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A complete guide on Dew point?

By Naman ModiTwitter Profile | Updated: Sunday, 28 February 2021 15:50 UTC
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What is dew point.
What is dew point. Naman Modi

Dew point is the minim temperature at which water vapor remains in a gas state without condensing into liquid. When air or even gas temperature goes down, it loses the ability to absorb water vapor. That goes on until it becomes completely saturated. Below that dew point temperature, some water droplets begin to form.

Typical dew point range

The dew point temperatures in compressed air may range from ambient to as low as -80 ºC in some instances. If your compressor system doesn't have drying ability, it may produce compressed air with ambient temperature saturation. Do your systems have refrigerant dryers that pass compressed hair through a cooled heat exchanger? It will make mater to condense out of the air system. Those systems produce air with a dew point not lower than 5 ºC. But when it comes to desiccant drying systems, they absorb water vapor from the air stream. So, they end up producing air with a dew point -40 ºC and drier when needed.

The dew point has a direct relation with system pressure and temperature in compressed air and distribution networks. That's why when the pressure goes up, the dew point temperature rises. So, the ability for vapor to condense out will take place at a higher temperature.

Measuring dew point

You need a dew point sensor for industrial applications. It may be in drying processes, air pressure pipelines, or compressed air systems. But what is the dew pint sensor? Well, it is a piece of technology you can use to take the temperature at which air samples become saturated with water vapor.

The dew point measurement has a connection with the humidity of an air sample. When the air is more humid, it means the dew point is also high. Do you seek to measure dew point? You can install a dew point sensor directly into a pipe.

With correct dew point sensor installation and optimal working, it can help you to avoid malfunctions. Besides, a dew point sensor improves the operational efficiency and quality of the end-product. Ensure to get the best dew point sensor, and it will offer you quality services and a high degree of accuracy.

Why dew point measurement is crucial

When operating and industry, monitoring dew points should be your norm. The industrial compressed gas systems and air may suffer big damages due to direct water contamination. Such damages may also be a result of subsequent water freezing and expansion. The presence of water vapor in gas or air affects process and quality.

That's why you are required to remove water contamination using filters or drying systems. Remember, as the dew point adjusts with pressure, the risk of damage occurrence varies throughout your plant.

A dew point sensor has made measuring of dew point to be a simple process. But you need to carry out continuous monitoring based on plant risk analysis recommendations. Ensure you monitor the dew point from the drying plant even before the distribution network.

Dew point measuring is also important at a critical point of use. Through measuring of dew point, you can achieve efficient control of the filtering or drying system. That optimizes the running cost of your gas or compressed air system.

Your great focus in the plant systems on any part of your system where pressure increases. You should also be keen on the areas where ambient temperatures decrease since those are situations where issues may arise quickly.

Maybe, you are operating a plant where the air ring main leaves a building to another, and then, the ambient outside air is lower compared to indoor ambient. In such a situation, you need another drying capability with proper monitoring to prevent condensation since your pipes leave the building.

Monitoring dew points your system is among the indicators of system health. You can get crucial feedback that can guide maintenance tasks. Besides, it helps to keep your plant compliant with the set purity standard classes.

How to measure dew point reliably

  • Get a dew point sensor with the right measuring range
  • Be aware of the pressure characteristics
  • Ensure proper installation of your dew point sensor
  • Avoid installing the dew point senor at the end of the stubs

Conclusion

Your plant may have issues brought by condensation. If it occurs in pressurized air, it can cause blockage in pipes or even machinery breakdown. The system may also experience contamination and freezing due to condensation. But you can avoid all those problems by monitoring dew point. You can get the most suitable dew point sensor in the market to help in checking dew points with a high degree of accuracy. Besides, the feedback from dew pint measurement is useful when it comes to system maintenance and keeping the set standards.

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