Dehumidifiers for pools: how to choose and calculate the optimal dehumidifier

High humidity is a characteristic feature of rooms with artificial ponds associated with intensive evaporation of water. As a result, moisture condenses abundantly on the walls, glazing, handrails, and ceiling.

Condensate forms the conditions for the resettlement of harmful microorganisms, destroys building structures. Properly selected dehumidifiers for pools will help eliminate the negative effects of excess moisture. We will tell you how to choose the right drying equipment, introduce the typical installation schemes.

Desiccant classification

Air conditioning systems designed to create the optimal microclimate in private pools do not cope with the task of eliminating excess moisture.

Even air conditioners equipped with a similar function are not able to completely get rid of a room from water floating in the air and settling on surfaces. Only dehumidifiers that work independently or in conjunction with ventilation can solve the problem.

Operational Division

In the fight against excess moisture, two methods have traditionally been used:

• Supply air heating. Supplied by ventilation system or air heating the air is preheated, thereby reducing humidity and increasing moisture capacity. Vapors prepared in this way for assimilation are connected to the air stream and removed together with it outside the premises.
• Adsorption. Waterlogged air is sucked into the device with an absorbent filler, for example, silica gel. The substance absorbs excess moisture, which is then removed from it by calcination.

Both methods are difficult to classify as economical. In the first case, too much energy is spent on air treatment, which is then easily discharged into the atmosphere. In fact, there is an expensive street heating without tangible results in terms of drainage.

Dehumidifiers operating on the principle of heating the air mass with the subsequent assimilation of vapors spend too much energy on heating the air discharged into the street without rational use of heat

The second option does not please with the impressive energy losses spent on adsorption with moisture condensation and on subsequent calcination of the adsorber. However, it is more practical.

The systems operating on the basis of adsorption are produced, for example, by the Swedish company Munters, but they are used mainly for equipping public sports complexes, industrial and food warehouses, and production shops.

The effect of adsorption air dryers is based on the ability of a substance located inside the body to absorb and retain water molecules

The high cost and senseless energy losses of two outdated methods forced us to look for more affordable economic and technological ways to equip private pools.

As a result, new devices for dehumidification of air have been developed that work on the principle of standard air conditioners. Drying machines are not much different from them in design and require equivalent maintenance care.

The models of dehumidifiers currently in use are equipped with a fan, compressor, hydrostat, radiators. Their action is based on the principle of condensation. A fan mounted in the device captures moist air from the room with the pool and directs it to the condensing unit.

The air removed from the condensate is discharged back into the room, and the condensate separated from the moist air mass is collected in a sump and discharged through the drainage channel.

If the design of the dehumidifier includes an additional heat exchanger, then it can perform the work of heating the air in the treated room. When connected to a water heater or to a hot water supply, such models can reduce the number of radiators or not abandon them at all

Devices that remove excess moisture through condensation operate in full or partial recirculation mode. Full recirculation involves the cyclical movement of air flow within the premises without changing its composition.

Such dehumidifiers are good at handling air in small private pools that do not require constant updating of the air composition.

If there is a desire to improve the quality of the air flow or there is a need to increase the oxygen content and reduce the share of carbon dioxide due to the duration of bathing sessions, then it is better to purchase a dehumidifier connected to the ventilation system or directly to the street.

It will provide an opportunity to update the composition of the air, periodically mixing fresh portion into the drained air stream.

The dehumidifier assortment includes modifications with water heat exchangers connected to the pool water heating circuit. They transfer the heat generated during the drying process to the heating system, thereby significantly reducing the cost of maintaining an artificial reservoir

In addition to the ability to mix portions of outdoor air, a number of models of dehumidifiers are supplemented by the functions of heating the water and the air itself, and perform filtering and ionization actions. The drained air flow is heated by a water or electric circuit. The first will cost less both when buying and when operating.

If you are interested not only in the normalization of the humidity level, but also in the formation of the most comfortable conditions, then you should study the functionality of several units in advance in order to select and give preference to a position that has the required capabilities.

Duct drainage systems are equipped with a significantly larger number of functions. For example, Variheat brand systems besides the main work at the same time mix fresh air, stabilize its temperature, prevent leakage of air masses into adjacent rooms and heat the water in the pool bath (+)

Design and installation differences

We found that the predominant number of market offers in the segment of air drying machines for artificial ponds is represented by condensing devices.

According to the installation method, they are divided into:

• Mobile Small monoblock machines, buy them for small pools and saunas, if the area of ​​the water mirror does not exceed 40 m². Basically, these are compact floor versions or wall modifications with the possibility of installation on the floor.
• Stationary These are channel systems designed for air treatment in pools with an evaporation area of ​​over 40 m². Oversized floor units that can be installed both in a separate ventilation room and in a swimming room.

