How Does an Industrial Dehumidifier Work

An industrial refrigeration dehumidifier works by using refrigeration principles to pull excess moisture out of the air, making it drier and more suitable for warehouses, factories, grow rooms, or flood restoration. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how it works:

1. Air Intake

A powerful fan draws humid air from the room into the industrial dehumidifier.

2. Evaporator

The humid air passes over very cold evaporator coils. As the warm, moist air cools, its temperature drops below the dew point. Moisture in the air condenses on the coils (like water droplets on a cold soda can).

3. Water Collection & Drainage

The condensed water drips off the coil into a collection pan.

Industrial units usually use: A drain hose connected to plumbing, or a built-in pump to move water to a drain, tank, or outside. This makes them capable of running continuously without needing manual emptying.

4. Condenser

After losing its moisture, the now-cold air passes over a condenser coil, which reheats it using the heat captured from the refrigeration process.

This prevents the room from becoming uncomfortably cold while still drying it.

5. Dry Air Outflow

The fan blows the reheated, dry air back into the room.

Over time, this circulation lowers the relative humidity to the target level (often controlled by a built-in humidistat).

6. Continuous Cycle

The process repeats continuously until the environment reaches the desired humidity setpoint.

 

A natatorium (indoor swimming pool) air system is very specialized because it has to balance humidity, temperature, air quality, and comfort all at once. Unlike a normal HVAC setup, it’s designed to control both moisture and chloramine-laden air (the “pool smell”) while maintaining healthy, safe conditions.

 

Goals of a Natatorium Air System

Humidity Control:

Keep relative humidity between 50–60%.

Too high humidity will cause mold, corrosion, and condensation on windows.

Too low humidity will cause swimmer discomfort and higher water evaporation.

Temperature Control:

Air temperature is usually kept 2–4 °F warmer than pool water to minimize evaporation.

Typical pool water: 78–82 °F (higher for therapy pools).

Air Quality & Ventilation:

Remove chloramines (byproducts of chlorine disinfectants that cause irritation and odor).

Maintain fresh outdoor air supply per ASHRAE standards.

Prevent stratification (stale air at deck, fresh air at ceiling).

Energy Efficiency:

Recover heat from exhaust air and pool evaporation.

Reuse recovered heat to warm supply air or reheat pool water.

 

How the Dehumidification System Works

1. Dehumidification

Uses a refrigerant dehumidifier. A ceiling mounted dehumidifier for indoor pool room is very useful and energy-efficient. It can reduce the indoor humidity, condensation, and mold on the walls, windows, and ceilings.

Works like an industrial refrigeration dehumidifier: Humid air is cooled to condense moisture, then moisture is drained away through a pipe. The condensed air is reheated and supplied back. The dehumidifier circulates the process till the indoor air humidity reaches the target number.

2. Air Distribution

Supply air is directed across the water surface and deck to capture evaporating moisture and chloramines.

Returns are placed low to the ground to pull away heavy chloramines that settle near the surface.

3. Ventilation & Fresh Air

Outdoor air is mixed in to dilute contaminants.

Exhaust fans remove stale, chemical-laden air.

4. Heat Recovery

Heat from dehumidification or exhaust air is reclaimed.

Reused to:

Preheat incoming fresh air.

Warm the pool water.

5. Controls

Humidistats, thermostats, and CO₂/chloramine sensors help balance the system automatically.

Many natatoriums integrate with Building Management Systems (BMS) for precise monitoring.

 

A natatorium air system is essentially a custom HVAC + dehumidification + ventilation system designed to:

Control humidity (50–60%).

Keep air just warmer than pool water.

Remove chloramines and odors.

Recover energy from exhaust and evaporation.

Protect the building from condensation and corrosion.