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When it comes to sustainable, clean, and renewable energy sources, Biogas has become increasingly popular due to its potential to transform the energy landscape through the harnessing of the energy potential of organic waste streams. But, the transition from raw waste materials to high-quality biogas is challenging. That’s where renewable energy biogas purification with the PSA / VPSA system comes in.

These remarkable advancements along with the usage of varied molecular sieves, can help transform the renewable energy industry scene. Today let us explore these two bio gas purification processes in detail and understand their differences and similarities.

Know More About Biogas Production and Composition

Biogases are a type of gas formed when organic material, such as food waste or agricultural residues, cattle dung/municipal solid waste, sugarcane press, sewage treatment plant waste, mud, etc., decomposes in an oxygen-deprived environment, like in a compost heap or swampland.

This process is analogous to the recycling process of nature. The composition of bio gas is primarily composed of two components: methane, the positive component that can be used for energy purposes; and carbon dioxide, the harmful component.

Additionally, biogas may contain impurities or fillers, such as hydrogen sulphide, and a small amount of water vapor, which must be removed before it can be used to produce clean energy.

Purification Process: Improving Biogas for Clean Energy

Though biogas is a fantastic well-known and accredited source of renewable energy, it's not always clean for immediate usage as it is produced by the active/anaerobic degradation of organic matter. When biogas is created in a bio gas plant, it contains many impurities and harmful and unnecessary particles/components/impurities that need to be filtered out before use. Thus, the purification process is essential to remove any impurities like moisture, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, etc.

When the purification process is done using molecular sieves, it can help rid the biogas mixture of different and numerous impurities by capturing them in their selective strainer structures and providing clean and pure methane gas as an end-product.

Molecular sieves can be recruited in processes such as PSA and VPSA to create biogas that is highly purified in nature and prepared to be reconstructed into clean energy ready for use in homes and industrial settings.

Understanding PSA/VPSA Systems

If you're looking for a system to purify your biogas, PSA/VPSA model is the way to go. It's a specially designed gas separation system that uses adsorbent to separate the gas. Adsorbents are like molecular sieves, with a tiny pore on their surface that allows them to selectively adsorb molecules like Co2 and N2 under a certain pressure.

Once it's adsorbed, it's regenerated by being depressurized. These PSA systems use this process to produce the purified methane-enriched gas over and over, repeating the process over and over. The process of biogas purification increases the concentration of methane and decreases the concentration of carbon dioxide in the biogas, resulting in increased calorific value.

The materials used for the adsorbent layer are activated carbon (PC) and zeolite (5a), both of which have been shown in research, to work best at the pressures and compositions tested.

Activated carbon molecular adsorbs mostly CO2 and CH4 and is placed at the bottom of the column for the feed inlet.

Zeolite, on the other hand, adsorbs N2 and carbon molecular and is placed on top of activated carbon. The length of each layer that corresponds to the carbon to zeolite ratio, is a key factor in the PSA/VPSA system.

The adsorption cycle of the pressure swing system is very complicated, as there are many steps in the cycle and interactions between the stages that undergo different operations. The purity of the VPSA system is higher due to the very low process gas flow-rate and the smaller plant size.

Distinguishing PSA / VPAS System: Biogas Cleaning Methods

PSA and VPSA are both biogas cleaning methods, but they differ significantly in terms of the conditions under which they are performed.

Pressure Swing Adsorption/PSA- This method mainly works by varying the pressure in the process. The biogas goes through biogas beds filled with a special material called molecular sieve. The molecular sieve traps the unwanted gases in the biogas. When the molecular sieve is full, the pressure changes, and the unwanted gases are trapped and released. The process is repeated with two biogas beds as a tag team.

Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption/VPAS- On the other hand, VPSA uses vacuum power capabilities. When the pressure is minimized/reduced (for example, in a vacuum environment), the sieves collect the particulates or impurities. When they are full, the pressure returns to normal and the particulates are discharged out of the system.

7 Key Benefits/Value of Using PSA/VPSA Systems

Here are some of the top advantages of biogas:

• The use of these systems eliminates impurities such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, and moisture to produce pure and high-quality biogas.
• It also utilizes less energy consumption when compared to other available traditional cleaning methods, so it's a great option if you're looking for an affordable alternative.
• The PSA/VPSA system’s design can be molded to fit smaller facilities, and is suitable for a wide range of applications.
• These systems are highly scalable, depending on the biogas production volume, and can be redesigned to fit different project sizes as per your industry requirements.
• The cycle of PSA /VPSA makes it possible to run on a continual basis, guaranteeing a consistent flow of clean biogas, and relatively low maintenance levels.
• With cleaner biogas, there are fewer carbon emissions and fewer pollutants in the air, which helps with environmental sustainability.
• It can be built in a variety of ways, including modular units/bed configurations/layouts, so you can easily add more units and make changes as needed.

With the increase in the advantages of biogas combined with the help of systems like PSA and VPSA, we're turning biogas into a cleaner and more powerful energy source. Make sure to use the best-quality, selective filters, molecular sieves for your needs, that can capture impurities, to make sure the process is efficient and useful.

Zeolite powder has proficiently made a mark as a commercial adsorbent, ion exchanger, and catalyst, that contains microscopic pores used to latch onto unwanted molecules/moisture. It is a go-to adsorbent for purifying liquids and gases, removing contaminants like heavy metals and odors.  Unexpectedly, the same porosity also serves as catalyst sites for enhancing chemical processes in petrochemical, agriculture, refining, and wastewater treatment industries.

