It’s all relative, humidity…

Managing humidity and temperature at museums are very important to keep the valuable stuffs displayed over there for the next generations.

Firstly, what’s RH?

RH (relative humidity) is presented as a percentage, it’s not a straight measure of how much water is in the air. Air is capable of carrying higher levels of water the warmer it gets; conversely cooler air can carry less moisture. The percentage displayed by a RH meter is actually a percentage of the maximum saturation of the air at the current temperature. So, there will be more water vapour at 60% RH when the temperature is 25°C than there would be at 15°C.

And what’s dew point?

If air is cooled, whilst the moisture content is kept constant (i.e. in a sealed display case), to the point where the RH reaches 100%, the water vapour will condense. This is the dew point. Further reductions in temperature will lead to further water condensing out as the air keeps its saturation point at 100%. Imagine when the heating goes off/on, sun goes down, sudden changes in temperature can push RH up and down drastically.

What are the consequences of failing to manage relative humidity?

Generally, it is accepted that an RH of between 40% and 60-65% is suitable for a museum environment. Here are some of the ways that objects can be affected by:

• Unstable RH (Fluctuations over +/-3% within a 24hr period)

An unstable level of humidity can lead to hygroscopic materials to swell (in high humidity) and contract (in low humidity). This swelling and contraction of the material causes stress on the connecting fibres, gradually weakening them causing embrittlement, flaking oil paintings are a good example of expansion and then subsequent contraction. Some materials may show some efflorescence of salts as they crystallise after being dissolved. Fluctuations shouldn’t be more than +/- 3% relative humidity within a 24-hour period.

• High RH

As well as allowing hygroscopic materials to swell, high RH can also lead to mould or fungal growth at levels over 70% and encourage pests. Emulsions on photographs can adhere to sleeves or other photographs. Metals can rust as a result of high moisture content. High moisture levels are also linked with the ‘chiselling’ of glass, producing small cracks in the surface which appear to haze the finish.

• Low RH

Low RH causes materials to dry out and contract. Glues and repairs may dry out become brittle and break, this includes veneers on wooden objects which may lift. It becomes clear that stability is an important factor in RH management and provided the environment is in the accepted 40%-60% range, your collection should be safe.

How can you manage RH?

First, you need to carefully consider the appropriate level of relative humidity that your objects will require. Museums and Galleries Scotland have a good guide for specific exhibit requirements, Sudden changes are not desirable, so it’s always best to monitor and determine the existing conditions and what measures you can take generally to improve levels, such as closing doors and windows, and additional ventilation or heating.

Monitor humidity levels

There are various methods of measuring relative humidity, from basic humidity cards, through to hygrometers and datalogger devices which offer higher levels of accuracy.

• Humidity Cards – A basic visual relative humidity scale that can be inexpensively added to display cases and storage areas. Accurate to 10%+/-.
• Hygrometers – For more accurate measurement of relative humidity a (calibrated) digital hygrometer is by far the best way to go. For combined measurement of temperature, a thermo hygrometer will also give you a temperature reading. Hygrometers are relatively inexpensive, our cheapest digital thermo hygrometer is only £16, they become more expensive in-line with their accuracy and range, as well as overall build quality – we recommend our museum specification unit here.

• Dehumidifiers can be used in larger open areas and storage facilities, if in a room without drainage it’s important to consider how you will manage the recovered water. Some units, such as this one, are capable of pumping it away, even up to a height of 4.3 meters. Otherwise they will have a storage vessel that once full will stop the dehumidifier from running, this may not be ideal should the unit be left to run unattended.

Temperature

So, we know the relationship between temperature and relative humidity, however, does that mean that we can simply concentrate on that RH figure and ignore the temp? Err. No. But managing a stable temperature will make the management of RH levels far easier. The ideal temperature for preservation of archival documents is between 16°C -19°C. Increases in temperature can also have an adverse effect on collections. It is estimated that for every 10°C increase in temperature, chemical reactions in paper double. Heat also causes expansion and contraction which, regardless of relative humidity level, can lead to damage to collections. Use of a thermo hygrometer will help you to manage both temperature and relative humidity in a single meter. Again, as with relative humidity, consistency is key and maintaining a stable temperature is important.

Everywhere you go, take the weather with you. One thing that you cannot currently log with a datalogger is the weather, however correlation with external environments is also helpful when analyzing datasets. Consider using a third-party meteorological source to add context to reports.

