Vaisala DRYCAP® Technology Compact intelligence for the driest conditions As the leading developer and provider of humidity measurement instruments, Vaisala knows also the very dry measurement conditions.Reliable data neededThe demand for reliable moisture measurement instruments grew in the 90s, and it was noticed that the traditional humidity probes were not accurate enough at very low humidity levels. The commonly used aluminum oxide sensors were prone to drift and required frequent calibration. A new type of a moisture sensor was needed.Taking every measure for the planetWe took on the challenge by combining the highest quality polymer technology with a patented key feature – auto-calibration – that would eliminate sensor drift in very dry conditions.The era of DRYCAP® begins In 1997, we introduced a new type of dew point sensor based on thin-film polymer technology, the DRYCAP® sensor, that could be used in various Vaisala probes for dry measurement conditions.The parameter of high demand Since its launch, the DRYCAP product family has grown to encompass a huge range of applications, from drying processes to compressed air and dry chambers. The DRYCAP sensor is particularly renowned for its reliable performance in hot and very dry environments and this highly successful innovation is continuously growing its demand. When process measurement truly matters An example of the several demanding industrial applications where Vaisala DRYCAP technology is used today is battery manufacturing. Due to the ultra-low humidity requirement and highly controlled atmospheric conditions, reliable dew point measurement is a must. The accurate and stable data the instruments provide, enable controlling the moisture levels along any critical locations of the process, such as the electrode production. READ MORE How Vaisala DRYCAP worksDRYCAP’s unrivalled performance is based on two innovations: the proven capacitive thin-film polymer sensor and the auto-calibration function. The sensor’s thin-film polymer absorbs or releases water vapor as the surrounding humidity increases or decreases. The dielectric properties of the polymer change as the humidity around the sensor changes, as does the capacitance of the sensor. Capacitance is converted into a humidity reading. The capacitive polymer sensor is bonded together with a temperature sensor, and dew point is calculated from the humidity and temperature readings. Auto-calibration Vaisala’s patented auto-calibration function optimizes the measurement stability in dry environments. The sensor is heated at regular intervals during the automated auto-calibration procedure. The humidity and temperature readings are monitored as the sensor cools to ambient temperature, with offset correction compensating for any potential drift. This enables the DRYCAP sensor to deliver accurate measurements in the long term, dramatically reducing the need for maintenance. Sensor purge Sensor purge is also an automatic procedure that minimizes the drift at the wet end readings of the dew point measurement. Sensor purge is performed regularly and when the power is switched on. The sensor is heated for several minutes, which will then evaporate all excess molecules out of the sensor polymer. This, together with the auto-calibration, results in a very small drift. The measurement output of the transmitter is frozen to the last measured value for the duration of the sensor purge. Key benefits and features of Vaisala DRYCAP technology High chemical tolerance Immune to contamination by compressor oils and volatile organics Withstands saturation Tolerates condensing environments and getting wet Fast response time From dry to wet 5 seconds (15 s) & from wet to dry 45 seconds (8 min) Sensor purge and warming Improved measurement accuracy and less frequent calibration needs Excellent accuracy and stability Reliable measurement with very small hysteresis Vaisala quality DRYCAP is constantly developed by our scientists and manufactured in our high-quality cleanrooms DRYCAP® application examples Below you can see some applications, where the DRYCAP technology and our related dew point measurement instruments play a key role among other measurement parameters. Instruments with Vaisala DRYCAP sensors are often used is conditions under 10%RH (relative humidity), where as our HUMICAP technology covers ambient and high-humidity measurement conditions. Please contact our sales engineers if you have questions or concerns about your measurement instrument needs. Battery manufacturing Critical moisture and liquid concentration measurements Ensure safe operations and quality end-products with the help of reliable measurements Learn more Semiconductor Prevent spoilage and failure due to humidity Utilize precise data on the manufacturing environment Learn more Compressed air Save energy and improve product quality through moisture control Measuring small changes in dew point temperature can add to immeasurable results in compressed air quality Learn more Metal heat treatment furnaces Successful metal heat treatment requires dew point measurement The moisture content in the furnace atmosphere affects the quality of the heat treatment process Learn more Glass manufacturing Glass manufacturing quality through moisture control Measure dew point in blanketing atmosphere with Vaisala DRYCAP® sensor technology Learn more Plastics drying Ensuring the optimal dryness of plastic pellets When manufacturing injection molded plastic products, correct drying of the raw material is crucial Learn more Veneer drying Veneer quality through dew point control Bringing out the beauty of wood for the most demanding needs requires moisture data Learn more Additive manufacturing Savings in time, money, and materials High moisture levels within the raw material can change its chemical properties and may negatively affect final product quality. Learn more Products using DRYCAP® Technology Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP5 Vaisala DRYCAP® Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP5 is designed for in-line humidity measurement in industrial drying applications with high temperatures and a wide dew point range. Read more Dew Point Probe DMP6 Vaisala DRYCAP® Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP6 is designed for in-line humidity measurement in industrial drying applications with very high temperatures and a wide dew point range. Read more Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP7 Vaisala DRYCAP® Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP7 is made for tight spaces and low-humidity applications. Read more Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP8 Vaisala DRYCAP® Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP8 is designed for industrial low-humidity applications with pressure up to 40 bars. Read more Indigo500 Series Transmitters The Vaisala Indigo500 series transmitters are host devices for Vaisala Indigo-compatible, stand-alone smart probes. The Indigo500 series include