SOP FOR OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR DESICATORS

1. OBJECTIVE:

1. To lay down the procedure for SOP describes general procedure to operating procedure for desiccators.

2. SCOPE: 

1. This procedure is applicable for the describes operating procedure for desiccators of the quality control lab.

3. RESPONSIBILITY:

1. Quality Control Officer / Executive are responsible to follow procedure as per the procedure mentioned in this SOP. 

2. QC Head is responsible for implementation and compliance of the procedure as per this SOP.

4. ABBREVIATIONS

1. SOP    :    Standard Operating Procedure

2. QC    :    Quality Control

3. v/v        :    Volume /Volume 

5. PROCEDURE: 

1. Operation  

1. Take out the holding plate.                   

2. Place the desiccating materials calcium chloride or silica gel in the cavity.

3. Refit the materials holding plate in its place.

4. After arranging materials in desiccators place the lid.

5. Joint of lid should be covered with silicon grease.

2. Cleaning Procedure of the desiccators are as follows  

1. Clean the outer surface of the desiccators daily by dry duster.

2. Clean the outer surface with wet duster moistened with 0.1% v/v Teepol solution or Liquid solution or liquid soap followed by clean by wet duster & then dry duster.

3. Arrange it’s in normal position and close the door.

4. Clean the instrument daily.

5. Don’t change the silica gel again & again without changes condition, pushing from upper side of 

6. Desiccators very carefully & slowly. Check weekly of silica gel condition. Desiccators should be under placed in A/C. Handling should be carefully.

3. Used Silica Gel Condition 

1. Always use Silica Gel Anhydrous.

2. A grade of commerce consisting of partially dehydrated, polymerized, colloidal silica acid Containing cobalt chloride as an indicator. Blue granules.

3. Becoming pink when the moisture adsorption capacity is exhausted. Anhydrous silica gel absorbs about 30% of its weight of water at 20°C. 

4. Its adsorptive capacity may be regenerated by heating at 150°C for 2 hours. 

5. Desiccators should be clean & colour of silica gel should be Blue. 

6. If Blue colour is converted in to Violet colour then should be place in oven under temperature 150°C until colour is converted in to blue colour. 

7. We will reactivate the silica gel when more than approx 25.0% of crystals changed the colour.