Humidification is not a secondary element to regulate in your free time. Stepping into a warm living environment on a cold day is one thing, but hot air can be dry, and humidification needs to work in conjunction with heating systems to maintain the health and comfort of the environment. 

According to Condair, a company specializing in humidification, maintaining humidity levels between 40% and 60% relative humidity is not only better for your skin and complexion, but also minimizes the risk of airborne infections and improves respiratory health. 

When it comes to humidifiers, there are two categories: adiabatic and isothermal.

The idea of choosing the right humidifier for your climate, size of space and type of cooling system is daunting enough. Now, we have foreign, esoteric jargon to deal with? Well, no worries, the difference between these two is quite simple. 

The main difference between adiabatic and isothermal humidification is that isothermal uses external heat and adiabatic does not. In physics, “diabatic” is the word for a process that requires the exchange of heat. Adding the prefix “a” (without), we have the opposite: a process that occurs without the exchange of heat. And in this case, external heat.

Isothermal humidification

Isothermal humidification relies on an external source of energy to heat water and create vapor that can be released into the air and provide humidity. The external energy (gas or electric) can be controlled manually to ensure the humidity & air temperature remains consistent and to dictate how much humidity the air should hold. 

For the benefit of consistency, isothermal humidification takes a larger toll on cost and energy efficiency. However, this method is a good choice for specific climates or infrastructures that prioritize temperature stability or have a high demand for humidity. 

Types of isothermal humidifiers are electric, electrode, gas and central steam boiler humidification systems. 

Adiabatic humidification

This type of humidification works efficiently without any additional heat. It utilizes the heat already present in the air. According to Condair, there are two different adiabatic methods known as evaporation and atomization.

Evaporation uses evaporative mats. Water flows over these mats and the thermal energy within the surrounding air is expunged into water molecules, evaporating them into vapor. This vapor is simultaneously released into the air. Since no additional heat is introduced, the evaporated water molecules pull additional heat in the space to cool the air. This works in the same way one’s body is cooled with sweat. Water is famous for its  high heat capacity, and this natural super power we use for our anatomical cooling system can now be used for an entire building. It’s self sufficient. 

Atomization is similar. Without any external heat, the evaporated water molecules simultaneously provide cooling and humidification. However, this method uses a mechanical vapor compression system using energy from the surrounding air. 

Adiabatic humidification is perfect for spaces that need humidity but also need to be frequently cooled, such as data centers with technological machinery giving off a lot of heat. The adiabatic method has a high return on investment and saves space and energy. 

Types of adiabatic humidifiers are: centrifugal, compressed air atomizers, pressurized water atomizers and ultrasonic atomizers that use vibrations to create mist. 

A common fear is over-humidification with adiabatic humidification; but with reliable, developed technology, this is not a problem. The water is ensured to be completely evaporated as it enters the air. 

 

Why does it matter?

Space, time and energy: all of the things we need more of and can never get enough of. Isothermal humidification is the standard, but it doesn’t mean it’s the best. Adiabatic energy reduces energy consumption which in turn reduces costs and helps the environment. 

Instead of burning fossil fuels to produce heat to generate humidity, why not use the heat that already exists in the air? In the same way humans sweat to cool, adiabatic humidification uses existing heat to create pours in the air and allow added humidity immediately.

According to a research article from Sheet Metal Works Magazine on adiabatic humidification, this method reduces the building’s energy requirements by 325 watts per pound of humidification. That’s equivalent to saving 25 KW per hour on a 200 pound per hour system and about $19,500 per year in energy savings. 

To learn more about your adiabatic or isothermal humidifier options or the specifications to incorporate them into new or existing systems, contact Northrich Co. at 216-581-4750 or go to www.northrich.com.