One of the most frequent questions people have when they begin using home air purifiers is whether they’ll need a unit for each room in their home. Though this is a simple enough question, there is a bit of nuance in the answer. So, do you need an air purifier in every room in your house? Keep reading to learn the pros and cons of this approach and to find out the best solution for your home. The Argument for Using an Air Purifier in Every Room To be sure, there’s a good argument for using air purifiers in every room. With several air purifiers spaced throughout your house, you’ll have multiple units circulating air more rapidly. This, in turn, will promote cleaner air by giving you more air changes per hour (ACH). The more times air is circulated in a given period of time; the fewer contaminants will have a chance to build up in it between passes through the air purifier. The downside, of course, is that air purifiers cost a good bit of money and putting one in every room may be out of the budget for some families. While there are certainly some advantages, you don’t have to spend all your money on air purifiers to enjoy the benefits of cleaner air. Do You Really Need an Air Purifier in Every Room While more ACH will lead to cleaner air, it isn’t absolutely necessary to have an air purifier for each room. Instead, focus on providing adequate coverage throughout your house, particularly in the areas where you spend the most time. These include your living room, kitchen and bedroom. The one room that may justify a separate, dedicated air purifier is your bedroom. Being able to breathe easily is key to good sleep. If you suffer from asthma or allergies, a bedroom air purifier like Airotreat’s air Purification systems wide ranges can be a good investment. Have more questions about which air purifiers are right for you home? We’re here to help! Feel free to contact us with your questions, and we’ll be happy to provide you with answers and product recommendations based on your needs.

Is humidity control important?

Why Indoor Spaces Need Proper Humidity Control: An Overview At Airotreat we have been researching, developing, and modernizing control solutions for indoor humidity. We’ve developed a comprehensive understanding of why indoor spaces need proper humidity control and would like to share this information to managing facilities across a wide range of applications. From hospitality and tourism to healthcare and agriculture, every operation demands a clean, safe, and hygienic environment. Today, let’s paint a clear picture of what proper humidity control can do for your operation. As we work through the list, let’s focus on the benefits of maintaining a 40 to 60 percent relative humidity (RH) range in every room of your facility.

Airborne Infection Control

Indoor airstream contains microscopic aerosols. In dryer air conditions, these aerosols, along with water and salt, can carry and circulate harmful bacterial and viral pathogens from one place to the next. When humidity is properly controlled, between 40 to 60% RH, it reduces how far the aerosols travel, and forces these microscopic droplets to settle sooner. This is an important step towards managing the spread of airborne infections. Hospitals, long-term care, and other healthcare facilities regulate humidity and temperature as a preventative measure to reduce potential infectious and viral outbreaks. Managing and maintaining optimal indoor air conditions are achievable and of value to improving the health and safety of patients, employees, and visitors. Irritant Prevention

Conditions that are excessively dry can introduce an array of irritants affecting the eyes, skin, nasal passages, respiratory tract, and immune system. When humidity is too low, dry air will draw moisture from any available source. Water evaporated from the eyes, skin, and nasal passages can cause discomfort such as dry sore eyes, itchy flaky skin, and sinus headaches. The dehydration has a more serious effect on our respiratory and immune system. When the mucous membranes in our nose and respiratory tract start to dry out, our immunes system’s natural defence mechanism to fend off airborne pollutants becomes compromised, leaving us vulnerable to infections and germs such as the flu and common cold. Knowing how to control humidity in a room – in all rooms – is therefore essential to avoid these problems.

More Productive, Effective Employees

Workers who feel better, perform better. In ideal indoor conditions, employees are more alert and careful, as the human brain requires sufficient hydration to function correctly. This translates to improved concentration, productivity, efficiency, hazard prevention, coordination, and cost control.

Cleaner Spaces

Maintaining optimal relative humidity helps suppress the build-up and the spread of dust over time. Conditions that are too dry are more prone to dust accumulation which can clog ventilation and equipment exhausts; trigger allergic reactions; and cause irritation to our eyes, nose, and throat. Proper humidity control in a room can also minimize the spread of allergens, such as dander, or airborne particulates dispersed from machinery, such as paint flakes, and reduce the distance that particulates travel for easier clean-up.

Minimized Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Risk

Electrostatic energy builds up on conductive surfaces in overly dry conditions, which can then arc to other similar materials or unfortunate individuals. Electrostatic shocks can range from mild and irksome to painful and serious consequences. Equipment isn’t spared from the risk of ESD either. Electrical short-outs, data corruption, component and device damage, and even fires are potential outcomes. Keeping your relative humidity between 40 and 60% RH ensures the pent-up energy on these conductive surfaces won’t exceed the safe limits. Longer-Lasting Equipment

Few companies have the capacity to replace their equipment sooner than intended, and maintaining appropriate indoor conditions with proper humidity control helps to prolong such expenses. With dust suppression and ideal relative humidity, components can operate as intended, maintenance needs can be less demanding, and your systems can perform at their peak for longer. By adding ideal indoor temperatures to the mix, you can prevent issues such as computer thermal throttling, assembly line equipment overheating and more. Extending the lifespan of your machinery ensures greater cost control, allowing you to gradually replace key components over time without overspending. Energy Efficiency

