Air humidity versus temperature. Effect of temperature and relative humidity on the preservation of painting. Optimal and permissible parameters of temperature and relative humidity in rooms in all educational and preschool institutions

The main factors affecting the preservation of painting are temperature and humidity.

Air humidity is characterized by different values. In museum practice, two of them are important: absolute and relative.

Absolute humidity is the weight of water vapor in grams per cubic meter of air. However, depending on the temperature, at the same absolute humidity, the air can be dry or humid. The destructive force of humidity is measured not by the absolute amount of water contained in a certain volume of air, but by the relative humidity of the air.

Also Good to Know: Curious Snow Facts

Snowfall is not always caused by large-scale weather conditions. Power plants or other large-scale industrial plants produce what is known as industrial snow, which is locally limited around the plant. Another phenomenon is the "Lake Snow Effect" that occurs around large lakes in North America. During winter, cold winds blow over lakes of warm water, which then absorb the water vapor that falls on the shore like snowfall.

By the way, the widespread misconception that the Inuit have a special a large number of there are no more words for snow than in other languages. While there are many words or half sentences in German that describe snow, they appear as a word in the Inuit language.

Relative humidity

- this is the percentage of the actual saturation of air with water vapor to the maximum possible saturation at a given temperature. The amount of moisture in the form of water vapor that air can hold is directly proportional to the temperature of the environment. Air is considered saturated when, at a constant temperature, it can no longer absorb water vapor. The relative humidity of the air saturated to the limit is 100%. The temperature at which 100% relative humidity is reached is called the saturation temperature or dew point. When the temperature drops, the ability of air to retain water vapor decreases, its moisture capacity changes, and excess steam condenses. Thus, temperature and relative humidity are closely related: temperature fluctuations entail changes in relative humidity. Therefore, the air temperature in the museum must be maintained at a level that ensures its optimal relative humidity.

Climate elements are those phenomena that are used to determine the characteristic climate of a place or region on the earth's surface. These are mainly: temperature, precipitation, winds, Atmosphere pressure and humidity. However, of all of them, temperature and precipitation have great importance because they invariably determine the great climate of our planet.

The quality of the atmosphere, indicating the amount of solar energy held by the air at a given moment, is called temperature. The thermometer is a reliability tool that is used to measure this amount of energy. This measurement should be taken at a distance of 1.5 meters from the ground, in a place that is ventilated and protected from direct sunlight. The result is expressed either in Celsius, degrees Celsius, or Fahrenheit.

Violations of the temperature and humidity regime in museums are usually of two types: during the heating season, there is an increase in temperature and insufficient humidity, and in summer and autumn, before the start of the heating season, there is an excess of humidity at a temperature close to street temperature. There is usually no single regime in all the premises of the museum. Temperature and, especially, relative humidity are different not only on different floors, but also in different halls of the same floor, in the premises of the funds. In addition, temperature and relative humidity change during the day, this is especially true for exhibition rooms.

Therefore, we can say that temperatures mainly depend on solar radiation. That is why when the temperature is higher during the day, because in this last the sun remains hidden. Undoubtedly, for the same reason, tropical regions are areas of the planet with more intense insolation, that is, it is hotter than in those areas where this insolation is less, for example, the polar zones.

However, there are three climatic factors that functionally change the temperature. These are: height, latitude and proximity to the sea. But, in addition, it is necessary to add the influence of the terms of change to the movements of rotation and translation of the Earth. As for the movement of rotation, it is responsible for the alternation of day and night, so this is also the reason for the daily record of the maximum temperature and therefore also the minimum temperature, which usually occurs at dawn, when the time of greatest heat loss occurs on the earth's surface.

The temperature and humidity conditions in the museum premises also depend on the climatic conditions of the area where the museum is located, the building design and properties. building materials, devices and work of heating and ventilation systems, methods of airing the premises, the number of visitors who passed through the halls of the museum per day.

On the other hand, if we are talking about the movement of the Earth, this is responsible for the alternation of the seasons of the year, starting from summer, where the highest temperatures are recorded, to winter, where the highest temperatures are recorded. However, in order to more accurately characterize the climate of the world, all these figures are used over a long period of time, obtaining average values.

Temperature and relative humidity standards in the museum

On the other hand, to analyze the distribution of temperatures on the earth's surface, imaginary lines are used connecting points from the surface where average temperature is the same. We call these line isotherms. We will refer to moisture as the amount of water vapor contained in the atmosphere. It occurs as part of the evaporation of water from the surface of oceans, lakes and rivers; and the other - land and vegetation.

The outdoor temperature affects the temperature inside the building, the walls and roof of which are heated and cooled depending on the state of the external atmospheric conditions. Solar radiation is perceived by the building to a greater or lesser extent, depending on its orientation, the color of the walls and roof (dark surface, as a rule, will absorb most of the heat falling on it, while white will reflect up to 90% of it). Glass ceilings in the hot season contribute to an increase in the temperature in the halls. A constant exchange of air inside the building with outside air occurs through walls, doors, windows, as well as in the process of ventilation and ventilation.

