Can silica gel in Des-Case breathers be regenerated?
No, the end user cannot regenerate the silica gel in Des-Case breathers. The cap on the disposable models is pressure sealed and should not be removed. For the rebuildable steel units, the desiccant is enclosed in a polyester filter bag. This bag and its contents are disposed of and replaced when it is time to recharge the unit. In theory, silica gel can be regenerated, but it is not advised without taking proper precautions (i.e. suitable effective dust mask). Activities that generate respirable dust should be minimized or altogether abandoned. Also, for breather applications the temperatures would have to be high enough to burn off any oil mist collected within the silica gel granules and this process would destroy the porous structure of the silica gel.
