Desiccants 101: Everything You Need to Know

Desiccants are compounds or agents that are used to adsorbing moisture content from the air. They are ideal for use used in facilitating low-humidity environments such as transport, storage, or maintenance of materials and products. Desiccants are used to keep everything from gym shoes to military ammunition dry. Bee Chems provides a range of desiccants for your use including silica gel, activated alumina, molecular sieves, and more. Here is everything you need to know about desiccants:

 

What do You Need to Know Before Using Desiccants?

There are four common sources of water contamination in a closed container or package. Desiccants are designed to moisture in various forms including:

• Water vapor in the air inside the package
• Moisture contained in the materials inside the package
• Moisture in or on the walls of the package
• Moisture entry into the package due to permeation or leakage

 

Types of Desiccants

Silica Gel is the most commonly used desiccant in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry. The compound has a unique structure that enables it to adsorb a wide variety of chemical substances. Silica gel is most adsorbent with water – adsorbing up to 40% of its weight in water, under the right conditions. However, the compound releases water at higher temperatures.

Clay or montmorillonite clay is a naturally occurring, porous adsorbent that is mined and then dried for use as a desiccant. This clay will successfully regenerate for repeated use at very low temperatures. However, the clay will release moisture into the container as temperatures rise, causing the potential for moisture issues.

Molecular sieve might be the best option for your packaging if your product would see a wide range of environmental conditions. Molecular sieves have a distinctive uniform pore size which allows the compound to have a high adsorption capacity at low relative humidity. Unlike other desiccants, molecular sieves don’t release the moisture under different environmental conditions.

 

How to Select the Right Desiccant for Use?

Firstly, you should know if the cargo is highly sensitive to humidity and moisture, or is it fairly tolerant. The main question is how dry the product needs to remain. This information will help establish acceptable humidity and moisture levels.

You should monitor the temperatures and weather ranges to which the product’s storage container will be exposed. The weather has a great effect on humidity levels inside the container. This information will help predict fluctuations inside the container.

Third, you should know the characteristics of the packing container you will be using. These characteristics include the material’s permeability, seal type, corrosion resistance, container dimensions, etc. This will help you determine how much of a particular desiccant is needed and in what form.

 

If you’re looking to buy commercial-grade desiccants, Bee Chems is your place to go. The organization offers a variety of adsorbents and desiccants including silica gel, molecular sieves, activated alumina, and more. In addition to desiccants, the company also precipitated silica, lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, lithium bromide, Hydrogen peroxide, and other products.

What are the Applications of Lithium Chloride?

Lithium Chloride is a chemical compound that is made by mixing lithium hydroxide, lithium oxide or lithium carbonate with hydrochloric acid. The chemical formula for lithium chloride is LiCl. The compound is white, solid, hygroscopic and soluble in water, alcohol, and ether. The chemical is available in two forms: hydrous (LiCl.H₂O) and anhydrous (LiCl). Here are the top applications of lithium chloride:

1. Lithium Production

Lithium metal is produced by electrolysis of lithium chloride. A molten mixture of lithium and potassium chlorides is used during the process. This is because pure lithium chloride has a very high melting point (610° C or 1130° F) whereas the mixture has a relatively low melting point (400-420° C or 750-790° F.) The lower melting point allows for more controlled operation.

2. Pyrotechnics

Lithium chloride, or any water-soluble lithium-based salt, burns red when lit. This is why lithium chloride is used as a red dye in pyrotechnic displays. By mixing ionic salts including lithium chloride with flammable liquids, you can create special pyrotechnic displays.

3. Manufacturing

Lithium chloride is used in the manufacturing of a range of automotive parts. The compound is also used in the manufacturing of furniture including chairs and tables, and more general furniture such as mattresses, patio furniture, etc.

4. Desiccants

Liquid lithium chloride can reduce humidity levels in the surrounding air by as much as 15 percent. The desiccant is actually a mixture of lithium chloride and calcium chloride. This creates a substance that is cheaper than lithium chloride yet more stable than calcium chloride. The desiccant also cools air quickly because the chemical can hold an enormous amount of water.

5. Other Applications

The human body also contains approximately 7 milligrams of lithium at any given time. Lithium chloride is used in the manufacturing of antimanic drug. Antimanic drug is used to treat bipolar disorders or mania associated with other affective disorders.