However, from one place to another on the surface of the Earth, the humidity varies significantly, and this depends precisely on the temperature of the air, since the higher the temperature, the higher the evaporation. For example, this occurs in warm areas, such as near Ecuador.

The humidity of the air at a given point in time is expressed using relative humidity, that is, the ratio between the amount of water vapor that the atmosphere contains and the maximum that it can contain, expressed as a percentage. The amount of water that falls to the earth's surface from the atmosphere is called precipitation. They may do so in the form of a liquid such as rain or rain; or hard, such as snow or hail.

Relative humidity fluctuations outside the museum are a significant cause of relative humidity fluctuations occurring inside the building. In summer, the walls, heated from the outside, give part of their moisture to the interior. In winter, cooling, the walls absorb indoor moisture. * This process in a good building with thick walls proceeds evenly and slowly. It is impossible to completely prevent moisture exchange, but its size can be very significantly reduced.

Precipitation, along with temperature, is the main element of the climate, since it is very common in the natural environment and in people's lives. In order to characterize Various types climate, not only the amount of precipitation that a certain place receives, but also their characteristics are studied. For example, if they produce preferably in the form of rain or snow, also an analysis of the distribution of precipitation is used throughout the year, thus determining the types of dry or wet climates.

Relative humidity

It also takes into account the intensity with which the precipitation falls, as this is not the same as a fine or normal precipitation, or a shower fall a few hours later. But how can precipitation fall? To understand them, one must take into account that hot air weighs less than cold air, so it tends to rise, and this air, and that the air cools as it rises, which leads to the condensation of water vapor and, therefore, the separation of clouds and rain.

The temperature and relative humidity in the exhibition rooms vary depending on whether the museum is closed or open to visitors. The number of visitors who have passed in a day has a great influence on the state of the mode. The presence of people in the room significantly changes the composition of the air in it, saturating it with moisture and gases. Mode fluctuations also occur from poorly arranged ventilation and inept ventilation of the room.

Therefore, the mechanisms that cause the air to rise can be of a different nature, which will determine the three main types of precipitation. The first of these are called orographic precipitation and occur when a moist wind hits a mountain range; and as it rises on a hillside, it cools, condenses moisture, and falls as rain or snow.

The other is known as cyclonic or frontal precipitation, they occur when two masses of air, one warm and one cold, are detected, forming a contact front in which cold air is forced into a wedge shape under the warm air, causing it to rise. This usually occurs in temperate zones close to the polar front.

Effect of temperature and relative humidity on the preservation of painting.

The materials that make up the paintings - the base, primer, paint and varnish layer - are different in their mechanical and physical and chemical properties, as a result of which they react differently to changes in temperature and relative humidity environment. Since the paint layer of oil painting and the film of drying oil on tempera painting represent a slightly permeable barrier, the reverse side of the painting, that is, the base, first of all reacts to fluctuations in relative humidity. Wood, canvas and paper, being hygroscopic materials, contain moisture, the amount of which is determined by the environment.

And finally, we have convective precipitation, which is characteristic of warm regions. Here the hot air rises, rises, cools and condenses its moisture. Clouds form and water falls as rain. On the other hand, the amount of precipitation is measured by an apparatus called a rain gauge and is expressed in liters or millimeters per square meter. This determines the exact numbers to reach the corresponding averages.

The atmosphere is made up of a set of gases that make up air, the latter, although not visible, has a certain volume, weight, and therefore takes up space. Therefore, it is expressed as atmospheric pressure, the weight that air exerts on the earth's surface.

With an increase in relative humidity (more than 70-75%), the canvas leaves the state of normal tension. A long stay in such an atmosphere can lead to decay of the canvas, swelling of the glue contained in the soil, to the formation of mold, and decay of the glue. Often the mold formed in the ground penetrates through the cracks into the paint layer and becomes noticeable on the front side of the picture. The adhesive loses its strength, the bond between the primer and the substrate is broken and peeling of the paint layer appears. High relative humidity is also harmful for duplicated paintings. Bubbles form between the canvases, eventually leading to a continuous backlog of the glued canvas. Under the influence of moisture, the process of changing the optical properties of the varnish occurs: a network of tiny cracks forms in it, it becomes cloudy, turns blue, then turns white, loses transparency; the picture seems to be covered with a cloudy white film. Excessive moisture causes warping and deformation of the wooden bases of painting, swelling of boards, rotting of wood, softening of the soil, lagging behind the canvas, soil and painting from the base.

This pressure is expressed in millimeters or hectopascals. Therefore, when we see 760 Mm. It should be noted that atmospheric pressure is not uniform at all points on the earth's surface, but varies with altitude and temperature. Therefore, at higher altitude and temperature, lower pressure.

Winds are masses of moving air moving away from areas of low temperature and high pressure, called anticyclonic centers, to areas of high temperature and low pressure, called cyclonic centers. Anticyclones are the centers that emit winds, and cyclones are the centers that attract them.

High temperatures (25-30°C) and dry air (relative humidity below 50%) cause the fibers of the canvas to dry out, making the canvas less elastic and less durable. The soil becomes brittle and brittle. Its kinks are transferred to the colorful layer. A tree under the same conditions, giving off moisture, deforms, it warps, cracks, dowels fall out, the lining lags, swelling and peeling of the primer and paint layer.

