PHYSICAL PHARMACY LAB

ASSIGNMENT
Pharm-306
1srt year (evening) second semester

Submitted to:
Dr. Uroosa Maqbool and Dr. Saria Tariq

GROUP MEMBERS NAME:

Fiza (678-2023)
Mahnoor (1313-2023)
Ayesha Shamim (1141-2023)
Maliha Saleem (769-2023)
Ansa Bibi (811-2023)

 Desiccation Definition:
Desiccation is the process of removing adhered moisture from
liquid or solid substances. The term "desiccated" should be used
for those substances from which water has been completely
removed by removing adhered moisture from liquid or solid
substances. water has been completely removed
 Desiccation process:
 On a laboratory scale desiccation can be carried out in a
desiccator, which consists of a tightly closed glass vessel
containing a drying agent at its bottom, which absorbs moisture
from the substance being desiccated. The commonly used drying
agents include concentrated sulphuric acid, phosphorous
pentoxide, exsiccated calcium chloride, and silica gel. The drug to
be dried is taken in a dish, and placed inside the desiccator above
the surface of the drying agent. For continuous operation, the
desiccator may sometimes be connected to a vacuum pump.

 Desiccator Definition:
A desiccator is an airtight container that maintains an
atmosphere of low humidity through the use of a suitable
drying agent that occupies the bottom part of the desiccator.
It is used both for the cooling of heated objects and for the
storage of dry objects that must not be exposed to the
moisture normally present in the atmosphere.
 Desiccant and its types:
A desiccant is a hygroscopic substance that is used to induce or sustain
a state of dryness (desiccation) in its vicinity. There are five types of
desiccants.
1. Silica Gel: It is an inert, nontoxic, water-insoluble white solid¹. It's widely
used due to its high absorption capacity and is often found in food packaging
to control humidity.
2. Activated Charcoal: Also known as activated carbon, it has a
large surface area due to its porous structure, making it effective at
trapping moisture.
3. Calcium Sulfate: Also known as Dierite, it is a common desiccant
used in laboratories due to its color-changing property when it
absorbs water.
4. Calcium Chloride: It is a hygroscopic salt that can absorb a large
amount of water. It's often used in shipping goods and storage to
prevent damage from moisture.
5. Molecular Sieves: Typically, zeolites are used. They have a
uniform pore size and can selectively absorb water molecules
based on size.

When these three desiccants ( silica gel, dierite, activated charcoal) are
used together in a desiccator, they create a powerful drying
environment. The silica gel and activated charcoal work to absorb water
molecules, while the calcium sulfate acts as an indicator of when the
desiccant needs to be replaced. This combination of desiccants provides
a comprehensive solution to moisture control. The silica gel provides a
high capacity for water adsorption, the activated charcoal provides a
large surface area for adsorption, and the calcium sulfate provides a
visual indication of the moisture levels.

REFRENCE; https://www.pubchem.com