What are the two methods designed to allow moisture trapped inside a wire bundle to escape?

Desiccant is an adsorbent (not an absorbent), that is, it attracts water molecules, which adhere to its surface. Unlike absorbents, which change their volume as they take on the water, desiccants do not change their volume. Commonly available desiccants can hold up to a maximum 35% of their weight in moisture before losing their effectiveness. They work by trapping the moisture while it is still in a water vapor form, before it can condense (become liquid) and cause damage. While desiccants can also absorb water in liquid form, usually this is too late in the corrosion cycle to prevent damage.

Using desiccant to protect the contents of a package, container or enclosure helps reduce or eliminate the damage caused by moisture, including mold, corrosion and short circuits. Desiccant is usually the most cost-effective way to remove moisture, both initially and over extended periods of time.

(A) Silica Gel, which can be supplied in bags, bulk or desiccators. Used in moderate to high humidity and/or moderate temperature (less than 125°F / 52°C) environments. Maximum capacity is 35% by weight when exposed at 25C and 80% RH or higher.

(B) Molecular Sieve, crystalline metal aluminosilicate, is also available in bags, bulk or desiccators. Used to create very dry environments or in high temperature (up to 400°F / 204°C) applications. Available with different microscopic pore sizes, the most common being 4Å (4 angstroms). Maximum capacity is 21% by weight over a wide temperature range.

(C) Activated Alumina, available in bulk for high moisture adsorption in high humidity environments. It is an inefficient adsorber in 40% or less relative humidity (RH) environments. Normally used in high pressure or compressed gas dryers. Like silica gel, the capacity is very dependent on conditions of exposure. Most people use a capacity of about 7.5% for compressed gas dryers.

D) Montmorillonite Clay, commonly known as bentonite, normally supplied in packets, canisters and bags holding anywhere from a fraction of an ounce up to 5.8 lbs. (80 units) of desiccant. Used in moderate to high humidity and/or moderate temperature environments. It is inexpensive and used for general packaging requirements. It is not suitable for bulk desiccator applications because of its tendency to pack and restrict air flow. Similar to silica gel, the capacity of this material is dependent on conditions of exposure with a maximum of 26% when exposed at 25C and 80% RH.

AGM can also supply silica gel, clay or molecular sieve, in either bagged or bulk form.

(A) TRAPPED MOISTURE is the amount of moisture trapped in an enclosure when it is sealed. There are two sources: water vapor in the air inside the enclosure when it is sealed and water on and inside the solid material contents of the enclosure commonly referred to as hygroscopic moisture. Electronic components are well known for the amount of moisture they will hold in solid solution (hygroscopically). To calculate the amount of moisture in the air, multiply the volume of the enclosure in cubic ft. by the amount of moisture that a cubic ft. of trapped air will hold at a given temperature and relative humidity.

Chart 1 displays the amount of moisture that a cubic ft. of air will hold at sea level at various temperatures and relative humidities. Note that the absolute amount of moisture in saturated air increases exponentially with increasing temperature.

(B) MOISTURE LEAKAGE is the amount of moisture that may enter non-sealed, leaking or porous enclosures as a result of temperature or altitude changes and is directly proportional to the enclosure volume and the differences in temperature or altitude extremes (Chart 2 and Chart 3).

(C) VALVE BREATHING a breather valve’s primary function is to protect an enclosure from excessive pressure or vacuum differentials. Each time the valve opens inward (or “gulps”) it can take in as much as 0.015 g of water per cubic ft. under worldwide storage conditions. During airlift, it can take in as much as 0.09 g of water per cubic ft. during descent. The higher the valve pressure and vacuum reseal settings, the less often the valve will breathe. For this to be an advantage, however, the enclosure must be structurally strong enough to withstand the pressure and vacuum differentials imposed by the valve.

