Silica gel is one of the most commonly used drying materials. It is a highly porous synthetic adsorbent, which is a hydrated form of silicon dioxide SiO2nH2O. Thanks to its developed internal porous structure, it has the ability to absorb moisture from its environment or from the flowing gas. The structure of pores in silica gel is not uniform and their diameter ranges from 2 to 12.5 nm. Thanks to its high water absorption capacity, possibility of repeated use (regeneration) and safety in use, it is one of the most frequently used drying materials.
Silica gel granulate is supplied in the form of spherical or irregular shaped granules of various sizes. Depending on the user’s requirements, it may contain a saturation indicator in its structure, which informs about the consumption of the drying material. Silica gels can be classified according to the type of pore structure as follows:
- type A (narrow porosity)
- type B (medium porosity)