IHC & the application
Understand the company’s focus and the production problems humidity control addresses.
Industrial Humidity Control
Industrial Humidity Control has worked from Indianapolis since 2004, supporting industrial humidification from building-load calculations and equipment selection through installation coordination, technical documentation and ongoing service.
FanMist is a fan-assisted, high-pressure mist system for suitable open industrial spaces. IHC’s design approach begins with the building’s air volume, outdoor-air exchange and the material or process conditions it needs.
Why winter creates a humidity problem
Heating cold outdoor air lowers its RH. Repeated ventilation, exhaust and door openings bring that dry replacement air into the plant.
Wood and paper can lose moisture and change dimensions; static and handling problems can increase. Electronics applications require humidity decisions coordinated with the wider process and ESD program.
Background of industrial humidification
The source places FanMist within a longer history of industrial humidity control, including early air conditioning, textile humidification and the Herrmidifier sizing tradition. Its timeline includes Carrier in 1902, Cramer in 1906, Bahnson/Normalair in 1915, Herrmidifier in 1945, Trion in 1996, IHC in 2004 and the FanMist brand in 2016.
The historical Herrmidifier calculator remains available in its original PDF form alongside the current web load guides. It provides historical context rather than a substitute for current equipment instructions.
How the system operates
Follow the water, air and controls through a normal cycle.
Water and air working together
The pump station regulates high-pressure water to approximately 1,000 psi. Tubing carries it to stainless-steel rings on the fans. Ruby-orifice nozzles atomize water into the moving airstream.
The fan supplies the air movement required for evaporation; the design provides a clear plume path and matches airflow to total nozzle output. The pump station, ring/nozzle selection, water treatment and controls are designed as a system.
From humidity call to shutdown
- The humidistat calls for moisture and fans start.
- After the configured 10-second lead, the pump starts, inlet opens and EDV closes.
- Pressure is proven; mist enters the fan airstream.
- When the set point is satisfied, the pump stops, inlet closes and EDV opens to release pressure.
- Fans run for another 10 seconds before stopping.
Sizing & application limits
Match capacity and layout to the building and its process.
Start with replacement air
Size for the moisture deficit of incoming air and the governing outdoor-air exchange. The FanMist practical method uses the greater of exhaust and makeup airflow, then applies a documented capacity margin.
Floor area is only part of the input. Ceiling height, winter conditions, indoor target, door traffic, process exhaust and material moisture all matter.
Where the system fits
A typical fan layout needs open evaporation space, commonly described in the references as a 4-foot-diameter by 22-foot-long path. Low ceilings, obstructions, sensitive processes or unsuitable water can limit the application.
The source discusses woodworking, paper/print and electronics, and cautions against applying fan-based humidification indiscriminately to lint-heavy textile environments. Review each process and layout with IHC.
Water, maintenance & support
Plan care and water quality alongside equipment selection.
Treatment and routine care
Keep particulate filtration, treatment, oil changes, belt checks and component service on a recorded schedule. Water chemistry affects scale, nozzle performance and airborne mineral residue.
Softening or scale control and reverse osmosis solve different water-quality problems. Choose treatment for the incoming analysis and the production process.
Documentation and technical support
IHC provides installation, wiring, sizing and component references to support the equipment through operation and service. Contact IHC with the station model, serial number, symptom and relevant operating measurements.
The source describes five-year pump and two-year other-equipment coverage for qualifying defects, with exclusions for normal wear and maintenance-related damage. The original warranty and purchase terms govern any claim.
Parts & references
Continue with related guides, parts and the original PDF.
Original & related PDFs
This web guide is adapted from the IHC reference linked below. The original PDF retains its diagrams, document revision and printable layout.