Air handling units (AHUs) are used in a wide variety of applications, and in certain situations, there is a need for humidity control. The optimal place to introduce moisture is within a dedicated air handling unit humidification section.
Humidity control is essential in AHUs, as they directly feed fresh outside air to an indoor environment. The moisture level of external air naturally fluctuates throughout the seasons, and when we heat or cool this air through an air handling unit, the humidity level is further affected. This can become a problem when trying to create a stable, humid environment inside a building.
AHU manufacturers control the humidity level of air flowing through an AHU by adding or removing moisture within a dedicated section of the air handling unit. Therefore, specifiers frequently add humidifiers and/or dehumidifiers to the air handling unit scope.
However, in some cases, humidity control may not have been factored into the original design of the AHU. So, to control the humidity, we need to add a humidifier or a dehumidifier to the AHU.
Humidifiers can generally be added directly inside the AHU or fitted alongside the AHU system. Dehumidifiers (if not already built into the original AHU system) need to be retrofitted – they cannot be installed inside the AHU.
Two main categories of humidifiers can be installed in an AHU system:
Isothermal humidifiers are frequently specified as they are straightforward to install and offer good evaporation distances within the air flow unit without wetting or affecting the airflow temperature. They can achieve short absorption distances, up to 200mm in some circumstances, via multi-steam manifolds. This can be essential when there are downstream obstructions such as filters or bends. Humidity Solutions offers all isothermal humidifier options, including electrode and resistive humidifiers from trusted brands to suit all air handling unit requirements.
Read our article to learn more about the differences between electrode and resistive steam humidifiers, which delves into more detail comparing the two technologies.
With the push for low energy and net zero, cold-water humidifiers have increased in popularity. Through their extremely low energy consumption, they offer savings and can be used to provide direct, indirect or exhaust air adiabatic cooling. Three main types of adiabatic humidifiers can be used in an AHU:
Read our article on ultrasonic humidifiers to learn more about the different types of adiabatic cold-water humidifiers. For a closer look at how this technology works, explore our video and blog post on evaporative humidifiers.
Selecting a suitable duct humidifier for an AHU will depend on the site requirements and the feed water quality. Electrode steam humidifiers work well in areas with low water hardness, but resistive humidifiers may be a better option in hard water areas. We also offer reverse osmosis systems to work alongside many of our humidifiers to reduce maintenance and tighten control tolerances.
Although cold-water humidification systems are energy-efficient, the process of generating humidity adds heat to the air, which must be factored into the air handling unit’s heating capacity. To optimise energy savings and system performance, incorporating heat recovery is widely recognised as the most effective solution when using adiabatic systems.
Dehumidifiers are ideal for removing moisture from the air handling unit airflow and can be added as part of the AHU specification or retrofitted.
There are generally two types of dehumidification systems that are used in an AHU:
Refrigerant dehumidifiers are commonly added to AHU specifications at the time of manufacturing. However, if an AHU does not have any form of existing humidity control fitted, a desiccant dehumidifier is the most effective type of unit that is normally specified. Desiccant dehumidifiers allow for more precise control of moisture levels in the air and work much better with air flow systems like AHUs. They can handle lower temperatures than refrigerant dehumidifiers, which allows for a greater range of applications.
Do you need some advice on the type of humidifier or dehumidifier best suited for your AHU project?
Then speak to one of our friendly humidity control experts today by using our contact form or call us on 01372 571 200 for a free quote or site visit – our services are available nationwide across the UK.
At Humidity Solutions, our sales team benefit from decades of experience in humidity system design and specification. We can work with specifiers, AHU manufacturers application engineers and end-users alike to provide humidifier selections through a detailed consultation approach.
From this, we will provide competitive, comprehensive quotations promptly. Allowing you to rest assured the solution is optimal. Humidity Solutions is an engineering-based company able to assist with selection, design and installation whilst understanding the challenges AHU manufacturers face, such as section length, capital cost and control capabilities.
When fast delivery is required, we hold a comprehensive stock of both units and spares in our warehouse. We also offer competitive installation and commissioning rates. Humidity Solutions is also passionate about after-sales, we have a dedicated customer service team at our offices in Leatherhead, who offer free technical support over the phone to our customers.
We also are proud to have a team of experienced engineers, for all commissioning, servicing and planned maintenance requirements.
Whether you looking to specify humidifiers as part of an AHU package, an AHU manufacturer looking for a quality humidifier supplier or an end-user refurbishing your existing system, at Humidity Solutions we have the experience, expertise and product range to provide you with the very best service.
From a team with decades of experience.
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