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Controlling Humidity in the Cleanroom
Humidity control in the cleanroom is critical, not just to meet company and government specifications, yet to protect the integrity of your product and processes. If humidity is too low, discharge and static buildup may become a problem. If humidity is too high, the growth of bacteria may flourish, metal equipment or products may corrode, photolithographic degradation may occur, and water absorption and condensation may occur. Also, poorly controlled humidity may make conditions in the workplace uncomfortable for employees. What are a few of the techniques you may use to control humidity inside your cleanroom?
AC/Mechanical Refrigeration
Humidity is relative, which means that the lower temperature is, the lower relative humidity is. It’ll make sense then if you reduce the temperature within the space, the humidity is going to decrease. While using AC systems to dehumidify an area, the system reduces the temperature of the surface to a temperature under the dew point of the airstream inside the cleanroom. The surface is then exposed to the airstream within the cleanroom, and water vapor inside the airstream condenses and subsequently dehumidifies the space. To sustain the desired temperature in the room, the air has to be re-heated and then piped back inside the cleanroom.
Desiccants
Desiccant systems will draw air through a desiccant medium, absorbing moisture. Then, the dehumidified air is routed to a clean room. Unlike a consumer-grade desiccant system that collects condensate inside a receptacle which has to be emptied, commercial systems will exhaust humid air via the ductwork, outside of the building. It’ll allow for more dehumidifying power and capability of dehumidifying to levels of lower relative humidity at reduced temperatures.
The systems aren’t mutually exclusive. Both work best while utilized in conjunction, particularly in which temperature control also is crucial, as inside a cleanroom. Using a desiccant system in addition to AC also can assist in reducing the load on your HVAC system, and save wear and tear on your HVAC system, energy, and money.
SCI’s application knowledge can support disaster restoration contractors with clean room moisture control. Contact waterdamageequipment.com today!