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KEEP YOUR
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| Absorpole | Absortop | Esorb | Absorgel | Humidity Indicators | Contact Us |
Suppliers of the Absorbopak Range of power desiccant products for shipping containers Eliminates moisture damage and condensation damage |
KEEP YOUR CONTAINER DRYThe Causes of Moisture Damage Moisture damage is caused by:
Moulds and Chemical Degradation There are more than 20,000 kinds of fungi, moulds and bacteria that may grow in your cargo. By the time you have bad smells and visible fruit bodies (green, orange or black spots) the fungus is already well established. Most fungi produce toxins. Rule of thumb: the more humid growing conditions, the more toxic the growth is. Most fungi require a short period of humid conditions (70-80%) to start growing, but will thereafter continue to grow at much drier conditions (60-70%) and even at freezing temperatures. Fungicides are mostly ineffective. If you kill one kind, another fungus will take over. Chemical reactions degrade glue (which then let go), causes discoloration and bad smells. The Moisture Balance in a Shipping Container
Moisture in the air in the container derives from the outside and from the cargo. Desiccants remove moisture from the air.
Warm air can hold more moisture than cold air. (Rule of thumb: 10g/m3 at 10 degrees, then double every degrees) The relative humidity measures the humidity as a percentage of the maximum amount of moisture air can hold at that temperature Dry Cargo
Moisture Containing Cargo
Even a dry cargo can have moisture problems, but when the cargo and packaging contains moisture the problem becomes greater. Moist Cargo Balance Point – Evaporation and Absorption
The cargo evaporates moisture and the Absorpole absorbs moisture. The balance point is at a low rate of evaporation => a slow & steady flow of water from cargo to poles. Temperature Differences Within the Cargo Cause Problems Temperature differences within a cargo may take weeks to equalise Different temperatures mean different humidity conditions in different parts of the cargo. RH differences of 10-20% within a cargo are not unusual. Many cargoes will absorb moisture from air above a certain level humidity and evaporate moisture into air below that level. In such cases large amounts of moisture may move from a warm part of the cargo to a cooler part of the cargo. Dry Cargo
Moist Ambient Conditions
When the temperature drops, the pressure in the container drops, and air with ambient moisture content enters the container (breathing-in). When the temperature goes up, the opposite happens (breathing-out). Desiccants Remove Moisture from the Air Dry Cargo
Container With Desiccants
Absorpole Protects Against Moisture
How many poles do I need? The poles must have
The number of poles required depends on
Non-linear physics – A small change in conditions have a great effect on the outcome Are moisture problems unpredictable? Just about all physical moisture processes are strongly non-linear, often having an exponential character. Some examples:
Determine the number of poles required from experience with similar cargo and voyages. Then analyse actual voyages. Increase or reduce the number of poles used accordingly. Keep systematic records, e.g. to allow adjustments between seasons. Temperature and moisture conditions during voyage can be measured throughout the voyage with a data logger. Moisture conditions may be indicated by using Alfasensor Moisture Indicator Stickers and by observing the amount of water in the poles. This amount may vary a lot between different voyages but all poles in a container should collect about the same amount of water. Moisture conditions are indicated by analysing any kind of cargo damage and its location. 4-8 Poles in a Dry Cargo 20 ft, But... Make sure pallets, container flooring & crates are also dry. Consumer goods cargoes usually contain a lot of cardboard packaging which may release moisture. Some metal cargoes are at risk even at moderately increased humidity (>60 %) Many anti-corrosive oils and films contain water which may release moisture. A cargo with a small volume increases the volume of breathing. Mind the loading temperature – A cool cargo in warm surroundings may be a risk for weeks (even if the cargo is dry) For a short voyage, the number of poles can be reduced by using faster poles (Absortop Speed – To be announced) 6-12 Poles in a Moist Cargo TEU Examples of moist cargoes are seeds, beans, nuts, etc. Some wood cargoes, some paper cargoes etc. (or cargoes with moisture containing packaging). The conditions at the center of the cargo may differ a lot from those on the outside. Mind the loading temperature – A cool cargo in hot surroundings (e.g. when crossing the equator) or a warm cargo in cool surroundings are at risk for weeks. Daily temperature cycles may cause a pumping of moisture from the cargo and are a special risk. Container breathing is less of a concern. Checklist at Shipping Close the vent holes with tape when you have a dry cargo. The container will still breathe, but more slowly. Moist cargo may be shipped with vent holes open or closed. Check that the container floor, pallets and packaging are dry. Softwood packaging should have maximum 18-19 % moisture. Cargo in pallets must be able to dry. Check that any shrink wrap or other plastic packaging does not cover completely. Check that the Absorpole are not covered. There should be at least a few cm of free space in front of most of the grille area. Check that all poles are securely hung and that any Absorbags will not be crushed by the cargo.
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