For these and so many other applications, you should definitely consider buying this amazing adsorbent from only the best zeolite powder suppliers in India. Let us learn about this molecular sieve in detail and its benefits and uses.

Understanding Zeolite Powder/Molecular Sieve

Zeolites have an exceptional molecular architecture and a defining feature of a complex porous framework reminiscent of a molecular labyrinth, making them the most appealing alternatives for industrial applications due to their unique characteristics.

Molecular sieves are considered a subset of zeolites, which are custom-made sieves on a molecular scale. They are available in a spectrum of sizes, and specifically made to selectively capture different molecules depending on their unique structures and chemical attributes.

These materials are used in numerous varied industries and applications, from separating molecules in petrochemical processes, VOC reduction, to enabling environmentally friendly detergents.

Exploring The Properties of Zeolite Molecular Sieves

Zeolite molecular sieves possess a wide array of properties, centered around their exceptional porous nature. A typical zeolite's framework structure is created by secondary structures created by primary tetrahedra. Here are some of the key properties of Zeolite, that you should know.

- Pore size distribution: Materials such as zeo lite molecular sieves have microscopic pores/holes with varying diameters. According to their size, these pores can be used to segregate molecules. Larger molecules cannot fit through the perforations, but smaller ones can, thus catering to a wide variety of applications. Zeolite molecular sieves can be used to separate and purify various chemicals efficiently.

- Highly porous structure: They have a porous structure, that allows them to have large surface areas. Because of the complex structure of the channels and chambers, the surface area is large enough for molecules to stick to. This increases the adsorption efficiency and allows them to absorb large quantities of target molecules. They are used for a wide range of catalytic applications.

- Selective charge distribution: Furthermore, due to the pore geometry of zeolite molecules and charge distribution, they are highly selective for adsorption. This means that zeolite molecules with small differences in polarity and size can be separated with precision when compared to the other traditional methods. They can help catalyze isomerization, alkylation, and epoxidation.

Because zeolite molecules are highly adsorptive, they are able to adsorb molecules in favorable conditions and release them in unfavorable conditions. This responsiveness plays an important role in a variety of applications, such as gas separation and catalytic cracking.

The Varied Applications of Zeolite

• Molecular sieve, or zeolite, play a pivotal role in the petrochemical and refining industries. They are pretty essential ingredients in the process of hydrocarbon separation, allowing for the production of cleaner products and increasing the efficiency of refining operations.
• Zeolites uses are found in environmental applications to remove pollutants from air/water. These sieves act as efficient air purifiers, capturing varied pollutants such as VOCs and nitrogen oxides to reduce the adverse effects on the environment. In water treatment applications, these sieves selectively remove heavy metals & contaminants and even radioactive ions from water sources.
• Under the influence of zeolite molecules, gas separation is highly efficient. Zeolite molecules are well-suited for sorting some very specific gases out of complex mixtures. This is a skill that is highly sought after by the natural gas and the hydrogen industry. By allowing efficient separation and storage of gas, zeolite powder molecules contribute to energy sustainability.
• If you're in the catalysis business, you've probably heard of zeolite molecules that act as catalysts. Their pores provide a tiny space for chemical reactions to take place, that help with the catalysing process. This is really important when it comes to making chemicals and plastics, as well as in emissions control systems in automobile catalysts.

These remarkable properties of zeolite powder as a purifier and catalyst are revolutionizing industries for a better and more sustainable goal. That’s why you should consider buying from a trusted zeolite manufacturer.

Molecular sieve adsorbents are useful because they can hold a lot of molecules, choose the ones they want, last long, and can be reused. Mainly made up of 3-D structures of Alumina oxide and Silicon Dioxide, molecular sieves can be used for removing contaminants, moisture, air, or unsuitable molecules from different substances.

Types of Molecular Sieve Adsorbents

Molecular Sieve 3A

Molecular Sieve 3A is a potassium-infused form of zeolite A, having a pore size of 3 angstroms. It can adsorb water and molecules sized less than 3 angstroms, Therefore, it can be used to suck water out of both liquids and gases, like methanol, ethanol, natural gas, refrigerants, and air. You can reuse Molecular Sieve 3A after heating it to 250 º C to get rid of any leftover moisture.

Sorbead India provides the largest molecular sieve range available in India, manufactured in a dry environment and controlled conditions in beads, pellets, and powder forms.

Molecular Sieve 4A

Meet Molecular Sieve 4A, a sodium form of zeolite A, having a pore size of 4 angstroms. Therefore, it can adsorb water and other molecules equal to or smaller than 4 angstroms, like oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, and suck moisture out of air, solvents, and pharmaceuticals products.

Molecular sieve 4A can also be used to purify and separate liquids and gases, such as argon, krypton, xenon, hydrogen, and oxygen. If you want to regenerate Molecular Sieve 4A, heat it to temperatures between 250f to 450f

Molecular Sieve 5A

Next up, the formidable Molecular Sieve 5A with a pore size of 5 angstroms. It is a calcium form of alkali alumina silicate and is the most suitable for Pressure Swing Adsorption.

Molecular Sieve 5A can capture a variety of molecules, ranging from water and carbon dioxide to alcohols, mercaptans, and hydrocarbons. It is mostly used for paraffin separation, removing moisture and hydrocarbon from SF6 refrigerant, and for the Pressure Swing Adsorption process of oxygen or hydrogen.