When installed in a separate compartment, a ventilation chamber, channel dehumidifiers are connected to a duct system mounted in the walls or ceiling of a pool. Given the specific environment in air duct device desirable to use plastic constructions.

You can equip a ventilation chamber for a channel dehumidifier in the basement of a house with a pool or in the attic.

Duct dryer machines are connected to the ducts. The unit itself is most often placed in the utility room (+)

Note that the division of processing capabilities is rather arbitrary, because Among compact devices there are dehumidifiers capable of processing pools with an evaporation area of ​​70 - 100 m². And if a similar wall & floor unit is built into a partition, it automatically goes into the category of stationary systems.

Monoblock drying machines are available in wall, floor or combined versions. Most models are suitable for installation on the floor, and for hanging on the wall (+)

Typical layouts

Systems for ensuring a favorable microclimate in a room with a swimming pool are equipped in accordance with one of the typical schemes.

Option number 1. The easiest and cheapest way to reduce the humidity level in the pool is to install monoblock wall or floor dehumidifiers in an amount of 2 to 5 pieces, depending on the actual area of ​​evaporation.

This solution is perfect for small rooms with a low intensity of visits. Where it is much easier and more reasonable to periodically ventilate than to install an expensive channel system (+)

Option number 2. Partial recirculation scheme, i.e.with the intake of a fresh portion of air from the street, which is mixed with the drained and heated air mass captured in the pool.

It is used in facilities with a high degree of attendance, requiring a constant mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide removal. An independent exhaust system (+) is built to discharge excess air mass.

Option number 3. Channel systems are used that are installed in separate compartments. Dehumidifiers are combined with supply and exhaust ventilation, which guarantees complete air exchange in the pool hall.

Installation performs several functions simultaneously. It removes 50% of the exhaust air from the pool, captures a portion equal to the removed portion on the street, mixes them and drains them to the required parameters (+)

Option number 4. The scheme uses wall mounted or simply mounted dehumidifiers, the operation of which is not connected with supply and exhaust ventilation. The dehumidifier is turned on when the humidity level set by the pool owner is exceeded.

Airflow is supplied at the bottom of the room, almost at the level of a water mirror. Air exhaust is carried out through exhaust openings mounted in the ceiling (+)

Option number 5. Wall mounted monoblock dehumidifier works in tandem with supply and exhaust systemperforming partial drainage of air mass in the pool.

A one-piece dehumidifier is only activated if the ventilation circuit cannot cope with the task of lowering the humidity level (+)

Based on the typical solutions proposed for consideration, you can choose the best option for arranging your own pool or improve one of the most suitable ventilation options according to specific specifications.

Features of the installation of dehumidifiers

Before installing any model of air dryer, you should thoroughly study the instructions supplied by the manufacturer with your product. The cooling system of machines operating on the principle of condensation of excess moisture is filled with refrigerant. Despite assurances of the safety of the substance, leakage and discharge into the environment must be eliminated.

The installation location of the device, regardless of its design features, must take into account:

• the ability to access for maintenance and repair work;
• all risks associated with a probable emergency refrigerant leak;
• permissible distance from objects that pose a threat to direct contact of the electric machine with the flow of water.

Such objects include directly the pool bowl, whirlpool bath, shower, fountain, water tank. According to European standards, there should be a minimum of 2 m between the water source and electrical equipment.

In the event of a refrigerant leak, the threat of exposure must be minimized. Upon detection, the work of artificial ventilation should be strengthened and supplemented with natural ventilation methods.

The accumulation of matter occurs in the lowest places, poorly covered by the flow of circulating air. Due to stagnation and accumulation, the concentration of the refrigerant can reach dangerous values.

Direct contact of the refrigerant with a hot surface and an open flame is not allowed, as when heated, the substance decomposes into toxic components. It is required to exclude contact with exposed skin and eyes. Spilled refrigerant must not be allowed to flow into the sewer, so as not to create gas plugs in the pipeline, a common cause of water hammering.

If a minor leak is detected, the substance should simply be allowed to evaporate. If there is a serious discharge, it is necessary to increase the intensity of the ventilation, localize the refrigerant with sand or at least ordinary soil and call the repairmen.

Installation of monoblock wall model

Most modifications of wall-mounted dehumidifiers are available in versions used for floor installation and hanging on purpose on a vertical surface. In the first case, the legs are screwed to the case, and the equipment acquires the status of a mobile dehumidifier. In the second, everything is extremely simple - the case through mounting loops is fixed to the wall with m8 screws.