When you understand how to control humidity in a room or throughout your facility, you can reduce the reliance on costlier HVAC systems. In maintaining an ideal relative humidity range indoors, along with optimal temperatures, you won’t need to reach for the thermostat nearly as often, driving down energy bills over time. In addition, in some circumstances, you may be able to take advantage of adiabatic cooling, which could provide further cost savings down the line. If you’re wondering how to control relative humidity, the answer is simple. Investing in a high-efficiency humidifier system is essential. Contact an Airotreart representative to help implement a custom, multi-faceted solution. This can be adapted to meet your required load capacity, operating requirements, and other critical needs. With over 10 years of experience, we can help clients achieve improved indoor conditions while implementing cost-efficient systems for a variety of applications. Let us help you make an informed and effective decision.

We can offer w wide range of Ultrasonic and Steam Humidifiers for your Humidification projects.

Whether for our own meals or the most discerning of customers, we all count on having access to high-quality food products. Most of the time, however, there’s no way of knowing for certain what it has gone through from the farm to table. Has the product and its packaging been correctly looked after? What were the storage conditions like? These are just some of the questions we hear at Airotreat, and the solution is a simple one: dehumidification technologies are essential.

Of course, we’re all about proper humidity control, but it’s important to distinguish when to stop further hydrating a space and reduce the air moisture content present. Most conditions are best kept between 40 and 60 percent relative humidity, but some applications may require different settings. Today, let’s go beyond the difference between humidification and dehumidification, digging into the specifics of why the latter is important in food processing applications.

What is Dehumidification, Anyway?

Essentially, dehumidification technologies are designed to remove moisture – they’re the opposite of a humidifier. With that said, you should never attempt to eliminate humidity in an indoor space. When it comes to food processing applications, dehumidifiers are used to take care of excess moisture evaporated into the airstream by products, outside elements and other disturbances to the indoor air quality.

Foods and Thermodynamics

Relative humidity is used to calculate how much moisture is contained in the air of any given space. Temperature plays a significant role here, as does the state of the contents stored within it. For example, in a food processing environment, products and the environment itself may add excess water vapor to the airstream. Regulating indoor relative humidity can be tricky in this regard as, no matter what you have your thermostat set to, you’ll still have extra moisture that you need to get rid of. Without the use of dehumidifier technologies, it can be difficult to sufficiently address the needless extra water vapor being added. Using one in conjunction with a humidifier removes this excess moisture and stops when you hit your target relative humidity range.

Avoiding Hygroscopic Headaches

Some products, such as those containing starches, require specific relative humidity conditions to maintain their shape, quality, and freshness. Deviating too far from the ideal RH range, whether drier or damper, can negatively impact the processing of these foods. This occurs because products including pastas, breads, and cheeses can become brittle and reduce in size if too dry or develop mold if too wet. The same goes for labels and even packaging – a cardboard box or beverage label is sure to deteriorate or come unstuck if sitting in high-humidity conditions, for instance. The latter occurs when a beverage product has condensation on its surface. In these circumstances, constant and regulated dehumidification is essential, especially if operating environments are warm.

Maintain Hygienic, Efficient Conditions

Corrosion damage, wood rot, and fungal growth are just a few of the ways an environment with high relative humidity can hinder food processing applications. On the other hand, conditions that are too dry introduce problems such as packaging brittleness, reduced airborne infection control when an employee is sick as aerosols will spread further, and electrostatic discharges that can damage equipment. Staying within the ideal RH range for your application is crucial if you wish to avoid these complications. Using humidifier and dehumidifier technologies together to regulate conditions helps employees focus and become more productive, reduce downtime and absenteeism, and minimize product wastage while boosting quality assurance. This can mean considerable cost savings when managing products in bulk or running a large-scale operation.

In conclusion, here are the key benefits of dehumidification for food processing purposes:

• Keep condensation under control while ensuring product freshness
• Manage water vapor accumulation and regulate relative humidity parameters
• Ensure a clean, hygienic, and safe working environment for employees
• Cut down on product, material, and time wastage
• Standardize quality and operational efficiency for improved cost control
• Ensure consistent quality and production efficiency for sensitive goods such as products that require strict hygroscopic conditions

Rather than focus on the difference between humidification and dehumidification, the most beneficial approach is to make full use of these separate processes. Make the most of these systems to make the most of your business! That way, ensuring proper humidity control is easier, and your products, operations, and team members will benefit the most as a result. To learn more about our humidification and dehumidification solutions at Airotreat, we can offer both Refrigerant and Desiccant Dehumidification depends on the temperature and Humidity levels to be achieved, kindly contact us for further details.