Many fluids, semi-solids and powders stored in 55-gallon drums will adsorb water vapor when exposed to normal atmospheric humidity. This water vapor will condense, causing these substances to become contaminated and permanently damaged from the resulting chemical changes.
Drum Desiccant Breathers, also known as Drum Vent Dryers, prevent this contamination, which occurs during storage and use. Changes in temperature, barometric pressure, and fluid pumping will result in air entering the drum. This air passes through a column of
blue indicating silica gel, which removes and retains the water vapor. The silica gel changes from blue to pink when the desiccant is saturated and requires replacement. The units can also be filled with
orange silica gel, which is acceptable for use in the European Union. The Drum Desiccant Breather is reusable — saturated desiccant can easily be replaced by removing the access port plug.
The Drum Desiccant Breather begins to work from the moment it is installed. Field testing has demonstrated that when a Drum Desiccant Breather is fitted to a new drum of uncontaminated fluid, the air space above the fluid is made safe from condensation within a few hours.