Eldridge Engineers Combat Cold Storage Hazards Through Psychrometric Analysis

In temperature-controlled facilities across the nation, moisture represents a significant threat to safety, efficiency, and profitability according to Eldridge, a leading provider of industrial ventilation and dehumidification solutions. While cold storage facilities typically operate between 0°F and 40°F, these low temperatures amplify humidity problems rather than eliminate them. The infiltration of warm, moist air into cold environments creates three major operational challenges that impact businesses nationwide.

Frost accumulation on cooling coils represents the first significant problem, as this buildup insulates equipment and drastically reduces efficiency. The second concern involves icing and fogging hazards, where rapid flash-freezing and poor visibility create major safety risks for workers and equipment. Energy waste completes the trio of challenges, with frequent defrost cycles and latent heat removal driving up operational costs substantially. Clayton Settle, Project Manager at Eldridge, emphasized that humidity doesn't just create uncomfortable conditions but makes environments unsafe and expensive, noting that the dew point rather than 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 how industrial facilities manage humidity. 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 keep air safely below its dew point. This scientific approach moves beyond traditional temperature-focused solutions to address the root cause of cold storage problems.

In a recent case study detailed on their website https://www.eldridgeusa.com, Eldridge modeled outside air at 94°F dry-bulb and 78°F wet-bulb temperatures compared to a 35°F cold storage environment. The resulting 90-grains-per-pound moisture differential guided precise sizing of desiccant dehumidifiers, preventing frost formation and ensuring safe, energy-efficient operations. This application demonstrates how psychrometric analysis enables customized solutions rather than one-size-fits-all approaches to humidity control.

The psychrometric chart serves as a blueprint for modern cold-chain management rather than merely a classroom diagram. By understanding air behavior in advance, facility managers can identify high-risk zones, reduce maintenance cycles, and protect workers before hazards occur. This proactive approach represents a significant shift from reactive problem-solving to preventive engineering in industrial environments where worker safety and operational efficiency are paramount.

The implications extend beyond individual facilities to impact supply chain reliability and food safety across multiple industries. Proper humidity control ensures consistent product quality in food storage, pharmaceutical preservation, and other temperature-sensitive applications. As companies seek to optimize energy consumption and reduce operational costs, the precision offered by psychrometric analysis provides measurable returns on investment through reduced maintenance, lower energy bills, and enhanced worker safety.

Settle concluded that by mastering humidity control, companies can transition from reacting to problems to preventing them entirely, emphasizing that the solution involves smarter engineering rather than simply colder air. This approach represents an evolution in industrial facility management where scientific principles guide practical applications for improved safety and efficiency across the cold storage industry.