Question: I read an article recently that said desiccants may be the
key to improving indoor air quality. What are desiccants?
Answer: A desiccant is a material that absorbs water and therefore
dehumidifies.
One popular use of desiccants is to package a small amount with new electronic
equipment to keep moisture from damaging the components. Those little packets
you find in a box along with your new radio or computer are desiccants.
Energy researchers have been studying the use of desiccants for the past few
years to see how they can be used in both active and passive solar
cooling and heating systems.
Silica gel and some other types of dehumidification agents work well as
desiccants to take moisture out of the air. Air passes through the material,
and the humidity is removed. When the desiccant dries, it is regenerated and
ready for further use.
When humidity is removed from the air, less energy needs to be used to lower
temperatures for cooling. Desiccants also do away with the need to super cool
the air, which is how many air conditioning systems work. In other words, the
desiccant serves as an excellent backup to conventional air conditioning
systems, reducing the energy needed to achieve the desired cooling level.
Research has found that desiccants can reduce energy costs by as much as 50
percent and can allow many facilities to use much less equipment than
otherwise would be needed.
As for indoor air quality, tests have shown the potential benefit of desiccant
material. Air flowing through a desiccant loses airborne particulates and has
been found to reduce some airborne diseases. Because desiccants reduce
moisture, they also are reducing molds, mildews and other allergens that get
into indoor air.
Desiccants can play an important role in cleaning the air and keeping the
indoor environment comfortable and safe.
Copyright © Orlando Sentinel
