Quite contrary to its Title, silica gel is in fact a granular, whitish material that is derived from sodium silicate. It is not soft like a gel instead these beads are somewhat hard and solid in shape. It is a really good adsorbent, meaning it adsorbs moisture from its immediate environment. That is precisely why you will see that this specific substance being used in areas where moisture has to be kept at bay. For those who have seen, boxes containing shoes or leather products often have a small packet with little beads contained inside. These beads are only silica gel-a very popular and useful desiccant. This is a mineral that occurs naturally, but has to be purified and industrially processes to make it fit for use in commercial, industrial or domestic use applications. In this Report we will give you an overview of the various applications of the material:
- It is widely utilised in the transport industry where freight travels in closed compartments by sea routes for days at a stretch. Small silica gel pouches of this material, when placed together with the freight demonstrate exceeding efficacy in adsorbing moisture. This helps to keep the desired humidity levels to keep the contents of their cargo protected.
- Another important application where you might get this desiccant used is the food and drink sector. As we all know, the presence of moisture can drastically decrease the shelf life of food products, as it contributes to problems like mold and fungus. But with desiccants maintaining the air dry, you can expect food to stay fresher for quite a long time. Some of the biggest names in the food sector cannot imagine doing business with the able help from desiccants.
- Odor control: There are plenty of places like deep freezer compartments, where you might find this desiccant used. It shows excellent efficiency in absorbing odors and foul odor from the immediate area. This substance is non-toxic, meaning that you could use it about food items also. You may use it sleeping bags, shoes, foot lockers, cars etc.
- Storage: When you must store items for quite a long time, there’s always a danger of moisture negatively affecting your saved items. As an example, you may use silica gel around things such as mementos, photos, newspapers, books, in ships, garages, cabinets and containers and myriad other items.
While these are just a Few examples, there are numerous other uses of the material. Sometimes, small amounts of silica gel will burst, but in some other instances, you may have to use it in bulk. Another interesting component of this substance is that it can be regenerated by heating it. Regenerating is the practice of removing the moisture in the beads so that they are fit for adsorption again.
