Desiccator cabinets are widely used in laboratories. These sealed enclosures are meant for preserving items that are moisture sensitive or hygroscopic. You can easily store Cobalt chloride paper, or other such chemicals, which react readily with water. When specifically talking about vacuum desiccator cabinets, these vacuum chambers are made of acrylic. 

 

Vacuum Desiccator Cabinets


 These are designed for small parts degassing, vacuum testing, defaming, biological test and storing samples. These storage cabinets are available in good quality and also have customised sizes. Based on the compatibility of the chemical, you need to choose the vacuum desiccator. You can either choose polypropylene, glass or polycarbonate material. 

 

So, if your profession is associated with pharmaceuticals or laboratory work, then vacuum desiccator cabinets are essential. You get to store chemicals that will remain dust-free and oxygen-free. You can get a single chamber for multiple chamber desiccator cabinets based on the requirement. Even hospitals need a vacuum desiccator for safe chemical sample storage.

How Does a Vacuum Desiccator Help?

A desiccator cabinet is required to stop the oxidation process and store chemical samples without getting damaged. Vacuum desiccator cabinets have vacuum chambers to protect chemicals from the outer environment. 

This cabinet can also protect the chemical from humidity. It works as a vacuum pump and has an in-house laboratory vacuum to restrict humidity. Usually, mixed liquid chemical substances and sensitive samples are kept in a vacuum desiccator. You also get it in plastic and stainless-steel material.

What are the standard features of a vacuum desiccator?

Vacuum desiccators are used in the chemical industry, pharmaceutical companies and also in hospitals. These cabinets have certain features that define them as vacuum desiccator’s cabinets.

  • It comes with 1-inch-thick acrylic material.
  • The cover is removable, and Type 1 is for storing every type of sample.
  • In Type 2, there is a front-hinged door to access the sample quickly from all the chambers.
  • There is a vacuum gasket in the door to ensure that it stays sealed and oxygen-free. 
  • To complement its features, you get latches made out of stainless steel.

Why are the Pumping accessories important?

The vacuum pump control unit of the desiccator monitors the vacuum level inside the cabinet. The entire operation is conducted automatically, and the process includes turning on and off the pump. Inside the desiccator's cabinet chamber, you will find non-corrosive and non-flammable gases.

Need for the vacuum pump in a vacuum desiccator chamber

A vacuum pump ensures the complete safety of the chemical substance or sample. All you have to do is keep the sample inside the desiccator chamber and seal the hinges. The chemical substance is entirely safe, and you do not have to fear the oxidation process. 

Why do laboratories prefer vacuum desiccator cabinets?

Vacuum desiccator cabinets are available in various shapes and sizes. Moreover, they are quite easy to access, and cubic style cabinets are mostly preferred.

  • They have an excellent storage capability which is ideal for maintaining an ultra-drive condition.
  • You can store every kind of biological sample or chemical substance in a desiccator.
  • The cabinet restricts not only oxygen but also dust, other environmental gases and humidity.
  • The cabinet has a durable and robust door and acrylic wall to ensure complete protection.
  • The cabinet comes with a vacuum control unit, allowing you to regulate the vacuum percentage inside the desiccator cabinet.
  • The stainless-steel doors and high-quality hinges ensure that it protects the chemical sample.
  • There is also a plating inside the vacuum desiccator cabinet. This is meant to protect the sample from oxidation.

What are the disadvantages of using a vacuum desiccator?

Usually, Desiccators Cabinets come with unlimited storage space. This means that you can store only a limited amount of chemicals. You need to fix the vacuum rate and control the unit to retain the vacuum condition for the entire time.

If you compare a normal desiccator with a vacuum desiccator, the latter is heavier because the containers have thick walls to protect the chemical. This definitely makes it study but difficult to lift at the same time.

If you find that the multi-chamber vacuum distributor is quite heavy, then you can switch to a single chamber vacuum desiccator. Both serve the same purpose but a single chamber that makes it easier to transfer.

Conclusion

Every vacuum desiccator is designed to store chemicals, and the vacuum pump technology provides uniformity in terms of the environment inside the chamber. So, if you are working in a laboratory, then choose a single-chambered vacuum desiccator. Otherwise, based on the storage requirements, choose multiple chamber desiccators with a round-shaped cabinet.

Original Source: https://laboratoryquipment.blogspot.com/2021/09/why-are-vacuum-desiccator-cabinets-used.html