Absorpoles

Jane on November 26, 2014

Absorpoles for UK delivery ONLY

In some circumstances, shipping containers can suffer from condensation. Shipping containers are particularly prone to condensation when situated in the open, where they might be subjected to the warmth of the sunshine during the day, and the cold of the elements during the night. Most condensation forms near the interior ceiling of shipping containers and can cause damage to whatever is being stored inside the container.

Absorpoles are the answer to the problem of excess moisture in shipping containers. They absorb moisture and turn it into a harmless saline solution.

Absorpole Installation Instructions

The Absorpole permanently removes moisture (condensation) from the air via 1.3 kg of Calcium Chloride salt in the upper part of the Absorpole (the absorber). The salt attracts moisture in the air and forms a saline solution (the brine) that drips down and is collected in the lower part of the Absorpole (the container).

BEFORE INSTALLING ABSORPOLE
Seal all air vents in the shipping container or storage container. ACTIVATE THE ABSORPOLE

1. Pull out the absorber from the container by pulling the hook.

Absorpoles for reducing condensation levels in a shipping container

2. Remove the double pin that is attached next to the hook.

Absorpoles for reducing condensation levels in a shipping container

3. Align the two holes of the absorber and the container

Absorpoles for reducing condensation levels in a sea container

4. Push the double pin through the holes from the back of the Absorpole – ALL THE WAY.
5. Pull out the Absorber again to ensure that the double pin is securely locked.

INSTALLING THE ABSORPOLE
1. Place the hook over a bar or loop near the ceiling and pull down until the hook snaps into position.
2. Push the Absorpole into the wall corrugation.

SAFETY
The Calcium Chloride brine is non-toxic and non-corrosive. It is similar to very salty seawater and may cause same irritation on skin and in eyes if they are exposed for a period of time. If your skin or eyes get in contact with the brine rinse the exposed areas thoroughly with fresh water.

DISPOSAL
The Absorpole is recyclable and environmentally friendly. It is made only from PE/PP type plastic and contains no metal parts. Each part of the pole is appropriately marked for optimum recycling.
Any unused Calcium Chloride can be dissolved by soaking the poles in fresh water.
The brine may be poured away without causing environmental harm.

Additional Absorpole information

Weight 1.6 kg / 3.5 lb
H 1190mm / W 116mm / D 34mm Working Temp. -20 C to 90 C
H 46.8 in. / W 4.5 in. / D 1.3 in. -4 F to 149 F
Up to 2 Litre. Brine 1.2 kg / 2.6 lbs Calcium Chloride.

Absorpole is based on the proven ability of calcium chloride to aggressively remove moisture from the air. Absorpole is easy to use and is designed to hang within the corrugated recess of the container wall. Its flush fitting means minimal space is occupied and accidental damage from forklifts during stuffing and un-stuffing is avoided.

How Absorpole works
Absorpole is activated once it is pulled out of its container. The calcium chloride, at the top of the pole, immediately starts to absorb moisture from the surrounding air. The desiccant material gradually dissolves into brine which is captured in a collector. Once captured, the moisture will not re-evaporate into the air.

Performance
The absorption characteristics of calcium chloride provide Absorpole with a superior absorption capacity, even at low humidity levels, and the ability to effectively protect cargo throughout the entire voyage.

Typical applications:

  • Capital products
  • Textiles and leather
  • Wood and paper products
  • Plastics, glass and metals
  • Electronics and machinery
  • Automotive parts

Absorpole Technical specification

  • Weight 1.4 kg/3.5 lb
  • Size H 1190 mm/W 116 mm/D 34 mm H 46.8 in/W 4.5 in/D 1.3 in
  • Working temperature: –20° C to 80°C – 4° F to 149°F
  • Collection capacity up to 2 litres
  • Absorbent 1.2 kg/2.6 lb calcium chloride
  • Pallet quantity 230 units

Units needed
Generally, 2 poles are required for 8-foot or 10-foot container 4 poles are required for 20-foot container and 6 poles for 40-foot containers. The number may vary depending on the length of the storage and voyage, the range of temperatures encountered and the type of cargo protected.

Disposal
Absorpole is made only of PE/PP plastics and salt, which are non-toxic and recyclable. Absorpole is a one-time product and can be disposed of with regular waste.

Absorpole conclusion?

  • Easy to install and remove
  • Robust and durable design
  • High absorbance – fewer poles needed
  • Cost effective
  • Long lasting, protects throughout the entire voyage
  • No loss of load space
  • Environmentally friendly, no toxic materials
Shipping container condensation FAQs
How to stop shipping container condensation

Absorpoles help a great deal. But a certain amount of condensation is inevitable inside of a shipping container. There are, however, certain measures you can take to minimise the amount of condensation. Namely, you’ll want to select the correct kind of wooden pallets, apply desiccants and dehumidifiers (or any other products that absorb moisture from the air), and ensure that both insulation and ventilation are properly optimised.
More information…

Why does my container suffer from condensation?

