Dew point meter

Dew Point Measurement in Factories: Benefit or Harm?

Dew point measurement is an important method for controlling air quality and compressed air in industrial factories. Measuring dew point and moisture point helps factories control humidity in the air, thereby protecting equipment, improving product quality, and ensuring operational safety.

What Is Dew Point? What Is Its Role?

Dew point is the temperature at which moist air becomes saturated and water vapor condenses into liquid water droplets at constant pressure. The lower the dew point temperature, the drier the air and the lower the humidity. In compressed air systems and production environments, determining the dew point helps control moisture and prevent condensation that can damage equipment.

Protecting equipment and systems: High humidity can damage machinery, cause corrosion, clog pipes, and reduce equipment lifespan. If dew point is not controlled, water vapor will reduce efficiency and product quality, leading to higher defect rates and production costs.

Ensuring product quality: In industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and electronics, compressed air must be clean and dry to avoid affecting product quality. For example, in an electronics component factory, dew point is continuously measured to ensure compressed air used in production remains dry, preventing condensation that can damage sensitive components.

Saving maintenance costs: Good dew point control minimizes failures and repair and maintenance expenses.

Compliance with standards: Dew point measurement is a mandatory requirement in many compressed air quality standards such as ISO 8573-1.

Dew Point Measurement Methods and Calculation

- Dew Point Measurement Methods

There are various methods to measure dew point, the most common being the use of dew point sensors or specialized dew point meters. Dew point sensors operate based on measuring the temperature at which water vapor begins to condense on the sensor surface. For example, with refrigerated air dryers, the dew point temperature typically ranges from 3 to 4 °C, helping prevent water condensation in compressed air.

- Dew Point Calculation Formula

The Magnus-Tetens formula is one of the popular formulas to calculate dew point based on air temperature and relative humidity. However, this calculation can be quite complex and is often replaced by using dew point meters for faster and more accurate results.

Effects of Dew Point Measurement in Factories

Impact on Machine and Equipment Performance

Corrosion and equipment damage: Condensed water vapor in compressed air systems or machinery causes metal corrosion, reducing equipment lifespan. For instance, a food processing factory experienced water condensation in its compressed air system, which degraded product quality and damaged packaging equipment.

Pipe clogging: Condensed water causes blockages, reducing operational efficiency and increasing maintenance costs.

Reduced production efficiency: Damaged or unstable equipment lowers productivity and product quality.

Impact on Product Quality

In industries like food, pharmaceuticals, and electronics, uncontrolled humidity reduces product quality, causing defects, damage, and economic loss.

Impact on Occupational Safety

High humidity can foster mold and bacterial growth, affecting workers’ health. Additionally, condensed water can cause slippery surfaces, posing hazards during machine operation.

Solutions for Dew Point Measurement in Factories

Using modern dew point measurement devices: Utilizing accurate and stable dew point meters and humidity sensors allows continuous monitoring and timely adjustment of environmental parameters in factories.

Implementing automated monitoring systems: Automated temperature and humidity monitoring systems collect real-time data, alert when issues arise, and support timely adjustments to maintain stable production environments.

Regular maintenance and calibration: Dew point and humidity measurement devices require regular maintenance and calibration to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Training operational staff: Staff should be trained on the principles of dew point and moisture measurement and how to operate devices to detect and promptly handle humidity-related issues in factories.