For cleanrooms, silica gel desiccants are one of the important elements that help in controlling humidity levels. Humidity refers to the amount of moisture present in the air. High humidity levels can increase the contamination rate and negatively impact the quality of products and materials manufactured in a cleanroom. 

To address this, cleanrooms use dehumidifiers to maintain an optimal humidity level. The use of silica gel as a dehumidifying agent is a popular method of controlling humidity in cleanrooms.

Why do we need silica gel for cleanrooms?

Desiccant Silica gel for cleanroom absorbs moisture and helps to reduce the risk of particles and microbes in the air, which can contaminate products or equipment. The moisture-absorbing beads also help to maintain a consistent temperature and humidity level in the cleanroom environment, which is vital for the safety of the products or equipment used in the cleanroom.

The most preferred desiccant for cleanrooms is orange silica gel beads. Orange silica gel beads can be used in various silica gel for cleanroom dehumidifiers, including desiccant and refrigerant dehumidifiers. 

Desiccant dehumidifiers use a rotating wheel coated with silica gel to remove moisture from the air. This dehumidifier is especially effective in low-humid environments, making it an ideal choice for cleanrooms.

Refrigerant dehumidifiers, on the other hand, use a refrigeration system to condense moisture from the air. Silica gel can be used in conjunction with the refrigeration system to enhance the dehumidifying capabilities of the device. This type of dehumidifier is best suited for use in environments with higher humidity levels.

An important consideration when using silica gel for cleanroom dehumidification is its environmental impact. Silica gel is not a renewable resource, and it is important to dispose of it properly to minimize its environmental impact. Some companies offer recyclable silica gel options that can be regenerated and reused, reducing the waste generated from its use.

Another advantage of silica gel for cleanroom dehumidification is its ability to absorb odours. This makes it a valuable tool for controlling the levels of pollutants and odours in the cleanroom, which can negatively impact the quality of products and materials manufactured in the environment.

Therefore, orange silica gel beads are used where products need protection from moisture and humidity. For example, they are widely used in the breather transformer, leather, electronics, and pharmaceutical packaging industries. However, the orange silica gel bead's moisture absorption capability is 40% of its weight and is available in 2-5mm, 3-5mm, and 4-8mm sizes.

Benefits of silica gel for cleanroom

1. Enhanced product quality: Silica gel can absorb moisture from the air and prevent it from settling on products, which can damage them. Reducing the amount of moisture in the air reduces the risk of contamination and product degradation.
2. Improved air quality: Silica gel can help keep the air in a clean room free of dust, dirt, and other contaminants. This helps to maintain high levels of cleanliness and sterility in the environment.
3. Reduced maintenance: Silica gel can reduce the dusting and cleaning needed to keep the cleanroom in working order. 
4. Cost savings: Silica gel is inexpensive and can be reused frequently, making it a cost-effective way to keep a cleanroom free of contaminants.

The development of moisture can adversely affect the electrical types of equipment and their functioning in the long run. However, it becomes more than essential to control the moisture level in power plants and prevent it from entering the equipment. 

Silica gel is used as a drying solution to achieve the desired results in breather transformers, and it protects the oil in the transformer against the damaging effects of moisture.

How does a transformer work?

A transformer is a piece of electrical equipment used to increase or decrease voltage levels. It is attached to the conservator tank to accommodate the expansion of oil in the transformer. When it is loaded, the increased temperature increases the volume of the oil inside the transformer. The conservator tank contains the vacant space, which is filled with air from the atmosphere. The oil coming to the conservator during the overloading of the transformer is likely to get mixed with the moisture present in the air. Thus, reducing the efficiency of the transformer becomes essential. 

A breather is used in the transformer, which helps filter out moisture from the air. 

The breather consists of silica gel crystals and beads, which are an effective desiccant and work well even at high temperatures. A silica gel breather is usually fitted with the conservator tank, which is connected to the oil-filled transformers and absorbs moisture during breathing.

How does a transformer breather work?

