Treatment FAQ

what is a desiccant moisture indicator for water treatment equipment

by Ms. Nola Rosenbaum MD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Bulk Desiccant (#19960 & #19961) The bulk silica gel we have is an indicating type of silica gel. The moisture color indicator is due to bright blue crystals of a heavy metal salt, cobalt chloride.

Full Answer

What is desiccant used for?

What Is Desiccant? A desiccant is a special adsorbent material with a high affinity for water. This special material has hygroscopic properties that allow it to maintain a dry immediate environment by pulling and holding water molecules within itself.

What is a desiccant air drying system?

The use of a desiccant air drying system prevents the rapid wear and breakdown of moisture-sensitive components in most industries. Although there are dozens of air drying systems on the market, not all of them might be suited to your unique air-drying needs.

Which desiccants are FDA approved?

Commonly found in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Silica Gel is the only desiccant type which is FDA approved for use with direct contact with food and pharmacy items. Silica Gel can be purchased in granular or beaded form.

What is the best desiccant for a desiccator cabinet?

Below are 6 standard desiccant’s that can be used with a desiccator cabinet to prevent moisture damage. Silica Gel – Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) pulls moisture at temperatures up to 220°F (105°C). Once the temperature goes up more than 100°F, the silica gel will work at the lower absorbing rate. Commonly found in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

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What is an indicating desiccant?

Indicating silica gels are joined with a moisture indicator that changes color when the gel goes from anhydrous (dry) to hydrated and saturated (wet). Common indicators used with silica gels are cobalt chloride and methyl violet. Cobalt chloride is the most popular, changing from deep blue to when dry to pink when wet.

What is desiccant for moisture control?

Desiccants are hygroscopic materials which eliminate humidity from the air by absorbing moisture. You'll have encountered them in everyday life before, typically in silica gel packets which are included with everything from shoes to technology, to stop moisture from affecting the product.

What is a moisture indicator?

Emerson moisture indicators are designed to provide an accurate method of determining early stages of moisture contents, leaving plenty of time to make necessary adjustments before any damage happens.

How does a desiccant work?

Used as a desiccant, it works by a process called adsorption. The water in the air actually absorbs between the tiny passages as the air passes through them. The water molecules become trapped so that the air is dried out as it passes through the filter. This process is reversible.

How does a desiccant filter work?

How Does a Desiccant Dryer Work? The general working principle of desiccant air dryers is simple: moist air flows over hygroscopic material (desiccant) and is thereby dried. The exchange of water vapor from the moist compressed air into the desiccant causes the desiccant to gradually be saturated with adsorbed water.

What is another name for desiccant?

In this page you can discover 7 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for desiccant, like: drying-agent, drier, siccative, sorbent, adsorbent, adsorber and scrubber.

How do humidity indicators work?

Humidity indicator cards are impregnated with a solution of cobalt chloride that has been carefully mixed to change color from blue through various shades of magenta - red, to a pink. These cards are not precision indicators. However, they are very good at telling you the maximum possible humidity in a container.

How do you read humidity indicators?

1:032:24How to Use and Read Humidity Indicator Card Type 2 - HumitectorYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe 60 percent non reversible blue spot will migrate outside of the black border. And the extendedMoreThe 60 percent non reversible blue spot will migrate outside of the black border. And the extended color will remain irreversible. Making the change permanent.

What color does the water damage indicator turn?

Android's water damage indicators are typically found on the back of the battery. Look for a small white patch with a reddish pattern on it, or look for a pink patch. If your phone's patch is still white with a reddish pattern, there is no water damage.

Why is it important to use a desiccator?

Benefits of a Desiccator This laboratory device can absorb moisture in humid conditions and keep the items dry and dust-free. They also prevent any hygroscopic materials from reacting with moisture that is caused by humid conditions.

How much moisture absorbs desiccant?

40%Silica gel is a form of silica that's processed into various forms like granules or beads. Silica gel works like a sponge, drawing moisture into its many pores. It has the power to absorb up to 40% of its weight in water.

What is a desiccant material?

