How does Humidity Chambers Work?

Humidity chamber is a vital testing instrument for analysing the prolong effect of humidity on components to fix its quality parameters. This instrument is not subjected to only one industry applications. It is used in pharmaceuticals, plastic and rubber industries for quality assurance testing.

Why are Humidity Chambers used?

Temperature and humidity testing help to determine the behavior of the components in severe test conditions and environments that involve fluctuating environment, high temperature, and different relative humidity. The tests can be done with constant temperature and humidity in a static state and can be done in a dynamic state where the moisture is used to induce a failure of the components or materials.

“Is it imaginable to produce the accurate level of humidity without the temperature control?” We usually find people asking such kind of questions. Controlling the humidity of the chambers with accuracy and repeatability is quite difficult without controlling the temperature of the machines. If the user wants a dry or humid environment, skipping the temperature controller can affect the accuracy of relative humidity.

The higher the temperature of the chamber, it means that the air is capable of handling more moisture at a given temperature. The relative humidity is the ratio of the amount of moisture in the air with respect to the moisture it can hold. It means that relative humidity changes with the change in temperature. Hence, a stable temperature helps to ensure a stable level of relative humidity.

Methods of Humidity Generation

There are numerous methods that are used to create moisture for controlling the level of humidity in test chambers. Let’s discuss the methods of humidity generation in detail.

Method 1: “Steam Generator”

Steam generators are the tank type machines that are duly equipped with immersion heaters. As the water inside the chamber gets heated, steam is generated inside the tank and rises up to the top of the chamber where cooling coils and heaters actually lies. These chambers work on the output of the heaters and demands of relative humidity. Some of the benefits of steam generators are:

Easily generate High Volume of Moisture in Big Chambers

The quality of Water Vapour is Consistent.

Method 2: “Atomizer”

Atomizers comprises of a fine spray nozzle to atomize the water. This is done in the mixing assembly. As the atomized water passes through the chamber heater, it instantly gets heated. Atomizers are widely used in chambers to create a high level of humidity and offer numerous benefits as well. Some of the benefits of atomizers are mentioned below:

Very simple and easy to used system

Capable enough in generating high volume of moisture

No issues with heater burn-out

best to save electricity

Cools the air. It is beneficial whenever required.

Method3: “Water bath”

Water Bath systems for humidity generation also works as steam generators but not in the form of enclosed box. A small water bath is fitted in the mixing assembly where heaters and cooling coils are fitted. As the air is drawn in the mixing assembly, it passes through the bath and pick up the vapor. Some of the advantages of using a water bath in chambers includes: Responsive due to small amount of water Doesn’t require boiling procedure to provide moisture Less boiling means less mineral is deposit inside the chamber and requires less maintenance Can be cleaned and inspected quickly.

Humidity Chamber – For Determining the Effect of Humidity on Products

Conditioning Chambers are the ideal testing chambers that are incorporated with latest technology features to create different relative humidity and temperature inside the chamber. These chambers ensure less heat loss ratio as they are designed with high quality of insulation with imported glass wool. Chambers comprises of cooling compressors as well as heaters to maintain an appropriate amount of temperature and humidity. The humidity chambers are utilized to judge the effect of different weather conditions on the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the products during the real time working on the product.

Application of Humidity Chambers

Humidity Chambers are utilized in large number of industries to assure the quality of different products and applications such as:

Pharmaceutical Industries – To test the effect of highly humid environment on medicines and drugs.

Rubber Industries – To determine the crack initiation or melting of rubbers in the hot and cold environment.

Plastic Industries – To measure the effect on the mechanical and physical properties of plastic products in a humid environment and high temperatures.