ATI Technologies 250 User manual

Accessories
P/N 1800114, Revision C
December 2012
Diffusion Dryer
Model 250
Instruction Manual

Diffusion Dryer Model 250
i
Contents
Sections
Introduction.............................................................................................. 1
Unpacking................................................................................................. 3
Installation................................................................................................ 3
The Diffusion Dryer Components............................................................ 4
Inlet and Outlet Connectors............................................................. 4
Desiccant Dryer .............................................................................. 4
The silica gel cartridge .................................................................... 4
Servicing the Diffusion Dryer................................................................... 6
Restoring the Desiccant Cartridge ................................................... 6
Removing the Desiccant Cartridge.................................................. 6
Inserting the Desiccant Cartridge .................................................... 7
Specifications ............................................................................................ 9
Contacting ATI for Service .................................................................... 10
For Technical or Application Questions ........................................ 10
For Customer Service.................................................................... 10
MSDS Silica Gel...................................................................................... 11
Warranty ................................................................................................ 14
Figures Figure 1 Diffusion Dryer ............................................................................ 2
Figure 2 Schematic of the desiccant cartridge assembly (Patent Pending) ... 5
Figure 3 Replacing the desiccant cartridge.................................................. 8
Tables Table 1 Packing List for the Diffusion Dryer Model 250............................. 3
Table 2 Drying Capacity of the Diffusion Dryer (Model 250)..................... 6
Table 3 Specifications of the Diffusion Dryer Model 250 ........................... 9

Diffusion Dryer Model 250
ii

Diffusion Dryer Model 250
1
Diffusion Dryer
Model 250
Introduction
The Diffusion Dryer is designed as a general-purpose aerosol
dryer. A water trap at the inlet of the dryer removes coarse water
droplets. The aerosol is then passed through a removable
cartridge containing the silica gel. The cartridge is formed by two
concentric cylinders, an inner fine wire mesh screen and an outer
wire mesh screen.
As the aerosol goes through the inner cylinder of the cartridge,
the water vapor diffuses into the silica gel through the mesh
screen. Silica gel is an amorphous form of silicon dioxide, which
is synthetically produced in the form of hard irregular granules or
hard irregular beads. A micro porous structure of interlocking
cavities gives a very high surface area (800 square meters per
gram). It is this structure that makes silica gel a high capacity
desiccant. Water molecules adhere to the gels surface because it
exhibits a lower vapor pressure than the surrounding air. When
pressure equilibrium is reached, no more adsorption occurs. The
beauty of silica gel is the physical adsorption of water vapor into
its internal pores. There is no chemical reaction, no by products
or side effects. Even when saturated with water vapor, silica gel
still has the appearance of a dry product, its shape unchanged.
The silica gel is easily regenerated in an oven at 250°F for three
hours.
Particle loss is minimized because the particles do not come into
contact with the silica gel.

Diffusion Dryer Model 250
2
Figure 1
Diffusion Dryer
Sealing Plug
Inlet Connector
Desiccant Dryer
Removable
End Cap
Outlet
Connector
Mounting
plate
Spring holder

Diffusion Dryer Model 250
3
Unpacking The Diffusion Dryer consists of a desiccant dryer assembly with
fittings attached, a silica gel cartridge and accessories, including
the following:
Table 1
Packing List for the Diffusion Dryer Model 250
Qty.
Item
Part Number
1
Desiccant Dryer Assembly
0200289
1
Spare Desiccant Cartridge
0200293
1
Instruction Manual
1800114
1
Mounting template for the dryer holders
1700157
1
MSDS Silica Gel
N/A
2
Fitting Kit
N/A
After unpacking, if anything is missing or appears to be damaged,
contact ATI Customer Service at [phone].
Installation
Two spring-action holders coated with white nylon are provided to
mount the dryer horizontally. See the included sheet for mounting
instructions.
To install the silica gel cartridge in the dryer, refer to the section
“Inserting the Desiccant Cartridge” page 7.
The dryer is conveniently fitted with CPCQuick Couplings with
a 1/8” nominal flow. Matching couplings with hose barb
connection are provided to connect the dryer to ¼” inside
diameter tubing. Before using the dryer, remove the sealing plug
from the inlet and outlet of the dryer.

