Desiccant dehumidification prevents condensation around cold storage and deep freezers

Claus Sørensen A / S is Denmark's largest cooling / store group with 650.000m3 cold storage spread over 14 branches across the country.

Condensation caused damage to the building.

Despite insulation, refrigeration and deep freeze storage condensation occurred in the surrounding area. In the hollow spaces and on any ceilings above them, chilled surfaces meet warmer pockets of air or outside air, this creates condensation, which can lead to a variety of problems.

In the hollow spaces, the condensation causes mould to grow and building structures are damaged by this constant state of moisture. Woodwork is attacked and destroyed by rot and fungus mould. Steel components are attacked by corrosion and condensation can be seen running down concrete walls.

On top of the refrigerated room, condensation appears as water or ice that can completely cover the ceiling area and cause damage to ceilings.

The only way to solve these problems is to ensure that the air is as dry as possible and that there is no possibility for condensation to form. This is achieved with Munters dehumidification principle that is temperature independent: desiccant dehumidification works in the interval between -40°C and +40°C.

With Munters desiccant dehumidification, the relative humidity in hollow spaces and ceiling areas is reduced to a level that prevents the formation of condensation.

The air in the room is sucked into the dehumidifier where the moisture in the air is removed. It is then blown back into the room again, ensuring that the area is kept dry all year round, regardless of seasonal changes in the climate. The water that is removed from the indoor air is then blown outside as damp air.

Visible ice and water disappeared

Claus Sørensen A/S in Denmark, experienced problems caused by condensation in their cold storage plant. There were pools of water in the space over the cold storage room and visible condensation on the concrete walls.

After an inspection of the facility, Munters developed a solution proposal that the company immediately chose to implement.

Munters installed two small dehumidifiers on the ceiling that now ensure a stable, low humidity that prevents the formation of condensation. The problems have been solved, and at a price that can only be regarded as low when compared to the long-term costs of damage caused to the building.

Operations Manager Bent Boesen remarked, “We are surprised at how quickly the water disappeared. The ceiling is always dry now, and we no longer need to worry about damage to the building.”

Munters frost and condensation prevention solutions in cold stores and roof voids are not a secret. Why not tap into your local Munters office at www.munters.com/food.