One of the most effective and widely used desiccants is silica gel. These are an amorphous type of silica (SiO2 xH2O) that are extremely soluble and are usually present in small "beads" form. At temperatures as high as 105 °C, silica gel performs well. When the temperature increases above 105 °C, though, the desiccants slow down and release the moisture into the atmosphere. It has the ability to consume up to 40% of its body weight in liquids.
Silica gel appears in two varieties: indicating and non-indicating. The indicating silica gels are those that change colour to help in the rapid identification of moisture saturation. As a result, it's time to recharge or replace. There are two colours indicating silica gel: orange and blue. Non-indicating silica gel, on the other hand, is white in colour and has no means of measuring moisture saturation thresholds. In this post, we'll learn how to distinguish between white, blue, and orange silica gels.
The particles in silica gel white are not impregnated with any indicating agent. When these beads or crystals are dry, they become translucent. They become milky or hazy white as they absorb moisture. This is the most widely used desiccant in consumer applications, and it is used to shield vitamins, appliances, prescription devices, and other items from moisture in compressed air dryers.
The particles of silica gel orange are impregnated with methyl-violet, an indicating agent that gives it the colour orange. The orange colour changes to green as these beads or crystals exceed their full adsorption potential. Orange silica gel is both nontoxic and environmentally friendly. Compressed air dyers, breathers, and non-consumable manufactured products all use it.
The particles in silica gel blue are impregnated with cobalt chloride, an indicating agent. The cobalt chloride gives these beads/crystals a deep blue colour that changes to pink as they exceed adsorption potential.
BhavNil Chemicals Private Limited is a well-known producer and dealer in the country of high-quality silica gel desiccants. We have catered to many sectors with our best-in-class silica gel blue beads & crystals, orange beads, and white beads & crystals for their needs as a leading silica gel producer, and we continue to do so. For further details, please contact us.
