Don't you get dust from the silica coming out of your sock?
--- whunter <whunterjr@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Silica gel is a very simple inorganic compound, but there are some
> proprietary formulations with respect to the particle size etc.
> 'Premium' versions have a color indicator - - believe it is an
> organic
> dye, but name escapes me at the moment - - which indicates degree
> of
> saturation by color change. Reviewed several pdf files available
> on
> the web last night. There is no fundamental reason the basic
> silica
> gel can not be recycled ad infinitum. The organic dye indicator,
> as
> would be expected from an organic, tends to degrade with repeated
> heating cycles. While there may be some change in the physical
> configuration of the granules, this does not appear to adversely
> impact
> the effectiveness. I buy bulk material, pour it into a cotton sock
> so
> thickness is about 2cm or less then knot the end - - and the toes
> if
> holes present! Nothing glamorous here....... Most people feel
> compelled to pour the gel granules into a pan then heat at circa
> 300°
> in an oven to dry. Too much fussing for me. I have been placing
> the
> filled sock on a plate in the microwave and heating for some
> arbitrary
> time, circa 3-5 minutes. I then remove and rock up and down to
> provide
> some circulation and let the moisture evaporate from the cotton
> sock.
> If the sock remains damp, just repeat. (VERY scientific :^)), but
>
> extremely effective and QUICK. Once dried, I store in a large
> glass
> soup pot with a lid. When packing a camera bag in rainy weather or
> for
> an extended trip, I just use the silica gel socks to pad lenses,
> camera, etc. in my gear bag.
>
> Was hesitant to mention the microwave drying earlier lest the
> slings
> and arrows never end. This is kitchen science, not a procedure
> known
> to be 'certified'. All bless the web. Found a pdf file on the web
>
> from one of the large suppliers which gives all and infinitely more
>
> that one would ever want to know about reclamation of silica gel.
> This
> document verifies that microwave heating is effective albeit more
> difficult to titrate. An old cotton sock, bulk silica gel and a
> microwave - - - pragmatic, cheap and effective. The microwave
> drying
> cycle is so quick and easy that even I can tolerate!!.
>
> I'll send the other data later. It is in HTML and PDF and not sure
> if
> it can be distributed on the newsletter. Can someone tell me if a
> small PDF file will fly???
> Hope this helps.
>
> On Thursday, August 14, 2003, at 07:33 AM, Wayne Harridge wrote:
>
> > I was talking to a bloke tonight and he reckons silica gel can
> only be
> > dried out and reused a few times. Is there any basis to this - I
> > assumed it could be dried and reused indefinitely ?
>
> Almost missed the last question: Heating to circa 115°F / 38°C is
> essentially hot sunshine. This will not 'sterilize' the spores.
> Key
> is that virtually all fungus spores just do not grow/propagate
> above
> 32-35°C. They STOP growing. Fungal spores are EVERYWHERE in our
> environment, the air, water, etc. It would be hopeless to attempt
>
> 'sterilization' unless maintained at surgical room standards. The
> key
> is understanding that the fungi just stop growing above ~35°C, a
> temperature to which equipment can be stored without risk - - -
> presumably. Fungus will grow at least down to freezing
> temperature.
> We all know it will grow on food in the refrigerator. Elevated
> temp is
> the simplest remedy at home and my personal opinion says silica gel
> is
> practical for travel if you deal with it on a simple basis.
> Exchanged
> several interesting notes with CH Ling last night. I misunderstood
> his
> original post. He has a food desiccator appliance or box designed
> for
> what I would expect to be used for drying fruit, etc. Very fancy,
> but
> a bit expensive IMHO. An insulated box such as a hot/cold picnic
> chest
> with a latch and tiny light bulb inside should accomplish all the
> heating that is needed. A thermometer can be inserted through a
> hole
> in the lid to monitor. This is a creative group....... All you
> really
> need to know is lower the humidity or raise the temp and your Zuiko
>
> lenses will be protected.
>
> Regards,
> Bill
>
>
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=====
Don Shedrick
http://groups.msn.com/firstlightimaging
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