Dehumidifier change achieves 60% energy savings

The Cadbury Adams (Thailand) Co chewing gum factory in Thailand achieved a 60% reduction in energy use and also reduced humidity and lowered maintenance requirements by changing its dehumidifier technology.

Temperature and humidity control are key factors in chewing gum manufacture as not adhering to the strict conditions can cause changes in the gum base. Too much moisture causes the gum to become too soft. If the gum dries out, however, it becomes too hard. Before it is ready for consumption, chewing gum must be manufactured, rolled, stripped, broken and wrapped. Each step in this process requires a different temperature and relative humidity level.

In the Cadbury Adams plant, the company had been relying on a desiccant wheel to maintain the desired humidity. This system does a great job in extracting excess moisture from the air but also requires excess energy to throw off the moisture it absorbs. This contributes to excess heat, which then requires air conditioning as a counterbalance. Cadbury Adams installed an Advantix Systems DuCool liquid desiccant dehumidifying system. This system is based on a non-toxic, brine solution that cools, dehumidifies and cleans the air at the same time without ever needing to be replaced and without exiting the system. When heated, the liquid desiccant releases the moisture back outside in the form of warm, vapour air, eliminating condensation from any point in the system. Liquid desiccant is also a natural disinfectant, eliminating bacteria, microorganisms and odour from the air in just one pass.

Advantix Systems

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