Case Study
Advanced Dehumidification Solution for a University Sports Facility in West Sussex
Overview
Client: University Sports Facility
Project Overview: Advanced Dehumidification Solution
In 2024, Newsome was commissioned to provide a comprehensive solution for significant condensation issues in the indoor sports facility of a university based in West Sussex. The facility, a large PVC sports hall, was experiencing excessive condensation on its structural steelwork and ductwork, which posed a serious safety risk by creating slip and trip hazards for users. Additionally, the existing Air Handling Unit (AHU) was failing to maintain acceptable air quality, particularly during high-occupancy events, where carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels would rise beyond acceptable limits. Newsome’s task was to design and install an advanced dehumidification system that would eliminate the condensation issues, improve air quality, and accommodate the facility’s varying occupancy levels while integrating seamlessly with the existing infrastructure.
The Challenge
The sports hall presented several challenges that required a tailored and technically advanced solution:
Condensation Issues: Excessive condensation on the steelwork and ductwork created hazardous conditions, particularly in a facility used for active sports and events. The existing ventilation and dehumidification equipment failed to resolve this recurring issue.
Air Quality Concerns: Rising CO₂ levels during high-occupancy events highlighted the need for improved fresh air ventilation to ensure a safe and healthy breathing environment.
Variable Occupancy: The facility’s usage patterns varied significantly. During typical sports activities, it accommodated approximately 100 occupants, but for larger events such as concerts, the number of occupants could rise to 300. The solution needed to perform effectively under both standard and peak demand conditions.
Environmental Conditions: The design needed to address worst-case humidity levels, such as 13.4 g/kg during summer conditions, while maintaining energy efficiency without requiring additional heating.
Design Constraints: The solution had to integrate seamlessly with the existing ductwork and AHU infrastructure without requiring extensive modifications, ensuring minimal disruption to the facility’s operations.
Key Benefits
The Solution
Following a thorough site survey and discussions with the university’s facilities management team, Newsome designed and installed an advanced DST dehumidification system tailored to the specific needs of the sports hall. The solution combined precise humidity control, dew point regulation, and advanced fresh air integration, ensuring optimal performance under varying conditions.
Dew Point and Humidity Control
To tackle the condensation issue effectively, the system incorporated both dew point and relative humidity monitoring. This dual-control strategy allowed the dehumidifier to operate efficiently across changing environmental conditions, ensuring that the internal atmosphere remained stable and well below dew point levels. By constantly monitoring and adjusting humidity, the risk of condensation buildup on steelwork and ductwork was eliminated.
CO₂ Monitoring and Fresh Air Integration
To address the rising CO₂ levels during high-occupancy events, Newsome integrated a CO₂ sensor into the system. The sensor continually monitors the air quality within the sports hall and triggers the introduction of fresh air when CO₂ levels exceed pre-set thresholds. Importantly, the fresh air is dehumidified before being circulated into the space, ensuring that the air quality improves without introducing additional humidity or compromising the system’s performance. This innovative approach not only resolves the air quality concerns but also prevents further condensation risks, maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for occupants during events.
About the Client
System Performance and Design Parameters
Newsome calculated the dehumidification system’s performance to meet the specific needs of the facility under both standard and peak occupancy scenarios. The key parameters included:
- Dehumidification Rate: 49.8 kg/hr, ensuring effective moisture removal even under challenging humidity conditions.
- Dry Air Flow: 10,500 m³/hr, enabling consistent air circulation to maintain stable conditions.
- Fresh Air Allowance: The system accommodates a fresh air intake of 4,000 m³/hr, providing adequate ventilation for up to 100 occupants under normal conditions and scaling up as needed for larger events.
The ability to operate in closed-loop mode under standard conditions further enhances energy efficiency by recirculating and dehumidifying internal air. During peak demand, the fresh air integration ensures ventilation remains prioritised without compromising on performance.
Target Conditions
The system was designed to maintain an optimal internal temperature of 22°C with a relative humidity (RH) level of 60%. These target conditions strike a balance between occupant comfort and efficient system performance while staying well clear of dew point levels to prevent condensation formation.
Installation Process
Newsome’s team managed the entire installation process with precision, ensuring minimal disruption to the facility. The DST industrial dehumidifier was installed seamlessly alongside the existing infrastructure, integrating with the ductwork to deliver effective and even air distribution. The system was configured to switch between closed-loop operation and fresh air intake based on occupancy levels and CO₂ measurements, offering flexibility and ensuring consistent performance across all usage scenarios. Special attention was given to optimising airflow and ensuring energy-efficient operation, aligning with the university’s sustainability objectives.
About the Client
The Results
The installation of the DST dehumidification system delivered exceptional results, addressing all the key challenges identified at the start of the project.
Elimination of Condensation: The advanced dew point and humidity control eliminated condensation on the structural steelwork and ductwork. This resolved the slip and trip hazards, significantly improving safety for users of the sports hall.
Improved Air Quality: The integration of a CO₂ sensor and fresh air intake successfully maintained safe air quality levels, even during high-occupancy events. This ensures a healthy environment for all facility users, whether during standard sports activities or large-scale gatherings.
Energy-Efficient Operation: By primarily operating in closed-loop mode under normal conditions, the system minimises energy consumption while maintaining excellent performance. The ability to introduce fresh air only when required ensures that the system operates as efficiently as possible.
Flexible and Scalable Design: The system is capable of accommodating the variable occupancy levels of the facility, performing reliably for both 100 occupants during standard use and up to 300 occupants during events.
Client Feedback
The feedback from the university’s facilities team has been overwhelmingly positive. The Facilities Manager praised the solution for its exceptional performance and energy efficiency. The system not only resolved the longstanding condensation problem but also exceeded expectations in terms of air quality and occupant comfort. The installation process was completed efficiently, with minimal disruption to operations. The facilities team also highlighted the system’s ability to handle large-scale events seamlessly, offering confidence in its reliability and flexibility for future use.
Conclusion
Newsome’s advanced dehumidification solution has transformed the university’s sports hall into a safe, comfortable, and well-controlled environment. By eliminating condensation risks, improving air quality, and ensuring energy-efficient operation, the solution successfully addressed the client’s key challenges while delivering long-term value. This project demonstrates Newsome’s expertise in providing tailored, high-performance environmental control solutions for critical applications. Whether resolving humidity issues, improving air quality, or designing scalable systems for variable occupancy demands, Newsome delivers solutions that combine precision, efficiency, and reliability.
If your facility is experiencing similar challenges with humidity, condensation, or air quality, Newsome’s team of experts is ready to provide the perfect solution. Contact us today to find out how we can help you achieve optimal environmental conditions for your operations