A desiccant is a hygroscopic material that serves to maintain a state of dryness. It is the opposite of a humectant which serves to promote moisture retention. Desiccants eliminate humidity from the air and create and sustain a moisture-free environment.

What is automatic desiccant?

To provide a low–humidity environment and prevent desiccant saturation , this type of desiccator employs heaters or electric fans that continually regenerate the desiccant. Automatic regeneration desiccant models require minimal monitoring, offer more precise humidity control vs. standard desiccators and can be equipped with silica gel desiccant beads that last for thousands of regeneration cycles.

What are design factors to consider when purchasing a desiccator?

Design factors to consider when purchasing a desiccator include, but may not be limited to: How much interior volume is required in the desiccator. Required/desired length of time between recharge, if using a desiccator with rechargeable desiccant. Whether or not a breather valve or humidity indicator is required.

What is a gas purge desiccator?

In gas purge desiccators, a continual flow of inert gas displaces the moisture–rich atmosphere inside the desiccator. These desiccators commonly use dry nitrogen as the purge gas. They can reach the desired humidity level much quicker than standard or automatic desiccant regeneration desiccators and provide a dust–free environment. Gas purge desiccators are suitable for many applications, including cleanrooms. Many models offer stopcocks that allow the option of disconnecting the purge gas stream and using standard desiccants.

Why is the desiccator trapped in the desiccator enclosure?

It is trapped in the desiccator enclosure when it was sealed or there were water molecules on or inside the contents in the enclosure

What is the name of the substance that absorbs water vapor?

Moisture in the air is absorbed by a desiccant, which is an adsorbent substance that attracts water vapor molecules. The molecules are collected and held on the desiccant's surface. Common types include silica gel, activated alumina, clay (Montmorillonite) and molecular sieves. Once the desiccant is saturated with water vapor molecules, the desiccant must be regenerated via heating or replaced. This kind of desiccator offers the flexibility to use any type of desiccant, and is usually the most economical choice.

How is desiccant regenerated?

Once the desiccant is saturated with water vapor molecules, the desiccant must be regenerated via heating or replaced. This kind of desiccator offers the flexibility to use any type of desiccant, and is usually the most economical choice.

What is a deiccator?

Desiccators are airtight enclosures usually made ...

How does a desiccant machine work?

As the machine breathes, contaminated air enters the desiccant breather and goes through the first solid particle filter. This is typically filtering out particles two microns or greater. Next, the outside air is dehydrated through a container of silica gel desiccant which extracts the water vapor in the air.

How to determine the size of desiccant breather?

Desiccant breathers are sized according to the required cubic feet per minute (CFM). Always choose a breather with a higher CFM capacity than the CFM requirements of your tank or reservoir. Installing a desiccant breather without enough airflow creates excessive pressure causing a vacuum which will damage the equipment. It is very important the breather doesn't restrict air to the point it creates lubricant flow issues inside the system. If you need to convert gallons per minute (GPM) to CFM, the breather manufacturer should have the corresponding GPM/CFM numbers for your reference.

What is a Desiccant Breather?

Studies have shown that around 70 percent of equipment or machinery loss of use is due to surface degradation. Of that 70 percent, 20 percent of replacements are a direct result of corrosion and the other 50 percent are due to mechanical wear. The most common causes of this corrosion and mechanical wear are dirt and moisture originating outside the machine, also referred to as contamination. When you have moisture in your lubricant or hydraulic fluid, a myriad of negative effects start occurring. For example, moisture leads to corrosion, which in turn leads to particulate contamination. Moisture can also change oil viscosity, deplete additives and cause sludge formation. To fight back against these problems requires a holistic contamination control approach. For this reason, more companies are choosing solution-focused suppliers like TTI who offer the full spectrum of contamination control equipment from desiccant breathers to filters and other tools.

What is a vacuum gauge?

Manual indicator vacuum gauges serve as a visual of when your breather needs to be replaced. In the case of breathers operating in dry environments, there might not be enough moisture coming in to cause the silica to change color before the first particle filter is clogged with dirt and debris. A vacuum gauge is a good way to get a visual when this happens.

How is the outside air dehydrated?

Next, the outside air is dehydrated through a container of silica gel desiccant which extracts the water vapor in the air.

