Industrial Design Services:
Condensation Control:
Introduction: Controlling the formation of condensation on the interior of a food processing plant and on the plant’s associated equipment, piping and drip pans has been a serious operation issue in many plants for many years. The frequency of USDA Noncompliance Reports (NR) that cite “condensation” as an issue is on the rise. USDA Regulation 416.2(d) requires each plant to have ventilation to control condensation to prevent adulteration of the product. Regrettably, when the air outside the plant is heavy-laden with moisture, additional ventilation or even exhaust, can actually make the formation of condensation worse. High moisture loads in the plant can also create significant condensation, frost and ice formation problems in the process/cooler/freezer refrigeration equipment. This then leads to frequent defrost cycles that temporarily eliminate the ability to refrigerate the plant; not to mention the significant amount of energy that is consumed during defrost. In the process area of plants, some companies employ as many as 30 “Wipers” whose only job is to continuously circulate around the plant wiping away condensate from the structure and the equipment. Wet/icy floors in coolers and refrigerated loading docks are at best a nuisance, and at worst a safety issue. Dozens of circulating fans are place around the plant in an effort to “re-evaporate” condensation into the 90%-100% RH plant air, with limited success. There is a better way.
Design Approach: Temperature control of the indoor environment of most areas of most food processing plants has been a normal design factor for decades. Humidity control has typically taken a “back seat”, especially in refrigerated areas and wet areas of most plants. Andrews, Hammock & Powell can assist you in controlling or eliminating your humidity/moisture/condensation problems through careful analysis and the installation of temporary and/or permanent dehumidification equipment. In wet/washdown areas or refrigerated spaces, this is most often accomplished with desiccant based dehumidification units. We are equipped with the proper instruments (data loggers, air flow meters, temperature/RH/dewpoint meters, CO2 meters) to qualify your existing conditions and moisture loads. We can then design a temporary or permanent HVAC system to meet your specific needs. We will be glad to visit your plant and fully explain our capabilities in this newly emerging field.
