Silica gel is derived from silicon silicate and is a widely used desiccant as it demonstrates a natural propensity to absorb moisture from its immediate surroundings. It is synthetically manufactured from silicon dioxide. A desiccant is a substance that is used as a drying agent as it has the ability to adsorb moisture. Though it is referred to as a gel, in its amorphous form, it resembles translucent grains of sand.
You would notice that packets of this desiccant are placed in packages containing electronics, leather goods, paper products and food products. A number of pharmaceutical companies rely on this substance to prevent capsules from being adversely affected by moisture. This desiccant could either be used in sachets or in a loose form.
Typically, this desiccant is capable of absorbing moisture that is up to 40 percent of its weight. Some of these desiccants are available as indicating desiccants, where the change in color indicates that it's time to replace it or regenerate it. An important aspect to be noted here is that silica gel can be regenerated. This means that you can re-use by heating it up to a particular temperature at which it releases all the moisture it has accumulated. Once moisture-free, it can be effectively re-used. This process can be carried out by heating this particular desiccant to a temperature of approximately 150 degrees centigrade. As you might have already guessed, this desiccant can be used several times over without the user having to discard it.
While the industrial sector is the largest consumer of this desiccant, there are also many individuals who use it for creative purposes such as flower preservation. When placed alongside fresh flowers, this desiccant slowly but effectively rids a flower of its inherent moisture content. This desiccant is also very safe and non-toxic. That's precisely the reason why it is such an effective moisture control method when used in conjunction with food products.
As we know, the presence of moisture accelerates the proliferation of mold and bacteria. This leads to the deterioration of food items, especially fresh products such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meat. It thus becomes imperative to stop this process using a moisture-control tool, which more often than not involves the use of a desiccant.
Thus, it is evident that the use of silica gel is widespread. It is an economical moisture control solution. There are several manufacturers that offer this desiccant in innovative forms such as pouches, continuous strip pillow packs, as unit packs, humidity indicating cards, and also in large sacks that can be used for absorbing moisture from high-volume cargo. Industries such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, electronics, leather goods, transportation are continuously looking for ways to control moisture. These industries stand to benefit from the use of silica gel.
