AR Sponsor
Posted: 1/4/2007 7:09:11 AM EDT
|
I'm pretty sure that most chemical dessicants on the market today are comprised merely of silica gel crystals. Has anyone here ever tried silica gel cat litter as a dessicant? I use the stuff (for its originally intended purpose) and it's the greatest stuff on earth. The package says it is silica gel. I buy it in an 8 lb. bag at Walmart for around $12.00 (Fresh Step Crystals). I assume that's cheaper than other retailers selling it as dessicant. I guess you could think of a hundred ways to utilize the stuff, I was considering a sealed plastic bucket with vent holes drilled in the lid. Anyone ever use it? |
.
|
I would assume your interested in moisture removal ? Remember, dessicant will absorb moisture very quickly and become saturated. All dessicant must be "re-charged" or dried out. Loose silca is somewhat hard to keep under saturation point. The best moisture removal tool I have found is "core driers" used in the airconditioning trade. One HH 48 block drier will hold 117 drops of water and is easily dried out in the oven, ready for future use. The cost os one drier core is about 12.00 USD. I keep one in my powder can, and one in the gun safe. Check them out !! These are made by Sporlan Comapny , Alco company, along with other manufacturers. If I'm off base here, sorry !! Be Safe !! Sooner |
|
The dessicants that I use in my labs (I'm a chemist) is Drierite and its sold commercially for relatively cheap and it has a color change that occurs when it needs to be changed or heated up so the water is driven off. Here's the site if you're interested. Blue = Dry, Pink = Wet. Warm it up in oven or on stove to drive off moisture and you're good to go. Down side, its more expensive than cat litter. Drierite |
Wondering if you could point me in the right direction on what you use. I checked websites and honestly, I don't know what I'm looking for.  Thanks! |
|
Here is a link, the prices are too high, street prices are about 10.00 each. Fully re-chargeable. Also there are many for sale on E-bay for 5.00 to 8.00. Your looking for the first picture - the dessicant block. But look at the capability to remove and hold moisture !! Beats the heck out of the heat rods ! Sorry, I don't know how to make links hot  http://www.allied-refrig.com/B.pdf |
AR Sponsor