What is the Difference Between Desiccant and Deliquescent?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between a desiccant and a deliquescent lies in the way they absorb moisture and their physical properties. Here are the key differences:
- Desiccant: A desiccant is a hygroscopic substance that absorbs water vapor from the external environment. It can take in water molecules from its surroundings and store them in its crystal structure. Desiccants, such as molecular sieves, activated alumina, and silica gel, rely on the principle of adsorption, where water molecules in the vapor state adhere to the porous solid surface of the desiccant. Desiccants are typically regenerated, meaning they can be reused after removing the absorbed moisture.
- Deliquescent: A deliquescent substance also absorbs water vapor, but it eventually dissolves in the water it absorbs. Deliquescent desiccants, such as calcium chloride, are formed from proprietary blends of materials processed into dense and evenly shaped tablets. When exposed to entrained water vapor in a saturated gas stream, the tablets absorb vapor and gradually dissolve into a solution. Deliquescent desiccants are non-regenerable, meaning they cannot be reused after exhausting their drying capacity.
In summary, desiccants are hygroscopic substances that absorb water vapor and store it in their crystal structure, while deliquescent substances absorb water vapor and eventually dissolve in the absorbed water. Desiccants typically rely on adsorption and can be regenerated, whereas deliquescent substances rely on chemical absorption and are non-regenerable.
Comparative Table: Desiccant vs Deliquescent
Here is a table summarizing the differences between desiccant and deliquescent substances:
| Property | Desiccant | Deliquescent |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A desiccant is a hygroscopic substance that absorbs water vapor from the external environment. | A deliquescent substance is a hygroscopic substance that can absorb moisture and become liquid. |
| Dissolution | Desiccants, such as molecular sieves, aluminum oxide, and silica gel, do not dissolve in water. | Deliquescent substances, like calcium chloride, dissolve in the water they absorb. |
| Applications | Non-deliquescent desiccants, like aluminum oxide, silica gel, or molecular sieves, are best for filling columns for solvent drying, as they won't clog when their drying capacity is exceeded. | Deliquescent drying agents are perfect for use in desiccators, as it is easy to remove them when they are exhausted. |
| Drying Method | Desiccant dryers use a closed-loop heat reactivated regeneration system, which circulates and cools the gas, separating liquid water to drop out into a collection receiver. | Deliquescent dryers consist of a vessel filled with a mixture of water-soluble salts or organic compounds, which dissolve as they absorb water, and the dissolved mixture collects in the bottom of the vessel. |
Both desiccant and deliquescent substances are hygroscopic, meaning they can absorb water from their surroundings. The main difference between the two is that desiccants absorb water vapor but do not dissolve in the absorbed water, while deliquescent substances absorb water and dissolve in it.
- Hygroscopic vs Deliquescent
- Drying vs Dehydration
- Humidifier vs Dehumidifier
- Adsorption vs Desorption
- Dispersant vs Surfactant
- Humidity vs Moisture
- Dew Point vs Humidity
- Evaporation vs Distillation
- Distillation vs Condensation
- Oxygen Absorber vs Silica Gel
- Evaporation vs Condensation
- Sedimentation vs Decantation
- Dry vs Dehydrated Skin
- Dehiscent vs Indehiscent Fruits
- Diffuser vs Humidifier
- Curing vs Drying
- Molecular Sieve vs Silica Gel
- Moisture Content vs Water Content
- Dry Cell vs Wet Cell