Do you recall the First time once you found a little pack within the brand new shoes’ box, or in a food container and wondered what it was? Well, I do not recall exactly but I do remember times when I wondered what they were, I also opened them and put a couple of diamonds on my tongue just to feel how they stick to it. Well, the majority of the time, these tiny packs which we find is silica gel desiccant packs used to absorb moisture, but there are more types of desiccants with many more and diversified used. In the next article I will discuss about the main ones so continue reading.
Silica Gel
The most known and used sort of desiccant pouch is silica gel. It is a natural occurring mineral known as silicon dioxide (SiO2) which is purified and processed to beaded or granular form. Silica gel has a mean pore size of 24 angstroms and has a strong affinity for moisture molecules. It will absorb moisture at temperatures up to 220°F (105°C). As temperature goes above 100°F, the rate of moisture absorption will slow down but it will still work.
Silica gel performs Best at room temperatures and higher humidity (60- 90% RH) and will drop the relative humidity at a container down to approximately 40 percent RH. It is widely utilized in pharmaceutical and food applications since it is the only desiccant accepted by FDA for direct contact with these products.
Silica gel desiccant Has a wide selection of pore sizes so it has the capability to consume not only water but alcohols, aromatics, ammonia, olefins, diolefins and paraffins too.
Indicating Silica Gel
Indicating silica gel is a silica gel bead or granule that is been washed with a concentration of a heavy metal salt, cobalt chloride that has a deep blue colour when dry but it turns from blue to purple to pink as it becomes saturated with moisture. Indicating silica gel should not be used in contact with products for consumption such as pharmaceuticals or food due to the inclusion of cobalt chloride.
Activated Carbon
Activated carbon or activated charcoal how it is also called is different from normal charcoal since it moved through an activation process and it is also free of fossil fuels which are poisonous. Its surface area is dramatically increased in the activation process which adds the exceptional absorbing ability.
Activated carbon has The capacity to absorb toxins, pollutants or chemical spills when used in agriculture. It is great medicinal qualities used to treat infections and colic, diarrhea, open wounds, spider bites or bees, ants and scorpion bites, food poisoning. Additionally, it treats drug overdose, gas, diabetic ulcers, heartburns and indigestion.
As it possesses such Terrific absorption capacity, activated carbon can also be used for air and water filters. It will absorb gases and odors, plastic fumes, cigarette smoke, furniture glues, carpet odors, bacteria and viruses. Activated charcoal filters out harmful components from water such as chlorine, copper or carbohydrates.
