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. 

Why Use Silica Gel Dehumidifier Desiccant?

Silica gel sachets are something we see in our daily lives. Whenever we purchase/get a packaged item, mostly electronics, they always contain silica gels. The main use of silica gel desiccant is to dehumidify, i.e, eliminate all the extra moisture present in the packing material of those products, which are sensitive to vapour. This entire process of absorption of extra moisture is known as Silica Gel Dehumidification and it is carried out by Silica Gel Dehumidifiers.

Under this process, silica gel dehumidifiers will absorb all the humidity present in the packing material of products. This ensures that the product remains fresh for more time and has a longer shelf-life. A major benefit of using the Silica Gel Dehumidifier is that it demonstrates when it is fully saturated. This dehumidification product can be used multiple times as it is easily regenerated by heating it upto 250* F. 

Main Uses of Silica Gel Dehumidification - Listed below are the major benefits of using silica gel dehumidifier desiccant:

1)Takes away extra moisture from electronic devices: Whenever an electronic device like mobile phones falls into water, one should immediately remove the battery to aviod potential damage. Next, instead of shaking and wiping the device one should place it overnight in a cover filled with silica gel sachets. This method will work wonders and remove all the moisture from the device.

2)Safeguard firearms and ammunition from moisture: In places having high levels of humidity it is very easy for firearms and ammunitions to develop rust. So one should add silica gel dehumidifiers to their guns to protect against rust. The silica gel sachets must be changed on a regular basis for their proper functioning.

3)Keep storage bags moisture free: When added to zipper storage bags, the silica gel sachets keep the packed electronics and battery chargers free of moisture.

4)Protect photographs and files: People can preserve their precious photographs and important documents by keeping them in an airtight cover with silica gel sachets. This will remove extra moisture and preserve the documents. 

In the market, the silica gel dehumidifiers are available in boxes or canisters of different sizes. Their size mainly depends on the area they have to keep moisture-free.

Pharmaceutical and consumer product industries make use of bulk silica gel dehumidifier desiccant to safeguard their merchandise from the ill-effects of excess moisture.