About Desiccation:
Desiccation is the process of extreme drying (or the state of dryness). Desiccants substances are hygroscopic (which means they attracts water molecule from their surrounding environment) and promote or sustains dryness. Simply put: Desiccants (Silica Gel, clay desiccant or others) are used to lower the levels of humidity in enclosed areas and of objects, and in so they protect them from water damages.
Two of the more effective and most popular desiccants are Silica Gel and Calcium Chloride, which are used in Get-Dry products. They are highly efficient and their absorption rate is much higher than that of the standard clay desiccant.
Uses of desiccants:
When water vapors are trapped within an enclosed space, be it a camera case or a kitchen cupboard, it can cause damages, some irreversible: Mildew, bad smell, rust, corrosion, oxidation, fungi, bacteria, cracks, dust mites, mold, stains, cracks and many more.
Desiccants protect domestic objects and merchandize from humidity related damages. They reduce moisture in refrigerator and assist in preventing the growth of dust mites in homes and children rooms. Dust mites are related to many children and grownups' airway illnesses. Dust mites are known to both worsen and cause asthma and other breathing difficulties, but they cannot thrive without humidity.
What is Silica Gel?
Silica Gel is an amorphous form of silicon dioxide, which is synthetically produced from sodium cilicate in the form of hard irregular granules or beads. It is most commonly used to restrict local humidity and to lower humidity in home or business. In so it assists in the preserving of stored or packed items. The word "gel" is misleading: The substance is a solid.

Silica Gel's unique structure creates a very high surface area (800 square meters per gram), making it
the highest capacity adsorbent available today – much higher than the standard clay desiccant. Water molecules stick to the gel's surface because it has a lower vapor pressure than the air surrounding it. When equilibrium of equal pressure is reached, the adsorption process stops. In simple words: The higher humidity level in the air surrounding - the greater the amount of water adsorbed by the Silica Gel.
Silica Gel physically adsorbs the water vapor in its internal pores: There is no chemical reaction (and thus no side effects). Even when it is saturated with vapor, Silica Gel has the appearance of a dry product (although saturated with water it will feel much heavier).
History
Silica Gel was a center of scientific interest as early as 1640, but was only patented at 1919 by Walter A. Patrick, a chemistry professor at Johns Hopkins University, Maryland. Silica Gel had its first documented practical use during World War I, when it was used to absorb vapors and gases in gas mask containers. During the Second World War, Silica Gel became vital in keeping penicillin dry, protecting military equipment from water, as a fluid cracking catalyst for the production of high octane gasoline, and many more.
Silica Gel is much more efficient in absorption than the standard clay desiccant. Nowadays it is used mainly to protect objects and merchandise from water damages, although it also has some uses in chemistry.
Silica Gel's Advantages in Desiccation:
- Adsorbs up to one third of its own weight in water vapor (approximately 35% greater adsorption efficiency than typical clay desiccant).
- Long (almost indefinite) shelf life if stored in airtight conditions.
- Can be regenerated and reused over and over again: Gently heating Silica Gel will drive off the adsorbed water, leaving it ready to be reused.
- It is an inert material that is chemically unreactive. It will usually not attack or corrode other materials and is itself resistant to attack (with the exception of strong alkalis and hydrofluoric acid).
- Nontoxic and nonflammable.
- Its size and design make it useful in a wide range of applications (from drying a pair of shoes to reduce moisture in refrigerator).
- Silica Gel creates a protective shield of dry air within any enclosed storage area and creates lower humidity in homes or businesses.
What is Calcium Chloride?
Calcium Chloride is an ionic compound of chlorine and calcium which makes a salt. It is highly soluble in water and it is deliquescent (see below) but solid at room temperature. Calcium Chloride behaves as a typical ionic halide and has many useful applications in cement, in ice control on roads, as a way to reduce moisture in refrigerator and many others.

Millions of tons of Calcium Chloride are made each year in the US alone and being more efficient than the typical clay desiccant they are used in GD-Pro home dehumidifier devices as a drying agent. Calcium Chloride has many other uses in chemistry, science and in the food and fabric industries. It is a useful substance, but due to its hygroscopic nature, it must be kept dried and sealed at all times.
Deliquescence:
Deliquescence are substances (mostly salts), which have a strong attraction to liquids and will absorb large amounts of water from the atmosphere surrounding them. Deliquescent salts include Calcium Chloride (which is used in the GD-Pro), zinc chloride, magnesium chloride, and sodium hydroxide.
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