Molecular Sieve Adsorbents: Precision Drying and Purification

MS molecular sieves are aluminosilicates containing oxides of alkali metals and divalent metals, distinguished by a strictly regular structure of the internal structure. They have a porous structure, consisting of many different cations, such as Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and others. and their free spaces are filled with water particles.
The main structural elements of zeolite molecular sieves are tetrahedral SiO4 units. Their general structural formula is as follows:

Me_2/n O ∙ Al₂O₃ ∙ xSiO₂ * yH₂O

gdzie:
Me – alkali metal cation,
n –valency of the alkali metal.

Tetrahedrons form a three-dimensional spatial form by grouping together with common oxygen atoms. The basic structures include cubes (8 tetrahedrons), hexagonal pyramids (12 tetrahedrons) and cubooktahedra (24 tetrahedrons). Some of the atoms of the silicon element are replaced with an aluminum atom, creating a negative charge with this combination (due to the lower valency of aluminum). In the unoccupied porous structure of zeolites, apart from elemental water, metal cations of groups I and II are located, which balance the electric charge. The internal structure creates a system of channels, the shape of which affects the adsorption properties of materials. The channels can form non-intersecting channels of equal size, two-dimensional channel systems and three-dimensional intersecting channel systems.
Molecular sieves are adsorptive materials with a high selective adsorption capacity and the ability to separate mixtures based on differences in the size and shape of adsorbed molecules. The main division of molecular sieves is based on the effective pore diameter. We distinguish the following materials:

• Molecular sieve 3A (effective pore diameter 3 Å)
• Molecular sieve 4A (effective pore diameter 4Å)
• Molecular sieve 5A (effective pore diameter 5Å)
• 13X Molecular Sieve (effective pore size 10Å)

High selectivity of adsorbed compounds

MS molecular sieves have excellent selectivity and allow the removal of specific compounds from gases and liquids

Multiple regeneration possible

Products from the MS group can be regenerated many times and are used in PSA, VPSA and TSA installations.

A product with a long shelf life

MS molecular sieves are delivered in sealed barrels or bags and do not lose their properties when properly stored.

Non-toxic and environmentally safe

All of the products in the MS molecular sieves group are non-toxic and environmentally safe materials.

Many possible applications

MS molecular sieves are a group of adsorption materials with many different applications. If you need help in choosing the material for the process, please contact us!

Molecular sieve technology is typically used for separation processes where high selectivity is required to remove specific components. Molecular sieves can be used e.g. for drying gases and liquids (solvent drying) in the chemical industry, removal of sulfur compounds (H2S, COS and mercaptans), hydrogen purification in PSA processes (removal of CO, CO2, CH4, N2 from syngas), air purification in cryogenic air separation installations compressed air drying and many others.

3A molecular sieve

Deodorization of unsaturated hydrocarbon streams, including gas from the thermal cracking of crude oil, propylene, acetylene and others; drying liquids with polar properties (methanol, ethanol); separation of NH3 and water from the nitrogen/hydrogen flow; universal desiccant in polar and non-polar media

4A molecular sieve

Mainly used for static and dynamic dehydration of gases and liquids. It allows for the selective removal of compounds such as H2O, SO2, CO2, H2S, C2H4, C3H6. It is widely regarded as a universal desiccant material. Also used to separate natural gas and alkenes.

5A molecular sieve

Drying and purification of gases and air. Widely used for natural gas and LNG dehydration and desulfurization. Used in hydrogen separation technologies (SMR, WGS, coal gasification) in PSA and VPSA installations. Also used in oxygen production installations.

13X molecular sieve

Widely used in process gas drying technologies and compressed air drying. Used for dehumidification, desulfurization and purification of gases in the petrochemical industry and natural gas in other applications. Used for air purification (removal of water and CO2) in cryogenic air separation plants.