Australian Capital City Water Technical Bulletin – Humidifiers

AAAT recommends the use of Heater type humidifiers in all Australian capitals except Adelaide. Electrode humidifiers operate outside recommended parameters waste substantial energy and have an operational shortfall. See evidence as follows.

Sydney water is considered “soft” with a water hardness level of approximately 57 milligrams per litre (mg/L).

Water hardness refers to the levels of CaCO3 in the water. If the concentration of minerals is less than 60 mg/L,

it is considered soft, and at more than 60 mg/L it is considered hard. Water hardness is also expressed as

Parts per million (ppm), where 1 ppm = 1 mg/L. (Water analysis (sydneywater.com.au))

“Normal” water is typically defined as feed water with conductivity between 200 and 500 μS/cm (microSiemens per centimeter) at 15° C.

The acceptable range of water conductivity for the SLH model is: < 1,250 μS/cm

Australian Water:

Soft < 60

60 < Moderate < 120

Hard > 120

Maximum of 15°dH, = 267.9 ppm

Conversion: 1 PPM = 1.56

μS/cm∴ the electrode humidifier is suitable (year-round) for Adelaide ONLY based on the water conductivity range (outlined below).

The SLE model has an optimal range between

200 – 800 μS/cm, with reduced efficiency from

125 – 200 & 800 – 1,250 μS/cm

The HeaterLine Type (SLH) steam humidifier is designed for use with:

● Tap water with a total hardness of max. 269 ppm
● Demineralized water (min. conductivity 3µS/cm)
● Fully cleaned condensate (min.conductivity 3µS/cm)
● Partially or fully softened water

Therefore, the SLH model (heater type) is most appropriate for all year use around Australia.

Daniel Bosnich, April 17th

DST Dryer Pty Ltd

TA/- Air and Aqua Tech Australia

1300 002 228

www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-bosnich/

Efficient DST Dryer Supermarket Installation

Supermarket energy consumption is substantial and the major chains have been looking for reductions closely in the last 20 years.

Walmart incorporated desiccant systems substantially to reduce humidity, condensation, and ice in the refrigeration display cases.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7158615620618526720

Savings include

‣ Reduced the power consumption by 10% of all the cases for every 10% reduction in humidity (Note: efficiency average on a typical mixture of case type).

‣ Reduce defrosts to melt the ice (often the cause of poor ice cream quality) 
Avoid strip heaters to stop display condensation.

‣ Reduced electric reheat as conventional air conditioning would over-cool the air to 12C or lower and then reheat sometimes with 200kW of electric heat to get the store below 60%rh to try to avoid ice issues.

Desiccant dehumidifiers avoid this by using waste heat from site refrigeration and onboard compressors to provide free dehumidification capacity to maintain 45%rh in the store around the cases.

DST Dryer has delivered over 100 of these in Australian supermarkets, specifically customized for local building configuration, some are easy to install on the roof, sometimes more challenging like West-HVAC installation in the basement the latest is Sydney installation.

If you have a humidity problem or need to look into energy savings contact DST.

Urgent Humidity Control in Operating Theatres: Thursday Island Installation

At DST, we’re committed to providing effective humidity control solutions, especially in challenging environments like tropical operating theatres (OTs).

Permanent Installations for Humidity Control:
We specialize in permanent installations conditioning outside air in OTs, both in large multi-OT facilities and individual surgeries.

Case Study: Thursday Island Installation
Recently, near Thursday Island, we encountered a scenario where the OT experienced 16°C temperature and 100% humidity, significantly higher than the required 40-60%rh. This excessive humidity was causing delays in patient care due to room condensation and fogging.

Upon urgent request, DST Dryer swiftly designed and implemented a solution within 2 weeks. We arranged a modified stock Daikin 300l/s precooler to reduce outside air to 15°C dew point. Coupled with a Desiccant dehumidifier, DST model RL060LR, we achieved a -1°C dew point (equivalent to 30%rh at 16°C). This dried air effectively absorbed all infiltration moisture and that from room occupants, maintaining humidity below 60%rh (8.5°C dew point) to prevent condensation on instruments.

Broader Applications in Healthcare:
Desiccant dehumidifiers find application in various healthcare settings, including MRI rooms, sterile stock rooms, birthing wards, and general ward humidity control to mitigate infection risks.

