending time indoors. This is true regardless of whether you are outside or inside. The percentage of water vapour present in the air is referred to as the “humidity.” Dehumidifiers are appliances that remove or reduce the amount of water vapour in the air.

Dehumidification Procedure

When it comes to dehumidification, different approaches are taken. If the air outside is dry and cool, reducing humidity in a space fast by circulating that air without spraying it with water and releasing the return air can be accomplished. However, if the air outside is more humid, we will need to take measures to reduce the amount of moisture in the air before it is allowed inside the building. When the air outside is hot and humid, it is necessary to cool and dry the indoor environment. When the air is moved across a series of cooling coils, the moisture that is present in the air eventually condenses on the cooling coils. The air that has been cooled and dehumidified can then be introduced into the workspace. There are air conditioners that don’t truly cool the air but instead just dry it out. They function in the same manner as standard air conditioning systems, with the exception that they incorporate a heat exchanger that is situated between the air intake and air outlet. In certain circumstances, desiccators that are loaded with hygroscopic substances are utilised and then the damp air is blown over them. The desiccator works by drawing moisture from the surrounding air and absorbing it. They are equipped with convection fans, which are designed to provide a level of comfort in tropical and humid environments, but they use only approximately a third of the electricity.

Conclusion

Because dehumidification is always accompanied by either the cooling or heating of the air, a pure dehumidification process is not achievable in actual practice. This is for the same reason that a pure humidification process is not possible. A variety of different applications for air conditioning make use of the dehumidification process in addition to either heating or cooling. Thermoelectric dehumidifiers utilise a Peltier heat pump to chill a surface while simultaneously condensing water vapour from the surrounding air. When compared to a dehumidifier that utilises a mechanical compressor, the design of this unit is not only more straightforward but also more silent. However, because it has a relatively low Coefficient of Performance, this design is mostly utilised for dehumidifiers that are on the smaller side. The formation of ice may present a challenge, analogous to issues that may arise with refrigeration dehumidifiers.