Molecular Sieve 13X

Molecular Sieve 13X has a 10 Angstrom pore size, which is bigger than the 3A, 4A, and 5A variants. Therefore, it filters out any molecules larger than the kinetic pore diameter of 10 Angstrom. It adsorbs water, carbon dioxide, alcohol, aromatics, and hydrocarbons, along with purifying liquids and gases like air, natural gas, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Molecular Sieve 13X can be reused after heating it at a temperature of 260-320 degrees, and then cooling it to room temperature. Pressure swing adsorption is another method to regenerate the molecular sieve 13X, or purging the sieve in a pure medium liquid or gas would also do the trick.

Carbon Molecular Sieve

The Carbon Molecular Sieve, crafted from carbonized organic polymers, flaunts its adaptability with variable pore sizes and high attraction to oxygen and carbon molecules. With a high Nitrogen Yield, it is highly useful for all PSA Nitrogen Systems – quickly separating oxygen from compressed air and leaving behind nitrogen. It has a unique ability to adsorb hydrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide based on their kinetic diameters.

Molecular Sieve Powder

Activated molecular sieve powder is a form of 3A and 4A molecular sieve that is utilized for a variety of specialized adsorbent purposes like scavenging the moisture evolved during formulation of 1 K, 2 K or 3 K Epoxy Resin , Paints or Polyurethane Systems  and balancing the basic chemicals in paint. Sorbead India provides pure molecular sieve powder with high adsorption quality and efficacy.

Advantages Of Molecular Sieve Adsorbents

Molecular sieve adsorbents are widely utilized to achieve molecular separation based on size.

• High adsorption capacity: These adsorbents can remove large quantities of water/moisture and polar molecules from liquids or gases, thus boosting the purity and quality of the product.

• Stability and resistance: Molecular sieve adsorbents resist challenging conditions, including high temperatures, pressures, and exposure to contaminants. As a result, they are highly durable and optimal in performance.

• Regeneration: Molecular sieve adsorbents can be reused. You just have to apply heat or gas and wait for the adsorbed molecules to be removed.

The Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) procedure is a popular regeneration procedure, where one molecular sieve bed is dehydrated, and the other is regenerated under a vacuum. The resultant water from one bed is mixed with the vapors from the other bed, turned into liquid, and then pumped out.

How To Choose The Right Molecular Sieve Adsorbent?

Choosing the right type of molecular sieve adsorbent for your needs can be challenging, but here are some tips or recommendations to help you:

You must note the size and shape of the molecules you want to remove or keep. Different kinds of molecular sieve adsorbents have different pore sizes, ranging from 3 to 10 angstroms.

Think about how much and how well the molecular sieve adsorbent can hold and let go of molecules. For example, if you want to make compressed air dry, you should use a molecular sieve, which can hold more molecules than activated alumina, and can make the air very dry at low moisture levels.

Test the strength of the molecular sieve adsorbent in terms of handling high heat, pressure, and dirt. You should pick the kind that can survive the situation of your need without fault.

Production of ammonia NH3 is integral to chemical synthesis as it is used widely as a fertilizer for agricultural use, as a primary component in pharmaceuticals, and in the manufacture of various chemicals. For the synthesis of ammonia, there is a reaction between hydrogen gases and these gases need purification and drying so that there is optimal product quality and efficiency.

The purification and drying of the synthesis of gas that is used in NH3 production is very important for a host of reasons. The presence of moisture content in the gas could lead to corrosion. This could cause damage to the catalyst that is used in the ammonia synthesis reaction. The catalyst can face a reaction from water molecules that could impact its lifespan by reducing it and also lead to its deactivation. Due to this, the removal of moisture from the gas is required so that the usage can be prolonged by the improvement of the effectiveness of the catalysts.

The synthesis gas can have impurities like compounds of sulfur, hydrocarbons, and carbon dioxide and these have a negative impact on the performance of the catalyst. Such impurities serve to deactivate and poison the catalyst. This leads to a natural reduction in the efficiency of the same and a lowering in the production rates of ammonia. These impurities can lead to side reactions that are unwanted and these would lead to the formation of by-products that are not desired. The purification of this synthesis gas through the removal of impurities would ensure higher yield and product quality. Thus, the synthesis gas purification is required and this is done through 13x molecular sieves.

Molecular sieve for gas drying is used as there are highly effective as adsorbents and thus, used in the process of purification as well as gas drying. Due to their structure, there is selective adsorption of the specific molecules possible. Due to the porous nature of the 13x molecular sieves moisture and impurities can be trapped from the gases and this makes them ideal for the synthesis gas purification.  Molecular sieves function on the principle of exclusion by size since the pores have a precise size. This allows smaller molecules to gain entry and be adsorbed while larger molecules would be excluded effectively. Thus, molecular sieves for natural gas drying are preferred as there is a higher rate of efficiency that allows the removal of impurities and moisture from the synthesis of the gas.

Synthesis gas purification and drying uses a particular type of molecular sieve which are 13x molecular sieves. These sieves are ideal for the adsorption of molecules like water, sulfur compounds, hydrocarbons, and water. The 13X molecular sieves have a higher capacity for the adsorption of impurities and moisture. This leads to the effective purification of the particular synthesis gas. Furthermore, these molecules can be selectively adsorbed while nitrogen and hydrogen gases are allowed to pass through so that the components that are required from the synthesis gas are effectively retained.

