Desiccator

Hence they are not appropriate for storing chemicals which react quickly or violently with atmospheric moisture such as the alkali metals; a glovebox or Schlenk-type apparatus may be more suitable for these purposes.

The lower compartment of the desiccator contains lumps of silica gel, freshly calcined quicklime, Drierite, molecular sieves, phosphorus pentoxide, (not as effective) anhydrous calcium chloride, or other desiccant to absorb water vapor.

The substance needing desiccation is put in the upper compartment, usually on a glazed, perforated ceramic plate.

In order to prevent damage to a desiccator the lid should be carefully slid on and off instead of being directly placed onto the base.

The desiccant, usually an otherwise-inert solid such as silica gel, fills the space under the platform.

A vacuum desiccator (left - note the stopcock which allows a vacuum to be applied), and a desiccator (right). The blue silica gel in the space below the platform is used as the desiccant .