Ask A Scientist© Weather Archive

 >   name        Marshall
 >   status      other
 >   age         40s

 >   Question -  Is it possible to lower the dew point in a controlled
 > environment?
 >If so how might it be done?


>Dear Marshall-
>
>Yes it is possible to lower the dew point. The dew point is determined by
>the amount of moisture in the air. The closer the air is to saturation, the
>dew point approaches the air temperature.
>
>To lower the dew point, moisture must be removed from the air. This can be
>done in several ways...the most common is to "condition" the air...that is,
>run it through an air conditioner, which cools the air to condense moisture,
>and then when it warms, the dew point will be lower. Another method is to
>use a chemical dessicant, which absorbs moisture or humidity from the air.
>
>Wendell Bechtold, meteorologist
>Forecaster, National Weather Service
>Weather Forecast Office, St. Louis, MO
=========================================================
>The dew point depends of the amount of moisture in the air. Processes that
>reduce the humidity, such as the use of dessicants (materials that bind to
>water vapor), a dehumidifier, or air conditioning , will lower the dew
>point.
>
>Richard E. Barrans Jr., Ph.D.
>Assistant Director
>PG Research Foundation, Darien, Illinois
=========================================================