Humidification and Evaporative Cooling

TOBACCO HUMIDIFICATIONIncreasing profits with environmental control

Condair humidifiers are used intobacco processing facilities around theworld to maintain product moisturecontent and production efficiency.

Some of the World’s leading tobaccomanufacturers put their trust in Condairhumidification systems to help themachieve their production objectives.

TRUSTED TECHNOLOGY

Condair has manufacturing facilities inAsia, Europe and North America as wellas sales operations in 14 countries anddistributors in over 40 more.

The company has been serving theglobal tobacco industry for more than30 years and is highly experienced inmany different processing technologies,products, climates and all types of production.

Humidifier systems are designed foreach individual application by tobaccohumidification experts to create theoptimal production environment. Ifrequired, Condair’s regional R&Ddepartments, can work with aproduction team to deliver innovativesolutions for unique tobacco processes.

Condair’s specialist humidifierengineering teams can provideinstallation, commissioning andmaintenance support to ensureimproved production efficienciescontinue to return on the initialinvestment for many years.

GLOBAL EXPERTISE, LOCAL SOLUTIONS

BAT, UK

BAT, Belgium

BAT, Russia

CIMA, Austria

Tabacos el Guajiro, Spain Tobacofina-Vender Elst, Belgium

Philip Morris, Germany

Dannemann Cigarrenfabrik, Germany

Scandinavian Tobacco Group, Denmark

Imperial Tobacco, Netherlands

Philip Morris, Netherlands

BAT, Algeria

BAT, Cameroon

BAT, Ghana BAT, Kenya

BAT, Malawi

BAT, Mozambique

BAT, Nigeria

Central Cigarette Manufacturing, Zambia

International Tobacco, Nigeria

Eastern Company SAE, Eygpt

United Division Company, Republic of Yemen

ATC Hosur, India

ITC, Bangalore India

ITC, Saharanpur India

ITC, Munger India

ITC, Kidderpore India

ITC, Pune India

Surya Nepal, Nepal

BAT, Cambodia

BAT, Kazakhstan

ASP, Nicaragua

Corporación Agricola de Tabaco, Ecuador

Tanasa, Ecuador

West Indian Tobacco, Trinidad & Tobago

Industria de Tabaco Leon Jimenes, Dominican Republic

Santa Fa Natural Tobacco Co, USA

Ohserase Manufacturing, USA

Grand River Enterprises, Canada

Cigars International, Eastern USA

HUMIDIFICATION & HUMIDITY CONTROL INTHE TOBACCO INDUSTRYHumidity control in the tobacco industry is essential in order to maintain productquality and reduce wastage from all manufacturing and storage areas.

Primary productionTobacco leaves most primary productionareas with a moisture content of 13-16% by weight. An ambient relativehumidity of 60-68%RH is needed tomaintain equilibrium between the airand the moisture in the tobacco. If it islower than 60%RH tobacco will belosing moisture, weight and quality.

Cut tobacco storageAfter the primary production processes,tobacco is normally bulked into largebins or silos. Smaller tobacco plantstypically will use boxes in cut tobaccostores. These areas must be maintainedat 60-70%RH and 21-24°C.

Secondary productionThe maintenance of around 60-70%RHis critical around the maker, catcherband and any on-machine storagesystems. Cigarettes can be stored in abuffer for several hours or over aweekend and will lose moisture if therelative humidity is not maintained.

Recovery & ripping areasAny loss in moisture will lead to poorrecovery of tobacco in ripping roomswhere production waste is broken upand re-used. These areas need to bemaintained at 65%RH at 21°C.

Electrostatic build-upIf humidity falls below 50%RHelectrostatic charges can occur,particularly in filter rod areas whereextra humidity is not normallymaintained. If conditions aremaintained above 50%RH, then this willtotally eliminate electrostatic charges.

PapersCigarette paper must also be kept inequilibrium with the environment. If itsmoisture changes so will the dimensionof the reel of paper along the exposededges. These are then in tension as thepaper runs, which can lead to tears,machine misfeeds and expensivedowntime re-feeding the roll.

Recommended humidity levels

Primary production 60-68%RH

Tobacco stores 60-70%RH

Filter production 50%RH

Cigarette production 65-68%RH

Ripping rooms 65%RH

Images, including front page,courtesy of British American Tobacco

Condair has a comprehensive range ofhumidification products to suit anytobacco processing facility. From wall-mounted steam or spray units for asmall tobacco plant or store toextensive humidification systems forthe largest of manufacturers.

Condair also offers a wide range ofassociated products such as watertreatment systems, air compressors,pumps and humidity monitors.

SOLUTIONS FOR TOBACCO HUMIDIFICATIONASK FOR A FREE EXPERT CONSULTATION

Direct room spray humidifier Steam humidifier

Induct adiabatic humidifier Humidifier accessories

12/2018

Condair plcArtex Avenue, Rustington, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN16 3LN, UKTel: +44 (0)1903 850200 - uk.sales@condair.com - www.condair.co.uk