Are moisture adsorbing, come in many different configurations and sizes, and are made from many different substrates. These packets are used to adsorb gas, moisture vapor, or odor. We can also create custom blends that combine two functions in a single packet. For example, by blending activated carbon and silica gel in equal amounts, we can create desiccant packets that adsorb both odor and moisture. Because they have a large amount of internal surface area that can separate liquids from gases, activated carbon packets offer superior adsorption. How much depends on what material they are adsorbing. A broad variety of commercial and industrial applications use activated carbon packets to neutralize odors.

Silica gel is very good for removing moisture from within a container. It can absorb not only water, but also other substances like aromatics, CO2, C12, and HC1. By absorbing water, silica gel packets can stop mold from growing, and prevent spoilage and other forms of moisture damage. Silica gel controls moisture without corroding other substances or introducing toxins into its environment. It has no smell or taste and is chemically inert, meaning that other chemicals do not react to its presence. It also stays the same size and shape, even after absorbing water. Blue Indicating Silica Gel Packets, which change color to indicate their expiration so that they can be reactivated and used again, are also available. However, please note that because of this color-changing moisture indicator, this type of silica gel packet should never be used around pharmaceuticals, food products, or any other item intended for consumption.

The blend of activated carbon and silica gel in our 50/50 desiccant packets was designed to meet the need for a single, simple solution to the problems of both odor and moisture. The combination both absorbs musty smells and prevents the growth of mildew and mold by absorbing moisture. These desiccant packets are ideal for various uses in commercial, industrial, storage, and home environments.

Our clay desiccant bags, like our desiccant packets, are great for removing moisture from enclosed spaces, but these bags are designed to control the humidity level within shipping and storage containers. Clay desiccants work well in environments with temperatures of up to 120°F; if the temperature rises higher, though, the clay desiccant may release moisture back into the container. In situations where the temperature may exceed 120°F, another type of desiccants is needed.

If you need to remove the water from a liquid or a gas, your best bet is to use a molecular sieve desiccant. In the past, alumina desiccants and silica gel were used in this scenario, but molecular sieve desiccants can outperform either of them. A molecular sieve desiccant’s capacity for water adsorption can be as high as 22% of the weight of the desiccant. Molecular sieves also offer much more versatility than other desiccants. They can adsorb other substances based on the molecule’s affinity for the crystal surfaces of the sieve, the size of the molecules, or even the molecules’ shape. Therefore, with a molecular sieve desiccant, it’s possible to obtain a virtually water-free liquid or gas.