(D) PERMEATION is the movement of individual molecules through a seemingly solid material. Common permeable materials are most seals and seal materials, plastics and other intentionally porous materials. Permeation constitutes a small amount of moisture but over time it can, and will, build up to levels high enough to cause a problem on the inside of the enclosure.

Desiccators (also known as dehydrators or dehumidifiers) are packages to hold desiccant which function as self-contained moisture control systems. They hold the desiccant to protect the contents of enclosures from moisture damage and are used in a wide variety of aerospace and electronic applications.

There are two basic types of desiccators: dynamic and static.

Dynamic Desiccators allow a moist gas stream to flow through the desiccant bed to dry the gas. More complicated types of dynamic desiccators are self-regenerating, usually large and expensive, and require an external power source.

Static Desiccators, on the other hand, can vary in size from tiny packets or capsules to 55-gallon drum-sized canisters and larger, filled with desiccant. They are generally much less expensive, but require periodic re-generation or replacement.

Over the last 40+ years, AGM has designed and produced hundreds of different static desiccators. The ones shown on this website demonstrate the wide variety of shapes and sizes and manufacturing technologies that are used to fit the required application. They are available in both standard and custom configurations, made from various materials and can be supplied with any of the three principal commonly commercially available desiccants: silica gel, molecular sieve or bagged clay (used with TA476 and TA486 desiccant holders and baskets). Optional features, such as breather valves, humidity indicators, non-dusting filters, and RFI/EMI shielding can also be incorporated.

In order to enable AGM’s Engineers to more quickly recommend either a standard or existing custom desiccator, or to design a new configuration, we will need the following information:

1. The volume of interior space to be protected.
2. The amount and shape of space available for the desiccator.
3. The level of moisture protection required.
4. The ambient moisture and temperature levels.
5. The length of time desired before recharging.
6. The anticipated leakage rate of the enclosure.
7. Whether a Breather Valve and/or Humidity Indicator are required.
8. Dusting protection required, if any.
9. RFI/EMI protection required, if any.
10. Any unusual environmental conditions.

Because some of the criteria above are performance requirements and others are time and space limitations, it may be necessary to make compromises that meet realistic objectives. The earlier AGM’s Engineers can be involved in the design process, the better AGM will be able to meet the requirements.

Because both silica gel and molecular sieve react rapidly to moisture, they must be handled under controlled minimum humidity conditions to retain maximum adsorption capacity. At AGM, all desiccators are filled in a dry box, and packaged in materials with extremely low water vapor transmission rates.

Customers are cautioned to leave the desiccators in their original “as received” packaging (with overpack included) until ready for use to assure maximum adsorbent capacity. In addition, they should establish procedures that will minimize the time between removal of the product from its package and its installation in the sealed enclosure. It is also important that the work be done under optimal ambient conditions. Both silica gel and molecular sieve can lose up to 5% of their adsorbent capacity in one hour when exposed to 60% RH at an ambient temperature of 86°F (30°C). Reducing ambient conditions to 10% RH at 77°F (25°C) will increase this time period for molecular sieve to 12 hours and for silica gel to 35 hours.

ABSOLUTE (OR SPECIFIC) HUMIDITY

The ratio of the mass of water vapor in a sample of air to the mass of air of the sample.

ABSOLUTE PRESSURE (PSIA)

The pressure above the absolute zero value of pressure that is theoretically obtained in empty space. (Example: The absolute pressure at sea level is 14.7 psia.)

ABSORPTION

The penetration of a substance into the inner structure of a solid or liquid where it is held in place by surface tension effects and is readily displaced.

ADSORPTION

The surface retention of solid, liquid or gas molecules, atoms or ions by a solid or liquid. The adsorbed material is held in place by Van der Waals and other weak inter-molecular forces and is not readily displaced.

ALTITUDE

Height, measured as distance along the extended earth’s radius above a given datum, such as average sea level.

ANGSTROM (Å)

A unit of length, 10-8 cm (10-10 meter). Used to define pore size in molecular sieves.

