COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MOISTURE ADSORPTION CAPACITIES OF COCONUT PITH, SILICA GEL AND THEIR COMPOSITE

Authors

  • M. S. NWAKAUDU Department Of Chemical Engineering, Federal University Of Technology, Owerri. Author
  • C. C. NWEKE Department Of Chemical Engineering, Federal University Of Technology, Owerri. Author
  • A. A. NWAKAUDU Department Of Chemical Engineering, Federal University Of Technology, Owerri. Author

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the research on the use of coconut pith as a desiccant. The results obtained for the coconut pith were compared with those for silica gel (standard desiccant) and a composite mixture of coconut pith and silica gel. The comparative study was carried on volume equivalent of coconut pith and silica gel (2g dry pith and 5g silica gel) because comparing the adsorption capacities on volume equivalent is more relevant than weight equivalent. The moisture adsorption capacities were investigated under varying relative humidity. The results showed that coconut pith had the highest drying capacity of 0.4g water/g dry pith at 98% relative humidity. compared with 0.18g water/g dry silica gel and 0.34g water/g dry composite. These results showed that high degree of dryness can be achieved by using coconut pith as a desiccant. Overcoming the problem of low bulk density in coconut pith will certainly make it a better and cheaper industrial desiccant than silica gel.

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Published

2008-09-30

Issue

Vol. 43 No. 3 (2008): NSE TECHNICAL TRANSACTION JOURNAL (NSE TT-J)

Section

Articles