With the use of 13X molecular sieves for the synthesis gas drying and purification of NH3. This helps in the maintenance of the catalyst’s integrity and activity and this results in an improvement of the ammonia production rates as well as the quality of the product. Through the effective removal of moisture as well as impurities these 13X molecular sieves are able to play a vital role in the optimization of the efficiency and the performance of the process of ammonia synthesis. 

13X Molecular Sieves for Gas Drying and Purification

The properties of 13X molecular sieves make them perfect for the process of synthesis gas purification. The pore size being larger is able to aid in the adsorption of carbon molecules as well as sulfur compounds which are larger. There is a higher adsorption capacity for impurities and moisture in comparison to the molecular sieves of smaller-pore size. Due to this 13X molecular sieves are able to effectively remove contaminants of various types from the synthesis gas. Furthermore, these are cost-effective as even after the 13X molecular sieves lose some of their effectiveness with repeated adsorption, they still can be regenerated through the process of heating. Thus, it is possible to repeat the purification and drying process post the regeneration of the 13X molecular sieve bed.

13X molecular sieves play an important role as the purification and drying of NH3 synthesis gas is required so that there is a higher quality of ammonia gas produced with the best possible efficiency. When ammonia is synthesized nitrogen, hydrogen, and ammonia react together but these gases that are used in the process also have impurities like carbon dioxide and moisture which need to be removed. It is important to remove these impurities as water vapor or moisture could lead to damage to the catalyst that is used in the synthesis reaction of ammonia due to corrosion. It is important to remove the impurities during the synthesis gas purification. For example, water vapor can lead to damage due to corrosion. Through the removal of moisture, the activity as well as the integrity of the catalyst are retained and this impacts the production rate and the quality of the ammonia product. CO2 also is an impurity present that can either poison or lead to the deactivation of the catalyst. Its presence leads to a reduction in the efficiency of the catalyst as well as a lowering in the ammonia production rates. There could be undesired side reactions when carbon dioxide is present due to the formation of certain by-products. With its removal, there is a higher quality of ammonia production.

Apart from all these other advantages, 13X molecular sieves have a long lifespan as well as durability. Due to this, it is possible to use them for longer while at the same time reducing the need for replacement frequency. This impacts the cost element. They are versatile and so offer a wide range of applications that are not only limited to the process of gas drying and purification. Applications for the same are found in various industries from petrochemical refining to air separation, natural gas purifications, and also the dehydration of organic liquids.

For the fertilizer industry, ammonia is a key component in the fertilizer production of ammonia nitrate and urea. With the use of 13X molecular sieves, the drying, as well as purification of the NH3 synthesis gas, is made possible. The removal of impurities and moisture is done to improve the quality and efficiency of the production of ammonia and this leads to high-quality fertilizers. Ammonia is also used in the production of chemicals and so 13X molecular sieves are required for the purity of the synthesis gas so that impurities do not affect the product’s quality or lead to unnecessary chemical reactions. Ammonia is used as a feedstock in the petrochemical industry and thus, the removal of impurities is integral there as well so that catalysts purity is maintained and there is optimal efficiency in terms of ht production. Thus, though the use of 13X molecular sieves is efficient and cost-effective in the long run, it is at the same time qualitative as the product quality improves as does the efficiency and productivity. 

In the petrochemical industry when it comes to the production of synthetic fibers, plastics, and similar materials, a vital process is steam cracking through which important chemicals like propylene and ethylene are produced. In steam cracking, there is the thermal decomposition of ethane, propane, or naphtha (basically hydrocarbon feedstock). This is done at high temperatures for the production of lighter hydrocarbons. However, as a by-product of this process, carbon dioxide is produced. This is not desired as there are several issues that this causes like possible reactions with ethylene. Such reactions cause the formation of unwanted byproducts. Another reason CO2 removal is required is that there could be corrosion caused to equipment or deactivation of the catalyst apart from other types of operational challenges. Due to this, the use of a molecular sieve for CO2 removal is required.

The 5A molecular sieve is used for CO2 removal as it has an affinity towards carbon dioxide due to the selective nature of its properties. This molecular sieve for steam cracking is used because when the cracked gas stream is passed through the 5A molecular sieve bed, the CO2 molecules are the ones that are adsorbed. Other gases like propylene and ethylene, on the other hand, are allowed to pass through. Thus, there is efficient CO2 removal with minimal waste. Of course, the capacity of adsorption can be affected by various factors like pressure, the concentration of the CO2 gas as well as temperature. These molecular sieves are preferred for gas generation because they are effective as well as cost-efficient due to their regenerative capacities. Through the application of heat or the reduction of pressure, the CO2 molecules on the adsorbent can be released and thus, the 5A molecular sieve can be reused for removing CO3 from steam-cracked gas.

The Importance of CO2 Removal from Steam-cracked Gas

CO2 as discussed previously is a component that is commonly found in steam-cracked gas as it is produced during the process of steam cracking that takes place in the petrochemical industry. Though not exactly harmful there are negative effects of the presence of CO2 based on its physical properties. Being acidic when it is dissolved in the water it forms carbonic acid. Due to this, when moisture or water is present the carbonic acid formed could lead to the corrosion of pipelines and equipment. Such corrosion leads to the weakening of infrastructure that causes failures, leaks, and inevitably replacement or costly maintenance.

