Background information
Stieglbrauerei operates several storage cellars for beer production and storage. One cellar, with an air volume of 8,000 m³, lacked ventilation, cooling, and dehumidification systems. The humidity came mainly from cleaning processes and minimal outdoor air.
Typical conditions were 18°C and 80% RH, which caused condensation on cold exterior walls (10°C) and vessels. This significantly exceeded the recommended thresholds for mold prevention (﹤60% RH) and affected both product quality and maintenance requirements.
What problems did the Airwatergreen dehumidifier solve?
The main problem was uncontrolled humidity (70-80% RH) causing condensation on cold surfaces and vessels. NEXT was installed as a stand-alone solution in the basement, with an air circulation of up to 10,000 m³/h and a dehumidification capacity of up to 20 kg/hour. The goal was to achieve 50-60% relative humidity to eliminate the risk of condensation.
Operational advantages
Since the installation, Stieglbrauerei has achieved the following concrete improvements:
Humidity control
- Stable environment: From 80% RH down to 50±5% RH
- Elimination of condensation on cold walls and vessels
- Temperature independent: Consistent humidity control despite temperature variations 24-27°C
Product quality and maintenance
- Mold prevention: Consistently below critical 60% RH threshold
- Equipment protection: No condensation-related problems on vessels and walls
- Reduced maintenance costs: Eliminated moisture and mold-related repairs
Automated operation
- Self-adjusting capacity: 2-15 L/h depending on moisture load
- No manual intervention: Automatic adaptation to varying conditions
- Continuous monitoring: Real-time data via AWG Climate Control System
Why the Airwatergreen solution made a difference
Separate control of temperature and humidity:
Traditional dehumidifiers must cool the air to 9°C (100% RH) and then reheat it to 15°C (68% RH), which requires high energy consumption for both cooling and reheating. Airwatergreen's CVP technology dehumidifies directly from 18°C (68% RH) to 22°C (35% RH) without reheating, resulting in lower energy consumption and better humidity control.
Flexible installation without extensive infrastructure
NEXT neither additional ventilation nor special cooling. The stand-alone unit was smoothly integrated into the active brewery operations without any disruption, demonstrating the suitability of the technology for existing facilities.
Proven stability over time
The extended test period confirmed not only immediate performance but also the system's ability to progressively optimize and stabilize humidity control over time. This validated the technology for expansion to larger facilities with documented results to support investment decisions.
Try-before-you-buy model
Stieglbrauerei was able to verify actual long-term performance under real brewery conditions before making a full investment, which eliminated technical risk and confirmed expected benefits with concrete data.
For Stieglbrauerei, the solution not only eliminated condensation problems but also fundamentally improved storage conditions. Stable climate conditions ensure optimal product quality while protecting the facility from moisture damage.