Additional Benefits of DST Solutions:

> Reduced Energy Consumption
> Improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) with mold reduction
> Independent Temperature and Relative Humidity Control
> Lower Air-Conditioning Power Requirements
> Reduced Ducting and Plant Size

At DST, we’re not just addressing humidity; we’re enhancing patient care and operational efficiency in healthcare facilities across the tropics.

Testimonials:

– GM, OT contractor company: “Just letting you know that we managed to keep the RH at 28% all night. All I did was exhaust a bit of cold air out, and by adjusting that damper, I was getting full control of humidity levels.”

Pharmaceuticals: How to choose the right dehumidification technology

When choosing an industrial dehumidifier for use in a pharmaceutical environment, there are several important steps to ensure that the right equipment is chosen for the job.

Here are some key considerations:

1. Identify the moisture load:

  • Determine the amount of moisture that needs to be removed from the space. This will depend on factors such as the size of the space, the number of people working in the space, and the processes being carried out. Other considerations like extraction rate and pressurisation need consideration.  Professional Engineers from DST  Dryer can support this.

2. Calculate the required capacity:

  • Once the moisture load has been identified, calculate the required capacity of the dehumidifier.
  • This will depend on the relative humidity (RH) level that needs to be maintained in the space as well as the temperature.

3. Consider the environment:

  • Which environment will the dehumidifier will be operating in? For example, if the dehumidifier will be used in a clean room or another sterile environment, it may need to be designed to meet specific standards.  
  • Often rental units used in these environments don’t consider hygiene as these are often uncleanable from prior works.

4. Choose the right type of dehumidifier:

  • There are several types of dehumidifiers to choose from including Refrigerant, Desiccant, and Mechanical. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to consider which one will work best for your specific needs.
  • Refrigeration is generally effective at over 55% Relative Humidity but below this, desiccant efficiency and compliance make desiccant use viable.
  • Amongst desiccants, compare the efficiency of the rotor in L/h per kW input. Also, consider the ability to use waste heat.

5. Look for additional features:

  • What other features may be important for your specific application? Does it require a filtration standard, remote or an onboard control?
  • Regeneration options such as electric, hot water, gas or steam.

6. Consider maintenance requirements:

  • This may include cleaning access to all internal components.
  • Some units from DST and other brands may need to be fully unassembled for cleaning or replacing heaters and drive motors.
  • Also, consider filter changes, cleaning, and regular inspections.
  • Make sure that you have a service plan in place to keep the dehumidifier running smoothly over the long term. DST currently schedule service and maintenance checks.

Should you require any advice, do not hesitate to reach out!

✆    1300 002 228
@     info@dstdryer.com.au

Humidity control in Lithium Battery production

Can wet or humid conditions impact Lithium battery manufacturing?

Yes. Pure lithium reacts violently with water which can result in transformation into lithium hydroxide and hydrogen.
Uncontrolled humidity or temperature alone may compromise the separator’s integrity leading to a short circuit and thermal runaway.

How to maximise the quality of Lithium Battery production?

Battery processing must take place in an ultradry room where the dew point is controlled at a very low humidity level and there is attention to filtration and infiltration. For this highly sensitive process, the use of a desiccant dehumidifier is essential.

How to control humidity in Lithium production?

DST desiccant technology is a unique configueation and uses low energy. Production rooms are transformed into clean rooms where ventilation is mixed with return air and treated by dehumidifiers for -60Cdp supply air, to create a room of 1%rh (-40Cdp), in a complete package Desiccant system.
This approach ensures that both temperature and humidity are controlled by the same unit.
One rotor configurations are available for -50Cdp and more standard units for -40Cdp, but can provide leakage risk and lost performance over time, and higher energy consumption, so these are used in less critical Dry rooms such as plate freezers.

DST are the market leaders in the design and supply of ultra-low humidity air systems for battery manufacturing clean rooms. By 2023, DST and Seibu Giken technology has more than 2000 Li-battery installations for 1%RH. A dry air supply at 0.05%RH at 20°C (-60°Cdp) can be achieved using our standard D-Max silica gel rotor.

The main projects we have done in Europe and USA are Tesla Germany, Tesla USA and CATL Germany.

DST – Seibu Giken Li-Battery Improvement

The processes used for manufacturing Lithium-ion batteries are very similar to those used in the production of Nickel Cadmium cells and Nickel Metal Hydride cells. The anodes and cathodes in Lithium cells are of similar form and are made by a similar process. There are however some key differences associated with the higher reactivity of the chemicals used in the Lithium cells.