The wind is an element of lesser importance, characterizing the climate. It is so that in many regions the winds happen, while in others they do it regularly. The latter, always active if they are important for the influence of climate, are the so-called constant. Since they are carriers of a mass of moist or dry air, which have a large distribution in the amount of precipitation that the places receive along the probe passage. For example, trade winds in tropical latitudes.

But there are also periodic winds, that is, they blow alternately in one direction or in the other, for example, in the case of the monsoons in Asia. But finally, we also have those locally denominated winds, as they blow in certain regions, like the pampero or the sudestada.

One of the most important conditions for the good preservation of exhibits is the stability of the environment. Especially dangerous are the fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity that take place in museums. If the temperature and relative humidity in the museum premises are constant, then some humidity equilibrium is established in the exhibits. If this balance is disturbed, the work begins to absorb or give off moisture. The movement of the base begins, leading to the destruction of painting. The more significant and more frequent these fluctuations, the sooner the work is destroyed.

Direction and speed are two characteristics that characterize winds. In the case of a direction, it is expressed in terms of principal points; and speed, usually expressed in kilometers per hour, measured by an instrument called an anemometer. Editor Santillana Professor of Geography: Claudia Nagel.

Sometimes this is because the place is located in a basement or semi-basement, places that allow rainwater to seep in and whose soils retain a lot of moisture. The problem had to be foreseen in the design and construction of the building, allocating special building materials for these places.

Painting on wood and canvas is the most sensitive to fluctuations in the state of the environment. Depending on these fluctuations, the canvas either stretches strongly on the stretcher, or sags, which leads to its rapid deterioration. The cellulose contained in the canvas, absorbing oxygen with water, oxidizes, the fabric darkens, loses its elasticity, becomes brittle and, breaking down, loses its ability to hold the paint layer. Under the influence of the movement of the base, cracks form in the ground, turning into a paint layer. The paint layer, which loses elasticity and becomes more brittle over time, also does not tolerate compression and stretching of the canvas. In addition, abrupt changes in temperature and relative humidity also cause the direct destruction of painting: the connection of the paint layer with the ground is broken, the stratification of the painting layer occurs, its peeling and scree.

In other cases, moisture comes from the environment. The geographical location of some cities, the proximity of beaches or rivers, etc. causes high moisture content in the air. In such cases, the problem is solved with the help of air conditioners, which not only provide a pleasant temperature, but also an optimal degree of humidity. Sometimes, especially in some plants where hygroscopic products are processed, even lower relative humidity is required; the environment is considered dry when it is 20%, which is not exactly optimal for the environment, as the body's mucous membranes require it to grow.

Very quickly and unfavorably for the preservation of the picture, the bases of wood react to changes in temperature and especially relative humidity.

Sharp fluctuations in the atmosphere cause rapidly alternating compression and expansion of the base, accompanied by deformation of the tree, warping and ruptures. The movement of the base in this case also inevitably causes a corresponding tension in the ground and ink layer.

Dehumidifiers can be used to dry a small body in a short time, the most effective of which is phosphorus pentoxide. These substances are widely used in laboratory and semi-industrial applications to preserve instruments, packaged foods, etc. in dry conditions.

It is important to know the characteristic elements of each wind, i.e. direction, speed and strength. To determine the direction, a flag or a wind sleeve is enough; know the rate of use of anemometers, which measure the number of meters the wind crosses per second; force is calculated from speed and expressed in terms of the Beaufort scale or international wind scale.

Norms of temperature and relative humidity in the museum.

The norms of temperature and relative humidity of air, which ensure the good preservation of oil and tempera painting, are compiled on the basis of a study of the phenomena that accompany the drying of hygroscopic materials at low relative humidity and high temperature, as well as on the basis of studying the conditions for the development of microorganisms, which are especially favored by elevated temperature and high relative humidity.

Winds are divided into constant, periodic and local. The winds that blow all year round in the same direction are called constants. Such are the trade winds that blow in a northeasterly direction in the northern hemisphere and in a southeasterly direction in australia, or in opposition that fall over the trade winds and in the opposite direction.

The trade winds affect the area located at the equator with a width of about 60°; impact towards the thermal equator, also called the equatorial calm zone, characterized by low pressure and high humidity. Instead, they are called periodic winds that blow in the opposite direction during different seasons of the year.

A relative humidity level of 50-60% at a temperature of 17-19°C is recognized as favorable for storing oil and tempera paintings.

Curators and restorers should always be aware of the relative humidity in any museum room and be aware of the danger that arises if the relative humidity exceeds or falls below these limits.

The level of temperature and relative humidity should be the same in all rooms of the museum - exhibition halls, storage facilities, restoration workshops, so that when exhibits are moved from hall to hall (from storeroom to exhibition, etc.) they do not experience changes in temperature and humidity conditions.

The environment should be as stable as possible. Daily fluctuations in relative humidity should be kept to a minimum. Exceeding fluctuations by more than 5% should already be considered dangerous.