Cart 0

My cart

Call us: (+34) 699 239 392

Maritime packaging

Industrial packaging, Maritime packaging, Physical and chemical protection

Desiccant salts, absorption capacity and normalization

Post by 360 Ecopackaging On 0 Comments

Dehydrating or Desiccant salts, they are used more and more frequently for the packaging of cargoes, especially in maritime transports, but … are we using the right amount of desiccant salts? what is a DIN unit? do all desiccant salts absorb the same amount of moisture? In this post we will try to answer all these questions.

Dessicant Salts

To calculate the amount of DIN units of salts needed to ensure a “dry” environment, we will base ourselves on the DIN 55474 standard, which empirically defined as:

 

n = 1/a · ( V · b + m · c + A · e · D · t )

Where “n” is the number of DIN units, “a” the amount of water vapor absorbed per unit of salt, for 20 % RH a = 3 g; 40 % RH a = 6 g; 60 % RH a = 8 g, “V” the volume inside the packaging, “b” the humidity per unit volume of interior air, “m” weight in kilograms, “c” grams of humidity per kilogram of weight, “S” packaging surface in square meters, “e” correction factor, for 20 % RH e = 0.9, for 40 % RH e = 0.7 and finally for 60 % RH e = 0.6, “D” permeability in grams per square meter and finally “t” the storage time.

To summarize, in general, one DIN unit is equivalent to an absorption of 6g of water, to absorb these 6g of water approximately 30g of desiccant salts are necessary (depending on the type of salt and the conditions).

 

Thus we can take this table as a reference:

Desiccant salts

As we have already mentioned in this blog, there are many types of desiccant salts depending on their chemical composition, so we must always know their absorption capacity and the amount of DIN units per unit mass.

Dessicant Salts

As a conclusion we must assume to take as reference the DIN units and from this we will be able to calculate the grams of each salt that we need. Starting from these DIN units we will never make a mistake with the amount of salts needed.

Loading

Desiccant/Dehydrating salts
Maritime packaging, Physical and chemical protection, Transport and logistics

Desiccant Salts

Post by 360 Ecopackaging On 0 Comments

Desiccant salts, also called dehydrating salts, are chemical compounds that absorb moisture and water in very different ratios, depending on the amount of desiccants and their chemical composition, and can regenerate if subjected to a temperature above 150ºC.

There are different types of desiccant, the most common are:

 

  • Silica gel

These are small solid pellets of silicon dioxide obtained from sodium silicate. Despite being a chemical compound, it is not toxic or flammable by itself, although one of its components is highly toxic to humans if ingested or in contact with it for a long time, as it could cause silicosis. This is cobalt chloride, which is used to determine the amount of moisture in the gel. In this way, it causes the gel to change color when wet, varying from blue (dry) to pink.

Desiccant Salts

  • Bentonite

Is a very fine-grained (colloidal) clay of the montmorillonite type containing bases and iron. The name derives from a deposit found at Fort Benton, USA. The particle size is less than 0.03% of the average grain size of kaolinite.

Desiccant Salts

  • Calcium chloride

In addition to its use in pharmaceuticals and food, this compound is used as a desiccant, given its moisture-absorbing qualities. It is less common than silica gel, although it does not contain toxic elements and has a higher degree of moisture absorption. The problem is that it is not advisable to use it in spaces that are not hermetically sealed, since it runs the risk of liquefying, with the consequent elimination of its absorption capacity.

Desiccant Salts

Measures

 

There are four different units for measuring desiccants. The most commonly used due to their standardization are grams, but we also find NFH, DIN units and MIL units.

These would be the equivalences between them, taking as a reference the most used measurements:

Equivalency table

We recommend the use of one half kilo bag (16 DIN units) of desiccant or dehydrating salts per cubic meter. As a guideline, we can indicate that for a 20 feet container it is advisable to use 20 bags of 1 kg. These data are estimates since, depending on the cargo to be transported (sensitivity to oxidation and/or corrosion mainly), the proportion of salts should be adjusted to maintain the relative humidity at the established rates.

 

Packaging

 

The desiccant can be purchased in bulk or packaged in breathable bags for use in containers or inside packaging.

The bags are made of non-woven textile so that moisture passes through them and can be picked up by the compound. Now, certain desiccant manufacturers have begun using another material called Tyvek, which is used primarily in home and building construction to prevent moisture.

This material is made of high-density polyethylene and nonwoven olefin fiber, so it is highly breathable and its uses are very diverse. Although it looks like paper, we must not forget that it is plastic when it comes to recycling.

As we mentioned at the beginning of this section, desiccant bags are frequently used in containers for shipping goods by sea.

Salt compounds and moisture can cause damage to the goods. For this reason, many containers come with special cables or rings for the placement of desiccants.

In this case, a hook or hooks, usually made of plastic or metal, are added to the bags to attach them to the walls of the container. If the container has no means of hanging the bag, many manufacturers incorporate a special adhesive to attach the bag directly to the inner side walls.

 

Other remarks

 

There is a chemical compound called dimethyl fumarate, DMF, which is also used as a desiccant.

Years ago the Finnish doctor Tapio Rantanen discovered that it can cause severe allergic reactions and large skin eczema, even in very small proportions, after the marketing of this product in sofas by a Chinese company, with the aim of preventing the furniture from deteriorating with humidity, resulting in several cases of affected people in several countries around the world, including Spain.

For this reason it is very important to make sure that the desiccant that we are going to use is free of this substance and that it has passed the pertinent controls that indicate it.

