Eldridge Engineers Combat Cold Storage Hazards Through Psychrometric Analysis

In cold storage facilities across the nation, temperature often receives primary attention while humidity operates as an invisible threat undermining safety, efficiency, and profitability. According to Clayton Settle, Project Manager at Eldridge, a leading provider of industrial ventilation and dehumidification solutions, "Humidity is the silent saboteur" in temperature-controlled environments.

Cold storage facilities typically operate between 0°F and 40°F, but these low temperatures amplify rather than eliminate humidity problems. When warm, moist air infiltrates cold environments, it creates three significant challenges: coil frosting that insulates cooling systems and reduces efficiency, icing and fogging hazards that endanger workers and equipment, and energy waste from frequent defrost cycles and latent heat removal. "Humidity doesn't just make conditions uncomfortable — it makes them unsafe and expensive," Settle explained, emphasizing that "the dew point, not just the thermometer, determines success in cold storage design."

Eldridge engineers are turning to psychrometric charts to model and control air's thermodynamic properties, transforming industrial humidity management. By plotting dry-bulb, wet-bulb, and dew point temperatures, engineers can visualize when and where condensation or frost will form, then design ventilation and dehumidification systems that maintain air safely below its dew point. This approach moves beyond traditional temperature-focused solutions to address the root cause of cold storage challenges.

In a recent application, Eldridge modeled outside air at 94°F dry-bulb with 78°F wet-bulb temperatures against a 35°F cold storage environment. The resulting 90-grains-per-pound moisture differential guided precise sizing of desiccant dehumidifiers, preventing frost formation while ensuring safe, energy-efficient operations. This methodology demonstrates how psychrometric analysis enables targeted solutions rather than generalized approaches to environmental control.

The psychrometric chart has evolved from academic tool to practical blueprint for modern cold-chain management. By understanding air behavior in advance, facility managers can identify high-risk zones, reduce maintenance cycles, and protect workers before hazards materialize. "By mastering humidity control, companies can move from reacting to problems to preventing them entirely," Settle noted, describing the shift as "smarter engineering — not just colder air." This proactive approach represents a significant advancement in industrial safety and operational efficiency, with implications for food storage, pharmaceutical preservation, and logistics operations worldwide.