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  1. Applications
  2. General dehumidification solutions
  3. Rust protection: dehumidification in bridges

Rust protection for bridges and technology

Dehumidification systems protect on the inside

Dehumidification instead of anti-rust paint

Inside bridges, steal beams, electric lines and technical rooms are subject to high humidity. For decades, it has now proven an efficient alternative to high-maintenance anti-rust paint to instead use dehumidifiers to keep bridges dry on the inside. Trotec desiccant dehumidifier of different capacities are used for dehumidification.

In many bridges, problems related to condensed water inside the bridge result from the location. That is particularly true for bridges over rivers because humidity above waters is high. In addition, rapid changes in weather conditions result in sudden temperature drops. In such situations, condensed water builds up and runs over structural metal components or into the electrical system. The resulting costs are high: corroded steel beams, restoration, power failures and regular renewals of the anti-rust paint. Painting, however, does not always have the desired effect because many small niches and corners are difficult to access for painters. At such weak spots, rust can spread unnoticed until major problems result. Dry air, on the other hand, reaches even the smallest corner and is an effective corrosion protection.

As a preventive anti-rust measure, a dehumidification system may even almost completely replace anti-rust paint on the inside — and it definitely postpones repainting by years. Maintenance of bridges is considerably reduced. The investment in the dehumidifier thus pays off.

Desiccant dehumidifiers protect steel construction and electrical system

Depending on the size of the bridge, construction details and used materials, in most cases dehumidification systems are used which comprise several dehumidifiers of different performance classes. For dehumidification in bridges, the Trotec Group recommends to use the desiccant humidifiers of the TTR series. They even efficiently dehumidify to a target value below 50 per cent relative humidity at temperatures below zero. Mobile compact units such as TTR 200 up to TTR 500 D, for example, can be used in small technical rooms, control boxes or niches. For larger hollows, stationary units TTR 800 up to TTR 13500 can be used. To keep hollows of several (kilo)metres length dry, the really large stationary industrial desiccant dehumidifiers are used, such as they are built for electric cables. For long distances, air is supplied and removed through air transport hoses. All industrial dehumidifiers of the TTR series are developed and manufactured in Germany according to the highest quality standards — that makes them so robust and reliable. In addition to the devices and air transport hoses, Trotec also provides the measuring technology and data loggers for dehumidification systems in bridges.

What about capacities? The Industrial Services department knows how

There are niches in the bridge which are difficult to access? The bridge is located by the sea where the air is extremely humid and salty? For every scenario, there is the right device for humidity reduction. The consultants from our Industrial Services department develop a dehumidification concept in cooperation with our clients' architects and engineers. By the way: Prior to installing stationary dehumidifiers, we test the planned capacities with mobile devices. For safe investments and guaranteed function. Feel free to contact us for consultation.

Further solutions

  • Facility management
Upon request, we also produce customized desiccant dehumidifiers as special models

Upon request, we will readily produce tailor-made desiccant dehumidifiers as special models “made in Germany” perfectly geared to your needs, e.g.:

  • TTR industrial desiccant dehumidifiers with hygienic design
  • TTR industrial desiccant dehumidifiers for PWIS-free dry air
  • TTR industrial desiccant dehumidifiers with extremely low dew point

Makes use of the possibility of having special models with tailored components for your individual needs planned, designed and manufactured in close consultation with our specialists.
Click here to find out more ...

Further application examples for air dehumidification

  • Environmental simulation climate chamber

    In climatic chambers and wind tunnels three factors need to be simulated at the best possible rate: air temperature, wind strength and humidity. For the latter, the automotive industry needs dehumidifiers, which also perform well at dew points below 0°C, as well as high-performance desiccant dehumidifiers.

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  • Dehumidifying & air cleaning for coating

    There are three parameters to be controlled when coating car components: room temperature, humidity and the dust content in the air. In addition to dehumidifiers and heating devices we also provide sustainable air cleaners with special volumetric flow regulation for this production stage in the automotive industry.

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  • Dehumidification in tents

    When preparing a tent or another type of temporary accommodation, good room conditions are essential. This applies particularly to makeshift dwellings accommodating large numbers of people. This can be tent cities or container villages for asylum seekers, tent camps for youth groups, tents used as a place to sleep at large events, and also containers serving as a temporary home for seasonal...