Apart from corrosion, another problem area is the fouling of heat exchangers and other process equipment. The reaction of CO2 with other gas stream components leads to the formation of solid deposits and scale. These can adhere to the surface of the equipment. The heat transfer efficiency thus, is hampered which in turn leads to drops in pressure. Such equipment would need eventual replacement despite the increased frequency of cleaning. CO2 removal is also required because of the negative effects it has on the quality and purity of a product. This holds especially true for separation processes and catalytic reactions. When CO2 reacts with catalysts it reduces the effectiveness of the latter and this reduces the yield as well as the quality of the product. Thus, the efficiency of the separation process is hampered, and obtaining a pure product becomes more challenging.

How 5A Molecular Sieves Work

The basic principle behind the working of 5A molecular sieve for CO2 removal is in the selective adsorption of molecules on the basis of polarity and size. The pores have uniform size and shape and are able to selectively let molecules up to a certain size enter and adhere while they simultaneously exclude molecules that are larger. This same principle comes into play in the case of molecular sieve for steam cracking where the CO2 molecules are trapped from the gas mixture due to their comparatively small size.

It is the properties of 5A molecular sieve that make them so ideal for the gas separation process. Their pore size for instance is 5 angstroms and thus, larger molecules of oxygen and nitrogen are able to pass through undeterred while the smaller molecules of CO2 are trapped due to the molecular filter that operates on pore size. The high adsorption capacity also serves to increase efficiency while the selectivity ensures minimal adsorption of other components from the gas stream. Furthermore, since they are regenerative 5A molecular sieves are a cost-effective option. The process of regeneration also is simple as either the application of heat or the reduction of pressure can cause the trapped CO2 molecules to desorb.

The Benefits of Using 5A Molecular Sieve for CO2 Removal

Some of the prime benefits of using molecular sieves for steam cracking have already been gone through in terms of their selectivity and cost-effectiveness due to regeneration. They are also found to be energy efficient as compared to other techniques for CO2 removal. While some techniques require more energy expended for the capture of CO2 and the regeneration of the molecular sieves, the absorption and desorption processes that have been discussed above run on comparatively lower energy consumption. This helps in the reduction of operational costs.

Apart from the cost and effectiveness, 5A molecular sieves are a scalable adsorption technology that finds applications in various gas flow volumes and rates. Also, they are industry versatile, for instance, they are used in flue gas treatment as well as natural gas purification apart from the petrochemical industry. On an environmental level since there are no chemicals used in this process of CO2 removal it does not affect the environment or human health. The regeneration process too does not require additional chemicals or reagents. As far as stability is concerned, it exhibits good stability in the long term and durability as well. This reduces replacement and maintenance-related costs. All these factors make the use of 5A molecular sieves for CO2 removal ideal for the long run while at the same time providing quality output at a cost-effective rate.

Ethanol is a type of alcohol that is created by fermenting and distilling various plant materials. It is commonly used as an alternative fuel source and can be found in many everyday products. Ethanol is considered a renewable energy source because it is derived from renewable sources such as corn, wheat, sugar cane, and other plants.

Ethanol distillery process

Ethanol distillation is a process that is used to separate ethanol from other components in a solution. It is a widely used technique in the production of alcoholic beverages and other products that require high-purity ethanol. The process involves heating the mixture of ethanol and other components to a specific temperature. As the mixture is heated, the ethanol evaporates and is collected in a condenser. This condensed ethanol can then be collected and used for further processing.

The distillation process begins with a mixture of ethanol and other components. This mixture is heated to a specific temperature, which is determined by the desired ethanol content and the boiling point of the other components. The boiling point of a component is the temperature at which it changes from a liquid to a gas. As the mixture is heated, the ethanol evaporates and is collected in a condenser. The condenser cools the vaporized ethanol, causing it to condense into a liquid. This liquid is then collected and can be used for further processing.

The distillation process can be used to produce a variety of different ethanol concentrations. Depending on the desired concentration, the temperature at which the mixture is heated can be adjusted. Generally, higher temperatures will produce higher concentrations of ethanol.

The distillation process also allows for the removal of impurities. Impurities are components that are not desired in the final product. During the distillation process, these impurities can be removed from the ethanol by collecting them in the condenser. This allows for the production of a high-quality ethanol product.

Ethanol distillery process with a 3A molecular sieve

Ethanol distillation is a process used to separate ethanol from other components of a liquid mixture. It is an important step in the production of alcohol, such as beer, wine, and spirits. The process typically involves the use of a 3A molecular sieve, which is a type of desiccant that can absorb moisture and other impurities from the liquid mixture.

The process begins by heating the mixture of ethanol and other components. As the temperature rises, the molecules of the other components become less stable, and the ethanol molecules become more volatile and begin separating from the other components. The 3A molecular sieve is then introduced to the mixture. The sieve absorbs the moisture and other impurities from the mixture, leaving behind pure ethanol.

The ethanol can then be condensed and collected in a separate container. This pure ethanol can be used for a variety of applications, such as fuel, solvents, and industrial processes.

Why ethanol is dehydrated?

It is very important to dehydrate ethanol, to remove water molecules from it. Ethanol is dehydrated to form ethylene, which is an important industrial chemical. The dehydration process involves the removal of one water molecule from the ethanol molecule. This is accomplished through the use of heat and an acidic catalyst, such as sulphuric acid. The ethylene produced in this process has a variety of industrial uses, including its use as an industrial solvent and fuel additive.

