INTRODUCTION
Container desiccants decrease the humidity in the container and accordingly reduce or exclude the need for in-box protection. It is basically the same concept as fixing a leaking roof rather than needing buckets to collect the dripping water. Excessive humidity in the container can cause unpleasant odors, mold, damp spots, and wood rot. Using a moisture absorber for shipping containers, condensation, musty odors, and mould are things of the past. The granulation in the moisture absorber ensures that all excess moisture ends up in the collection tray of the moisture absorber. Anti-humidity Desiccants are known as very effective moisture absorbers for shipping containers of all sizes.
CAUSE
Why condensation appears in containers
In the case of sea freight, considerable temperature fluctuations occur inside freight containers during journeys. Temperature differences of tens of degrees Celsius can occur between two ports located in different climatic zones and – especially on the open sea – between day and night. Because warm or hot air can absorb much more moisture than cold air, temperature drops in airtightly sealed freight containers lead to the formation of condensation and as a result container rain occurs.
What is container rain?
The alleged container rain is condensed water that forms on the inside of the container. The water that accumulates there is concentrated by surface tension into increasingly larger droplets, which fall down due to their weight. The resulting “container rain” then falls directly on the cargo, often causing severe damage.
What is container sweat?
Container sweat from falling outside temperatures usually occurs on the underside of the container ceiling. When the container wall cools strongly during transport in colder areas or nighttime temperature drops, this effect is brought about. The moisture is drawn from the significantly warmer air and collects in the container.
What is Cargo sweat?
So-called cargo sweat forms during transport from a colder to a warmer environment. For example, after a sea container has cooled down at night, it heats up due to solar radiation. When the air in the container heats up faster than the cargo, the moisture from the air condenses on the outside of the shipment packaging.
PROBLEM
Possible transport damage due to condensation water in the container
Condensation in the container can cause many different forms of moisture damage. Both container and cargo sweat can lead to corrosion and rust. It can also lead to mould on the goods or packaging, soggy cardboard, and peeling labels.
Corrosion/rust on the cargo
If condensation forms in the container, this is associated with a great risk of corrosion, especially for steel freight. This applies to materials intended for further industrial processing as well as ready-to-use end products. The moisture absorbers for shipping containers must be effectively and safely bound to prevent cargo from falling prey to rust and possibly even breaking during the sea voyage.
Mold on packaging and goods
It is very important to prevent mold formation during transport in the food industry. However, if no effective countermeasures are taken in the container, the resulting cargo sweat or condensation water in the container quickly creates a climate where mold can form on packaging and goods. This can happen fairly rapidly.
Moisture damage to the packaging
Even if the cargo cannot rust and is relatively insensitive to mold, condensation in the container can seriously damage it and even render items unusable. Reducing moisture from the ambient air or container rain falling from the container ceiling can soak cardboard packaging at sea and cause labels to peel off.
SOLUTION
This is how a container is dehumidified.
The conditions under which moisture in the container becomes a serious problem and cause major damage vary depending on the route, cargo and conditions. to the cargo are very different. Due to this, it is important to first determine the exact need for countermeasures in order to be able to act against condensation water in the most targeted and effective way.
STEP 1: ANALYSIS
Exploring the exact need for countermeasures
The need for suitable countermeasures against the formation of condensation during container transport depends on many different factors. Many other aspects play a role: from the goods to be transported via the climatic zones to be visited, like:
- The container size.
- Weight.
- Moisture content of the goods and packaging.
- The duration of storage and transport, as well as other parameters.
For this reason, the individual requirement for a particular application situation can only be determined in collaboration with experts in the field of container dehumidification.
STEP 2: PRODUCT SELECTION
Prevent condensation in containers with desiccants
By either using hanging desiccants or blanket/sachet desiccants, or a combination of the two, moisture can be absorbed close to vulnerable products, depending on where they are situated in the container.
STEP 3: KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER
Effectively combat condensation in the container.
To effectively combat the build-up of condensation in a container, it is necessary to use the right desiccants in the right amounts. We offer our customers a complete package regarding container dehumidification: tailor-made needs analysis, expert advice, targeted product selection, and training where required. The goal is always to realize 100% effective measures.
OUR DESICCANT RANGE
Blankets = 12 x sachets in blanket form with adhesive pads on the underside.
Hook = 5 x Sachets in a row with an extra-strong hanging hook.
Pole = 12 x 100g packets held in a cardboard protective casing and hanging hook.
Strip = 6 x 125g Packets with a strong adhesive strip on the back.
Single = Single desiccant packets.
- High is performing moisture absorbing desiccants, perfect for storage and long-distance removals.
- Removes humidity in the air by absorbing up to 200% of its weight in moisture.
- Prevents mold, mildew, odors, and corrosion from damaging your valuables.
- Various desiccant sizes, strips, and poles suit different requirements.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
We observe the highest standards about product quality and the safety of our employees in the fabrics and packaging materials used. With the help of our special desiccants, the humidity in the container is reduced so that the formation of container sweat and the associated moisture damage can be effectively prevented. Desiccants can also be ordered in smaller quantities in our online shop.
For further information, inquiries, or large quantity orders, don’t hesitate to contact us or call us on 0151 934 1250.
