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Desiccant for Compressed Air Dryers
Desiccant overview
Desiccant Activated alumina
Desiccant Silica gel
Molecular sieve

Desiccant Overview
Desiccant Activated Alumina BeadsDesiccant adsorbs moisture from gas through a chemical reaction. Different desiccant adsorb more than others based on process conditions. For example desiccant activated alumina is an excellent moisture adsorber when the relative humidity is 100%. It can adsorb up to 40% its weight at 100% relative humidity. However its efficiency declines as the relative humidity falls. The most common desiccant types used to dry compressed air are...
  • Desiccant activated alumina - excellent all purpose desiccant for drying air and most other gases with high relative humidities
  • Desiccant silica gel - very effective desiccant for drying compressed air/gas streams, especially natural gas. Features excellent adsorption at mid inlet relative humidity
  • Molecular sieve - most effective for applications with low inlet flows and low relative humidities, (Less than 30-35%RH). Can achieve the lowest dewpoints possible to -120°F

    There are various grades of each type and they are available in a large variety of shapes and sizes. Condit Company has vast experience selecting desiccant to cost-effectively dry gas streams and can help you find the best drying solution. Condit services customers who need pharmaceutical desiccants and other processes. Contact us at 713-785-0497 or email us to discuss an optimized desiccant solution for your application.


    Desiccant Activated Alumina
    Desiccant activated alumina is an excellent all-purpose desiccant for drying air and most other gases with high relative humidities. Dewpoints of -100°F can be achieved (depending on dryer). Desiccant activated alumina can be used in both heated and heatless / pressure swing dryers.Desiccant Activated Alumina Beads

    Desiccant activated alumina has: excellent porosity creating tortuous paths and extended surface area; high strength against crushing; and very stable physical and chemical characteristics, even in high temperature and corrosive environments.
    Desiccant Activated Alumina
  • -100°F dew points obtainable
  • Unaffected by catastrophic liquid water loading
  • Ideal for both heatless and heat regenerated systems
  • Low regeneration temperature 250°F to 500°F

    Desiccant Activated Alumina Specifications
    Bead Sizes (in.) 1/16'', 1/8'', 3/16'', ¼'' (custom sizes available)
    Moisture removal at 40%RH 13.5%/wt
    Moisture removal at 60%RH 20%/wt
    Moisture removal at 100%RH 40%/wt
    Crush Strength (lbs) (Depends on grade)
    Abrasion Loss (%/wt) <0.1
    RH - Relative Humidity
    %/wt - Percent weight

    Condit Company offers custom desiccant solutions. Desiccant with different characteristics are available. Contact us at 713-785-0497 or email us to discuss an optimized desiccant solution for your application. A Condit sales engineer can work with you to select a cost-effective desiccant solution that meets or exceeds your drying requirement. Certified service technicians are also available to change your dryer's desiccant and perform all other service.


    Desiccant Silica Gel
    Desiccant silica gel is a very effective desiccant for drying air and often used to dry natural gas. Desiccant silica gel has excellent static adsorption at mid inlet relative humidity. White Desiccant Silica Gel BeadsDue to its uniform bead size and high bulk density desiccant silica gel beads minimize nesting and channeling within the dryer. Large volume drying applications use desiccant silica gel because it offers premium drying performance and an energy cost savings compared to other desiccant.

    Desiccant silica gel is odorless, non-toxic, and non-corrosive, with stable chemical and thermal characteristics.Desiccant Silica Gel Beads Interconnected pores form a vast surface area, desiccant silica gel can adsorb moisture 40% or more of its weight at 100% humidity.
    Desiccant Silica Gel Features
  • -80°F dew points obtainable
  • Susceptible to liquid and thermal fracture; recommend using an desiccant activated alumina pre-buffer
  • Most common on heat regenerated systems
  • Low regeneration temperatures, 250°F to 500°F

    Desiccant Silica Gel Specifications
    Characteristics Grade 1 Grade 2
    Bead Size (in.) .14 (custom sizes available)
    Moisture removal at 40%RH 23%/wt 18%/wt
    Moisture removal at 60%RH 34%/wt 29%/wt
    Moisture removal at 100%RH 40%/wt
    Crush Strength (lbs) 45 27
    Abrasion Loss (%/wt) <0.2
    RH - Relative Humidity
    %/wt - Percent weight

    Condit Company offers custom desiccant solutions. Desiccant with different characteristics are available. Contact us at 713-785-0497 or email us to discuss an optimized desiccant solution for your application. A Condit sales engineer can work with you to select a cost-effective desiccant solution that meets or exceeds your drying requirement. Certified service technicians are also available to change your dryer's desiccant and perform all other service.


    Molecular Sieve
    Molecular sieve is most effective for applications with low inlet flows and low relative humidities, (less than 30-35%RH). A common molecular sieve application is working as a polishing layer to achieve dew points down to -120°F, and in applications for drying hydrocarbons and other exotic gases.Molecular Sieve Beads

    Molecular Sieve is a combination of optimized desiccant materials including: sodium potassium and calcium alumina silicate. The actual combination of materials varies depending on the product. Condit Company offers a wide selection of molecular sieve to meet the requirements of different drying applications. Molecular sieve is non-toxic and insoluble to water and most organic solvents. Because molecular sieve can provide the lowest possible dewpoints it is used in the most demanding and unique drying applications.
    Molecular Sieve
  • Regeneration temperatures, 350°F to 700°F
  • Dewpoints to -120°F
  • Recommended for polishing applications and unique demanding drying applications

    Carbon Molecular Sieve - for use with nitrogen gas generators. Separates oxygen from compressed air resulting in high quality nitrogen effluent.

    Molecular Sieve Specifications
    Bead Sizes (in.) 1/16'', 1/8'' (custom sizes available)
    Moisture removal at 40%RH,
    60%RH and 100%RH
    22%/wt
    Crush Strength (lbs) 18
    RH - Relative Humidity
    %/wt - Percent weight

    Condit Company offers custom desiccant solutions. Desiccant with different characteristics are available. Contact us at 713-785-0497 or email us to discuss an optimized desiccant solution for your application. A Condit sales engineer can work with you to select a cost-effective desiccant solution that meets or exceeds your drying requirement. Certified service technicians are also available to change your dryer's desiccant and perform all other service.

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