A Climate Engineered for Conservation: Ace Clean Steam Generators

 

A Delicate Balance

Behind every piece of history, there’s a climate engineered for conservation. Our art museums protect centuries-old artworks and artifacts from the passage of time. These pieces, often made from natural materials like linen, marble, and wood, require precise conditions to remain intact.

Behind the scenes, maintaining proper climate control at a museum is often the responsibility of facility managers and conservation specialists. These individuals monitor and adjust systems to remain within temperature and humidity parameters. Even slight fluctuations can cause delicate materials to crack, warp, or grow mold.

The Yale Center for British Art

At the Yale Center for British Art (YCBA), conservation needs are high. Established in 1966 through a  gift from Paul Mellon, a Yale alumnus, the center houses the most comprehensive collection of British art outside the United Kingdom. Its holdings span from the Elizabethan period to the early 20th century, featuring nearly 2,000 paintings, 200 sculptures, 20,000 drawings and watercolors, 31,000 prints, and 35,000 rare books and manuscripts.

At YCBA, there has been a two-year long conservation project to preserve the integrity of its building. It has focused on structural improvements to the exterior, such as replacing the roof and skylights. While this occurs, the artwork still needs preserving. One factor in the conservation solution—clean steam humidification.

The Science Behind Clean Steam

Clean steam humidification uses steam free from impurities and contaminants to add moisture to the air in a controlled manner. Unlike traditional steam, clean steam is generated using purified water, often through processes like reverse osmosis (RO), so it is free of minerals, bacteria, and other potential pollutants.

The museum needed 75PSI steam to heat Reverse Osmosis (RO) water, and from there, generate 10PSI clean steam for its delicate climate control systems. This required a reliable steam solution that could meet the museum’s specific temperature and pressure parameters without compromising the purity of the steam.

The solution: the Ace Unfired Clean Steam Generator (UCSG), designed to deliver safe, efficient, and clean steam without the risks associated with traditional fired boilers. With its ability to generate steam on demand while maintaining precise temperature/pressure control, the Clean Steam Generator was an ideal fit for the museum’s needs.

Art Conservation: An Industry

Humidification is just one element of a delicate balance in conservation. Alongside it, temperature control, UV light exposure, air quality, and pest management all play key roles. Each factor must be carefully controlled to prevent damage for the long-term integrity of the collection. At Ace Heaters, we believe all installations are as important as preserving priceless artifacts, and we’re proud to play an important role at one of Yale’s museums.

The Yale Center for British Arts is scheduled to reopen to the public on March 29, 2025.