How to Use: Step 3 — Environmental Management

    Interaction of T, RH and DP
   Preservation Evaluation
   Environmental Management

Consider two options to raise the %RH and reduce the impact of DRY conditions:

1. Humidify the air (raise the DP temperature)

2. Heat the air less (decrease the temperature)
Both options raise the %RH but the preservation consequences are different.

#1. Requires MORE energy to humidify the air and receives only an OK rating for Natural Aging.

#2. Requires LESS energy to heat the air and receives a GOOD rating for Natural Aging.

The PI Metric in #2 is 3 times greater than the original scenario and 5 times greater than option #1.
Understanding the interaction of T, RH, and DP can help you plan, evaluate, and manage storage environments with respect to preservation benefits, decay risks, or the realities and capabilities of your mechanical system.

Example: Managing Dry Conditions
Dealing with low RH levels during the winter season in cold climates is a common problem. Dry conditions can have a negative effect on vulnerable materials. When the DP temperature is as low as 15°F (-9°C) there is very little moisture present in the air. Without humidification, the low outdoor RH is approximately the same as the indoor RH.

Winter Dryness

The DP Calculator helps you understand what the consequences for indoor RH might be when the outdoor DP is very low.

  1. Go to the Dew Point Calculator
    2.
  2. Click to Solve for %RH
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  3. Move the Dew Point slider to 15oF (-9oC)
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  4. Move the Temperature slider to a human-comfort temperature (70oF).
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  5. Observe the %RH as you change the Tempurature setting
  6. Notice the changing Environmental Ratings as well.
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In the illustration above the resulting RH is very low and there is a risk of mechanical damage due to dry conditions if these conditions persist over several months.

Example: High Humidity
The graphic below illustrates a summer environment with damp conditions, and a risk rating for every type of material decay. Go to the DP Calculator and click on Dew Point to determine what summertime dew point temperature would be required to provide a lower RH and a cool temperature