Open AccessHygrothermal simulation on effective dehumidification methods in a museum storage room
Author(s) -
Kazuki Ishikawa,
Chiemi Iba,
Daisuke Ogura,
Shuichi Hokoi,
M. Yokoyama
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1742-6596
pISSN - 1742-6588
DOI - 10.1088/1742-6596/2069/1/012213
Subject(s) - humidity , environmental science , relative humidity , gas compressor , energy conservation , range (aeronautics) , energy consumption , process engineering , scale (ratio) , architectural engineering , computer science , engineering , meteorology , mechanical engineering , electrical engineering , aerospace engineering , geography , cartography
The hygrothermal environment must be controlled in facilities like museums and galleries to suitably conserve the stored cultural artifacts. The present study proposes a humidity control technique for a museum storage room in Kyoto, Japan. This method requires limited energy and no large-scale equipment or major building renovation. The relative humidity of the room measured during the preliminary field survey exceeded the range for the conservation of metal artifacts (under 45%RH) throughout the year, and dehumidification was experimentally performed. The possible range of humidity control and the energy are quantitatively evaluated in the present study by simulating varied ways of operating a dehumidifier in combination with the improvement of the room’s property of being airtight. The results of the study indicated that simple building modifications and operational improvements could improve the storage environment. For instance, measures to ameliorate airtightness and sensing control along with the addition of small-scale equipment such as a home-use compressor-type dehumidifier can yield long-term low humidity suitable for the conservation of metal cultural artifacts. Such measures are also considered advantageous in terms of energy and labor consumption.