Looking to get buy high-grade lithium chloride? Bee Chems is your place to go. In addition to lithium chloride, the company also offers fumed silica, precipitated silica, lithium hydroxide, lithium bromide, smecton clay, hydrogenated castor oil flakes, and many more.

What are the Applications of Hydrogenated Castor Oil?

Hydrogenated castor oil is a hard, brittle compound that is obtained by controlled hydrogenation of refined castor oil. The wax-like chemical is a high melting product that is practically odorless and tasteless. The chemical is insoluble in water and, therefore, it is not readily washed away. The compound is used in a plethora of applications including:

1. Greases and Oils

Hydrogenated castor oil works quite well as a viscosity modifier due to its excellent resistance to moisture. The chemical also provides substantial improvement in grease and oil resistance. HCO is also used as a thickening agent in lithium grease and lithium complex grease. The compound is also used in multipurpose greases and metal-drawing lubricants.

2. Plastics

Hydrogenated castor oil improves processing, dispersion and grease resistance of sheeted polyethylene. The chemical performs the role of a lubricant and release agent for PVC. The chemical is used in the preparation of various polyurethane coating formulas.

3. Personal Care

Hydrogenated castor oil is used in the manufacturing of many personal care products. The chemical is used particularly as an emollient and thickening agent in ointments and deodorants, as well as hair care products and certain cosmetics. The compound is also used in lipsticks, deodorant and antiperspirant sticks, cosmetic creams.

4. Pharmaceutics

Hydrogenated castor oil is used to provide stiffness to creams and emulsions. The chemical is used to prepare sustained-release tablet and capsule preparations to form a coat or a solid matrix. The compound is also used to lubricate the die walls of tablet presses.

5. Other Applications

Hydrogenated castor oil is often used as an emulsifying agent in liquid soaps and detergents. This is done to enhance the stability of the liquid formula of soaps and detergents. The compound is also used as an effective processing agent in various textile manufacturing applications.

If you’re looking to buy high quality commercial grade hydrogenated castor oil, Bee Chems is your place to go. In addition to hydrogenated castor oil, the company also offers lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, precipitated silica, Smecton clay, CO₂ absorbents, and various others.

Top 5 Applications of Silica Gel Beads

Silica gel is a form of silicon dioxide (silica), consisting of an irregular tridimensional framework of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms with nanometer-scale voids and pores. The substance is available in amorphous and porous bead form. The chemical is non-toxic, non-flammable, and non-reactive and is stable with ordinary usage. Here are a few applications of silica gel beads:

1. As a Desiccant

Moisture can enhance the growth of mold and spoilage in food. It can also damage other items like electronics and can speed up the decomposition of chemicals, such as those in vitamin pills. By storing these materials with silica gel desiccant, these items can be preserved for much longer. The substance is also used to keep the relative humidity (RH) inside a high frequency radio or satellite transmission system.

2. Chemistry

Silica gel beads are used in chromatography as a stationary phase. The substance is favored in chemical applications due to its polarity. The chemical is also combined with alkali metals to form a M-SG reducing agent. Silica gel beads are not biodegradable in either water or soil.

3. Gas Absorbent

While silica gel beads have a very strong affinity for water, they also act as an exceptional absorbent for various gases. These include gasoline-range hydrocarbons, CO2, C12, sulfur and nitrogen compounds, aromatics, and many others. It is an essential component of gas purification methods.

4. Other Industrial Applications

Silica gel is used in water filtration systems to absorb minerals which are dissolved in the water. Silica gel is also used as cat litter, by itself or in combination with more other materials, such as bentonite as it is non-tracking and odorless. It is also used in food industry for various applications

How to Use Silica Gel Beads?

Silica gel beads provide an economic and effective way of protecting goods against damage during transit and storage. You simply need to put a bag wherever you want to place it. The substance will begin its work immediately and absorb moisture from surrounding air.

If you’re looking for the highest-grade silica gel beads, you should contact to Bee Chems. In addition to silica gel beads, the company also offers colloidal silica, lithium silicate, ethylene absorbers, activated alumina-actal and various others.

What are the Industrial Applications of Fumed Silica?

