Factors that affect the humidity control and its level

Temperature

The amount of moisture that can be included in a room varies with its temperature level. Temperature is thus also highly related to humidity control.

As the temperature rises, the amount of moisture that can be included in the air also increases. Therefore, the relative humidity changes even if the absolute humidity is the same.

Let’s use an example to illustrate this theory:

In a room (representing the air), there is a fixed number of seats. The moisture is represented as a person (1 water droplet = 1 person). And we will assuming that one person is 0.001 kg.

• When the temperature is 16.5°C, there are 12 seats and 6 people sit.
  • The absolute humidity is 0.006 kg/kg’ and the relative humidity is 50%.

Let’s take a visual example. Imagine that air is a room with a fixed number of seats and moisture being a number of people (1 person = 1 water droplet). We have 16 seats, but only 8 people are seated.

• Relative humidity = it is the percentage of how many seats are filled with the number of seats. So in this case, the relative humidity is 50%.

• Absolute humidity = it is the number of people. So if one person is equal to 0.001 kg, then the absolute humidity is 0.008 kg/kg ‘(= 8 people sitting).

When the temperature reaches 25°C, the number of seats increases to 18 seats. There are 18 seats now and still only 6 people sit.

• • So the absolute humidity is the same as before, 0.006 kg/kg’. However, as the overall number of seats increases and the degree of congestion changes, the relative humidity will be about 30%.

That is why it feels dry in winter even when the humidity of the outside air is 50% because the amount of water present in the air is small.

Also read our article about the difference between relative and absolute humidity: Link 

HVAC system

There are 2 methods of ventilation:

• Natural ventilation: it is performed by opening and closing the windows and clearances provided at the entrance and exit.
• Mechanical ventilation: it is a system installed with an air inlet and an outlet. It forcibly takes in outside air using a fan and simultaneously discharges it.

Therefore, the amount of ventilation and air conditioning changes greatly depending on the temperature, the natural air flow (wind), and the occupancy density of the room.

The humidity of the room will also change with the air coming from the outside as it alters the temperature level at the same time.

Buildings

The air tightness of the building and the building materials also greatly affect the humidity.

• Air tightness

By making the air tighter, you can minimize the effects of outside air. This way you can use temperature control and ventilation systems to control temperature and humidity. Even with air conditioning, energy saving and comfortable air conditioning can be performed, leading to the saving of energy costs.

• Building materials

In recent years, reinforced concrete and new building materials are often used, and it has become difficult to control condensation with humidity control. Therefore, development of new construction materials with humidity control function such as diatomaceous earth and wood-based cellulose fiber has increased.

Using materials that absorb water vapor generated in the building and release the moisture when the room is dry helps to control the humidity naturally.

To summarize, if you optimize these 3 factors in your building / factory, you will be able to control the level of humidity and increase the relative humidity needed for your process.