ASCENT

Motion of an aircraft in which the path is inclined upward with respect to the horizontal.

ATMOSPHERES (ATM)

A unit of pressure equal to the pressure exerted by a column of air one inch square and extending from sea level to infinity. 1 atmosphere = 14.7 psi.

BREATHING

Movement of gas, vapors or air in and out of an enclosure as a result of expansions and contractions induced by temperature or pressure change (such as altitude change).

CONDENSATION

The process by which vapor becomes a liquid and energy is released.

DESCENT

Motion of an aircraft in which the path is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal.

DEW POINT

The temperature at which air becomes saturated when cooled without addition of moisture or change of pressure; any further cooling causes condensation.

DIURNAL

Pertaining to meteorological actions which are completed within 24 hours and which recur every 24 hours.

DRY BULB THERMOMETER

An ordinary thermometer, especially one with an un-moistened bulb; not dependent upon atmospheric humidity.

DUNNAGE

Cushioning material in a container to protect shipped goods from damage.

EQUILIBRIUM

Condition in which no change occurs in the state of a system as long as its surroundings are unaltered.

GAS (VAPOR)

A phase of matter in which the substance expands readily to fill any containing vessel; characterized by relatively low density.

GRAIN (GR)

A unit of mass equal to 1/7,000 of a pound, or to 6.47989 x 10-5 kilogram (kg).

GRAM (G OR GM)

The unit of mass in the centimeter-gram-second system of units, equal to 0.001 kg.

H2O

Water, in any phase, solid (ice), liquid (water), or gas (water vapor).

HYDROPHILIC

Having an affinity for, attracting, adsorbing or absorbing water.

HYDROPHOBIC

Lacking an affinity for, repelling, or failing to adsorb or absorb water.

HUMIDITY

Atmospheric water vapor content.

HYGROSCOPIC

Readily absorbs or adsorbs moisture and retains it.

LEAKAGE

Undesired and gradual escape or entry of a quantity, such as air or water vapor from an enclosure.

MICRON

A unit of measure of length or distance equal to 1 x 10-6 meters, or 0.00003937 inches.

MOISTURE

Water that is dispersed through a gas or liquid in the form of water vapor or small droplets, dispersed through a solid or condensed on the surface of a solid.

PRESSURE

A type of stress which is exerted uniformly in all directions; its measure is the force exerted per unit area.

PSYCHROMETRIC CHART

A graph, each point of which represents a specific condition of a gas-vapor system (such as air and water vapor) with regard to temperature (horizontal scale) and absolute humidity (vertical scale); other characteristics of the system, such as relative humidity, wet-bulb or dew point temperature, specific volume and enthalpy, are indicated by lines on the chart.

PURGING

The act or process of cleaning and purifying by replacing the current contents with a cleaner or purer medium.

REACTIVATION

The restoring (through the application of heat or other processes) of the adsorption capacity of a desiccant.

RELATIVE HUMIDITY (RH)

The ratio of the actual water vapor pressure of the air-water vapor mixture to the saturation water vapor pressure, stated as a percent (dimensionless) and varies based on temperature.

SATURATION

The point where no more of a substance can be absorbed, adsorbed, dissolved or retained. When referred to desiccant, saturation occurs when the desiccant material will no longer take on moisture for the condition it is exposed to. For water vapor in air, when saturation occurs, liquid water precipitates (or rains) out of the air-water vapor mixture.

TEMPERATURE

A measure of the internal energy of a substance, usually referred to as the degree of hotness or coldness as measured on a specific scale.

UNIT OF DESICCANT

Desiccants are usually sold by performance (rate, capacity), not by weight. A standard performance definition is the desiccant unit. One unit of desiccant is defined as having an adsorption capacity of 6 grams of water at 77°F (25°C) and 40% RH. For instance, a unit of silica gel weighs 26 grams, a unit of molecular sieve weighs 32 grams and a unit of clay weighs 33 grams.

