Lab Desiccants and Drying Agents
Lab Desiccants and Drying Agents
Hygroscopic substances and drying agents for use in laboratory settings; drying agents are commonly used to keep other substances and samples dry, or to prevent moisture from forming on/in containers. Products include drying tubes, kits, etc.
Desiccants are typically chemicals or compounds that are hydroscopic (readily absorb moisture). Common desiccants include clays, silica gels, and calcium sulfate.
In the lab, desiccants are commonly used in desiccators and desiccator cabinets, with in-line air and gas drying columns, in absorption bulbs, U-tubes, glove boxes, sealed chambers, and wherever a dry environment is required. They are also used during transport, for storage, and maintaining materials and products ─ everything from clothing to electronics.
The moisture may come from a variety of sources:
- Water vapor in the air
- Moisture in packaging materials
- Moisture from permeation or leakage
Some desiccants contain an indicator or additive that produces a color change with moisture absorption. The indicator allows the user to see when the desiccant has absorbed its maximum amount of moisture and needs to be replaced or regenerated.
Some desiccants can be reused many times simply by heating them in an oven to allow moisture to evaporate. For indicating desiccants, one can also easily tell when the desiccant is again ready to use by the change back to the original color.
Desiccants may be available in a range of mesh or particle sizes. The Tyler Equivalent is a common type of mesh sizing and indicates the number of openings per linear inch of mesh. Common desiccant mesh sizes are 4, 8, and 10 to 12. Size 4 is typically used in gas phase applications; they are larger and less likely to break. Size 8 is smaller and can be more tightly packed.
Bohlender™ SICCO™ Desiccant
Desiccant with color indicator, easy regeneration at approximately 90 to 110°C.
Florisil, 60-100 mesh, for column chromatography, Thermo Scientific Chemicals
CAS: 1343-88-0 Molecular Formula: MgO3Si Molecular Weight (g/mol): 100.39 MDL Number: MFCD00078249 InChI Key: ZADYMNAVLSWLEQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Silica Gel Rubin, Honeywell Fluka™
CAS: 112926-00-8 Molecular Formula: O2Si Molecular Weight (g/mol): 60.083 MDL Number: MFCD00011232 InChI Key: VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N PubChem CID: 24261 ChEBI: CHEBI:30563 IUPAC Name: dioxosilane SMILES: O=[Si]=O
Silica gel (2.5-6.0mm) self indicating, dessicant agent, Fisher Chemical™
CAS: 7631-86-9 Molecular Formula: O2Si Molecular Weight (g/mol): 60.08 MDL Number: MFCD00011232 MFCD00217788 MFCD00163736 MFCD00148266 MFCD00603035 MFCD02100519 MFCD06202255 MFCD07370733 InChI Key: VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N PubChem CID: 24261 ChEBI: CHEBI:30563 SMILES: O=[Si]=O
Silica Gel (2.5-6.0mm) Self Indicating (Iron Salt), Pure, Dessicant Agent, Fisher Chemical™
CAS: 7631-86-9 Molecular Formula: O2Si Molecular Weight (g/mol): 60.08 MDL Number: MFCD00011232 MFCD00217788 MFCD00163736 MFCD00148266 MFCD00603035 MFCD02100519 MFCD06202255 MFCD07370733 InChI Key: VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N PubChem CID: 24261 ChEBI: CHEBI:30563 SMILES: O=[Si]=O
Silicagel orange, for drying purposes, non toxic grade, Thermo Scientific Chemicals
CAS: 1327-36-2 Molecular Formula: Al2O5Si Molecular Weight (g/mol): 162.04 MDL Number: MFCD00077645 InChI Key: HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Silica gel, for column chrom., ultrapure, 60-200μ, 60A, Thermo Scientific Chemicals
CAS: 7631-86-9 Molecular Formula: O2Si Molecular Weight (g/mol): 60.08 MDL Number: MFCD00011232 MFCD00217788 MFCD00163736 MFCD00148266 MFCD00603035 MFCD02100519 MFCD06202255 MFCD07370733 InChI Key: VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Synonym: Silicon dioxide PubChem CID: 24261 ChEBI: CHEBI:30563 SMILES: O=[Si]=O
Silica gel, for chromatography, 0.030-0.200 mm, 60 A, Thermo Scientific Chemicals
CAS: 7631-86-9 Molecular Formula: O2Si Molecular Weight (g/mol): 60.08 MDL Number: MFCD00011232 MFCD00217788 MFCD00163736 MFCD00148266 MFCD00603035 MFCD02100519 MFCD06202255 MFCD07370733 InChI Key: VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Synonym: Silicon dioxide PubChem CID: 24261 ChEBI: CHEBI:30563 SMILES: O=[Si]=O
Drierite, with indicator, 8 mesh, Thermo Scientific Chemicals
CAS: 7778-18-9 Molecular Formula: CaO4S Molecular Weight (g/mol): 136.13 MDL Number: MFCD00010912 InChI Key: OSGAYBCDTDRGGQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L PubChem CID: 24497 ChEBI: CHEBI:31346 SMILES: [Ca++].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O
Soda lime, pure, granular, with indicator white to violet, Thermo Scientific Chemicals
CAS: 8006-28-8 Molecular Formula: CaHNaO2 Molecular Weight (g/mol): 96.074 MDL Number: MFCD00134094 InChI Key: HUAUNKAZQWMVFY-UHFFFAOYSA-M PubChem CID: 66545795 IUPAC Name: sodium;oxocalcium;hydroxide SMILES: [OH-].O=[Ca].[Na+]
Silica gel, for drying purposes, non-toxic grade, 3-6 mm, Thermo Scientific Chemicals
CAS: 7631-86-9 Molecular Formula: O2Si Molecular Weight (g/mol): 60.08 MDL Number: MFCD00011232 MFCD00217788 MFCD00163736 MFCD00148266 MFCD00603035 MFCD02100519 MFCD06202255 MFCD07370733 InChI Key: VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Synonym: Silicon dioxide PubChem CID: 24261 ChEBI: CHEBI:30563 SMILES: O=[Si]=O