Processes for efficient and sensor-based drying of buildings

 

The drying of building structures is necessary both in new building constructions and in the elimination of water damage in existing buildings. Here, walls and floors are usually dried by air flows in combination with lowering the room air humidity and heating. For building drying, the three named functions are essentially used:

• Generation of air flows
• Drying the air
• Heating

For this purpose, drying devices are used today, which have a high performance, but are usually extremely simple in design. In most cases, the systems can only be switched on and off and their output can be adjusted. The drying processes today are carried out in such a way that an employee with more or less experience sets up a drying device or a dehumidifier in each room to be dried, and the devices are usually operated continuously at full power for a number of days, after which the drying process is very likely to be completed. In summary, the disadvantages of non-controlled systems and experience-based configurations are that drying equipment is left running for too long, consumes unnecessary energy, and generates continuous noise, which in many cases causes occupants and craftsmen to temporarily turn off the equipment.

Controlled process control of drying based on sensor data allows robust operation of the drying units and achievement of the drying target independent of the user. Increased energy and time efficiency is targeted through standardization.