A transformer breather works to ensure the right amount of moisture enters the conservator tank while the cooling medium undergoes volume changes. The breathers help keep the air free from moisture and humidity. This will help to enhance the transformer's performance.

Work of a breather in transformer:

The breather is generally mounted on the transformer tank, which contains silica gel that extracts all the moisture from the air. When the transformers are in service, the changes in the oil volume are regular. Sometimes, air displacement due to the changes in the oil volume takes through the breather. Thus, the breather extracts all the moisture from the air that might have entered the transformer oil. 

The transformer oil has considerable thermal expansion. It is observed that the under-increasing load, the temperature rises and the oil expands. However, it is advised to keep the oil's temperature level at some distance below the top cover to provide space for oil expansion under high temperatures.  

Work of Conservator in Transformer:

A conservator is a small metal drum located on the top cover or, in some cases, supported on the sidewall. The main tank is filled with oil. Whereas the conservator is only half filled. A pipe that connects the conservator and main tank takes up the expansion and contraction of oil under variation of load. Therefore, the oil inside the main tank will not be exposed to air and will remain moisture-free. 

The conservator oil is made moisture-free by passing it through a breather device. The device incorporates a dry agent known as silica gel. The silica gel is meant to be an excellent moisture absorber, which absorbs moisture from air and oil seal to remove the mechanical impurities from the air. 

Types of transformer breathers:

• Transformer Breather Acrylic Body with Oil Cup
• Transformer Breather with metallic body
• Transformer Breather - Clear View with Oil Cup
• Transformer Breather- Clear View with Flange
• Fume Desiccant Breather for Acid Tank
• Hydraulic Breather

Features of Silica Gel Breathers

• High adsorption capacity - up to 40% of its weight
• High efficiency
• It can be purged to remove water; once saturated
• Can be reused
• Budget-friendly
• Easily available
• Safe to use
• Leaves no chemical residue
• Non-flammable
• Stable and reliable performance
• Inert property - will not corrode or disrupt the medium
• High shelf life

Propose of silica gel breather in a transformer:

Silica gel for transformers is excellent for power-generating companies as it provides cost-effective methods of controlling moisture levels in the transformers. 

As soon as the silica gel breather is installed, the silica gel crystals or beads colour is blue, and after some time, the blue colour changes to pink. The change in colour means that the silica gel has saturated, and now the breather needs to be changed. 

Sorbead India is the leading manufacturer and supplier of Silica Gel breather for Transformers.

The Silica Gel Breather Transformer is of supreme quality, effectively improving the transformer's function. Moreover, it provides silica gel with various specifications and sizes to fulfill different needs of industrial clients.

Manufacture silica gel in the form of crystals and beads. They are divided into two types:

Indicating and Non-Indicating. Blue & Orange Silica Gel crystals or beads are the indicating ones. White silica gel is the non-indicating one.

A dehumidifier is commonly used to decrease moisture and humidity in the air. The dehumidifiers accomplish their work with the help of different types of dehumidifiers. These systems can also achieve their goals by using chemicals which can absorb moisture. 

How Does a Dehumidifier Work?

A dehumidifier regulates the humidity in a room by removing the excess moisture from the air and creating a living environment that is inhospitable to dust, mould, moisture, etc. 

Steps that a dehumidifier takes during operations:

• Firstly, the air is drawn into the unit by a fan from the room
• Then the air is passed over the cold coils
• Air is cooled, and its moisture condenses
• After this step, the water falls into the drip pan 
• Then the air is reheated by a heat recovery system
• And simultaneously, the dry air goes into the room
• Lastly, the dehumidifier will automatically get off after the water is drained.

Types of Dehumidifiers

There are two types of dehumidifiers: Refrigerant dehumidifiers and Desiccant dehumidifiers.

Refrigerant Dehumidifiers:

The dehumidifier uses much similar process to a fridge at our home. The refrigeration process generally cools a metal plate, on which the moisture from the air liquidizes. In this process, a fan constantly draws the air through the dehumidifier and even over the cool metal plates. This process liquidates the moisture onto the plate and drips it into the dehumidifier's water tank. 

