Will Premium Orange Indicating Silica Gel Desiccant Bead work the same as Zeolite #13 in my Tuxing air/oil filter?
Thanks for the feedback
Thanks for the feedback
Silica Jell v's Zeolite
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The Silica will work, but not as good as the Zeolite Molecular Sieve 13X. You could "salt" the color changing silica beads in with the Zeolite so that upon inspection you could see if it needed changing out. I did some research and Molecular Sieve is what dive shops use in their filtration towers for moisture removal. Additionally, it has approx a 10 Angstrom pore diameter compared to 3A, 4A, or 5A which makes it more suitable for trapping water molecules.
Cut your included tampon into 1.5 inch pieces and use one at each end between the Zeolite. Ensure that you fill enough so that screwing on the end cap gives you at least an inch of compression. Keep a track of your run time and check it every 5 to 10 hours. Vertically mounted is preferred but not critical.
Now for the science speak…
Molecular Sieve 13X is a multiple purpose, highly porous, high capacity alkali metal alumino-silicate in the spherical form. It is the sodium form of the Type X crystal structure with pore diameters of approximately 10Å. It can adsorb all molecules that can be adsorbed by 3A, 4A, and 5A molecular sieve. Type 13X molecular sieve can also adsorb molecules such as aromatics and branched-chain hydrocarbons, which have large critical diameters
Cut your included tampon into 1.5 inch pieces and use one at each end between the Zeolite. Ensure that you fill enough so that screwing on the end cap gives you at least an inch of compression. Keep a track of your run time and check it every 5 to 10 hours. Vertically mounted is preferred but not critical.
Now for the science speak…
Molecular Sieve 13X is a multiple purpose, highly porous, high capacity alkali metal alumino-silicate in the spherical form. It is the sodium form of the Type X crystal structure with pore diameters of approximately 10Å. It can adsorb all molecules that can be adsorbed by 3A, 4A, and 5A molecular sieve. Type 13X molecular sieve can also adsorb molecules such as aromatics and branched-chain hydrocarbons, which have large critical diameters
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Thanks
It looks like I will order some Zeolite and put the orange stuff in my gun cabinet to keep it dry. I used the compressor once. Filled my bottle (480 cc) from 150 bar to 250 and filled my
little bottle ninja bottle (I think about 68 cubic inch) 3000 psi to 4100 psi. I haven't taken the tampon out yet to see how much water it absorbed. The first stage filter (supplied by Tuxing) didn't absorb that much so I doubt there is very much in the big filter. (tuxing compressor) So nice to have your own air system
Good idea on the peppering to track the amount of moisture. I will do that
It looks like I will order some Zeolite and put the orange stuff in my gun cabinet to keep it dry. I used the compressor once. Filled my bottle (480 cc) from 150 bar to 250 and filled my
little bottle ninja bottle (I think about 68 cubic inch) 3000 psi to 4100 psi. I haven't taken the tampon out yet to see how much water it absorbed. The first stage filter (supplied by Tuxing) didn't absorb that much so I doubt there is very much in the big filter. (tuxing compressor) So nice to have your own air system
Good idea on the peppering to track the amount of moisture. I will do that
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Does the Zeolite have any adverse reaction with the aluminium filter or add sodium to the air? I've heard some discussion about that but have no knowledge of it's importance for our application.
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I was going to use a piece of PVC put a piece of tampon on each end and the Zeolite in between. Then put a o-ring on the face of the PVC to seal against the nut face. Some one did that on another post. It looked like it would protect the aluminum from the Zeolite and still seal so you would not get air on the outside of the PVC.
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Not necessary. As long as you inspect the interior and threads every 5 to 10 hours use you’ll be fine. I’ve had mine for almost a year, and there is ZERO sign of any corrosion. Looks just like it did inside when it was new. The myth about Zeolite leaching out corrosive materials is just that, a myth. As long as you vent off your compressor every 10 to 15 minutes when filling, most of the moisture will not get all the way to the air filter/dryer. I think when people talk about "corrosive" materials leaching from the Zeolite it is in a "wet" environment (if at all, since I have yet to find a reference that shows this happens). When you open your filter after 5 hours of use, the beads will appear dry. The inside of your filter will appear to be dry. This is why I recommend (thanks Thurmond) "salting" your Zeolite with color changing silica beads (a teaspoon or less) so that you know when its time to change out the Zeolite when the silica changes color. As the Zeolite adsorbs moisture, all it does is turn darker in color.
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Thank you very much Centercut. Your experience and sharing of that knowledge is awesome and greatly appreciated!
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I use activated alumina beads inside my golden filter compressed by tampons from both sides just like Centercut describes.
It can be regenerated by heating it in the oven to 200C, at which point it will release all trapped moisture.
It can be regenerated by heating it in the oven to 200C, at which point it will release all trapped moisture.
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