Controlling humidity is crucial for water and wastewater treatment plants to prevent corrosion, equipment failure, and sanitation risks. Bry-Air provides year-round solutions with desiccant dehumidifiers that ensure efficient, consistent humidity control in any season. Here we will explore how these systems help improve operations and reduce maintenance costs in wastewater treatment facilities.
The Impact of Humidity on Wastewater Treatment Plants
When moisture in the air condenses on cold pipes, valves, and pumps, it can lead to a range of destructive effects. In water and wastewater treatment plants, high humidity can cause corrosion of metal surfaces, deterioration of paint, and even the failure of electrical components. Additionally, damp environments can become breeding grounds for bacteria, fungus, and molds, creating sanitation risks.
Although wastewater treatment plants are designed to avoid contamination of water intended for consumption, the condition of external pipes can differ greatly. Condensation occurs whenever the surface temperature of pipes or valves drops below the dew point of the surrounding air, leading to corrosion. This problem is most common during the spring, summer, and fall, but in more humid climates, it can persist year-round.
The Limitations of Refrigeration-Type Dehumidifiers
In the past, facilities often used refrigeration-type dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the air. These systems appeared attractive due to their low cost and the availability of residential and commercial-grade refrigeration units. While effective during the hot summer months, they struggle in cooler conditions.
Refrigeration units work by cooling the air to condense its moisture, but their capacity is limited when the air is already cool. These systems overcool the air, freezing moisture on the cooling coils, which halts dehumidification until the coils are defrosted. As a result, refrigeration units are effective only during hot months but fail in the cooler seasons.
Year-Round Dehumidification with Bry-Air Desiccant Systems
Bry-Air offers a more effective solution with its desiccant dehumidifiers. These systems provide year-round consistent humidity control, regardless of the season. Unlike refrigeration systems, there are no coils to freeze, and a humidistat ensures warm, dry air is available on demand, independent of ambient conditions.
Sizing the Dehumidifier for Wastewater Treatment Plants
To determine the required airflow for dehumidified air, the following formula can be used:
Cubic feet of conditioned area ÷ 25 = Dehumidified CFM required
For example, in a pipe tunnel with a total volume of 100,000 cubic feet (including pipes), 100,000 cubic feet divided by 25 equals 4,000 CFM of dehumidified air required.
Cost Savings and Efficiency Gains
In many water and wastewater treatment plants, excess humidity leads to additional costs related to painting, rust prevention, and other maintenance issues, which can range from $10,000 to $50,000 per year. Problems such as sweating pipes, insulation degradation, pitting of electrical controls, and motor maintenance can also arise.
The installation of a Bry-Air desiccant dehumidifier can eliminate these issues, with the system often paying for itself within two years through reduced maintenance costs. Further savings can be achieved by using gas for reactivation and installing a heat recovery coil, which can reclaim up to 60% of reactivation exhaust heat. Some wastewater treatment plants have access to gas as a by-product, further reducing operational costs.
Maintaining Optimal Humidity Levels
A Bry-Air desiccant dehumidifier can maintain a humidity range of 20% – 45% RH year-round in areas of high humidity within wastewater treatment plants. This eliminates condensation and sweating on pipes, valves, and equipment. The dehumidifier’s recirculation process means there’s no need for additional makeup air, and most installations do not require an after-cooling coil. Additionally, the warm, dry air from the dehumidifier can help heat pipe tunnels and pumping areas in the winter, offering an added advantage.
Ready to Enhance Your Facility’s Efficiency?
For over 60 years, Bry-Air has supplied desiccant dehumidifiers to wastewater treatment plants worldwide and in every U.S. state. Engineers frequently rely on Bry-Air to deliver efficient, trouble-free performance that meets the demanding conditions of water and wastewater treatment facilities.
If you’re looking for a reliable, long-term solution to humidity control in your wastewater treatment plant, contact Bry-Air today. Our team of experts is ready to help you optimize your facility’s performance with our industry-leading desiccant dehumidifiers.
