Drierite Regeneration Protocol

Materials and Equipment Needed

Desiccating Column
Drierite Desiccant (22lbs.)
Pyrex Baking Pans (6)
Empty Floralife Bucket (3gal)
Nalgene Beaker (1000ml)
Lab coat
Safety Goggles
Filter Mask
Latex Gloves
Heat Resistant Gloves
Drying Oven
Fume Hood

Safety Issues

Drierite desiccant is made of anhydrous Calcium Sulfate and also contains Cobalt(II) Chloride as an indicator. These compounds are hazardous and care should be taken to avoid ingestion, contact with skin or inhalation. Measures to take include wearing listed safety equipment and washing exposed skin after handling drierite. Please see the Material Safety Data Sheets for this product for detailed information.

Oven temperature is set at 218 C. This is more than sufficient to cause burns. Use gloves whenever handling pyrex pans and do not hold pans for extended periods of time.

Time Required

7 hours overall with about 30 minutes of activity.

Procedure

Check	Step	Image
	Turn both switches to on. The oven should be warming up while you perform the next steps. The main control should be set at 218 C and the safety cutoff to 250 C. Put on safety equipment listed above.
	Using the nalgene beaker, scoop drierite from the floralife bucket into the drying cartridge. Avoid getting dust on you. Leave as much dust in the bucket as possible during this step. Dump the remaining dust into the trash container and rinse out the bucket. Set bucket aside to dry.
	Carry drying cartridge to the growth chamber room and place on floor next to chamber. Remove top and hose assembly from the upper part of the drying cartridge. Place your foot on the stationary part of the assembly (see diagram), grasp the drying cartridge at the bottom and pull up firmly (without jerking). You might have to twist slightly for it to come loose. Place the cartridge you just removed upright on the floor.
	The assembly without the cartridge is pictured at the right. Take the cartridge with fresh drierite in it and place on top of the stationary assembly with the viewing window visible. DO NOT press down, let gravity do the work. It will seal well without becoming stuck this way. Firmly place the hose assembly on top of the cartridge.
	Check to make sure the floralife bucket is very dry. Dry thoroughly using paper towels if necessary. Turn the fan (switch on the upper right hand side) on for the hood. Place three pyrex pans from the oven in the hood. Pour a pile (see photo) of drierite into the pans.
	Pile of Drierite
	Spread drierite as evenly as possible using a gloved hand.
	There should be about 1 inch of drierite in the bottom of the pans.
	Place pans in the oven. Repeat previous steps with next three pans. There should be about one half of the original amount of drierite left in the cartridge. Set a lab timer for 3.5 hours and go off to do other things.
	This is what the drierite looks like when wet and when dry.
	After the 3.5 hours has passed, remove the pans from oven and empty them into the floralife bucket (under hood).
	Repeat the drying procedure for the second half of the wet drierite if you have not already done so.
	When you have finished drying all of the drierite and poured it into the bucket make sure the bucket is covered with aluminum foil. Place the empty pans back in the oven and shut the oven off. You are done. Go home.