What chemical/catalyst has no catalytic activity but has a high affinity to water?

Question

I am looking to implement a shelf/tray below my existing catalyst that can help soak up the "water" before it goes into the catalyst preventing water damage to the catalyst for cracking of diesel fuel. I am happy for any ideas or substance that can act as a water absorbent whilst not effecting the cracking process "No catalytic activity". Would be interesting to know if there is any proven materials that already exist & that have been tried and tested.

KR

Bill.

Answer 1

You will need to run it through a desiccant. In the labs I worked in, we used Calcium Sulfate from Sigma Aldrich with the indicator. The indicator lets you know when the desiccant needs replacing. I would test it to see if the material that you are drying leaches out the indicator. The Calcium Sulfate basically absorbs the water and once it has absorbed all that it can hold, it will not absorb more and needs to be replaced.