2018/2/5 How can Sorbents be used to Dry Air?

 ­ Bryair

How can Sorbents be used to Dry Air?

Sorbents are solid or liquid materials which have the property of extracting and holding
other substances (usually water vapour) brought into contact with them.
Sorbents can be classified into two general categories.
– Absorbents
– Adsorbents
Absorbent : A sorbent which changes either physically, chemically or both during the
sorption process. Lithium Chloride is an example of solid absorbent. When water is
absorbed on this material it changes to hydrated state. In liquid sorption dehumidification
system, the air is passed through sprays of a liquid sorbent such as lithium chloride or glycol
solution. The sorbent in an active state has a vapour pressure below that of the air to be
dehumidified and absorbs moisture from the air stream. The sorbent solution during the
process of absorption becomes diluted with moisture which during regeneration is given up
to an air stream in which the solution is heated.
Typically absorbent used is lithium chloride in either liquid form or as solid crystals in a
honey-comb shell.
Adsorbent : A sorbent which does not change physically or chemically during the sorption
process. Adsorbents are normally granular beads or solids with porous structures making it
capable of holding large amounts of water on their surface. The principle behind desiccant
dehumidification is that the desiccant is exposed to moisture laden air, from where it extract
the moisture. The saturated desiccant is heated, which drives off the collected moisture into
the exhaust air stream. The regenerated desiccant is ready for use again. Thus a continuous
cycle of sorption and regeneration can be set up giving very low dew points. Typical
absorbents used are Silica gel, Molecular Sieve and Activated Alumina.

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