Both military and civilian drying rooms can save a lot of money by drying clothes and uniforms by desiccant dehumidification.
Fast clothes drying with traditional methods is an expensive process which usually involves heating and ventilation, tumble-drying or coooling dehumidifiers. As an energy-efficient alternative, Munters use desiccant dehumidification in both new and existing drying rooms.
The advantages of Munters’ method are:
• Fast and efficient drying
• No need for heating = significant energy savings
• No wear on the clothes during drying (eg wear during tumble-drying)
• Low energy consumption per kg. of water removed*
• Protection for buildings against damage from damp
• Simple installation and use
The Danish Defence Department’s Building Services report “The Optimal Drying Room” (52813/10/okt.2002) states that Munters’ drying room concept is the most energy-efficient with the lowest quantity of energy used per litre of water removed.
The traditional drying method using heating is an expensive alternative and also has the disadvantage that in a normal drying room damp is absorbed into the walls and ceiling increasing the risk of mould and mildew growth. In a desiccant dehumidified room, the air humidity is kept at a level at which mould and mildew cannot occur and damp damage to the building is avoided. By dehumidifying the drying room, heating can be avoided as Munters’ sorption dehumidifier also works at high capacity in unheated premises.
If tumble drying or drying cupboards, clothing is subjected to unnecessary wear, and because of the high temperature the method cannot be used for delicate textiles. From an energy-efficient viewpoint, this method is also expensive. If coooling dehumidification is used, there will be a high use of energy – particularly with low loads (small quantities of clothes). If cooling dehumidification is to be efficient, the room must also be heated to above 20º C.
The theory behind clothes-drying
In order to dry clothes, a difference in steam pressure must be created between the drying air and the clothes; the bigger the difference in steam pressure – the shorter the drying time. In desiccant dehumidification, this difference is created by supplying dry air with a very low steam pressure = low water content.
The method creates drying conditions equivalent to a good, dry summers day with light wind, in which the clothing dries outdoors in record time. With Munters’ drying solution, a desiccant wheel is used instead of wind. This promotes the release of dampness from the cloth to the air, from which the dehumidifier them removes the dampness. This method shortens the drying time.
When drying using heat or cooling dehumidification, air temperature is increased and a high steam pressure is created. This high pressure creates a risk of moisture absorption in the construction of the building. With its low steam pressure, desiccant dehumidification helps to prevent damage to the building.
Military and civilian areas of use
The Danish military was among the first in Denmark to benefit from dehumidification for the drying of equipment and clothes. The military also has a large drying room where diver’s clothes, rescue clothing etc. is dried in the shortest time at the lowest cost. The Commandos and Frogman Corps as well as various flying station and fire service personnel use the Munters’ method in 50-60 military drying rooms. The solution is also becoming more and more widespread in civilian life where many companies have drying rooms for their employees. This applies not only to police stations, food factories etc., where employees change uniforms, but also to employees that cycle to work and use changing facilities to ensure fast and efficient drying of clothes and towels.
The solution is also used in housing associations with shared drying rooms. The clothes dry much faster than previously, so that the “changeover” time is shorter and more people can dry clothes. It is also more pleasant to spend time in the drying room as it no longer feels tropical with high temperatures and humidity. The energy costs are also drastically lower for desiccant dehumidification in comparison with heating.
Munters’ drying room solution
A drying room solution from Munters includes all necessary equipment:
• Desiccant dehumidifier with bracket for wall-fitting.
• Electronic hygrostat to control running of dehumidifier
• Assembly and fitting, if required