VACUUM

A space in which the pressure is far below normal atmospheric pressure.

VAPOR PRESSURE

The partial pressure of water vapor in the atmosphere.

WATER VAPOR

Water in the form of a gas, especially when below the boiling point and diffused.

WATER VAPOR TRANSMISSION RATE (WVTR)

The rate that water permeates through the wall or barrier of an enclosure, usually given in g/(m2 x day)or g/(in2 x day).

WET-BULB THERMOMETER

A thermometer having the bulb covered with a cloth, usually muslin or cambric, saturated with water in which the temperature reading is affected by the amount of humidity in the air.

WHAT IS A BREATHER DESICCATOR?

A breather desiccator is a desiccant cartridge that is mounted to a breather valve.

WHY ARE THEY CALLED BREATHING DESICCATORS?

Because the air that passes through the breather valve is forced through the desiccant in the cartridge screwed into the back of the breather valve. With a static desiccator, the air is not forced through the desiccant bed.

HOW MUCH desiccant can the desiccator cartridge hold?

The desiccator cartridge for standard 1″ breather valves can be up to about 18″ long and they will hold about 6 grams of desiccant per inch of length. However, anything over about 6″ should probably be supported inside your package as the porous polyethylene tubing is not strong enough to support the cantilevered desiccant weight beyond that. Desiccant cartridges are not able to be attached to the 2″ or 4″ breather valves.

does the desiccant cartridge affect the air flow through the valve?

Yes. The desiccant cartridge reduces the flow for a given pressure drop by 67 – 75%.

WHAT DESICCANT MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE IN BREATHING DESICCATORS?

The most common are molecular sieve, either Type 4A or Type 13X, or silica gel. However, any desiccant material that does not “pack” will work. When the desiccant material “packs” it can completely block the flow of air through the desiccator, rendering it non-breathable. It will still function to desiccate, but not for breathing.

what is the difference between a desiccator and a desiccant basket?

While both are packages intended to hold desiccant, a desiccant basket holds pre-packaged or bagged desiccant. It is intended to mount through a container wall and provide an easy way to replace desiccant from the outside of the container. AGM desiccant baskets have long lasting, easily removable, stainless steel covers that will accept a security wire to provide evidence of tampering and come in a variety of standard lengths. Custom lengths are available upon request. Desiccators are usually packed with loose, or bulk desiccant, and are located inside the container or item. They are intended to keep a specific sealed space dry. Some of AGM’s customers’ complex pieces of hardware have had as many as six desiccators, each protecting a different area of the item, as well as a desiccant basket in the container to keep the container interior and item exterior dry.

what sizes, shapes and materials are desiccators available in?

AGM has made desiccators in literally hundreds of shapes and sizes ranging from the size of a small grape up to eight foot long tubes and every conceivable size and shape in between. Desiccators have been made from aluminum, stainless steel, bronze and many plastics including polystyrene, ABS, polycarbonate, acrylic, polyester, polyproplene, and combinations of plastics and metals. Manufacturing processes for desiccator components can utilize one or more of the following: milling, turning, stamping, vacuum forming, injection molding and casting.

what size of desiccant baskets are available?

There are two standard diameters currently available, the 2″ TA476 series and the 4″ TA486 series. Each is available in several standard lengths with custom lengths available upon request.

can i put a breather valve in the cover of the desiccant baskets?

Yes. The 2″ diameter is available with either a TA340, TA333, or TA330 series valve as a TA476, or with the TA440 valve as the TA478 series. The 4″ diameter is available with the above choices but is also large enough to accommodate the TA770 series valve for increased breathing capacity.

what size mounting holes are required, and, is mounting hardware provided?

The TA476/TA478 series require a 2.015″ diameter mounting hole while the TA486 series requires a 4.015″ diameter mounting hole. All necessary mounting hardware is provided.

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