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Desiccant for filter/trap.... bead or "silica gel"?

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EdCaffreyMS

EdCaffreyMS

Member
Mar 6, 2020
96
34
Montana, United States
Hi Folks! Newbie here. I just received my Yeng Hong compressor, and need to upgrade the filer/trap. Thinking of this one..... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NJQL3YK/?coliid=I2BLCCD08IDT1M&colid=1HFBX0MR5P2GJ&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

My question is.... is there a difference between using either of these desiccants... One is "beads", the other is "gel" but appears to be crystals for lack of a better word....

The "Beads": https://www.amazon.com/Value-Molecular-Sieve-Desiccant-Indicator/dp/B07CG86KBZ/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=molecular+sieve+beads+with+blue+indicator&qid=1616851167&sr=8-3



The "Gel": https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N98ZR69/?coliid=INS5090U69KQR&colid=1HFBX0MR5P2GJ&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Is one or the other "better"? Preferred?, or does it even matter? :)



Many Thanks!




 
The 4A molecular sieve is the better choice for this application. Traditional silica desiccant absorbs water slowly...the rate at which air moves through in a compressor doesn't allow sufficient time for it to do its job properly. Whereas molecular sieve acts like its name says...it strains out water molecules as the air is pushed through.

In either case, air will attempt to take the path of least resistance...what's referred to as tunneling. So whatever the vessel used to contain them, orient it vertically so the beads will settle.
 
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The 4A molecular sieve is the better choice for this application. Traditional silica desiccant absorbs water slowly...the rate at which air moves through in a compressor doesn't allow sufficient time for it to do its job properly. Whereas molecular sieve acts like its name says...it strains out water molecules as the air is pushed through.

In either case, air will attempt to take the path of least resistance...what's referred to as tunneling. So whatever the vessel used to contain them, orient it vertically so the beads will settle.
Click to expand...

From what I read they can both be dried out in the oven but the molecular sieve takes 13 to 15 hours at 300 degrees where the silica desiccant can be done in a couple hours.
 
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Read this. https://www.sorbentsystems.com/desiccants_charts.html
Click to expand...

Very helpful link! Thank you!! I was able to change my order from gel to the molecular sieve! Upon doing some more research, it seems that there are various version molecular sieve products.... some state to "reactivate" at the temp/time mentioned previously, and others state lower temps, for shorter duration. All sort of fun stuff to learn when taking the leap into the PCP ocean! :)
 
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