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SILICA GEL AND CLAY
REGENERATION
PACKAGED IN TYVEK OR GDTII
Regeneration of Desiccant bags can be accomplished by the following method: 1. Arrange the bags on a wire tray in a single layer to allow for adequate air flow around the bags during the drying process. The ovens inside temperature should be room or ambient temperature (77-85 deg F) (A CONVECTION, CIRCULATING, FORCED AIR TYPE OVEN IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS REGENERATION PROCESS. SEAL FAILURES MAY OCCUR IF ANY OTHER TYPE OF HEATING UNIT OR APPLIANCE IS USED.) 2. When placed in a forced air, circulating air, or convection oven, allow a minimum of 1.5 to 2.0 inches of air space between the top of the bags and the next metal tray above the bags. If placed in a radiating exposed infrared element type oven, shield the bags from direct exposure to the heating element, giving the closest bags a minimum of 16 inches clearance from the heat shield. Excessive surface film temperature due to infrared radiation will cause the Tyvek material to melt and/or the seals to fail. Seal failure may also occur if the temperature is allowed to increase rapidly. This is due to the fact that the water vapor is not given sufficient time to diffuse through the Tyvek material, thus creating internal pressure within the bag, resulting in a seal rupture. Temperature should not increase faster than 0.25 to 0.50 deg F per minute. 3. Set the temperature of the oven to 245 deg F + deg F, and allow the bags of desiccant to reach equilibrium temperature. Tyvek has a melt temperature of 250 degrees F. (Activation or reactivation of both silica gel and bentonite clay can be achieved at temperatures as low as 220 F). 4. Desiccant bags should be allowed to remain in the oven at the assigned temperature for 24 hours. At the end of the time period, the bags should be immediately removed and placed in a desiccator jar or dry (0% relative humidity) air tight container for cooling. If this procedure is not followed precisely, any water vapor driven off during reactivation may be re-adsorbed during cooling and/or handling. 5. After the bags of desiccant have been allowed to cool in an airtight desiccator, they may be removed and placed in either an appropriate type poly liner tightly sealed to prevent moisture adsorption, or a container that prevents moisture from coming into contact with the regenerated desiccant.Option II REGENERATION BY MICROWAVE Though we do not recommend this method to our customers due to the fact that the fast escaping moisture can fracture your desiccant material. One major manufacturer does offer the following option: 1. Empty the saturated desiccant from the desiccant bag into a microwave safe dish. 2. Place the dish into the microwave and set on the highest level for 6-8 minutes (900 watts microwave or greater) and press start. (we recommend you test this first and use an old microwave if possible, to reduce the chances that damage could occur). At the end of the time period, the desiccant should be immediately removed and placed in a desiccator jar or dry (0% relative humidity) air tight container for cooling. If this procedure is not followed precisely, any water vapor driven off during reactivation may be re-adsorbed during cooling and/or handling. 33. After the desiccant has been allowed to cool in an airtight desiccator,refill the TYVEK pouches, re-seal the pouch with a heat sealer and place in either an appropriate type poly liner tightly sealed to prevent moisture adsorption, or a container that prevents moisture from coming into contact with the regenerated desiccant.Microwaved Desiccant gets VERY HOT so please be careful Questions may be addressed to: information@foodsave.net
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