Better dehydration of ethanol using 3A molecular sieves

Ethanol dehydration is a process that is used to remove water from ethanol, which is important for the production of many products. 3A molecular sieve is a type of desiccant that is often used in ethanol dehydration.

3A molecular sieve is a desiccant that is often used in ethanol dehydration due to its high adsorption capacity and high selectivity. The 3A sieve works by having a very small pore size that can adsorb only molecules of a certain size. This allows the 3A sieve to be highly selective in adsorbing only water molecules and leaving the ethanol molecules in the vapour phase.

The process of ethanol dehydration using a 3A molecular sieve is relatively efficient and cost-effective. This is because the 3A sieve is highly selective in adsorbing only water molecules, meaning that the ethanol molecules remain in the vapour phase, which simplifies the process. Additionally, the 3A molecular sieve for ethanol dehydration has a high adsorption capacity, meaning that it can adsorb a large number of water molecules in a single pass.

Overall, the use of a 3A molecular sieve in ethanol distillation and dehydration is important to separate ethanol from water and also helps to remove any impurities that may be present in it. Additionally, it helps to reduce waste and environmental impact by providing the ability to reuse the sieves multiple times. For Zeolite Molecular Sieves Contact Us

PSA is a technology that stands for Pressure Swing Adsorption. This technology is made to separate some of the unique gas from the mixture of various gases or air under pressure. This happens because of the gas molecules' characteristics and the affinity it shows for the adsorbent material.

Molecular sieves or zeolites are a kind of material that is made for absorption. Its specialty is that it can absorb a high amount of moisture. And it can also absorb some special gas. The zeolite absorbs certain gases that get mixed in the mixture. Hence, it is also called the Separation of a mixture.

Zeolite contains tiny pores that are of uniform size. These tiny pores act as adsorbents site for different gas and liquids. The molecular sieve is available in different types, for example, 3A, 4A, 5A, and 13X. This is all used in PSA plants.

Let's Learn How PSA Plant Works

The process

This process of Pressure Swing Adsorption is based on the physics law that any gas

 under high pressure will likely attract to the nearby solid surface. This process is called adsorption.

These plants require two vessels that are filled with molecular sieves. First clean compressed air at the temperature of 30 degrees Celsius is passed through one vessel, and the oxygen molecules come out from the vessel as product gas. The second vessel is depressurized to match the atmospheric pressure. It is then purged with a little oxygen molecule coming out from the first vessel.

Applications of PSA Technology in other fields.

1. The primary major function is used in the Refinery industries
2. It is used in separating carbon dioxide from biogas. This is done to increase the purity of methane.
3. In all Nitrogen generator units, this PSA technique is used.
4. It also has a major role in the pharmaceutical industry in producing oxygen and other medical needs.

Let's learn what all can Molecular Sieve 13X can do

The molecular sieves are synthetically made up of zeolites. These zeolites have a definite structure of pores and cavities of uniform dimensions. This molecular sieve has a three-dimensional structure that is made up of SiO2 or Silicon dioxide and AlO4 or Aluminium oxide. Both elements are internally connected. The molecular sieve 13X is based on the sodium form which is of type X crystal. Its pore diameter is 1.0 nm. The action of adsorbing the molecules is via kinetic pores and it can adsorb any molecule less than 0.1 nm but it cannot adsorb the larger one or whose diameter is greater than 0.1 nm. The 13X molecular sieve also has the property to adsorb all kinds of aromatics and branch chain hydrocarbons.

It has a larger pore size than the other desiccants like 3A, 4A, and 5A. This molecular sieve is mainly used for adsorbing industrial gases that include Carbon dioxide (CO2), Oxygen (O2), Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), and Ammonia (NH3). The molecular sieve 13X adsorbs the moisture apart from these industrial gases. Not only they are used in removing industrial gases, but they are also great examples of the -

• Removal of mercaptan
• Carrying catalyst
• Compressed Air Drying Systems
• Purification of solvent
• Drying sulfurated hydrogen
• Separating Carbon dioxide and moisture from the air

The molecular sieve 13X comes in beads and pellets form. And in this form, they can be used for various applications. One of its unique properties is its regeneration process.

Regeneration Process:-

The 13X molecular sieve can be regenerated by heating it and purging it with the gas it carries. For this process, the required temperature will be around 250 Celcius to 350 Celcius. Further, the cooling period is essential to reduce the temperature of the molecular sieve up to room temperature. The molecular sieve can also be regenerated by pressure swing. It does not have any impurities in this method.

Applications of Molecular sieve 13X

• The 13X molecular sieve can effectively be used to get rid of the toxic gases that emerge from landfills. This application will save you a lot of money that might go into the maintenance of the landfills to prevent the mixing of toxic gas into the air.

• It is also used in the biological industry to separate the biogas from the impurities. It is essential because these impurities if left alone can be hazardous to the environment, but with this application, the impurities are properly used and disposed of.

• Mercaptan oxidation is used to treat liquefied gas or can be known as LPG. This application helps in removing unwanted compounds that are called mercaptans. The mercaptans are majorly constituted of sulfur. It is a highly refined process that solely relies on the special catalyst that is in the combination with a 13X molecular sieve.

