Damp 4# (partial) jug of Titegroup-Dessicant?

[Alex G]

Good afternoon everyone!

I’ve got a partial jug of Titegroup powder from an older friend of mine that has gotten somewhat damp. The powder is still good, shoots just fine, smells fine, but likes to stick to absolutely everything and clump up in the powder measure. Note, it is NOT static cling, I verified that. My question was-would it be possible to tape a small desiccant bag on the underside of the lid (well above the powder) to help remove the excess humidity from the powder itself? I’ve read previous forum threads about people physically putting the desiccant packets in the powder which I don’t think is a good idea at all, but what about above it under the lid? It won’t physically contact the powder, but it will draw moisture out of the air trapped in the 4 lb jug. Obviously I wouldn’t leave it in there long term, just a day or two to remove the extra moisture.
Any thoughts?

 

[Rule3]

You could try that. Many medications come with desiccants in the bottle. Just remember that the bag HOLD moisture so you need to change it often.

Beats mixing it with rice or putting it on a tray in the oven!

Just me, but I would put in in a metal pain and spread it out and let in dry inside in the air conditioning. But I am crazy. Worst it could do if ignited would flare up for a second.

 

[mcb]

Get the desiccant packets and drop them right in the powder and close the lid back. Let them sit a day or two and fish the packet back out. Not sure why you would be worried about the packets being in contact with the powder.

 

[Alex G]

Get the desiccant packets and drop them right in the powder and close the lid back. Let them sit a day or two and fish the packet back out. Not sure why you would be worried about the packets being in contact with the powder.

I initially wasn’t, but found like 3-4 forum threads of people freaking out that “the silica gel might touch the powder and cause a chemical reaction!”

 

[IMtheNRA]

I think it'd be better off just spreadng it out and letting it air dry.

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't think that small a desiccant is going to help a lot, but it won't hurt to try.
Silica gel is silica, SiO2, sand, glass, and it isn't going to "chemically react" with much of anything.
But there are other desiccants, so be sure what you have.

I would go with Rule3's crazy plan. Spread the powder out in an open pan in an air conditioned room and let it stand until it flowed. Or set it aside til winter with the heat running; my house is 75% relative humidity today, but it is 50% or lower in the winter.

Shortly before the panicdemic, I got in a case of primers, damp off the UPS truck. Probably on the floor of a truck with a rain leak. Rather than try to make a claim, I left a tray open in the air conditioned shop for a couple of days, loaded and shot. They all fired, so I left some open to dry behind the press all the time and used them up. Never a misfire.

 

[Blue68f100]

This time of year (since it's hot in most areas) just set the bottle outside in a shaded area and let nature do the work. Every so often put the lid on and shake it up. Should not take very long if you in a area that has low humidity.

I got a dehumidifier running in my shop. All I would have to do is take the top off in a few hours it may be good. This is how I dry my pins from the FART. Only takes a day or 2 at most.

 

[Rule3]

You can take some dry rice. make a little packet with some old cotton material (t shirt) and put that in the jar, You can also use activated carbon (fish tank stuff) but then you have to buy that,

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

A tip to help avoid future dampness. If you don't have a dehumidifier in your loading room. Add one. They have new ones that are quiet. And run on a few volts. They are perfect for rooms. I also put 2 in our living area. And 1 AC unit is cooling it well this year. I used to run 2 AC'S.
Amazon.com - Dehumidifier Kloudi 2300 Cubic Feet (218 sq ft) Mini Dehumidifier for Damp Rid, Portable and Ultra Quiet Small Dehumidifiers for Home, Basements, Bedroom, Wardrobe Use -

 

[FROGO207]

We don't normally have humidity problems around here so on a hot non humid day set the opened can on the picnic table or such and let the sun do the work for the entire day. Shake every couple hours to agitate it. Heck you could put the open can in the refridge for 3-4 days with cover off. Shake a couple times a day. Put cover on it imediately when you remove it from fridge and let it warm up before checking to keep condensation out of propellant.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

This time of year (since it's hot in most areas) just set the bottle outside in a shaded area and let nature do the work.

Do that in Florida and in an hour you'll have a jug of water.

Silicon desiccant won't react. A dehumidifier is a fine idea, too.

 

[edwardware]

. . . people freaking out that “the silica gel might touch the powder and cause a chemical reaction!”

Der Interwebs be full of idjiots.

Silca Gel will not react with the powder. If there's enough moisture, the gel might locally wet the powder, but not react with it.

Give it a day, microwave or oven dry the gel (yes, I know, you won't die), let it cool, and throw it back. Repeat 'til free flowing.

But seriously, don't eat it. It tastes funny. . .

 

[Reloadron]

Desiccant Material comes in several flavors. Some are reusable and can be baked out for reuse and some are a one time use.
Desiccant Material
Silica Gel
Molecular Sieve
Clay
Anhydrous Calcium Sulfate
Starch/Calcium Chloride
Calcium Chloride
Starch

Silica Gel is common, inexpensive and can be dried out and used again. I would get some silica gel packets and toss them in with the powder for a few days.

Ron

 

[Alex G]

If you don't have a dehumidifier in your loading room. Add one.

Yep, I’ve definitely got a dehumidifier. I’m kind of OCD about any kind of surface rust, so aside from keeping everything lightly oiled that can be, I’ve also got the dehumidifier, and pounds of desiccant both in packets and in mesh bags, in every ammo can or storage spot.
The older guy who had the powder previously may have left it open while loading and allowed it to absorb moisture. I’m not honestly sure.

Give it a day, microwave or oven dry the gel (yes, I know, you won't die), let it cool, and throw it back. Repeat 'til free flowing.

Yep! Do this (re-charging the desiccant packets) all the time. Definitely good stuff!