Silica gel is a granular, porous form of silica that can absorb moisture from the air and other substances. It is widely used as a desiccant, catalyst, chromatography medium, and adsorbent in various industries. Silica gel is produced by reacting sodium silicate with a mineral acid, such as sulfuric acid, to form a gelatinous precipitate that is then washed, dried, and sized. The size and shape of the silica gel particles can be controlled by varying the reaction conditions and the drying method.
The infrastructure of a silica gel manufacturer consists of several components, such as:
- A raw material storage and handling system that stores and transports the sodium silicate and the mineral acid to the reaction vessel.
- A reaction vessel that mixes the sodium silicate and the mineral acid under controlled temperature and pressure to form the silica gel precipitate.
- A washing and filtration system that separates the silica gel from the mother liquor and washes it with water to remove impurities and excess acid.
- A drying system that removes the moisture from the silica gel using hot air, steam, or other methods. The drying system may also include a milling or sieving unit that breaks down or classifies the silica gel particles according to their size and shape.
- A packaging and dispatch system that fills the silica gel into suitable containers, such as bags, drums, or sachets, and labels them with the product information and specifications. The packaged silica gel is then transported to the customers or stored in a warehouse.