What are the effects of temperature on Nafion dryers and humidifiers?
The effects of temperature on Nafion function are much more complex than the effects of pressure. There are two major effects. The Primary Effect is a purely kinetic one. Water absorption and transport by Nafion is a First Order Kinetic reaction. As such the rate of reaction is a logarithmic function of temperature. Within the normal operating temperature range for Nafion dryers/humidifiers, the rate of water absorption roughly doubles for every 10°C rise in operating temperature. Thus, at higher temperatures, the water vapor pressure inside the tubing comes to equilibrium with the outside water vapor pressure faster which means that gases dry or humidify faster. The Secondary Effect of temperature on Nafion function relates to the final equilibrium point. For drying or humidification to occur, there must be a water vapor pressure gradient across the tubing wall. Drying/humidification stops when there is no longer a gradient; at this point equilibrium has been reached. It might seem th
