Silica gel works by adsorbing and trapping moisture from the air, lowering humidity and preventing the formation of mould, condensation and rust in enclosed spaces. 

Silica gel's high surface area allows it to adsorb up to 40% of its weight in moisture while remaining dry to the touch. It is inert, non-toxic and has the ability to be reactivated multiple times. Silica gel will remove moisture at temperatures as high as 60°C, but it is best used at room temperature (20‐35°C) and high relative humidity (60‐90% RH).

Features

• Lowers relative humidity to approximately 35-40%
• Prevents mould, condensation & rust
• Remains dry when saturated with moisture
• Reusable
• Inert and non-toxic
• Non-corrosive
   

Applications

• Transformer breathers
• Electrical boxes
• Double-glazed windows
• Mining industry
• Aerospace
• Laboratories

Reactivation Instructions

Spread silica gel on a tray and place in an oven at 115°C to 125°C for approximately 2-3 hours. Once the silica gel has been reactivated, remove from oven and let cool until able to handle. Store silica gel in a sealed container until ready to use.

Protecting your systems and processes

Desiccant air dryers provide the ultimate in energy efficiency and supply extremely low dew points

For a broad range of industrial applications

Complete range of desiccant air dryers for a broad variety of industries and applications with dew points down to -70°C / -100° F

Protect your production

Our patented Elektronikon control and monitoring system takes continuous care of your desiccant air dryers to ensure optimal productivity and efficiency at your site

How does a desiccant air dryer work?

Twin tower desiccant air dryer working principle

Adsorption dryers are used when the compressed air application requires a pressure dew point below 0°. The regenerative desiccant dryers consist of two pressure vessels. Both vessels are filled with desiccant. One vessel is removing moisture from the compressed air.

Wet air passes directly through the desiccant bed which adsorbs the moisture. When this vessel is saturated with moisture the valves will switch and lead the air to the other standby vessel. During adsorption in the other vessel, the first vessel will be regenerated. It's a cyclic process.

The desiccant medium has a finite capacity for adsorbing moisture before it must be dried out, or regenerated. To do this, the tower containing saturated desiccant medium is depressurized and the accumulated water is driven off.
How this happens depends on the type of dryer.

• Heatless dryers use only compressed air as a purge
• Blower purge dryers use a combination of air from an external blower, heat, and minimal compressed air
• Blower zero purge dryers use a combination of air from an external blower, heat, and zero compressed air
• Heat of compression dryers use the heat of the compression
• Heated purge dryers use heat and small amount of compressed air

Types of desiccants

Depending on the technology and dew point requirement, there is always the best choice of desiccant, sometimes a combination of multiple layers of desiccants used in our designs. In this way, we will ensure required PDP levels and maximized lifetime for desiccant.

Activated Alumina grade D​

Premium quality desiccant, long lifetime, few dust forming

High performance silicagel​

Premium quality desiccant​, long lifetime​, few dust forming​

Cerades™: a groundbreaking desiccant

Some Atlas Copco innovations change everything. Cerades™, the first ever solid desiccant, has revolutionized adsorption dryer design, efficiency and performance. And that makes all the difference for you as you enjoy better air quality, lower energy and service costs, and health and environmental benefits.

Water resistant silica gel​

15% extra capacity to cope with aging​, resistance against free water​, limited dust forming​