The electrolyte filling and sealing stage of cell manufacture must be carried out in a “dry room” since the electrolyte is highly reactive with moisture. Moisture causes the electrolyte to decompose with the emission of toxic gases.

One of the most commonly used electrolyte materials, Lithium Hexafluoride, forms toxic hydrofluoric acid (HF), Lithium Hydroxide and Hydrogen Gas when exposed to moisture.

Crucially, moisture sealed inside the battery can continue to react after the battery is completed, significantly reducing its lifespan.

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Our New Product Launch – DF-GUARD

We are very excited to announce the release of our DF-GUARD monitoring system! Using advanced monitoring technology, DF-Guard offers an efficient and user-friendly experience.

 WHAT IS A DF-GUARD? 
The DF-GUARD is designed specifically for remote guarding of atmospheric absorption dryers. It saves on preventive maintenance, prevents failures and generates data available for analysis.


THE DF-GUARD COLLECTS

ADVANTAGES OF THE DF-GUARD
✅ Reduces maintenance costs and provides insight into operation and energy consumption.
✅ Low investment with great impact, significantly lower costs as comparable units.
✅ Continuously monitoring the operation of the dryer and creates push messages on freely adjustable set points.
✅ Unique due to the two moisture sensors suitable for low dewpoints.
✅ Free choice, management and surveillance in own hand or by D&F Techniek
✅ Easy to install due to clear installation instructions.
✅ The DF-Guard is supplied as ‘plug & play’, power can come from the dryer.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
The DF-GUARD is designed to be built into the
dryer but can also be mounted outside.
The sensors are installed in the various
compartments and wired internally to the
transmitter module.

For example, the eleven sensors can measure temperature, pressure and humidity, for providing a clear indication of how the dryer is functioning:

DATA ANALYSIS
In the cloud, the data generated by the DF-GUARD can be analyzed. In a password-protected portal, graphs are available, which can be further arranged:
SET UP ALERTS AND NOTIFICATIONS
In addition to the ability to set multiple authorization levels, it is also possible to set actions based on measured values. 

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ARBS 2022

DST Dryer exhibiting their latest technology at ARBS for humidity control systems. Daniel and Gordon presenting Dessicant Dehumidifiers for over 8,000 attendees. The units on display are as follows
-Recusorb unit capable of 1% rh or efficiently controlling humidity in large premises, including museums cold stores supermarkets and pharmaceutical. 
Other dehumidifiers on show are 
-Small store unit DC5. 
– newly developed DST RL61 which consumes 10% less energy than other leading brands capable of 11L/h
-patented DST Frigasorb F31 Refrigerated desiccant dehumidifier, 60% less energy than electric element dehumidifiers

DST’s role in Cold Stores

DST dehumidifiers can effectively maintain steady RH(relative humidity), preventing condensation and frost formation. Watch how our cold store application installation is 5 times more efficient and effective when installed at the loading Bay Area as opposed to the -20 degree space. 

Useful applications of dehumidification in aircrafts

Spitfire aircraft use Merlin engines, which have similar problems to most engines during standby, where corrosive exhaust gasses effect internal component and then require more frequent expensive maintenance works. Other aircrafts such as Mustangs and Kitty Hawks also use a Merlin engine.

Bernd (Bernie) Heuser Chief Engineer of The Old Aeroplane Company and National Air Museum found, by purging with dry air using DST model DC050 after running the engine, the pollutants are substantially displaced, and remaining compounds are made less corrosive with low humidity air. Otherwise, ambient humidity is contained within the engine and due to the thermal inertia, condensation can even form (see example).

Corrosion typically requires four components to implement the corrosive circuit. These are the anode (the positively charger material), the cathode (the part which corrodes), the electrolyte (typically water or water vapour) and air for completion of the circuit. The elimination of any of these contributions will halt the development of corrosion.

Energy Saving at DST

New technologies are used wherever possible to allow our products to utilize energy efficiency control. Our programmable logic control (PLC) systems can increase operating efficiency, lower carbon emissions, and reduce running costs; factors that may be crucial for environmental certification.

PLCs (C2 and C4) are tailored to ensure the highest operating efficiency is achieved for each specific project. PLCs can be used independently, with one of our digital controllers (EH3 & EH4) or interlinked with a building management system (BMS).