Molecular sieves are filter bodies with uniform, guided pores of any fixed diameter. They are generally used as drying agents or desiccants because they can adsorb water molecules of a diameter lesser than theirs.

This process is termed drying. 3A Molecular sieve has a pore diameter of 3A. So it can adsorb any molecules which are of lesser diameter than that. Therefore, the molecular sieve 3A beads can be used as a desiccant.

Solvents have a high affinity toward water once exposed to it. But these solvents are expected to be anhydrous for their purposes in the chemical world. Hence, it is very important to remove the water from solvents like acetone, ethanol, methanol, etc. and keep them dry. For this drying process, these solvents are processed with molecular sieves.

The molecular sieves need to be activated or dried before putting into use. To confirm if the sieves are dry, keep a bit of it in the palm and add a little water. If sieves generate a good amount of heat, they are dry and ready to use.

Drying process

Allow the solvents to pass through columns of molecular sieve 3A powder or beads continuously for a long time. These molecular sieves will easily absorb the water molecules of a diameter less than 2A. Since the solvent molecules are of higher diameter than sieves, they will not be trapped and will be let to flow. This drying process is easy to install and maintain.

The efficiency of the solvent dehydration process is based on the molecular size of the sieves.

Water molecules trapped in the sieves have to be removed at regular intervals. Otherwise, further dehydration will not be possible. This regeneration of the molecular sieve is also easy and simple. The saturated molecular sieves are heated at an elevated temperature to remove the already trapped water molecules and dry sieves. These regenerated molecules can be reused for dehydration.

Advantages of molecular sieve 3A beads

• ·        High adsorption speed
• ·        Regeneration capacity
• ·        High crush resistance
• ·        Pollution resistance
• ·        Longer life
• ·        Greater anti-contaminative resistance

These features make molecular sieve 3A the best choice as desiccants for solvent dehydration. The molecular sieve suppliers in the industry improve these properties and obtain the best sieves.

Molecular sieves are those types of desiccants that have almost the same appearance as silica gel but have different, completely different properties compared to silica gel. This desiccant is produced synthetically with the help of metal amino silicates. Molecular sieves are safe to use with food items as it is nontoxic but, at the same time, highly porous. It appears to have a pinkish color, tiny opaque beads which have several internal cavities connected with the help of internal window openings. All the windows are of similar diameter. Diameter plays an important role in the working of molecular sieves. Its accurate diameter is the unique identification that differentiates it from the other desiccants. Different types of Molecular sieves are 3A, 4A, 5A, 13X. So, if the molecules of the elements have a smaller diameter than the window opening of the desiccant, the process of absorption happens. Otherwise, it will not.

As it has a high network of pores, Molecular sieves can be the ultimate source of moisture absorption. This feature makes it demanding in the industrial sector. This absorbent is synthetically produced from Zeolite and has innumerable internal cavities, which absorb moisture and lock it inside them. These desiccants can either be used individually, or you also have the option to use them in combination with other desiccants; in this way, you can get an optimal solution. Different types of desiccants have different types of absorbing qualities. In the case of molecular sieves, they can absorb moisture or gas up to 20 times their weight. Since it is one of the most effective and aggressive absorbents available, it costs slightly higher than the other desiccants. This desiccant is used in various organizations like the pharmaceutical and medical industry, the food, and refrigeration industry, and the cosmetics and petroleum industry. It is also widely used in the electronic and computer industry.  

The other type of desiccant is dehydrated ethanol. Ethanol dehydration means a process where the water molecules or something equivalent to water molecules is removed from the substance. Ethane and water are produced by dehydrating ethanol by heating it over a certain temperature with sulfuric acid. The vapors of ethanol can be easily dehydrated, bypassing any heated catalyst, which will produce methane gas. This process is also called ethanol drying.Sorbead India's molecular sieve 3A used for ethanol purification in PSA plants.

A sieve is an object that filters coarser from any fine particles, and it generally has a mesh structure. Similarly, the molecular sieve is a porous substance that will help filter out components of lesser molecular weight from liquids, gases, and semi-solids. The pores act as traps for these smaller components as the liquid or gas is allowed to pass over the molecular sieve. These molecular sieve pores are fixed diameters and are based on the diameter. This material is classified into microporous, mesoporous, and macroporous material.

Molecular sieves have uniform size and uniform pore diameter. They are available in pelleted, beaded and powdered forms. These materials are mainly used in various industries to adsorb water, hydrogen, oxygen, and many other polar molecules. In most scenarios, it acts as a drying agent by removing the water molecules from the material. Thus, they are referred to as desiccants.

The pores trap the polar molecules due to a surface process known as adsorption. Sieves are known as adsorbents, and the trapped molecules are referred to as adsorbates.

Molecular sieve generation and regeneration

The powder desiccants are activated forms of zeolites, silica gel, or silicon dioxide made to meet the application's requirements. The activation process leaves the pores on the material surface with a high affinity toward certain molecules. Such targeted molecules will be trapped in these pores and accumulate there. After some time, a maximum of adsorbates is trapped by the pores; the sieve becomes saturated.

Here comes the biggest attractive feature of molecular sieves. As they are saturated and cannot absorb any more molecules, these can be regenerated and reused. The molecular sieve regeneration process is quite simple and less dangerous. To regenerate the sieve, pass over the same gas or liquid at a pre-calculated pressure and temperature. The adsorbed molecules will leave the pores, and the primary activated state of the sieves is restored. The molecular sieve regeneration requires no additional system or cost involved.

