Discover how desiccant dehumidifiers protect ice cream production and storage from excess moisture, reduce downtime, and ensure product quality. Vision Air Conditioning delivers turnkey solutions in Canada and the USA.
Humidity Control in Ice Cream Production
Ice cream factories face unique humidity challenges that impact quality, productivity, and operating costs. Excess moisture can cause:
- Condensation on cold equipment and surfaces
- Frequent defrosting of freezers
- Adhesion of wafers or cones to molds
- Ice formation on the product itself
- Unwanted downtime for cleaning and maintenance
Controlling humidity is essential for producing consistent, high-quality ice cream while reducing energy costs and equipment wear. Desiccant dehumidifiers are the ideal solution for modern ice cream production and storage rooms.
Why Excess Moisture Is a Problem in Ice Cream Production
During hardening and storage at low temperatures (down to -40°C), humidity can enter freezers through doors, airlocks, or even directly from the production line. This results in:
- Frequent evaporator icing and defrost cycles
- Loss of product quality due to surface ice
- Label and packaging adhesion failures
- Increased energy usage and maintenance costs
For optimal operation, dry air must be supplied to cold rooms, food processing lines, and entry/exit airlocks to block moisture ingress.
How Desiccant Dehumidifiers Improve Ice Cream Production
Desiccant dehumidifiers, such as our industrial range, can deliver dry air directly to:
- Entrance and exit airlock chambers
- Directly onto evaporator heat-exchange surfaces
- Storage and blast freezer rooms
This solution keeps surfaces free from condensation, reduces defrost frequency, and keeps wafers from sticking to forms or molds.
Case Example: Dramatic Cost Reduction
In a real-world factory (7.3 x 3.9 x 4m, 5,000 portions/hour):
- Before desiccant dehumidifier: -40°C room, 30 min hardening, 160-170 kW/h energy use, daily defrosts
- After dehumidifier: 70-75 kW/h energy use, defrosting only every 8 days
Results: Energy use and costs fell by over 50 percent. Continuous operation increased 8-fold, and the need for a second compressor was eliminated. Contact us for a free assessment.
How It Works: Desiccant Rotor Technology
Process air passes through a silica-gel rotor, where water molecules are trapped. The rotor is then regenerated by a separate preheated air stream (90-140°C), which removes the absorbed moisture as warm, humid air.
