Taking active dehumidification to ‘the next level’

Bosman Van Zaal has been realising customised dehumidification solutions for customers since 2015, with their R&D department managing to translate these customised solutions into a series of dehumidifiers that are plug-and-play applicable for a wide range of crops and growing systems

Whether in high-tech climate chambers, growing potted plants or fruiting vegetable crops, the innovative OptiDry dehumidifiers can be implemented seamlessly in any cultivation system. The dehumidifiers used in horticulture typically operate with synthetic refrigerants that contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions due to their high GWP (Global Warming Potential), with their sale within Europe planned to be phased out between 1 January 2025 and 1 January 2030.

Low-GWP refrigerants are also currently under fire in Europe due to the fact that these refrigerants contain PFAS. As a result, really only natural refrigerants are future-proof. That leaves only 3 applications: CO2, ammonia and propane. Bosman Van Zaal sees R290 (propane) as the best and most sustainable solution.

The OptiDry series consists of two basic type dehumidifiers:

• The OptiDry Compact X: Designed to dry air very efficiently and can be easily connected to an existing or new chilled water or freecooling circuit by drycooling or basin water. The X stands for cross flow heat exchanger, which is integrated into the unit. Using this additional heat exchanger saves 30-50% on cooling capacity. It is connected to an outdoor unit (chiller or buffer) and is available in two different versions to suit every growing situation.

• The OptiDry Advanced DX: As one of the first dehumidifiers to use natural refrigerant R290 (propane), the Optidry Advanced DX offers lower energy consumption compared to synthetic refrigerant models. R290 (propane) is therefore not only highly efficient and environmentally friendly, but also future-proof in contrast to synthetic refrigerants. These units can be easily installed in greenhouses or added to existing plant growth chambers for improved dehumidification.

Some of the notable features of the OptiDry range include compact design, lightweight models, high-efficiency dehumidification capacity, presence of the environmentally friendly and future-proof refrigerant R-290 (propane), availability of airsock, and easy integration and connection to new  or existing chilled water systems.