Installation of monoblock modifications of dehumidifiers can be carried out both according to the hinged scheme, and with fastening to the partition through the use of ventilation chambers

We will analyze the specifics of mounting a wall model from HldROS SBA series. Consider an installation option with embedding in a partition by means of drained chambers.

We will carry it out as follows:

• We attach two ventilation chambers to the dehumidifier body on top and bottom so that their working side is deployed to the surface to be treated. We use Ø 3.5 screws to fix the cameras.
• We dismantle the machine body for connecting water pipes and installing electrical connections.
• We connect a coil designed to heat water, and a drainage sleeve designed to drain condensate.
• We connect the power cable to the terminal board located in the control box.
• We carry out all the grounding nodes indicated by the manufacturer of the dryer.
• We check the quality of the formed nodes and the performance of the system.
• We assemble the case and fix its details in the same places.

Regularly, every six months, maintenance of the drying machine should be carried out.

During the scheduled maintenance, it is necessary to check the operation of the safety and control units, to make sure that there are no water leaks from the coil and refrigerant from the cooling system. It is necessary to check the condition of the air filters, if necessary, they should be measured, the balancing of the fan blades should be checked.

At the end of the season, maintenance is carried out in the above order, but is supplemented by a mandatory drainage of the water circuit.

The construction of the channel modular system

Installation of modular systems with channel dehumidifiers should be carried out in accordance with a pre-designed design. In development, the optimal route of ducting and the best installation location of the machine are selected. Let's consider the device options using the Calorex Variheat III brand systems as an example.

Modular channel drainage systems are arranged in accordance with the architectural and technical features of the premises, as well as the wishes of the customer (+)

The equipment is produced in the format of prefabricated modules, due to which it is performed:

• Vertical installation of a dehumidifier with the supply duct located above in the area of ​​the upper ceiling, behind a suspended ceiling or along the line connecting the ceiling and an adjacent wall.
• The vertical location of the drying machine with the installation of the supply duct at the radiator level under the window openings. Processing air is taken at the level of the upper dehumidifier module.
• Horizontal arrangement of the main unit of the system with lateral connection of air ducts. The air intake for drainage and the supply of treated mass is almost the same.

The optimal layout of equipment and air ducts are selected in accordance with the individual characteristics of the main and utility rooms of the pool.

Design and calculations for the selection of equipment

For the proper selection of equipment, it is necessary to calculate the evaporation rate. The calculations are carried out according to the formula regulated by the European standard VDI 2089.

The formula was deduced by the community of German engineers to determine the desiccant with the necessary and sufficient capabilities

We calculate the evaporation rate for a small private pool with a water mirror area of ​​30 m². We will take the temperature of the water in the pool bath equal to + 28ºС, the air temperature in the swimming pool + 29ºС, the value of the water vapor pressure in the room R_B take 33.6 mbar. Assume that the recorded air humidity is 65%.

First you need to calculate *R_L - the value of the partial pressure of evaporating water. Find the value for its calculation R_L100 (with humidity parameters 100%) according to the table of gradation of elasticity of saturated water vapor.

This elasticity depends on the temperature of the water in the pool bowl. According to the conditions accepted by us, this is 40.07 mbar, which must be multiplied by 0.65 (humidity value, reduced to unity).

A table with experimentally determined average values ​​of air elasticity at a conditional humidity level of 100%

R_L100 (value at 100% humidity) × 0.65 (65%) = 40.07 × 0.65 = 26.05 mbar

W = e × A × (P_B - R_L) = 15 × 30m² × (33.6 mbar - 26.05 mbar) = 3397.5 g / h ≈ 3398 g / h = 3.398 kg / h

When taken as a basis in the example data from 1m² 0.11 kg of moisture will evaporate in the pool.

This is a simplified scheme for calculating the evaporation rate, but you can also use another method used in the UK if you wish.

The Byazin-Krumme formula is most often used when calculating the evaporation rate of private and public pools in the UK (+)

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video # 1. Purpose and principle of operation of the device for draining air in the pool:

Video # 2. How monoblock dehumidifiers work:

Video # 3. What is a channel drainage unit:

The choice of a device for drying air in the pool is a serious matter, which should be approached thoughtfully and thoroughly. The information we offer will certainly come in handy for the pool owner who wants to equip his beloved property ideally, but without extra costs.With the mind, the selected equipment will work perfectly and adequately serve.

How did you choose and install the equipment for drying the air in your pool? Share technical criteria that justified the purchase and installation nuances that will be useful to site visitors. Please write comments in the block below, post a photo, ask questions.