What is the purpose of a carbon filled foam filter on a desiccant breather?

Carbon-filled foam filters on the bottom of the breather absorb any oil vapor or oil splashing up that could get into the silica gel of the desiccant breather, shortening its lifespan. Check valves and reusable tops help extend the life of the desiccant by providing a closed system until airflow is needed.

How long do desiccant breathers last?

A common question that comes up when discussing how desiccant breathers work is how long do they last? Most breathers last anywhere from three to six months if properly sized. The answer depends on three variables:

Why use desiccant air drying system?

The use of a desiccant air drying system prevents the rapid wear and breakdown of moisture-sensitive components in most industries.

What Is Desiccant?

A desiccant is a special adsorbent material with a high affinity for water. This special material has hygroscopic properties that allow it to maintain a dry immediate environment by pulling and holding water molecules within itself.

What happens when a desiccant tower is saturated?

With this phase change, the fully saturated desiccant tower then enters a regenerative mode while the freshly regenerated material in the second tower is used to remove the moisture in the supply air feed.

How does desiccant material regenerate?

Regenerating desiccant material is done by eliminating the moisture it has accumulated during a cycle of compressed air drying. There are different ways of regenerating the hygroscopic materials used in air drying systems.

What is a regenerative dryer?

The term “regenerative” is used to refer to an industrial desiccant air dryer that can renew its desiccant material by reversing the adsorptive process. Typically, regenerative desiccant dryers have paired desiccant packed towers that permit water absorption and material regeneration to occur simultaneously.

What is desiccant air dryer?

Desiccant air dryers are most common in industrial applications that utilize compressed air. For example, the Oil and Gas Industry uses compressed air in almost all its operations from oil recovery to petroleum refining and transport. The equipment used in these operations are typically susceptible to moisture-related damage.

What are the different types of desiccants?

The most common types of desiccants include: Silica. Activated charcoal. Calcium chloride. Calcium sulphate. Aluminosilicate minerals (zeolites) Desiccants have found applications in both everyday domestic use as well as large scale industrial applications such as compressed air drying.

What is an indicator desiccator?

Indicating Desiccators are small refillable tubular desiccators designed primarily for the absorption of moisture in small containers. Each type of Indicating Desiccator (DA01-DA04) incorporates a Humidity Indicator card. This indicator monitors the Relative Humidity (RH) of the container air as well as the condition of the desiccant itself.

How much desiccant is in a DA03?

Different Desiccators for your unique dew-point and temperature conditions. The DA01 and DA03 Desiccators contain about 0.25 of a unit (or 6 grams) of desiccant while the DA02 and DA04 assemblies contain about 0.6 units (or 14 grams).

Can you use Silica Gel in a desiccator?

Silica Gel is typically used in desiccators, however, if extremely low dew points must be maintained, or if high operation temperatures are to be encountered, molecular sieve may be desirable. Any available desiccant or indicator card may be used with any desiccator. All desiccators can be modified to "breathe" by drilling a small hole through the viewing window. Please contact us for recommendations.

Why is moisture control important?

Moisture Control is extremely important when manufacturing electrical components and conducting scientific research on biological and chemical samples. Failure to maintain low Relative Humidity (RH) inside a desiccator chamber can damage or destroy components and samples. Desiccators are airtight enclosures to prevent moisture from entering the chamber, but what happens to the moisture inside the box? Below are 6 standard desiccant’s that can be used with a desiccator cabinet to prevent moisture damage.

What does it mean when silica gel turns blue?

Indicating Silica Gel – A form of silica gel that has been washed with a concentration of cobalt chloride producing a deep blue colored material. The cobalt chloride will change from blue to pink once the gel becomes saturated with moisture. The color change indicates it is time to replace the desiccant.

What is the temperature of silica gel?

Silica Gel – Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) pulls moisture at temperatures up to 220°F (105°C). Once the temperature goes up more than 100°F, the silica gel will work at the lower absorbing rate. Commonly found in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Silica Gel is the only desiccant type which is FDA approved for use with direct contact with food and pharmacy items. Silica Gel can be purchased in granular or beaded form.

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