Silica gel regeneration is a procedure performed to restore the properties of this adsorbent and its full use. Silica gel is a relatively inert chemical that has high porosity and high adsorption properties, thanks to which it is able to adsorb up to 37% of water vapor by weight. Due to this property silica gel is used widely in food storage, in prevention of pharmaceuticals deterioration, in purification of chemicals, industrial oils and water.
How silica gel is saturated with moisture
The structure of silica gel is made up of oxygen and silicon atoms with nanometer-sized voids. Even when the silica gel granules are saturated with moisture, their tiny pores hold water molecules by capillary condensation, so the granules appear dry even at maximum filling. But after the pores are filled to the maximum, silica gel loses its ability to remove moisture from the air. In this case silica gel needs to be replaced with a new one and it is an expensive solution, or the used silica gel can be regenerated for reuse in a cost-effective manner.
Silica gel regeneration device SSC
The GlobeCore company has developed a technology for silica gel regeneration, which is implemented in SSC devices. Structurally, the SSC silica gel regeneration device is a compact drying cabinet in which drying takes place by means of precise heating and subsequent cooling of the material. The “heating-cooling” cycle can be retried several times if necessary.
The casing of the SSC silica gel regeneration device is made of sheet steel and is heat-insulated, this ensures heat conservation. Heating elements are installed on both sides of the drying chamber. The fan is on the back panel. It is designed for uniform spreading of heated air throughout the chamber. The operator sets the drying temperature taking into account the maximum temperature acceptable for drying of a particular brand of silica gel. Subsequently, the temperature is kept automatically. The design of the SSC silica gel regeneration device allows you to speed the drying process up due to the decomposition of silica gel on the surface of twelve pallets, each of which is placed in its own cell for drying. The SSC device can function in the “blowing” mode in addition to “heating” mode also. It improves the drying process.
The pores of silica gel are freed from moisture after drying this gel in the SSC device. Silica gel restores its properties completely and can be reused as intended.