Fumed silica, also known as pyrogenic silica, consists of microscopic droplets of amorphous silica which are fused into branched, chainlike, three-dimensional secondary particles. The substance is composed of submicron-sized spheres which are 40-60% fused into short chains and is heavily chained. Bee Chems is best fumed silica suppliers and manufacturer in the world. Bee Chems produces all grades of fumed silica at very best quality price and in good quantity. The powder has very low bulk density and large surface area which makes it suitable for use in a multitude of applications including:

1. Reinforcement of Elastomers

Many companies use fumed silica as a reinforcing filler in elastomers. Using the chemical, you can see an improvement in their mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, elongation at break and tear resistance. The substance can also help control the influence of temperature on mechanical properties.

2. Toner

Fumed silica can improve the flow characteristics and charge stability of toners, as well as performance enhancements, such as improved resolution and print quality of laser beam printers or plain paper copiers. The substance can also improve the flowability of the dry toner and to minimize the electrostatic charge variation of dry toner.

3. High Temperature Insulation

Fumed silica has extraordinary temperature insulation properties. This is because amorphous silicon dioxide has a very low solid-state conductivity. The space between the particles of the chemical is in the same order as the mean free path dimensions for oxygen and nitrogen molecules. Thermal conductivity drops with decreasing average primary particle size of fumed silica.

4. Adsorbent

With high specific surface area, fumed silica can adsorb gaseous, liquid or solid materials more than any other chemical available on the market. The substance will preferably adsorb those materials which can form hydrogen bond linkages with the silanol groups on its surface or which can interact on an acid-alkali basis.

5. Other Industrial Applications

Fumed silica can be used as an anti-caking agent in powders. The chemical serves as a desiccant and is also used in cosmetics for its light-diffusing properties. The substance is also used as a light abrasive in products like toothpaste. It is also used in the production of cat litter box filler.

If you’re looking to buy commercial grade fumed silica, Bee Chems is your place to go. In addition to fumed silica, the company also offers old box resins, precipitated silica, Co2 absorbent, soda lime absorbent, saffron, lithium hydroxide and various others.

Characteristics and Applications of Activated Alumina

Activated alumina is a porous form of aluminum oxide that is used for various industrial applications. The chemical is mainly used to dry gases which is vitally necessary for safe transportation of volatile gases. Activated alumina is an adsorbent not an absorbent meaning water can be drawn into the pores of activated alumina. Here are some of the vital applications of activated alumina:

1. Catalyst applications

Activated alumina is used for the adsorption of catalysts in polyethylene production, hydrogen peroxide production, as a selective adsorbent for many chemicals including arsenic, in sulfur removal from fluid streams. It is also used as an inert carrier, or substrate for other catalysts.

2. Adsorbent

Activated alumina is a highly effective adsorbent in both gas and liquid applications. This way, the chemical is employed by numerous industries for targeted removal of components from other media. The chemical is well-known for its use in water filtration applications. It is also used in the removal of a variety of other contaminants, including arsenic, lead, and sulfur.

3. Desiccant

Activated alumina is used as the water in the air sticks in 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 as when the substance is heated to ~200 °C, it will release the trapped water. This process is called regenerating the desiccant.

4. Defluoridation

Fluorine in water can cause a lot of issues for people. Defluoridation is the removal of fluorine from water. Activated alumina is also widely used to remove fluoride from drinking water. Activated alumina filters can easily reduce fluoride levels from 10 ppm to less than 1 ppm.

5. Other Applications

In high vacuum applications, activated alumina is used as a charge material in fore-line traps to prevent oil generated by rotary vane pumps from back streaming into the system. Its mechanical properties and non-reactivity in the biological environment allow it to be a suitable material used to cover surfaces in friction in body prostheses.

If you’re looking for top grade Activated Alumina, Bee Chems is your place to go. In addition to alumina-based products, the organization also provides colloidal silica, calcium silicate, silica gel-sorbogel, carbex, molecular sieves and various others.

How to Select the Right Desiccant for Your Application?

Desiccants are compounds or agents that are used in facilitating low humidity environments by absorbing moisture content from the air. Some of the examples of desiccants include montmorillonite clay, silica gel, molecular sieves, etc. Desiccants are used in transport, storage or maintenance of materials and products to maintain a dry environment. Here is how you can select the right desiccant for your applications:

What do You Need to Know Before Selecting the Desiccant?

Usually there are four sources of water contamination in a closed container or package which desiccants are designed to combat:

• Water paper in the air inside the package,
• Moisture contained in the materials inside the package,
• Moisture in or on the walls of the package, and
• Entry of moisture into the package due to permeation or leakage.

When deciding on the proper desiccant, it should be known how much water vapor can be adsorbed by the desiccant at various relative humidity level.

