Core difference from steam?

Steam humidification is isothermal: the evaporation energy is supplied in the unit, air temperature practically does not change and humidity rises. In adiabatic humidification the evaporation energy is drawn from the air: the air cools by about 2.5 K for every 1 g/kg of added moisture (at most down to the wet-bulb temperature) and enthalpy stays practically constant.

Which sub-technologies?

The three Neptronic families listed on the site: SKH high-pressure atomisation (70 bar, droplets below 20 µm, 20–100 kg/h), SKV evaporative humidifier (in-AHU wet media, custom-designed) and SKVF standalone evaporative cooler.

An electric steam humidifier uses about 0.75 kWh/kg of electricity; an adiabatic unit uses electricity only for its pump or fan. But the evaporation energy (≈ 0.68 kWh/kg) is drawn from the air: a cooling gain in summer, made up by the heating system in winter if indoor temperature is held constant. The advantage is that this energy comes from a cheaper heat source than electricity.

The heat of vaporisation at around 20 °C is ≈ 2,450 kJ/kg = 0.68 kWh/kg. A system evaporating 100 kg per hour draws ≈ 68 kW of sensible heat from the air. This is a gain when cooling is needed; when heating is needed, the same heat has to be made up.

Water quality requirements?

RO water is the standard for atomisation (Neptronic SKH: hardness ≤ 50 mg/L CaCO₃; mandatory on the 100 kg/h model). A design that leaves no stagnant water, periodic disinfection, UV where needed and silver-ion dosing reduce Legionella risk. Germany's ventilation-hygiene guideline VDI 6022 is the common reference; for the SKH the manufacturer declares VDI 6022 compliance.

Which applications unsuitable?

For pharma cleanrooms and cGMP production, hospital operating theatres, laboratories needing a tight RH band and museum collections, steam humidification (resistive SKE4 or steam-to-steam SKS4) is generally preferred.

Why droplet size matters?

A droplet's evaporation time grows roughly with the square of its diameter; a droplet ten times larger takes about a hundred times longer. Fine droplets (SKH: below 20 µm) evaporate within a short distance; droplets that reach the floor or duct surfaces before evaporating cause wetting and hygiene problems.

How is the energy balance set up in textiles?

At 150 kg/h an electric steam humidifier draws ≈ 113 kW of electricity. In an adiabatic system electricity is used only for the pump/fan; ≈ 100 kW of heat is drawn from the air. In summer this comes off the chiller load, in winter it is made up by heating. Payback is calculated per plant from energy unit prices, operating hours, summer-winter split and RO investment.

How does NKT support?

As Neptronic distributor, NKT provides equipment supply, unit-selection support, technical service and spare parts. Selection considers space conditions, humidification load, feed-water analysis and the summer-winter operating scenario. Design, installation and commissioning are carried out by the facility's designer and contractor.

Engineering Reference34 min read

What Is Adiabatic Humidification? How It Differs from Steam Humidification

Adiabatic humidification raises humidity by atomising water or evaporating it from a wetted surface, a practically constant-enthalpy (isenthalpic) process that cools by drawing heat from the air. Thermodynamic difference from steam, summer-winter energy balance, three technology families (SKH/SKV/SKVF) and application matching.

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Related Glossary Terms

For deeper definitions of the technical concepts in this article, browse the related entries in the NKT Glossary:

Relative Humidity (RH)Absolute Humidity Psychrometric Chart Dry Bulb Temperature Wet Bulb Temperature Enthalpy Sensible Heat Latent Heat Cleanroom HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning)GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)ACH (Air Changes per Hour)Steam Humidification Adiabatic Humidification Water Hardness (Fr° / ppm CaCO₃)Reverse Osmosis (RO/DI) Water Humidification Capacity (kg/h)Evaporative Humidification High-Pressure Misting Nozzle (Atomisation Orifice)Droplet Size Evaporative Cooling (Adiabatic Cooling)Legionella (Legionella pneumophila)Filtration (Water Filtration)UV Disinfection (Ultraviolet Sterilisation)Stagnant Water Biofilm Modulation (Capacity Modulation)Water Treatment

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