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-   -   Silica gel desiccant (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=288560)

Ian in Mississauga 10-12-2020 12:15 PM

Silica gel desiccant
 

A friend saves these packages and puts them in the screen in his model a gas tank over the winter. I did a google search and found that kitty litter is the same chemical. I would appreciate any comments.
Thanks, Ian

Ak Sourdough 10-12-2020 12:27 PM

Re: Silica gel desiccant
 

Mostly clay.
https://prettylitter.com/blogs/prett...w-does-it-work

Mikeinnj 10-12-2020 01:45 PM

Re: Silica gel desiccant
 

The major cause of water in your fuel system is the build-up of condensation in your fuel tank. You can minimize this effect by keeping your gas tank mostly full (which will keep the fuel:water ratio properly diluted, which minimizes symptoms). On the flip side, low fuel levels allow large amounts of air to enter your fuel tank which can, in turn, create large amounts of condensation.

Tacoma Bob 10-12-2020 04:48 PM

Re: Silica gel desiccant
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian in Mississauga (Post 1940845)
A friend saves these packages and puts them in the screen in his model a gas tank over the winter. I did a google search and found that kitty litter is the same chemical. I would appreciate any comments.
Thanks, Ian

Glad you brought this topic up. I too have wondered about putting the packets in my tank screen. Hope we get some more comments on this.

Bob from Northport 10-12-2020 04:52 PM

Re: Silica gel desiccant
 

If you put only recreational gas-non ethanol gas in the tank you won't have the problem.
Ethanol absorbs moisture and creates all kinds of trouble in A tanks.

SAJ 10-13-2020 05:13 AM

Re: Silica gel desiccant
 

Silica gel absorbs water until it is saturated and no more can be absorbed.
It can then be regenerated by heating to drive off the absorbed water many many times. But this is hit or miss with with uncoloured silica gel. You need self-indicating silica gel. This is blue when ready to absorb water vapour and turns red when expired, ready to be heated to 70 degrees C or up to 100 degrees or for about 5 minutes in a microwave, when it will again turn blue and be ready to absorb more water.
The uncoloured stuff in the little bags will have long ago been saturated, unless kept in an airtight enclosure after it was last heated and dried out.
And the trouble is you cannot tell when it is dry and when it is saturated and not doing any good.
I think it will be a waste of time using stuff that has already been exposed unless you regenerate it. And then you won't know when it has saturated and needs re heating.
You can buy the self-indicating stuff from a lab supplies stores and pakaging specialists.
Silica gel is not kitty litter in my ccountry. Here it is absorbant clay, perlite, pumice or other absorbant minerals.
SAJ in NZ

redmodelt 10-13-2020 12:22 PM

Re: Silica gel desiccant
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob from Northport (Post 1940945)
If you put only recreational gas-non ethanol gas in the tank you won't have the problem.
Ethanol absorbs moisture and creates all kinds of trouble in A tanks.

Maybe so, but even straight gas can still get moisture in the tank from condensation.

30 Closed Cab PU 10-13-2020 12:40 PM

Re: Silica gel desiccant
 

Silca gel does not absorb gas vapors?

glyn 04-24-2021 02:37 PM

Re: Silica gel desiccant
 

Maybe rice in a sock?

old31 04-24-2021 03:51 PM

Re: Silica gel desiccant
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by glyn (Post 2010537)
Maybe rice in a sock?

MMMMM, would that be uncle Bens, white, Brown or just plain rice.:p

J Franklin 04-24-2021 11:17 PM

Re: Silica gel desiccant
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by old31 (Post 2010552)
MMMMM, would that be uncle Bens, white, Brown or just plain rice.:p

I'd use wild rice for a wild ride.

Bob Bidonde 04-25-2021 08:11 AM

Re: Silica gel desiccant
 

The best way to avoid condensation in the gas tank that causes corrosion is to have a full tank of gasoline.


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