Thanks, Katherine! We do currently recondition our silica in-house, but it's pretty labor-intensive for the volume we need, so we're exploring other options.
------------------------------
Kate Swisher
Exhibitions Registrar
Field Museum
Chicago, IL
kswisher@fieldmuseum.org------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2023 11:04 AM
From: Katherine Owens
Subject: Silica gel conditioning services?
IDK of any vendors and would be interested in hearing if there are any as well. However, have you thought about reconditioning the silica gel yourself in-house? If it helps you or anyone else who is following this post here is a resource I was provided on how to recondition Silica gel via this or other collections listserv back in 2013. FYI- The temps in this document are in Celsius. Translated to Fahrenheit = do not heat silica gel over 248 degrees F and regular gel above 392 degrees F.
Also I noted on my print copy of this pdf that I had found where Gaylord Archival stated their silica gel could be dried at 240 degrees F in an oven overnight.
I hope this helps.
------------------------------
Katherine Owens
Curator of Collections
Missouri State Museum
Jefferson City, MO
Original Message:
Sent: 03-21-2023 01:57 PM
From: Kate Swisher
Subject: Silica gel conditioning services?
Hi all,
Please forgive me for crossposting this, but I'm hoping to cast a wide net:
Does anyone have leads on vendors who might provide silica gel conditioning services? We're looking into the feasibility of sending our existing silica out to be reconditioned periodically.
Thanks in advance for any recommendations you can provide!
Kate
------------------------------
Kate Swisher
Exhibitions Registrar
Field Museum
Chicago, IL
kswisher@fieldmuseum.org
------------------------------