3
Design and function
3.1 Air dehumidification -
general note
The correlations occurring when air is dehumidified
are based on physical laws. These are depicted
here in graphical form in order to provide you with
a brief overview of the principles of air dehumidifi-
cation
The use of REMKO air dehumidifiers
n
Even if windows and doors are well insulated,
water and moisture are still capable of pene-
trating thick concrete walls.
n
The water required for setting in the production
of concrete, mortar and plaster etc. may only
be diffused after 1-2 months.
n
Even moisture trapped in the masonry after
high-water or a flood is released very slowly.
n
The same is also true of moisture contained in
stored materials for example.
The moisture (water vapour) released from parts of
a building or materials is absorbed by the sur-
rounding air. As a result, the moisture content
increases, which ultimately gives rise to corrosion,
mould, rot, peeling of paint and other unwanted
damage. By way of example, the diagram below
shows the corrosion rate of metal in different levels
of humidity.
A
B
Fig. 1: Corrosion rate in relation to relative humidity
A: Corrosion rate
B: Relative humidity [%]
It is evident that the corrosion rate below 50% rela-
tive humidity (RH) is low, and below 40% is negli-
gible.
The corrosion rate increases significantly above
60% RH. This threshold for damage as the result
of humidity also applies to other materials, such as
powdery substances, packaging, wood and elec-
tronic units.
Buildings may be dried in a variety of ways:
1.
By heating and air exchange: The air in the
room is heated in order for moisture to be
removed and then this air is fed outside. All
of the energy that is involved is lost together
with the moist air that is released.
2.
By air dehumidification: The moist air that is
present within an enclosed space is continu-
ously dehumidified in accordance with the
condensation principle.
With regard to energy consumption, air dehumidifi-
cation has one distinct advantage:
Energy expenditure is limited exclusively to the air
volumes present. The mechanical heat that is
released by the dehumidification process is fed
back into the room.
NOTICE!
Under normal use, the air dehumidifier uses
approximately 25% of the energy that is
required for the "heating and ventilating" prin-
ciple.
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