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  • Drying hygroscopic bulk material

    Varying and too high humidity values can ruin the pourability of powders and granules – and thus entail high consequential costs. In order for hygroscopic bulk material not to go lumpy nor to block hauling paths, the entire air in the chemical and pharmaceutical production must be pre-dried. Using adsorption dryers of the TTR series that's no problem.

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  • Drying after silo cleaning

    After the cleaning of storage containers and silos you have to count on them to be fully dried for new bulk material to be protected against moisture from the beginning. And since drying can be effected in a quick and economical manner, we advise decision makers from the chemical and pharmaceutical industry to consider our high-performance dryers of the TTR series.

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  • Drying pellets

    Who turns his back on proper air conditioning for production and storage facilities risks serious damage to the product. This is also true for the manufacturing of pellets. The biofuel is particularly susceptible to excessive humidity values. For the untreated raw wood withdraws the humidity from the air and absorbs it. With devastating consequences for both the customer and the manufacturer:...

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  • Dehumidification in hotels

    A suitable room climate is a prerequisite for the well-being of hotel guests. If the air in the room is too warm or humid, it appears to be stale and muggy. Often damages appear at the building structure and interior within a short period of time. Wallpaper will be dotted with mould stains, curtains and clothes as well as linen become damp and musty and – if it comes to the worst – mildew runs...

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  • Dehumidification in indoor ice-skating rinks

    Due to the difference in temperature between air and the icy surface, condensation inevitably forms in every ice rink – especially when humid air keeps flowing in from outside through the refrigeration system. The solution against dripping water on the ice and against damage to property constitutes a dehumidifier. It prevents condensation in the offing.

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  • Drying compressed air

    The most frequent causes for a production stop are too much water vapour in the machines and installations, and corrosion inside the pipelines. Therefore, too humid compressed air should be avoided by all means. An effective option is the use of high-performance dehumidifiers. The answer to the question of how dry the compressed air has to be in order to guarantee optimum production conditions and...

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  • Mobile devices for sanitary, heating and ventilation engineers

    Many sanitary, heating and ventilation engineers use the mobile devices from the Trotec Group. Here sanitary, heating and ventilation engineers find everything they regularly need for their daily business to bridge the downtimes of stationary installations – all from a single source: mobile heating devices and central heating units, mobile air handling units or cooling systems right down to...

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  • Dehumidification after restoration work

    With an extensive reconstruction flats and houses are being polished up so as to quickly attract potential buyers. Estate agents rely on this service for a better marketability. But home builders also very much appreciate it when their own four walls are in immaculate condition before they move in. The future inhabitants’ thrill of anticipation increases along with the progress in construction...

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  • Dehumidification in cinema halls

    A cinema audience essentially wants one thing: to unwind and get away from the daily routine by succumbing to a world of fiction. Loud voices and unwelcome sources of light can be just as annoying as an inappropriately tempered auditorium and a poor air quality. Precisely because it is difficult to properly ventilate cinema facilities, they are usually equipped with powerful air-conditioning...

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  • Humidity regulation in gas distribution stations

    The consequences of condensation water and high humidity levels in gas distribution stations are well-known – and expensive: corrosion of pipes, stairways and other metal parts as well as moisture-related failures of the control electronics may entail incalculable costs. If you want to prevent this from the outset, investing in a professional dehumidification system pays off.

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  • Humidity regulation in gas turbine power stations

    Gas turbine power stations significantly contribute to the coverage of short-term peak loads. A sophisticated humidity regulation helps to prevent the breakdown of individual gas turbines due to corrosion and problems with the electronics.

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  • Offshore: Preventing corrosion

    Corrosion of metal parts in the nacelle of a wind turbine or in the tower itself as well as electrical failure are among the most typical humidity damages in offshore surroundings. They cause substantial additional costs as they increase the expense for maintenance and repair and may lead to operational downtimes. Plus, they reduce the turbine's life. In this case, strategically positioned...

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  • Humidity regulation in the field of battery production

    Extremely low humidity values, or in other words, an extremely low dew point are indispensable for the production of innovative and environmentally friendly batteries, so as to achieve an optimum product yield and product quality and furthermore ensure a long service life taking all required safety precautions into consideration. Practice-proven dehumidification solutions from Trotec protect...

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