Industrial Dehumidifier for Pelt Processing Facility

Overview

Internationally recognized mink fur pelt manufacturer based in Sheboygan Falls, WI, contacted De Troye Electric Service an electrical and controls engineering company based in Oostburg, WI to discuss the goal of improving its pelt drying process by retrofitting two rooms at a processing facility using USA-made dehumidification equipment. De Troye Electric Service then contacted Vyron Corporation, the Desert Aire manufacturers' representative based in Waukesha, WI.

Industrial Dehumidification Project Requirements & Needs

 

Key application factors involved with this industrial dehumidification project was providing appropriate dehumidification within a tight temperature range, as well as controlled air exchanges to prevent mold and improve air quality.

The industrial dehumidification equipment was mounted indoors to minimize ductwork and installation costs.

Industrial Dehumidification Solutions Delivered

 

Desert Aire based the application solution on VerticalAire™ Series dehumidification systems. These industrial dehumidifiers were selected to be compact and cost-efficient. They also needed to be performance-driven to accommodate for pelt drying rooms that each measured 2,000 sq ft with an average ceiling of 11 ft.

The VerticalAire system controllers were also BACnet™ Ethernet-compatible, which allowed them to integrate with their Building Management System.

Desert Aire customized the systems to meet their industrial application challenges. Since the condition of supply air has a significant impact on product quality, all of the air needed to be conditioned.

To ensure the supply air condition would be maintained year-round, Desert Aire custom-programmed the units based on its Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) technologies. Desert Aire also used control values specific to specialty process applications.

Additional customizations and system specials included variable speed compressors with modulating hot gas reheat capabilities. These further enhanced each unit's ability to provide precise zone conditions.

Using a control panel interface, operators set a specific value for temperature and relative humidity within each drying room. The internal controller translated this value into a dewpoint.

This established the absolute moisture content in the zone to reduce hunting of the control on startup. It also controlled conditions that are altered when operators load carts of damp pelts in the drying rooms.

The decision to invest more on the temperature and humidity control with large load changes allowed the systems to be stable.

Now, the manufacturer can dry pelts with more consistency, as well as control the varying loads.

The customer reported seeing an increase in the size of stretched and dried pelts. They also reported getting a better product using less labor.

Contact Desert-Aire today to discuss your industrial dehumidification needs; we'll respond shortly!