Do not put wet goods inside the container. Many second-hand containers are steam cleaned pretty much every time a shipping container goes into a depot, although they are dried out before re-use, over many years the floor can absorb the moisture.

What can I do to get rid of condensation in my container? 

You can buy Absorpoles which reduces the level of condensation and protects your goods.

Condensation in Shipping Containers

Jane on October 24, 2013

How to prevent condensation build-up in containers

Condensation in shipping containers and storage containers can occur due to poor ventilation or storing damp or wet goods. If not rectified, this can cause damage to goods stored in the container in future, even if the damp goods have been removed. Luckily, there are several ways to prevent condensation build-up in containers. Read on to find out how.

Condensation in Shipping Containers

Condensation occurs mainly on the roof interior and top six inches of the interior side-walls. The moisture usually develops while storing damp or wet goods inside the container, together with high and low temperatures outside the shipping container.

There are many factors that need to be taken into account, such as:

  • The type of goods/equipment you are going to store inside
  • How you store the goods
  • The location of the container
  • The weather
  • How often you will open and shut the doors

In order to correct this, shipping containers require good ventilation and undergo a process of dehumidification.

At Billie Box, we offer a range of solutions to this problem.

Shipping container vents

Shipping container vents consist of 10 holes punched into the steel wall, covered by an external bracket to enable good airflow, while still keeping the container watertight.

A typical vented shipping container will feature vents located on each side of the unit, just below the top rail. A second hand unit generally has two or four vents, while a new build shipping container has four, eight or 10 vents. Some new containers come with vents on the side only or on the doors and the opposite wall. The vents are positioned approximately six inches below the top rail of the shipping container.

If you purchase a container from Billie Box and you require more vents, we can fit more for an extra cost. In our experience, the small ventilation points at the end or the side of the shipping container often prove to be adequate; however, there are other methods of preventing condensation build-up.

Container vent
Shipping Container vent

Shipping container dehumidifiers

Dehumidifiers are readily available in many outlets. We recommend a company called Wilms UK Ltd.

The dehumidifier collects moisture from the closed container and fills a bucket with purified water. This bucket would need to be emptied on a regular basis to avoid re-circulation of the moisture. The amount of moisture accumulated is dependent on how many times the doors are opened and the weather conditions.

This type of equipment requires an external electrical supply. A hole may also need to be drilled through the side walls to place a cable in order to get access to the electrical supply.

Absorpoles

When you buy a new suit, you will often find a little pack of calcium chloride (also known as desiccant) crystals in the pocket. This is what an Absorpole is made from.

Absorpoles can be hung from the lashing rings inside the shipping container; they usually sit inside the corrugation on the interior side walls.

Watch our video below to find out how Absorpoles work. You can also read our instruction sheet here.

absorpole

The Absorpole is an effective way of reducing condensation in a shipping container. You will need approximately four Absorpoles for a 20ft storage container and up to six Absorpoles in a 40ft storage container. Absorpoles will need to be replaced periodically. Expiration varies depending on the type and condition of the goods/equipment you are storing, the weather conditions and the number of times you open and shut the doors.

Buy Absorpoles

GrafoTherm paint

GrafoTherm paint is a coating sprayed onto a surface (in this case corrugated steel surfaces) to provide insulation and retain some moisture. This is a long term solution and is less expensive in the long-run.

This anti-condensation coating is typically applied to the container roof interior and the top six inches of the interior side walls using spray applicators. This only works as long as the doors are opened on a regular basis, so that the moisture can be expelled from the shipping container.

Container lining

Another solution to help prevent condensation build-up in shipping containers is to line the interior of the container with a 50mm-thick layer of polystyrene, followed by a melamine finish. We do not offer this, as it is often cheaper for the customer to do it themselves.

This can be a good way of reducing condensation; however, it is important to consider that container linings will not remove the risk completely, as condensation is airborne. Absorpoles, dehumidifiers and/or heaters may still be required in order to balance the temperature inside the storage container.

Helpful tips for preventing condensation build-up in containers

As long as the container is filled with bone dry goods/equipment, then it should maintain a moisture-free interior for at least two years if left closed, if not longer. If you need to access your storage container within this time, then the container is at risk of condensation. For example, if the outside atmosphere is particularly cold and misty when you open the unit, this can cause condensation to generate inside the container once the doors are closed. To ensure airflow, we recommend that your goods are not stacked up against the walls or the ceilings.

Conclusion

In this article, we have provided a range of different solutions to the problems of condensation in a steel storage container, however, only one of these solutions will completely expel condensation in shipping containers and that’s the Absorpoles.

Many of our customers have used shipping containers with vents for static storage purposes for a long time, and they have not experienced excessive problems with condensation in shipping containers. We are, however, aware that there may be an exception to the rule. Absorpoles will absorb any excess moisture, but they do need replacing periodically.

If you have any questions about any of these solutions, then please call Jane on 0800 121 7388.

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