Background
Stieglbrauerei operates several cellar compartments for beer production and storage. One cellar, with an air volume of 8,000 m³, completely lacked ventilation, cooling, and dehumidification systems. The humidity primarily originated from cleaning processes and minimal outdoor air intake.
Typical conditions were 18°C and 80% RH, which caused condensation on cold exterior walls (10°C) and tanks. This significantly exceeded recommended threshold values for mold prevention (≤60% RH) and impacted both product quality and maintenance requirements.
What problems did Airwatergreen's dehumidifiers solve?
The main issue was uncontrolled humidity (70–80% RH), which caused condensation on cold surfaces and vessels. The NEXT unit was installed as a standalone solution in the basement, providing an air circulation rate of up to 10,000 m³/h and a dehumidification capacity of up to 20 kg/hour. The objective was to achieve 50–60% relative humidity to eliminate the risk of condensation.
Operational benefits
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 of 24–27°C
Product quality and maintenance
- Mold prevention: Consistently below the critical 60% RH threshold
- Equipment protection: No condensation-related issues 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 the AWG Climate Control System
Why the Airwatergreen solution made a difference
Separate management of temperature and humidity:
Traditional condensing 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 superior 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 into larger facilities, backed by documented results to support investment decisions.
Try-before-buy model
Stieglbrauerei was able to verify actual long-term performance under real brewery conditions prior to full investment, eliminating technical risk and confirming expected benefits with concrete data.
For Stieglbrauerei, the solution meant not only the elimination of condensation issues but a fundamental improvement in storage conditions. Stable climatic conditions ensure optimal product quality while protecting the facility from moisture damage.