multi-functional Indigo520 transmitter and Indigo510 transmitter with basic features. Read more Indigo80 handheld measurement device The latest addition to the Indigo family of transmitters and probes, the Indigo80 is a compact, handheld indicator and data logger. Read more DMP80 DRYCAP® Handheld Dew Point and Temperature Probes Ideal for spot-checking applications and field calibration with accurate measurements for industrial dew point applications Read more Dew Point Meter DMT132 Vaisala HUMICAP® Dewpoint Transmitter DMT132 is an affordable dew point measurement instrument designed to verify the functionality of refrigerant dryers. Read more Dew Point Transmitter DMT152 The Vaisala DRYCAP® Dewpoint Transmitter DMT152 is designed for measuring low dew point in OEM applications, even down to -80°C. Read more Miniature Dew Point Transmitters DMT143 & DMT143L (Long) Miniature size dew point transmitters DMT143 and DMT143L are ideal choices when you want to measure dew point accurately in small compressed air dryers, plastic dryers, additive manufacturing and other OEM applications. Read more Dew Point and Pressure Transmitter DPT146 DPT146 for compressed air measurement makes monitoring compressed air simple and convenient. Read more Quick dew point calculations and conversions with Vaisala Humidity Calculator Calculations related to dew point and frost point temperature can sometimes be tricky. Vaisala Humidity Calculator app is your daily help with several types of humidity and moisture related calculations and unit conversions. You can use it in a browser or download it to your phone. READ MORE & DOWNLOAD Dew point or frost point temperature? Dew point temperature is used to describe the temperature at which moisture in the air will begin to condense as dew. Frost point temperature describes the temperature at which moisture in the air will begin to condense as frost or ice. See our recommendations regarding dew point and frost point temperature measurement outputs in low humidity applications. DOWNLOAD PDF Vaisala technologies Vaisala BAROCAP® Technology Vaisala CARBOCAP® Technology Vaisala DRYCAP® Technology Vaisala HUMICAP® Technology Vaisala PEROXCAP® Technology Vaisala WINDCAP® Technology Vaisala RAINCAP® Technology There is room for more innovations – join us for an exciting career in technology
Products using DRYCAP® Technology Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP5 Vaisala DRYCAP® Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP5 is designed for in-line humidity measurement in industrial drying applications with high temperatures and a wide dew point range. Read more Dew Point Probe DMP6 Vaisala DRYCAP® Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP6 is designed for in-line humidity measurement in industrial drying applications with very high temperatures and a wide dew point range. Read more Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP7 Vaisala DRYCAP® Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP7 is made for tight spaces and low-humidity applications. Read more Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP8 Vaisala DRYCAP® Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP8 is designed for industrial low-humidity applications with pressure up to 40 bars. Read more Indigo500 Series Transmitters The Vaisala Indigo500 series transmitters are host devices for Vaisala Indigo-compatible, stand-alone smart probes. The Indigo500 series include multi-functional Indigo520 transmitter and Indigo510 transmitter with basic features. Read more Indigo80 handheld measurement device The latest addition to the Indigo family of transmitters and probes, the Indigo80 is a compact, handheld indicator and data logger. Read more DMP80 DRYCAP® Handheld Dew Point and Temperature Probes Ideal for spot-checking applications and field calibration with accurate measurements for industrial dew point applications Read more Dew Point Meter DMT132 Vaisala HUMICAP® Dewpoint Transmitter DMT132 is an affordable dew point measurement instrument designed to verify the functionality of refrigerant dryers. Read more Dew Point Transmitter DMT152 The Vaisala DRYCAP® Dewpoint Transmitter DMT152 is designed for measuring low dew point in OEM applications, even down to -80°C. Read more Miniature Dew Point Transmitters DMT143 & DMT143L (Long) Miniature size dew point transmitters DMT143 and DMT143L are ideal choices when you want to measure dew point accurately in small compressed air dryers, plastic dryers, additive manufacturing and other OEM applications. Read more Dew Point and Pressure Transmitter DPT146 DPT146 for compressed air measurement makes monitoring compressed air simple and convenient. Read more
Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP5 Vaisala DRYCAP® Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP5 is designed for in-line humidity measurement in industrial drying applications with high temperatures and a wide dew point range. Read more
Dew Point Probe DMP6 Vaisala DRYCAP® Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP6 is designed for in-line humidity measurement in industrial drying applications with very high temperatures and a wide dew point range. Read more
Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP7 Vaisala DRYCAP® Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP7 is made for tight spaces and low-humidity applications. Read more
Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP8 Vaisala DRYCAP® Dew Point and Temperature Probe DMP8 is designed for industrial low-humidity applications with pressure up to 40 bars. Read more
Indigo500 Series Transmitters The Vaisala Indigo500 series transmitters are host devices for Vaisala Indigo-compatible, stand-alone smart probes. The Indigo500 series include multi-functional Indigo520 transmitter and Indigo510 transmitter with basic features. Read more
Indigo80 handheld measurement device The latest addition to the Indigo family of transmitters and probes, the Indigo80 is a compact, handheld indicator and data logger. Read more
DMP80 DRYCAP® Handheld Dew Point and Temperature Probes Ideal for spot-checking applications and field calibration with accurate measurements for industrial dew point applications Read more
Dew Point Meter DMT132 Vaisala HUMICAP® Dewpoint Transmitter DMT132 is an affordable dew point measurement instrument designed to verify the functionality of refrigerant dryers. Read more
Dew Point Transmitter DMT152 The Vaisala DRYCAP® Dewpoint Transmitter DMT152 is designed for measuring low dew point in OEM applications, even down to -80°C. Read more
Miniature Dew Point Transmitters DMT143 & DMT143L (Long) Miniature size dew point transmitters DMT143 and DMT143L are ideal choices when you want to measure dew point accurately in small compressed air dryers, plastic dryers, additive manufacturing and other OEM applications. Read more
Dew Point and Pressure Transmitter DPT146 DPT146 for compressed air measurement makes monitoring compressed air simple and convenient. Read more