Ice, frost and fog in the Cold room. We have a clue to solve the mystery. The dew point – what is it, and why is it important to know?
What is the dew point of a Cold room?
The dew point is the point at which the air cools sufficiently to cause the water vapour in it to condense.
In a Cold room, as the air mass cools, water droplets appear on the surfaces as the capacity of the air mass to hold water vapour is reduced. This condensed water freezes to form ice and frost, which can lead to accidents and more frequent breakdowns of refrigeration equipment.
Why can humidity become a problem?
The dew point is closely related to the relative humidity. When the dew point and temperature are equal, then the relative humidity is 100%. It is the ratio of the amount of water vapour present in the air at a given time to the maximum amount of vapour that the air would be able to hold at that temperature.
Why is dew a problem in a Cold room?
When the air is cooled, the water in it condenses, producing dewdrops, which, when they freeze, cause malfunctions in the machinery, freezing. Apart from the breakdowns that are generated, there is also a loss of efficiency in the insulation and it affects the proper functioning of the Cold room, even the safety of the operators, since ice and fog plates can be produced, making it difficult for the operators to pass through and for the vehicles to be driven.
Why do you need to know the dew point of your installations?
Knowing the dew point and relative humidity of your Cold room is an important detail when it comes to choosing the right insulating elements and the most suitable enclosures for it, in order to anticipate future problems and also to optimize the temperature in this space.
How is the dew point calculated?
The dew point is calculated by measuring the relative humidity (%RH), the ambient temperature (Ta) and the surface temperature (Ts).
Does your Cold room have frost on the doors, does the refrigeration equipment break down frequently, do operators and pallet trucks skid when entering because of ice slabs, etc.?
If you answered ‘YES’ to any of these questions, don’t think twice, contact us now, we will advise you about the most suitable solution for your installations.
