Four Key Uses of Silica Gel Dehumidification

What is Dehumidification?

Dehumidification is a process by which excess moisture present in the air is removed. Many times air needs to be dehumidified because the presence of water vapour can cause damage to products, packed or otherwise. Dehumidification of the air can be done using three methods- condensation, adsorption and absorption. 

In condensation, moisture is removed by drying the air below the dew point. Following this the water vapour present in the atmosphere is condensed and removed. In adsorption, the water vapour is adsorbed onto the surface of an adsorbent like Silica Gel or Aluminium Oxide. When the adsorbent takes in the moisture, it does not undergo any physical or internal changes. Similar to adsorption, absorption also absorbs the excess moisture in the air. However, in absorption the desiccant undergoes internal as well as external changes. Unlike adsorbents, these desiccants cannot be reused as they have undergone physical changes.  

Silica Gel Dehumidification

Dehumidification using Silica Gel (SiO2) as an adsorbent is known as Silica Gel Dehumidification. In this process, the Silica Gel can adsorb moisture up to nearly 40% of its own weight. The specialty of Silica Gel is that it is highly porous and has a very large surface area. The adsorbent's openings are about 50-70% volume and hence the intake of moisture is quite high. 

The major benefit of using Silica Gel as a dehumidifier is that it can reuse. Silica Gel can be regenerated by heating. Once heated, it will lose all the moisture adsorbed and is ready to be used once again. This is why the use of Silica Gel is said to be economical.

Four Major Uses of Silica Gel Dehumidification

There are many uses of Dehumidification with Silica Gel as an adsorbent. Four of the important ones are listed below:

1) Keep Storage Spaces Dry: Silica Gel dehumidification is very important in keeping storage spaces in houses and warehouses free from moisture. By doing this, goods stored in these spaces will remain unspoilt and have a longer shelf life. 

2) Keep ammunition moisture-free: Dehumidifying using Silica Gel sachets help in keeping guns and other ammunitions free from the ill-effects of excess humidity.

3) Helps electronics function better: When kept alongside electronic equipment like television, computers, VCDs, DVDs, etc., Silica Gel improves their functioning. This is done by adsorbing vapour from the surroundings.

4) Protects outdoor gear: Silica Gel Dehumidifier keeps outdoor equipment like camping gear, fishing rods free of mold, bad odours and mildew. The adsorbent removes excess moisture, which is the main cause of all these problems.