Floro, Claribelle, Tianero, Ma. Diarey, So, Marie Angelie
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to produce silica gel desiccant from different proportions of sand and corn stalk ash. Treatment A consisted of 100% commercial silica gel; Treatment B, 25% sand and 75% ash; Treatment C, 50% sand and 50% ash; and Treatment D, 75% sand and 25% ash, with three replications for each treatment. After fusion at 1100 degree celcius, sodium silicate was obtained. Sulfuric acid was added to the sodium silicate. After heating and drying of the solution, silica gel was produced.
0.5 g of the experimental silica gel prepared at different treatment combinations were subjected to moisture adsorption capacity test.
Moisture adsorption capacity based on the final reading(80hrs) revealed that Treatment D showed the highest percentage. With its adsorption capacity equal to 30.93%, it is comparable with Treatment A which has an adsorption capacity of 29.89%. Treatments B and C have lower percentage adsorption capacity which are to 26.44% and 26.58%, respectively.
One-way Analysis of Variant showed that the adsorption capacity of the silica gel in the different treatment groups varied significantly(P<0.05). Percent moisture adsorption capacity decreased in the order Treatment A=D>B=C.
Based on the results of the study, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) the use of sand corn stalk ash as raw materials for the production of silica gel is feasible; (2) sand and corn stalk ash prepared at a 3:1 ratio showed the highest yield and percent moisture adsorption capacity; (3) the adsorption capacity of the 3:1 sand and corn stalk ash mixture is comparable with that of the commercial silica gel.