Humidification

I Overview
Humidification systems add moisture, in the form of water vapor, to the air in a space. They do so by using heat to vaporize the water introduced into the air stream.

Humidification based on natural gas uses steam, generated either directly by a gas-fired humidifier system or from a boiler.

II Applications
Maintaining a relative humidity level of 40-50% has been shown to minimize a number of airborne health risks, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mites, therefore improving indoor air quality. Humidification may also be necessary in industrial settings to prevent a buildup of static electricity, or in manufacturing, food processing, or even the archiving of antiquities.

III Equipment Options
Where a boiler is already in use, using the steam produced by that boiler may be the most economical way to humidify a space. Since boiler chemicals are still a concern in most commercial applications, steam-to-steam heat exchangers are commonly used.

Direct-fired natural gas humidifiers produce steam directly. In contrast to boilers, there are no chemicals involved in the process. Direct-fired units are most economical for commercial or industrial applications where either there is no existing boiler, or a high degree of humidity control is needed.

IV Resources
1. Equipment Manufacturer Database
2. Gas Air Conditioning Consortium