How to Start the Selection?

First you should determine the conditions of maximum product integrity; the size and type of container used and the actual conditions such as temperature and relative humidity. In order to select the right desiccant, it is important to know the conditions surrounding the shipment and storage of the product. The container in which the product will be packaged, shipped, and stored is vital in determining how much of a particular desiccant is needed and in what packaging form.

What Size Desiccant Do You Need?

The size of the desiccant you would need depends on various factors. Some of these factors include size of the air space to be humidity controlled, the nature of the material in the package, the moisture barrier surrounding the package, the type of desiccant being used, the desired shelf life, the atmosphere conditions and the type of seal on the package. When you go to purchase desiccants from Bee Chems, the experts at the company will ask a plethora of questions to determine the above factors.

How to Choose the Right Desiccant?

Here is a comparison between some of the most popular desiccants in the market:

1. Clay

Montmorillonite clay is the clay that is used as a desiccant. It is a naturally occurring, porous adsorbent that is mined and then dried for use as a desiccant. This clay can successfully regenerate for repeated use at very low temperatures. However, this property also causes the clay to release moisture into the container as temperatures rises, which can cause potential for moisture issues.

2. Silica Gel

This is the most commonly used desiccant in the pharmaceutical industry. The substance has a unique structure, enabling it to adsorb a wide variety of chemical substances. Silica gel is most adsorbent with water and can adsorb up to 40% of its weight in water.

3. Molecular Sieve

If your product will see a wide range of environmental conditions, a molecular sieve desiccant may be the best option for your packaging. Due to the uniformity of the pore size openings, the substance has a high adsorption capacity at low relative humidity. Unlike clay desiccants, molecular sieves don’t release moisture back at higher temperatures.

4. Calcium Oxide (CaO)

Calcium oxide is a cost-effective desiccant that should be considered for products that will be stored or transported in areas with high temperatures. The substance is also known as quick lime is distinguished by its ability to adsorb a much greater amount of water at low relative humidity than other materials.

Looking to get Calcium Silicate? Bee Chems is your place to go. In addition to adsorbents and absorbents, the company also offers Colloidal Silica, Investment casting slurry systems, silica gel-sorbogel, activated alumina-actal, dew pouch-activated desiccant packs and various others.

Top 5 Industrial Uses of Silica Gel

Silica gel is a naturally occurring mineral that can be purified and processed into either a granular or beaded form. It is a transparent, porous form of silicon dioxide and has a very high affinity for water molecules.

Silica gel is compatible, and cost-efficient and a very effective adsorbent. It is used as an absorbent in a variety of industries.

Top 5 Industrial Uses of Silica Gel   1. Refrigerant in Industrial Adsorption Systems 2. Footwear Industry 3. Lens Protection in Cameras 4. Dehydrating Breather in Power Industries 5. Medical Industry

 

1. As a Refrigerant in Industrial Adsorption Systems

Silica Gel is used as a refrigerant as the refrigeration cycle consists of a solid adsorbent bed which helps in storing vaccines and food items. It is commonly paired with water as both substances are efficient thermodynamically.

2. Footwear Industry

As the footwear is made up of leather, they are much prone to mold formation if any moisture is present in the surrounding. Placing silica gel sachets in the footwear can help protect them from deterioration. It maintains the durability of the shoes and other footwear made of leather.

3. Lens Protection in Cameras

Moisture can fog up the lens of cameras during travelling or the summer. Formation of moisture inside the cameras results in damaging the picture quality. This can be avoided by placing the substance in the camera bag after cleaning. By adsorbing the moisture and water formed by condensation, the substance can avoid the fogging of lens.

4. Dehydrating Breather in Power Industries

Dehydrating breathers are filled with silica gel to prevent the entry of moisture or water into the oil in electrical equipment as water can damage electrical equipment. It not only adsorbs moisture but also avoids oxidation of the insulating oil. The substance is available in various sizes for electrical applications according to requirements.

5. Medical Industry

Pills and medicines that which are in solid form and packed in bottles contain small sachets inside. Silica gel is used as an absorbent because it is non-toxic. It also controls the odor of the medicine, making the medicine seem alluring to children.

If you’re looking to get high quality silica gel, Bee Chems is your place to go. In addition to Silica gel, the company also offers Colloidal Silica, Investment casting slurry systems, Nano Silica Binders, Activated Alumina-Actal and various others.

