Moisture is more than a nuisance in food processing environments—it’s a liability. Whether it's condensation risking food contamination, frost damaging equipment, or residual humidity delaying production, moisture-related issues can severely impact both safety and efficiency. Climate by Design International (CDI) addresses this challenge head-on with the FDH Critical Process Food Grade Dehumidifier Series, engineered to maintain strict environmental control in even the most demanding processing conditions.
The FDH system is tailored specifically for the food industry, offering advanced desiccant technology to create low-humidity conditions that eliminate the possibility of condensation and promote safer, more compliant operations. This isn’t just about dry air—it’s about maximizing uptime, ensuring product quality, and reducing operational risk.
Tackling Moisture in Food Processing Environments
Consider the typical day in a 45°F protein processing room. At the end of a production shift, the space undergoes a full wash-down. Traditionally, this is followed by hours of downtime as the room gradually recovers to operational conditions. During this window, surfaces remain wet, humidity lingers, and production is halted.
These recovery delays are costly. High humidity not only slows restart times but also creates conditions ripe for condensation, fog, and microbial growth. The longer moisture stays in the air, the greater the chance of contamination, safety hazards, and FDA compliance issues. For facilities running tight production schedules, this can quickly erode profitability.
The FDH Series: Designed to Perform
This is where the FDH series stands out. Unlike mechanical cooling systems, CDI’s desiccant-based FDH dehumidifiers are capable of achieving dew points well below the coldest surfaces in the room. The result is rapid removal of moisture, even after the most intensive wash-downs.
One of the key benefits is the speed of recovery. While traditional methods might take several hours, the FDH system can restore a room to dry, operational conditions in as little as 1 to 1.5 hours. That means shorter downtimes, faster restart times, and more hours of productive operation each day.
With this improved efficiency, facilities currently limited to an 8-hour production window—losing up to four hours to cleaning and recovery—could potentially expand to a 10-hour shift. That’s a 25% increase in daily productivity without adding a single employee or machine.
Key Advantages of the FDH System
The FDH series brings a wide array of operational improvements that go beyond just drying the air.
- Speeds post-wash-down recovery, maximizing uptime
- Prevents condensation and fog, reducing contamination risk
- Improves worker safety by maintaining dry, clear floors
- Lowers refrigeration loads, cutting energy use and costs
- Reduces maintenance demands and extends equipment life
Real Results, Real Impact
In practical terms, CDI’s FDH systems have proven to be game-changers in food processing settings. By integrating a desiccant dehumidifier into post-wash-down recovery processes, companies not only avoid costly delays but also enhance product quality, prevent frost on equipment, and reduce the frequency of defrost cycles.
Tom Peterson, a.k.a. Dr. Dry, frames it well: “If you’re losing hours to recovery every shift, we can help you reclaim that time—and use it to make more product, more safely.”
Built for Compliance, Built to Last
The FDH series is available in configurations ranging from basic Wipe Down to Premium Wash Down packages. Each unit is constructed with a food-safe, cleanable design that includes stainless steel components, sealed drain pans, and CDI’s patented NoThruMetal™ cabinet system. The desiccant rotor is washable, long-lasting, and comes with an industry-leading seven-year prorated warranty.
Advanced control systems make integration easy, offering precise management of both humidity and temperature. Whether using 100% outside air or integrated air handling, the FDH is built to perform with minimal intervention and maximum reliability.
Looking Ahead: Smarter Climate Control
As food safety regulations become more stringent and demand grows for higher production efficiency, solutions like the FDH are becoming essential. They represent the future of moisture control in food environments—efficient, compliant, and performance-focused.
CDI’s commitment doesn’t stop at equipment. With configurable options and a support team ready to assist from installation through maintenance, CDI partners with facilities to ensure long-term success.
Take the Next Step
If your facility is battling condensation, long recovery times, or productivity losses due to humidity, the FDH Food Grade Dehumidifier could be your answer. Email us at sales@cdihvac.com or call 507-451-2198 to speak with a CDI expert and learn how we can help you optimize your operation.
Because when it's critical, CDI keeps it dry.
