Regardless of what your product is or the size of your cold chain facility, a few common issues are rampant:
- Ice buildup
- Condensation
- Damaged packaging
Below, we outline what causes these problems as well as solutions that can save product and money.

You’ll Likely Experience Ice Buildup & Condensation
the problem
Unless you’re already using a dehumidification system, you’ll likely experience both condensation and ice buildup in your cold chain facilities.
Regardless the type of cold chain facility, high relative humidity is an issue. And, this will cause water vapor to build up in the form of condensation. This can cause slip hazards, product contamination, compliance issues, or frozen coils. Over time, frozen condensation can wreak havoc on your equipment and your product. Problems can range from frost-damaged product to frozen evaporators.

the solution
The most effective way to deal with this specific problem is adding a desiccant dehumidifier to your climate control system. The dehumidifier will pull water vapor from the air and expel it from your facility. Using a desiccant dehumidifier will ensure products and equipment will stay moisture-damage-free. In addition, the coils will stay out of defrost, improving efficiency.
You’ll Have Problems with Damaged Packaging

the problem
If your products are stored in corrugated or paper-based packaging, you’ll probably see a fair bit of damage from mold and mildew. While this may seem like it’s only an issue in traditional storage facilities, it’s actually more common in cold chain facilities. High relative humidity causes boxes to absorb moisture, leading to their eventual collapse and product damage.

the solution
A commercial dehumidifier solves all of these problems:
- Condensation on packaging and building surfaces
- Damage from mold and mildew
- ·Humidity-related product degradation
- Frozen coils
- Excessive coil defrost cycles
The dehumidifier will lower the relative humidity in the facility and prevent damage to both your product packaging and the product itself. This could save a company thousands per year by helping to avoid product loss.
How a Desiccant Dehumidifier Sets Your Cold Chain Facility Apart from the Rest
Desiccant dehumidifiers are specifically designed to work in low dew point conditions such as those seen in a cold chain facility. More common mechanical dehumidifiers can’t work in these particular environments because the dew points are below freezing; liquid water can’t effectively be removed from the space. A desiccant dehumidifier works by adsorbing moisture via a desiccant material, using a heated air stream to draw the moisture back out of the desiccant material and expelling that moisture from the structure.
A commercial-grade desiccant dehumidifier is engineered to sustain the necessary relative humidity level to maintain the quality and safety of your cold chain products and equipment. For more information on adding a dehumidifier to your cold chain facility, contact the team at Quest.
Published on Jul 16 2018
Last Updated on Feb 26 2023
Categories: Cold Chain, Desiccants, HVAC, HVAC Systems, Mold
Tags: cold chain, commercial dehumidifier, condensation, dehumidification, HVAC, HVAC system, moisture