Diffusion Dryer Model 250
4
The Diffusion Dryer Components
Inlet and Outlet Connectors
The inlet and outlet connectors are CPCquick coupling
connectors with 1/8” nominal flow path. A matching set of quick
coupling insert is provided that connect to ¼” ID tubing. A set of
sealing plugs is also provided to prevent moisture from entering
the dryer while not in use.
Desiccant Dryer
The Diffusion Dryer is a general-purpose aerosol dryer consisting
of a Plexiglas cylinder terminated by two Delrin® end caps. The
inlet end cap has a removable cover allowing the desiccant
cartridge to be easily replaced.
The silica gel in the desiccant cartridge maintains a dry
atmosphere within the dryer. Passing the aerosol through this
tube dries the aerosol particles without substantial particle loss.
The silica gel cartridge
The desiccant cartridge is made of two perforated end caps
joined together by two wire mesh cylinders. The inner cylinder is
made of very fine wire mesh screen allowing moisture to diffuse in
the silica. The outer cylinder is made of a much larger wire mesh
screen allowing the user to view the silica gel while still retaining it
inside the cartridge. The annular space between the two wire
mesh and the end caps is filled with yellow silica gel. This silica
gel turns from a yellow color when dry to a dark green color when
fully saturated.
Why not use regular blue indicating silica gel?
ATI is taking the safety of its customer very seriously. Standard
blue indicating silica gel contains Cobalt Chloride in small
concentrations (0.5 to 1.0% by weight). As of July 1, 2000, British
Chemical Regulations have required that indicating silica gel be
labeled and disposed of as a hazardous material. While cobalt
chloride has not yet been listed on any U.S.-based hazardous
materials registries, its change in status suggests that this
material should be treated with the same level of protection as is
required elsewhere. Cobalt is a skin and respiratory system
sensitizer. The cancer status varies on Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS) reports provided by manufacturers and suppliers
from “no reports” to “Cobalt and its compounds have been shown
to cause cancer in laboratory animals.” The threshold limit value
(TLV) is 0.01 mg/m3

Diffusion Dryer Model 250
5
Although the concentration of cobalt is small in indicating silica
gel, concerns revolve around the possible contamination of silica
gel dust with cobalt chloride. There also are hazards stemming
from the inhalation of silica dust. That is why ATI turned to “Silica
Gel Yellow”, an indicator gel with phenolphthalein (0.01% by
weight concentration).
Caution
All silica gel is listed as “hazardous waste” by the EPA (Resource
Conservation Recovery Act) and must be disposed of appropriately.
Contact your regional HAZMAT coordinator to obtain information on
appropriate storage containers and disposal instructions.
Figure 2
Schematic of the desiccant cartridge assembly
(Patent Pending)
Outer Tube, Coarse Stainless
Steel Wire Mesh
End Cap
Annular space filled
with Yellow Silica Gel
Inner Tube,
Fine Stainless Steel Wire Mesh

Diffusion Dryer Model 250
6
Servicing the Diffusion Dryer
Restoring the Desiccant Cartridge
The silica gel used in ATI desiccant cartridges is yellow when dry
and turns green when saturated. To dry the silica gel, remove the
cartridge from the diffusion dryer (see next section) and heat it in
an oven at 250°F [120°C] for 3 hours or until the yellow color
returns. If the yellow color does not return, the silica gel is no
longer usable and must be replaced.
Caution
Only use a dedicated oven to regenerate the silica gel. Do not use an
oven that might also be used to reheat or cook food.
The operational time of the regenerated desiccant cartridge
depends on the aerosol moisture content and flow rate through
the diffusion dryer.
The following data represents the drying capacity of the dryer. It
was tested using a constant output generator, at an aerosol flow
rate of 4.0 liters per minute.
Table 2
Drying Capacity of the Diffusion Dryer (Model 250)
How Used
Measured
Relative
Humidity at Exit
(%) at 74°F
Measured
Relative
Humidity at Exit
(%) at 74°F
No diffusion dryer
80
60
With one diffusion dryer Model 250
22
21
With one diffusion dryer Model 250
(after 3 hours)
27
23
Removing the Desiccant Cartridge
To remove desiccant cartridge, do the following:
1. Disconnect the inlet and outlet connection and remove
the dryer from its holding brackets. (Refer to Figure 1)
2. Remove the end cap of the dryer by turning it counter
clockwise.
3. Cover the open end with your hand and turn the dryer
upside-down. Hold the desiccant cartridge as it is
coming out of the dryer. (Refer to Figure 3)