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Hygroscopic Desiccation Absorb Water: Desiccant

Montmorillonite clay, silica gel, indicating silica gel, molecular sieve, calcium oxide, and calcium sulfate are common types of desiccants. Desiccants are hygroscopic substances that induce or sustain dryness by absorbing water molecules. They are commonly used to control moisture levels in food packaging and industrial gas streams. Different desiccants have varying abilities to absorb moisture at different temperatures and humidity levels, making some more suitable than others for specialized drying purposes.

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25 views5 pages

Hygroscopic Desiccation Absorb Water: Desiccant

Montmorillonite clay, silica gel, indicating silica gel, molecular sieve, calcium oxide, and calcium sulfate are common types of desiccants. Desiccants are hygroscopic substances that induce or sustain dryness by absorbing water molecules. They are commonly used to control moisture levels in food packaging and industrial gas streams. Different desiccants have varying abilities to absorb moisture at different temperatures and humidity levels, making some more suitable than others for specialized drying purposes.

Uploaded by

Jeshua Llorera
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Desiccant

A desiccant is a hygroscopic substance that induces or


sustains a state of dryness (desiccation) in its vicinity. Commonly
encountered pre-packaged desiccants are solids
that absorb water. Desiccants for specialized purposes may be in
forms other than solid, and may work through other principles,
such as chemical bonding of water molecules. They are commonly
encountered in foods to retain crispness. Industrially, desiccants
are widely used to control the level of water in gas streams.
Types of desiccant
Montmorillonite Clay
Montmorillonite clay is a naturally occurring adsorbent
created by the controlled drying of magnesium aluminum
silicate of the sub-bentonite type. This clay will successfully
regenerate for repeated use at very low temperatures
without substantial deterioration or swelling. However, this
property causes clay to give up moisture readily back into
the container as temperatures rise.
Silica Gel
Silica gel is silicon dioxide (SiO2). It is a naturally
occurring mineral that is purified and processed into either
granular or beaded form. As a desiccant, it has an average
pore size of 24 angstroms and has a strong affinity for
moisture molecules. The silica gel will pull in moisture at
temperatures up to 220F (105C). As temperature goes
above 100F, the rate of moisture pickup will slow down but
the silica gel will still work.
Indicating Silica Gel
Indicating silica gel is a silica gel bead or granule that
has been washed with a concentration of cobalt chloride ( a

heavy metal salt). The cobalt chloride is a deep blue color


when it is dry and turns from blue to purple to pink as it
becomes saturated with moisture. Typically, the color
changes as the desiccant goes past 8% moisture levels (by
weight) and indicates it is time to replace the desiccant.
Molecular Sieve
Molecular sieve is the best desiccant based on technical
performance characteristics. Its ability to adsorb moisture, in
this case water vapor, is so pronounced that it can remove
trapped H20 molecules from a fully saturated silica gel bead,
which in turn changes the silica gel back to its original Cobalt
blue color.
Calcium Oxide
Calcium oxide is calcinated or recalcinated lime having
a moisture adsorptive capacity of not less than 28.5% by
weight. The distinguishing feature of calcium oxide (also
known as quicklime) is that it will adsorb a much greater
amount of water vapor at a very low relative humidity than
other materials. It is most effective where a low critical
relative humidity is necessary, and were there is a high
concentration of water vapor present.
Calcium Sulfate
Calcium sulfate (better known commercially as
DrieriteT) is created by the controlled dehydration of
gypsum. It is a general purpose desiccant geared mainly
toward laboratory use. It is chemically stable, nondisintegrating, nontoxic, non-corrosive and does not release
its adsorbed water easily when exposed to higher ambient
temperatures.

Other Adsorbents
Other adsorbents are available for specialized
functions. For example, activated alumina is a porous
desiccant which performs very similarly to silica gel,
providing somewhat lower moisture capacity at low
temperatures, but slightly improved capacity at higher
temperatures. It should be noted that some of these
alternative desiccant products have a specialized function.

Connection of a Domestic Refrigerator

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