Mathematical modelling of humidity transport for the conservation of the historic ship the SS Great Britain

The preservation of the historic ship the SS Great Britain requires strict moisture control to limit corrosion of the iron hull. In this report we present two mathematical models: (i) a fluid dynamics model of the air flow and the moisture distribution near the ship’s hull and (ii) a system-level model for the dehumidifier system. Using these models we evaluate if modifying the air-flow system, or reducing the sources of evaporation from water ingress and puddles might reduce humidity around the ship’s hull and therefore reduce the energy required to preserve the ship. Key results: (i) Using the spatial water vapour flow model we predict that increasing the dry dock humidity drastically reduces the efficacy of the hull air curtain at low jet speeds. (ii) The dehumidifier model allows us to determine the instantaneous power required to achieve specified jet humidity, given knowledge of the dehumidifier's in-take temperatures.