Desiccators vs. Fume Hood

Attribute	Desiccators	Fume Hood
Function	Used to remove moisture from substances	Used to contain and exhaust fumes, vapors, or dusts
Usage	Commonly used in laboratories for storing moisture-sensitive materials	Commonly used in laboratories for handling hazardous chemicals
Design	Usually a sealed container with a drying agent	Has a ventilation system to remove harmful substances
Protection	Protects materials from moisture damage	Protects users from exposure to hazardous chemicals

Introduction

Desiccators and fume hoods are both essential pieces of equipment in laboratory settings. While they serve different purposes, they are both designed to create a controlled environment for experiments and research. In this article, we will compare the attributes of desiccators and fume hoods to help you understand their differences and similarities.

Desiccators

Desiccators are a type of enclosure that is used to store moisture-sensitive items in a dry environment. They are typically made of glass or plastic and have a tight-fitting lid to prevent moisture from entering. Desiccators are commonly used in chemistry labs to store chemicals, samples, and other materials that need to be kept dry. They are also used in biology labs to store seeds, tissues, and other biological samples.

• Desiccators are designed to maintain a low humidity level inside the enclosure, usually below 20%.
• They are often filled with a desiccant, such as silica gel or calcium chloride, to absorb any moisture that may be present.
• Desiccators are equipped with a vacuum pump or a gas inlet to create a vacuum or introduce a dry gas, such as nitrogen, to further reduce humidity.
• They are commonly used for short-term storage of samples or for drying materials before weighing or analysis.
• Desiccators are available in various sizes and shapes to accommodate different types of samples and materials.

Fume Hoods

Fume hoods, on the other hand, are designed to protect laboratory personnel from exposure to hazardous fumes, vapors, and dust. They are typically made of stainless steel or other chemical-resistant materials and have a sash or sliding door that can be opened or closed to control airflow. Fume hoods are commonly used in chemistry labs, biology labs, and other research facilities where hazardous materials are handled.

• Fume hoods are equipped with a ventilation system that draws air from the laboratory and exhausts it outside or through a filtration system.
• They are designed to maintain a negative pressure inside the enclosure to prevent fumes from escaping into the laboratory.
• Fume hoods are often equipped with a sash or sliding door that can be adjusted to control airflow and protect the user from exposure to hazardous materials.
• They are commonly used for chemical reactions, solvent evaporation, and other processes that produce hazardous fumes or vapors.
• Fume hoods are available in various sizes and configurations to accommodate different types of experiments and research activities.

Comparison

While desiccators and fume hoods serve different purposes in the laboratory, they share some common attributes. Both are designed to create a controlled environment for experiments and research, and both are essential for ensuring the safety of laboratory personnel and the integrity of experimental results.

• Desiccators and fume hoods are both made of durable materials that are resistant to chemicals and other hazards commonly found in laboratory settings.
• They are both equipped with features, such as seals, latches, and ventilation systems, to create a controlled environment and protect the contents of the enclosure.
• Both desiccators and fume hoods are available in a variety of sizes and configurations to accommodate different types of experiments and research activities.
• They both require regular maintenance and cleaning to ensure proper functioning and prevent contamination of samples or materials stored inside.
• Desiccators and fume hoods are both essential pieces of equipment in laboratory settings and are used in a wide range of scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biology, and environmental science.

Conclusion

In conclusion, desiccators and fume hoods are both essential pieces of equipment in laboratory settings that serve different purposes but share some common attributes. Desiccators are used to store moisture-sensitive items in a dry environment, while fume hoods are designed to protect laboratory personnel from exposure to hazardous fumes and vapors. Both are designed to create a controlled environment for experiments and research and are essential for ensuring the safety of laboratory personnel and the integrity of experimental results.