Dessicants

Dec 02, 2008 4 Replies
S

I'm getting ready to move into my container, and also to move another one or two in and start forming my compound. The container I have seems to be sealed quite well. We have all manner of weather here from snow to sleet to rain to humid days.



What would be a good desiccant to put in there? Something of the type I could leave in a 5 gal. bucket. Rice? Kitty litter? Commercial desiccant? I really don't have any problems with stuff in my garage or other shop, but this one seals up tighter, and if some humid air is trapped in there, it may not dry out on its own.



Also, would those whirligig roof turbines be a good idea to install? Seems like it would keep down the heat in summer, but might allow for water infiltration.



Steve


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I

If you can get electric power there, your best bet would be a desiccant wheel dehumidifier, such as Logis-Tech DEW-50. These were originally used to dry armored vehicles.

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W

Kitty litter is not as efficient as cement (mainly quicklime, cement is as low cost per pound of water removed as any material I'd know how to buy).

CaSO4 is typical commercial dessicant. Sold as 'Drierite', it can be baked dry and reused.

CaCl is another commercial dessicant, 'Dri-Z-Air'; ;it turns to goo and you just gotta keep buying more.

Home dehumidifiers (the kind that hum and have compressors) don't work outside, the cold parts frost over at ambient temperature below 55 Fahrenheit.

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K

My parents had a pair of roof turbines on the house and had no problems with rain. Karl

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N

No seal will stand up to atmospheric change, the container will breath in cool damp air and breath out warm dry air. The army solves this problem with a solar desicator, a solar panel that heats up in the sun and drives moisture off when the container is exhaling and dries the incoming air when cool. Properly designed, it will stabilize the humidity below the dew point long term.

Free men own guns - www(dot)geocities(dot)com/CapitolHill/5357/

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