Difference Between Adsorbent and Absorbent

Adsorbent and Absorbent, the words look and sound similar and are sometimes even used in place of one another. However, adsorbent and absorbent refer to two different types of physical and chemical processes.

Difference Between Adsorbent and Absorbent What is Adsorption? What is Absorption? What are the Main Differences Between Adsorbents and Absorbents? [5 Key Differences]

What is Adsorption?

Adsorption is a process by which a liquid, gas or dissolved solid adheres itself to the surface of an adsorbent material. Adsorption does not actually involve taking in, or absorbing, the liquid, gas or dissolved solid into the material.

One of the most common examples of an adsorbent is silica gel. Silica gel is an adsorbent which is often used to protect certain items from moisture damage. Medications, food, or other potentially delicate items, which need to be protected from moisture damage are often packaged with silica gel.

What is Absorption?

Absorption refers to a process by which a liquid or gas is taking into an absorbent material and absorbed, or dissolved, uniformly inside of it. Absorption, unlike adsorption, actually involves taking in the liquid or gas.

The most common type of absorbents includes household items like bathroom towels, paper napkins and paper towels, and other fabrics.

What are the Main Differences Between Adsorbents and Absorbents?

• Absorbents absorb some amount of liquid or gas into it. Adsorbent is a process by which some liquid or gas gets accumulated on the surface of a solid material.
• Absorbents are related to volume, Adsorbent is related to surface.
• In absorption, something moves inside an object whereas in adsorption, the substance forms a layer on the surface of an object.
• Adsorption involves adhesion and absorption involves dissolution or diffusion.
• In absorbent materials, the atoms, molecules or particles are taken internally. On the other hand, the particles, atoms and molecules only adhere to the surface in Adsorbent materials.

Bee Chems is one of the leading manufacturers of adsorbents and absorbents in India. In addition to adsorbents and absorbents, the company also offers Colloidal Silica, Investment casting slurry systems, Silica Gel-Sorbogel, Activated Alumina-Actal, Sorbo Pouch-Silica Gel pouches, Dew Pouch-Activated Desiccant Packs and various other products.

Top 5 Applications of Molecular Sieves

Molecular sieve is a moisture adsorbent having same-sized pores, which are less than 10 angstrom in diameter. This gives the moisture absorbent considerable surface area and thus increases its adsorption capacity. If we take a look at their composition, molecular sieves are also called zeolites.

Molecular Sieve adsorbent is structured in such a manner that it adsorbs water and other polar molecules. The uniformly-sized pores, remove all the moisture and pollutant particles, thus leaving behind only the pure product.

Top 5 Applications of Molecular Sieves   1. Drying and Purification of Natural Gases and Liquids 2. Dehydration in Petroleum Industry 3. Drying Hydrogen Gas 4. Purification of Ethanol 5. Package Dehydration

 

1. Drying and Purification of Natural Gases and Liquids

One of the main uses of the Molecular Sieve adsorbent is in the natural gas and liquid industry, where it is used to dehydrate and clean up gases like propane and butane. The zeolite is also used to remove CO2, H2S, mercaptans and other particles from natural gases/liquids.

2. Dehydration in Petroleum Industry

Molecular Sieve adsorbent is employed in the petroleum industry for the drying of light-ends, like olefins. The latter is used for cryogenic recovery. Molecular Sieve is also used to purify feed meant for catalytic programs like isomerization, dimerization and alkylation.

3. Drying Hydrogen Gas

Many industries utilize molecular sieve for gas dehydration. The above mentioned processes are carried out either through thermal swing or pressure swing adsorption.

4. Purification of Ethanol

Molecular Sieve adsorbent is widely used in ethanol production plants for large-scale removal of water. It is also used for purification of food and pharmaceutical-grade ethanol.

5. Package Dehydration

Molecular Sieve adsorbent is placed inside packages meant to be transported long distance so that there are no traces of humidity in the enclosed area. It also keeps away bad odors, mold and other micro-organisms.

Bee Chems is the leading provider of highest quality Molecular Sieves in India. In addition to Molecular Sieves, the company also offers Colloidal Silica, Nano Silica Binders, Calcium Silicate, Silica Gel-Sorbogel, Activated Alumina-Actal, Sorbo Pouch-Silica Gel pouches, Dew Pouch-Activated Desiccant Packs, Lithium Hydroxide and various other products.