It is also common to find in the desiccant packages cards indicating the moisture content of the salts, thus warning if it is necessary to replace the package in case they no longer absorb water vapor.

Indicator cards

These cards work by changing color, in such a way that when their blue color disappears and turns to a light pink, as in the case of silica gel, it means that the desiccant salts have already exhausted their absorption capacity.

 

In conclusion, you will have to choose the type of desiccant that you believe convenient and in the right measure depending on the volume of the load and how it is packed. It is always advisable to use it, since humidity is present everywhere and in certain regions and countries more than in others, but above all it is an indispensable requirement for sea and river transport, combining it with other types of materials for adequate protection.

Loading

Maritime packaging, Protection-and-padding, Transport and logistics

Maritime packaging and its characteristics

Post by 360 Ecopackaging On 0 Comments

After more than 80 years of experience in the sector, we have assisted our clients in the great controversy and confusion generated by this term.

So, maritime packaging and its characteristics is the main topic of today’s post. What essential elements are need to be used to comply with the regulations

Maritime packaging

 

To talk about maritime packaging we must take into account two parameters: oxidation-corrosion and the geographical situation.

1 OXIDATION – CORROSION

If the material of the load to be transported is sensitive to corrosion and oxidation, such as metal parts without surface treatment or electronic equipment (among the most common), we have to pay attention to the type of packaging that we will use to prevent the deterioration of the merchandise.

Discover our anti-corrosion products here.

The high concentration of water, steam and saline compounds make it necessary to design a protection system  that maintains a neutral atmosphere and isolates the burden of these external factors.

Among the elements that we can use for this purpose, we can highlight the insulating systems such as aluminum bags, shrink wrapping or VCI and environmental dehydration systems such as moisture absorbing salts.

It is essential to select the best insulating system, which will depend on the load we transport. They can be combined with those of environmental dehydration, always having to assess in the latter what will be the correct material and quantity for the complete elimination of excess water vapor inside the packaging, since not all dehydrating salts have the same percentage absorption.

In addition, there are different ways to measure this ratio depending on the area in which we are. Here are some examples of the most standardized measures with their respective equivalences.

 

2 GEOGRAPHICAL SITUATION

Due to the international nature of transport and provided that the packaging has wood as a raw material, it is necessary to comply with the International Standard on Phytosanitary Measures ISPM 15, only to export to countries outside the European Union. For this it is necessary that all packaging bears its corresponding marking and certificate (the latter when required by the phytosanitary protection agencies of the countries of destination. The standard does not make it mandatory, but in some cases they request it due to ignorance).

ISPM 15 processed wood requirements
ISPM15 processed wood

 

Therefore, in most cases the wooden packaging must be marked with the ISPM15 of the supplier, but this is not always the case. For example, if we take a cargo to Denmark by ship, we will need anti-oxidation protection for the merchandise, but we will not need the ISPM15 marking as it is an EU member country. On the contrary, if we export to Russia and do it by road, we will need another type of cargo protection that does not necessarily have to be anti-oxidation, although we must comply with the international standard ISPM 15.

Loading

Stowage techniques with wood
Maritime packaging, Transport and logistics

Stowage Techniques With Wood

Post by 360 Ecopackaging On 0 Comments

Stowage techniques with wood and what requirements must be cumply with in order to be able to perform it correctly.

A correct lashing or securing of cargo is key when transporting cargo by sea, land or air.

Therefore, in today’s post we will explore into the different techniques:

Stowage techniques with wood
Stowage techniques with wood

First of all, we must take into account the international legislation required in phytosanitary terms, this would be the one corresponding to ISPM in section number 15.

Stowage techniques with wood
Stowage techniques with wood

This regulation governs the requirements that timber must meet in order to pass through customs controls in a foreign country other than the country of origin.

ISPM 15 regulations

Once we take this prerequisite into account, we define four basic types of wood blocking based on their position with respect to the load:

Nail blocking techniques

The TM that holds a nail of about 10 cm depending on the friction is reflected, according to calculations of the IMO Model Course 3.18

In the European Guide, the number of nails to be used for fixing the loads is determined by:

Slippage prevented by nails

The nails will be placed with a separation of 2 cm, the slats being at least 10x10cm.

We must also take into account the height of nailing for the calculation of the depth.

Stowage techniques with wood

 

We must take into account the requirements ISPM15 and the different methodology when it comes to carving the load, finally will fix this wood by nails with the guidelines marked above.

In conclusion, the stowage of wood is one of the most economical and simple methods when making a wrinkle.

Contact us at: info@360ecopackaging.com or visit our web here.

Loading

360Ecopackaging blog
Congratulations, Ecology, Folding packaging, Industrial packaging, Lashing & Dunnage, Maritime packaging, Physical and chemical protection, Protection-and-padding, Transport and logistics

Declaration of intentions

Post by 360 Ecopackaging On 0 Comments

360 Eco Packaging emerged as a logical evolution and adaptation of a traditional family company, founded in 1939. Due to these experience and constant evolution, we have learned to adapt to the needs of the sector. Identifying and developing the most efficient packaging systems.

Therefore, we can offer the customer a 360 degree service.

 

For all these reasons, this blog was born with a two-way character and with the real purpose of being a meeting place, where different profiles can find and debate about the multiple types of packaging that the market offers us.

We will analyse from the regulations required for the different types of packaging and transport, to the new technologies and materials that are currently being developed.

With this we will try to put on the table as much information as possible, so that we can clearly define and select the best solution to the different needs that may arise in the world of logistics and transport.

In the next post we will study a litle introduction to ISPM 15.

Loading

X