A desiccant is a substance that removes moisture from the air by attracting water vapor to its surface by differences in vapor pressure. Commercial desiccant systems work much along the same lines but with a much larger capacity to remove moisture and with a means to regenerate the desiccant. When moisture is removed, the air is both dried and warmed by the adiabatic conversion of latent to sensible energy from the moisture and can then be cooled using one or more options such as recovering energy from exhaust air, indirect evaporated cooling, or mechanical cooling. Desiccant dehumidification has had a long history of success in various manufacturing operations. Those commercial markets where desiccant cooling and dehumidification have been most successful include schools, theaters and conference centers, supermarkets, large retail stores, refrigerated warehouses and hospitals.
Ice rinks are a good example where desiccant systems help reduce condensation on the ice sheet.
It makes freezing the ice sheet more efficient. Also, with less humidity collecting in out of the way places, desiccant systems help eliminate structural damage and expensive repairs due to corrosion. Clemens also pointed out that homeowners can use desiccant systems to remove excess moisture from cold, damp basements.