Abstract
Surface wetness is a synergistic factor to determine atmospheric corrosion, monument weathering, mould growth, sick buildings, etc. However, its detection and monitoring are neither easy nor homogeneous, for a number of factors that may affect readings. Various types of methods and sensors, either commercial or prototypes built in the lab, have been investigated and compared, i.e. the international standard ISO 9223 to evaluate corrosivity after wetness and time-of-wetness; indirect evaluation of wetness, based on the dew point calculated after the output of temperature and relative humidity sensors and direct measurements by means of capacitive wetness sensors, safety sensors, rain sensors (also known as leaf wetness sensors), infrared reflection sensors and fibre optic sensors. A comparison between the different methods is presented, specifying physical principles, forms of wetting to which they are respondent (i.e. condensation, ice melting, splashing drops, percolation and capillary rise), critical factors, use and cost.
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Acknowledgements
The validity of diagrams, discussions and conclusions only refers to the sensors actually tested and may change with products from other producers. Names of products with negative results have been deliberately omitted. The fibre optic sensor has been produced under the EU-funded SENSORGAN project (contract no. 022695). The improved version of the IR sensor has been developed under the EU-funded VIDRIO project (contract no. EVK4-CT-2001-00045). Authors wish to thank Dr. Adriana Bernardi (CNR-ISAC, Padua) for useful discussions. Many thanks to the reviewers for their appreciation and kind suggestions.
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Camuffo, D., della Valle, A. & Becherini, F. A critical analysis of one standard and five methods to monitor surface wetness and time-of-wetness. Theor Appl Climatol 132, 1143–1151 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-017-2167-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-017-2167-9