Desiccators are a safe means of storage for highly-sensitive samples or materials. A continuous purge of nitrogen or other process gas creates the positive pressure environment that’s conducive to a contamination- and humidity-free desiccator. But, what if a purging system allowed your desiccator to do more than just store parts? What if it also automatically reduced nitrogen costs and prevented overpressure? Terra’s Dual Purge system does exactly that—and when it’s paired with the NitroWatch humidity control system, the relative humidity percent set-point is automatically monitored and maintained. Keep reading to find out how this dynamic duo has changed the way we use desiccators.
Why might my purging system be out of date?
Many purging systems use a high volume of nitrogen (or other process gases) in order to avoid build-up of moisture inside the desiccator, as well as infiltration
Desiccants, more commonly recognized as those tiny packs of silica gel found in new shoes or luggage, have dozens of useful purposes in our daily lives. Some of the most effective desiccant gels can absorb up to 40% of their weight in moisture, protecting our gym bags from mildew or our silver jewelry from tarnishing. Although quite versatile, this household method of dry storage is usually not enough to preserve highly sensitive materials from moisture or contamination. Here are five critical specimens that you’ll find in a high performance, nitrogen-purged desiccator cabinet.
When storing sensitive materials in a desiccator cabinet, unnecessarily high gas flow into the chamber or misalignment of the cabinet can lead to costly nitrogen waste. Positive pressure within a desiccator is meant to push unwanted moisture-dense air through the cabinet’s release valves and prevent the ingress of moisture-laden air. This continuous process leaks a small portion of gas, since desiccators are not 100% air-tight systems. Let’s consider three of the top reasons why your desiccator may be leaking: