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Absorber For Ethanol

Started by Guest_J F_*, Feb 28 2006 11:01 AM

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#1 Guest_J F_*

Guest_J F_*
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Posted 28 February 2006 - 11:01 AM

Hello,

I'm not a chemist, but am involved in interdisciplinary work. So I deal with a bit of chemicals. I'm looking to remove EtOH from silica but am not able to remove it completely.

I start with a colloidal solution of silica microspheres in EtOH, and after centrifugation, I drain the EtOH out of the centrifuge tube. The I need to disperse the silica in some other solution, so I dry the silica in the tube by leaving the cap open for 3-4 minutes. After 2-3 days, I sometimes see some EtOH droplets (very minute) on the walls of the tube, so I open the cap again for 3-4 minutes. I DO NOT want any traces of EtOH left, but I'm not able to remove all of EtOH by this crude method. There is always some amount of EtOH left (which is indicated when I mix the silica in other solution ..... the solution should turn transparent but it turns milky suggesting that EtOH is present. I get transparent solution sometimes though .... like once in 20 trials).

Heating the silica before mixing didn't help, neither did leaving the centrifuge tube cap open for too long, as these cause the silica to absorb moisture and get contaminated. I was wondering if there is any paper strip kind of thing (like a litmus paper or something) that I can place on top of the tube and absorb all of EtOH inside the tube. This would prevent silica contamination too. ANY help or suggestion is greatly appreciated !!

thanks,
J

#2 gvdlans

gvdlans

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Posted 01 March 2006 - 10:20 AM

First remark is that you should not have placed this question in the packed tower forum, but in the general forum for Industrial Professionals.

Some suggestions for removing (desorbing) EtOH from silica:

- sending (preferably warm or hot), dry air or nitrogen over the silica
- applying vacuum for an extended period of time

Good luck!
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