I want to analyze the ash content in my plant biomass. ASTM protocol suggests the use of Calcium sulfate (anhydrous) as the desiccant. Upon reading up I found that molecular sieves can be used as a desiccant at a higher temperature. I am willing to consider this as they are available in my laboratory. But, I cannot seem to understand how much I am supposed to add into the desiccator of a particular volume for desired control of moisture.
Hi Smruthi,
Sorry, but I don't understand your problem.
First, you say you want to determine the ashes of your plants, then you describe alternatives to estimate the moisture. What do you really want to do? Determine the ashes of dry weight or only of the total weight?
Jacques
Sir,
In simple, I just need to know what is the weight of the desiccant (Molecular sieves) that should be added into my desiccator to carry out my experiments (Proximate analysis).
That is after I remove the crucibles from the Muffle furnace they must be placed in the desiccator. How much of desiccant (Molecular sieves) should be added into this desiccator?
Hope I am clear now!?
Smruthi,
I would advise you to contact the vendor or to base yourself on the following data:
Http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/chemistry/chemical-synthesis/learning-center/technical-bulletins/al-1430/molecular-sieves.html (data are in the table at the end of the document)
Good luck,
Jacques
as a trick, you can dry your molecular site (I suppose of 3A) together with your stuff in the oven, than cool it together with your sample in the desiccator