Humidification Systems: Maintenance is the Key
Humidification systems are becoming increasingly popular in both the home and workplace, providing numerous health, comfort, productivity, and energy-saving benefits. In some environments such as healthcare facilities, data centers, laboratories, R&D, compound pharmacies, etc., proper humidity control is an absolute necessity.
There is a very common misconception among users, however, that humidification systems are somewhat elementary and require little maintenance. In truth, they require expert selection, design, and installation, followed by regular, meticulous preventive maintenance, to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. Manufacturer maintenance requirements can vary depending on system type and application, and it’s important that these standards are closely followed.
Supply water quality, treatment, and filtration are key to operating a clean, efficient system, whether it derives humidity from steam or cold water. Minerals in untreated water can clog heat exchangers, nozzles, and wetted pads in isothermal (steam) systems and adiabatic (unheated) systems emit these impurities into the air, which settle on surfaces and processes and can cause health problems when inhaled. Using deionized (DI) or reverse-osmosis (RO) filtered water will virtually eliminate these issues. Water should be monitored and tested regularly for quality, and standard PM practices should include inspection of filters, membranes, and TDS to keep critical supply water up to humidification system standards.
Instrumentation and controls must be checked and calibrated on a regular basis. This includes verifying that humidity and temperature sensors are reading accurately, checking control valve operation from 0-100%, and ensuring high-limit humidistats are set and operating properly. MSC recommends high limits be hardwired as opposed to controlled via a software point. Building personnel should ensure that the humidification system is operating within design parameters. For example, if a system designed to maintain 35% +/- 5% relative humidity is operating at 50% RH, absorption distance can be affected, resulting in condensation in ductwork and wet diffusers.
MSC is an expert in the design, installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of all types of humidification systems including boiler steam, clean steam, canister steam, centrifugal, ultrasonic, atomized, and more. For more information, contact us at (973) 884-5000.
About MSC - The Go-To Guys
We are a service sub-specialist in the technical intricacies of HVAC, process cooling, and building automation systems in commercial, industrial, and institutional environments. MSC is recognized as the leading industry expert in solving elusive problems and attaining peak performance from clients & mechanical equipment and overall systems.
Located in northern New Jersey, MSC is the only specialized contractor of our kind in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. We are MSCA STAR-qualified, NEBB-certified, fully licensed in electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, and our engineers and technicians are the most knowledgeable in our field.
MSC - Mechanical Service Corp.
41 South Jefferson Road
Whippany, NJ 07981
973-884-5000
https://mscnj.com/
