Tony Withers: Lab: Drying Chemicals

Recipes for drying chemical reagents

Note that web-based summaries of standard operating procedures are not exhaustive.
Not all of the relevant safety information is included in this document.
Further training is required for safe operation and will be provided in person.

Marc Hirschmann received this description of drying procedures from Don Lindsley, who learned from some of them from Frank Schairer, who was instructed in the art of drying by Norman Bowen...

SiO2: 8 hrs @1250 or 30 hrs @ 1100 deg. BUT this dates from when the silica I bought was amorphous and very fine-grained. I still use it for the coarser quartz that I buy now - maybe not essential to go so high.
TiO2: 1000 deg 16 hrs. Not more - or sintering becomes a problem
Al2O3: 1250 18 hrs OR 95 hrs @ 1100 deg
Fe2O3: 800 C 1h yes; not a bit more or fatal sintering!
MgO: 18 hrs @ 1250; 95 hrs @ 1100 deg.
CaCO3 4 hrs @ 400 deg.
Na2CO3 12 hrs @ 400 deg.
K2CO3 8 hrs @ 500 C (but first 240 deg overnight IF you start with bicarbonate)

Safety in drying.

Use lab coats, protective eyewear, welding goggles, face shields, heat resistant mittens. You should also know where the emergency first aid kit is kept in each lab, and where to find the fire extinguishers.

MMH 2003. Transcribed by ACW 2012.

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