vacuum desiccator

vacuum desiccator

A scientist places a sample inside a vacuum desiccator in the laboratory.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A sealed container used for drying substances under reduced pressure: A "vacuum desiccator" is a piece of laboratory equipment consisting of a strong, airtight chamber (usually made of glass or metal) connected to a vacuum pump. It is used to remove moisture or solvents from a sample by creating a low-pressure environment, which accelerates evaporation without the need for heat. The term combines "vacuum" (a space devoid of matter) and "desiccator" (a container for drying).
Usage Examples
  • (The container uses reduced pressure to remove moisture from the crystals.)
  • (The sealed, low-pressure environment keeps the sample dry.)
  • (It protects moisture-sensitive substances.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to use a vacuum desiccator with a chemical desiccant": to place a drying agent (e.g., silica gel, calcium chloride) inside the chamber to absorb residual moisture.
    • The lab technician added fresh silica gel to the vacuum desiccator before sealing it. (The desiccant helps maintain a dry environment.)
  • "to evacuate a vacuum desiccator": to remove air from the chamber using a vacuum pump.
    • After placing the sample inside, she evacuated the vacuum desiccator to a pressure of 10 mmHg. (She pumped out the air to create a vacuum.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Desiccator (n): a general container for drying substances, often using a desiccant but not necessarily under vacuum.
    • A standard desiccator uses silica gel, but a vacuum desiccator also removes air. (The vacuum version is more efficient.)
  • Vacuum oven (n): a similar device that uses heat and vacuum for drying, unlike a vacuum desiccator which typically operates at room temperature.
    • A vacuum oven is used for heat-sensitive samples, while a vacuum desiccator is for ambient drying. (They serve different purposes.)
Synonyms
  • Drying chamber: a general term for any enclosed space used for removing moisture.
  • Vacuum dryer: a broader term for equipment that dries under reduced pressure, which may include rotary evaporators or freeze dryers.
Related Idioms
  • "In a vacuum": isolated from outside influences (not directly related to the equipment but a common figurative use of "vacuum").
    • The experiment was conducted in a vacuum, meaning no external factors affected the results. (Figurative, not literal.)