Munters wheel desiccant dehumidifiers

Tim Edwards <tim.edwards [at] hants__gov__uk> writes

>We are investigating the possible introduction of Munters wheel
>desiccant dehumidifiers into our air handling system to control
>fluctuations in humidity within our archive storage strongrooms.
>Would anyone have any thoughts or concerns about the use of this
>particular type of dehumidifier in such an application?
>
>Desiccant dehumidifiers are great if you want to dry moist air. They
>will not, however, increase the humidity if the air is already too dry.

The desiccant usually used in Munters wheel desiccant dehumidifiers
is usually lithium chloride. If, for some reason, the wheel breaks
down, there is the potential for chlorides to be pumped into your
storage area. Having stated that, though, the Australian War
Memorial has been using Munters wheel desiccant dehumidifiers
without incident or breakdown for 22 years.

George Bailey
A/g Manager, Preventive, Objects and Large Technology Conservation
Collection Services
Australian War Memorial
GPO Box 345
Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
+61 2 6243 4490
Fax: +61 2 6241 7998


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 27:12
                Distributed: Saturday, September 7, 2013
                       Message Id: cdl-27-12-001
                                  ***