Dehumidifier sums

[Mr Gus]

Thanks, there is never anything about proper disposal, so full now I've been soaking it up in paper towels & setting it aside, then recycling the plastic containers.

[Moxi]

Mr Gus,

are these the 151 type plastic pots with a material like membrane across the top ? does it have a warning sticker on the back saying "Warning contains Calcium Chloride"?

If so then yes they can be regenerated / upcycled but it involves processing and a certain amount of energy, effort and has safety issues so you have to think (is it worth it for me ?) everyone is different so there will be different answers.

If like me its a "yes" then have a read of this - other sites are available and have less or more detail

https://www.instructables.com/Recycle-d ... ty-hippos/

Moxi

[Mr Gus]

Thanks Moxi, "Yes" the mini ones are poundshop type.
(I really couldn't consider a monthly supply of dessicant to a domestic sized appliance based on perpetual ordering, travel footprint, storage etc, at least the compressor run unit simply produces water after energy input)

boiling off eh? ..will read up.
A good use for the induction hob then, potentially.

[AE-NMidlands]

boiling off eh? ..will read up.
A good use for the induction hob then, potentially.

...as long as you have an extractor fan over the hob - or take it outside to do!

[Moxi]

I would definitely recommend doing it outside and stand upwind - with careful temperature control you should only be boiling off the water but why tempt fate ?

My own thoughts for my specific needs are; drill a hole just above the tray holding the calcium chloride and pour off the liquid, store in the liquid in a bulk plastic container clearly marked until suitable solar PV is available. When there is enough PV to run the electric hot plate go outside and set up an old pan to boil off the water and re-crystallise the calcium chloride, pour in to original container through the previously drilled hole used to empty the liquid. Apply a spot of hot glue to the hole to seal, then bundle all the containers in to a vacuum bag, evacuate and store until winter.

I do wonder if an iron applied to the paper membrane on top for a few seconds would ease the glue enough to peel it off giving better access, trouble is I don't own and iron!

Moxi

[Countrypaul]

I would definitely recommend doing it outside and stand upwind - with careful temperature control you should only be boiling off the water but why tempt fate ?

My own thoughts for my specific needs are; drill a hole just above the tray holding the calcium chloride and pour off the liquid, store in the liquid in a bulk plastic container clearly marked until suitable solar PV is available. When there is enough PV to run the electric hot plate go outside and set up an old pan to boil off the water and re-crystallise the calcium chloride, pour in to original container through the previously drilled hole used to empty the liquid. Apply a spot of hot glue to the hole to seal, then bundle all the containers in to a vacuum bag, evacuate and store until winter.

I do wonder if an iron applied to the paper membrane on top for a few seconds would ease the glue enough to peel it off giving better access, trouble is I don't own and iron!

Moxi

It doesn't need t be a fancy iron, just a reasonable piece of steel, oh and a WBS to heat it up on

[nowty]

Sounds like a summer job like my water distilling for SWMBO steam iron.

I make enough when the sun shines to get through the winter, especially good in early spring when the PV output is high and the waste heat adds a few more kWh of heating to the house.

[Bugtownboy]

Nowty, you’ve got to have a word

You must be using (ok may be self generated) more leccy to support ironing than we use to support the house.

[nowty]

Nowty, you’ve got to have a word

You must be using (ok may be self generated) more leccy to support ironing than we use to support the house.

Its not only self generated, but the power would otherwise be lost generation as I only have the standard 3.68kW export limit.

[Moxi]

Well I just tried the warm heat to the top of the paper like membrane on the "pound shop" dehumidifier's and its not a good call as the membrane must contain unexpanded polystyrene filament or similar as it makes a melted sticky mess long before the attached area loosens up - I presume that in manufacture they roll a sheet over the top and apply heat at the rim to fuse the material to the tub once the crystals are inside.

Good news is on the smaller units theres nothing special inside so for others following this I would suggest drilling a hole near the rim big enough to empty the liquid and allow the regenerated crystals to be re-inserted (by funnel?) later then seal with either the hot glue gun OR I am thinking electricians tape or a piece of gorilla tape? Then when its used up again the process is simplified to peeling off some tape.

Got the first three tubs emptied and contents stored safely labelled in a sealed bottle and in the shed away from small fingers and inquisitive minds!

Got an old saucepan ready and an electric hob, just need a sunny day and spare time to check out the next stage.

Moxi