Refrigerant dehumidifiers are commonly effective at room temperatures and decline their performance dramatically in cooler conditions. The common reason for the declaration is ice formation on the metal plates. The dehumidifier can work efficiently at lower temperatures but requires higher-performing components to achieve its goals. 

Desiccant Dehumidifiers:

The desiccant dehumidifier is entirely different from the refrigerant dehumidifier. The dehumidifier absorbs water from the air using desiccants, like silica gel. A desiccant is commonly used for absorbing water and is found in small packs in the form of crystals or beads. 

How does the desiccant dehumidifier work?

In the dehumidifier, a wheel consisting of desiccants turns slowly through the incoming air and absorbs its moisture. During the process, a proportion of the wheel passes through the warm air steam, which reactivates the desiccant by absorbing all the moisture. Then the water is collected in the dehumidifier collection tank. This system tends to be relatively smaller and lighter than refrigerant dehumidifiers. The purpose is to choose dehumidifiers that operate at much lower temperatures, particularly in cool areas like garages, workshops, etc. 

The desiccant dehumidifiers generally use silica gel to absorb moisture and humidity. Silica gel makes the dehumidifier more active so that it can absorb more and more moisture and humidity. The silica gel is available in packets, pouches and bulk quantities according to the user's requirements.

Researchers convey that silica gel is a well-known desiccant and even a natural dehumidifier that absorbs moisture by reducing the humidity from the surrounding. Thus, silica gel is an effective desiccant in keeping away mould or mildew from essential products.

Different types of dehumidifiers used in Industrial and Commercial areas:

• Condensate Dehumidifier
• Electric Refrigeration Dehumidifier
• Spray Dehumidifier
• Ionic Membrane Dehumidifier
• Chemical Absorbent Dehumidifier

Condensate Dehumidifiers:

These dehumidifiers use cold devices to collect water from the air. This water is known as condensate, which is usually greywater. The dehumidifier is often used for industrial purposes. 

Electric Refrigeration Dehumidifiers:

It’s very commonly used and draws moist air from a refrigerated evaporator with the help of a fan. The evaporators have a coiled tube, a fin and a tube. The dehumidifier condenses the water, which is being removed, and then the air is reheated by a condenser coil. The preheated air is then released into the room. The dehumidifiers are best at higher ambient temperatures, with high dew points. 

Spray Dehumidifiers:

In spray dehumidifiers, the cold water to a temperature that is below the atmospheric dewpoint. Due to this, the water condenses into it faster than water evaporates. Therefore, the system mixes cold water and air sprays to capture moisture. 

Ionic Membrane Dehumidifiers:

These dehumidifiers use an ionic membrane to remove humidity in or out of a sealed enclosure. These systems mostly use a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (SPE). As a disadvantage, these don't have high dehydration capacities. Dehumidifiers are often used to protect sensitive electrical components, medical equipment, etc., from humidity. 

Chemical Absorbent Dehumidifiers:

The absorbent dehumidifiers, also known as desiccant dehumidifiers, use hydrophilic materials like silica gel to dry the air. Silica gel is one of the best practical solutions for absorbing moisture. The process of removing the moisture from the air is the same as the desiccant dehumidifiers. These dehumidifiers can be used in both commercial and industrial applications. 

Common features of dehumidifiers:

Frost-control sensor: This sensor turns off the dehumidifier if frost begins to form in the coils. This senses the frost and keeps the application free from racking up your energy bills. 

• Clean-filter Alert: The importance of cleaning and maintaining the dehumidifier is to operate it properly. This filter is responsible for cleaning up the air that flows through the system. 

• Water tank size: When choosing a dehumidifier, it is very important to look for a water tank with comfortable handles so that you can remove and carry water easily. 

• Timer: The timer is generally programmed automatically and switches on and off when the work is done.