Major applications:

Removal of water molecules from liquids and gases

SF6 gas purifying

Improve the efficiency of PU sealants

Purification of petroleum products

Molecular sieve for oxygen concentrator

Instrumental air drying

Drying air and gas

Removal of H2S and CO2 from methane

Dehydration of ethanol

Mercaptan removal from LPG

There are many more specific applications across industries.

Why rely on molecular sieves from Sorbead India?

Sorbead India was established to provide an uninterrupted supply of quality desiccants. With a specialized team to research a diverse spectrum of desiccants and adsorbents, we pioneered the protection of products from various industries against the harmful effects of moisture and other polar molecules. Easy access to a wide variety of molecular sieves from us has eased our customers’ needs to complex moisture issues.

We have a vast collection of molecular sieves for all applications. Majorly, molecular sieve type A and type X are available with us. Type A includes molecular sieves of diameters 3A, 4A, and 5A. Most of these are available in pellets, beaded, and powdered forms. Molecular sieve type X includes sieves of 10A pore diameter, known as molecular sieve 13X. 

As to why choose us for all your desiccant requirements:

Quality: We promise to deliver high-quality products, and we have always kept our promise.

Quantity: We understand the customers’ needs and provide any quantity of molecular sieve powder as per their requirements. Molecular sieves are available at our stores within a wide range, from small trial packets to large bulk orders.

Online services: You can purchase at the comfort of your premises. Our services are available online starting from enquiry support, clarifications, placing orders, customer services, etc.

Fast and easy delivery: We promise you hassle-free order placement and delivery. Also, we make sure the product is delivered to you at the earliest.

Unique products: Our vigilant research team has extensive industry expertise, which helps us design unique products of high quality. We stick to our prototypes while satisfying your demands.

One-stop solution: We provide you with a solution for all your desiccant requirements. Talk to our customer support team or visit us online for easy purchasing.

To provide our customers with top quality products, we strive to research, design, fabricate, and test our products continuously. As pioneers in the market, we value our customer’s satisfaction and trust in our products and constantly improve with the right feedback. Sorbead India is your brand choice for all your desiccant requirements.

These times seem unfortunate and difficult amid the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been an imperative need for Oxygen to fight against this predicament. No one ever imagined such a situation where health industries would encounter such a massive scarcity of Oxygen.

To provide for the needs of health industries, our team at Sorbead India has united and prepared to contribute to this noble cause and supplies these products 24x7. We have constantly been in touch with the various manufacturing units and government bodies for their urgent Zeolite Medical Oxygen Grade requirement. Our technical experts are actively sharing their expertise on how our products can be used in oxygen concentrators.

Sorbead India is a prominent supplier to pharmaceutical industries and engineering industries since 1996. In addition, Sorbead India's molecular sieve (Zeolite) is being provided to many Oxygen generation plants and government bodies.

So, what is the role of Zeolite in oxygen generation? Zeolite is an element used to assimilate the Nitrogen present in the air to provide oxygen-rich air for the patients and industries. The oxygen concentrator's molecular sieve is used for the absorption of all the gases. The principle of Rapid Pressure Swing Adsorption is used here where the Nitrogen in the atmosphere gets intercepted by the Zeolite Oxygen Concentrator present in the molecular sieve. Such a type of oxygen generator is typically used in healthcare applications. A molecular sieve for an oxygen concentrator is used to absorb all the gases and group them by the molecules. An air compressor is provided in the molecular sieve oxygen concentrator and two different cylinders that have Zeolite employed on the oxygen concentrator.

Furthermore, there is a container for balancing the pressure. It is important to know how to use an oxygen concentrator if one wants it to work accurately. Zeolite helps in separating the Nitrogen component from the air present in the oxygen concentrator, which later remains only the pure Oxygen for breathing in the portable tanks. It is majorly used for people who need medical Oxygen because of their low oxygen level in the body. Besides the medical industries, oxygen concentrators are used in industrial sectors, too. People buy Zeolite for oxygen concentrators so that they can use it in oxygen generation plants. The product especially has its use in the medical industry for patients. As there are different oxygen supplies available in the health facilities, the patients often have to suffer the problems due to the shortage of resources, poor electricity, and other challenges.

On the other hand, the medical oxygen concentrator presents a very economical and sustainable source of medical-grade Oxygen to the patients who need it. With the help of an oxygen concentrator, the patients can easily have access to medical Oxygen. An oxygen concentrator is a portable oxygen machine that will draw air and then pass that air into the molecular sieve desiccant and adsorb Nitrogen from the air and give fresh, pure Oxygen of purity up to 95%. Therefore, it is necessary for people to realize the significance of having Oxygen in medical centers. Furthermore, there is a need for safe administration of Oxygen, and this is where the molecular sieve oxygen concentrator helps us out.

Why Zeolite Oxygen Concentrator? There are many reasons for 'why,' and they are as follows. First, it has a shelf-life of up to two years. Thus, it can be used for a good period of time and can also be stored for later use. Second, it can produce Nitrogen up to 5 LPM, 10 LPM, 15 LPM (Litre Per Minute) in a go. Using it is not quite a task as it works on a simple, rapid PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) principle that helps absorb Nitrogen from the molecular sieve. The molecular sieve for oxygen generation gets effective after the usage of the Zeolite oxygen concentrator. It gives pure Oxygen after the PSA. It is found to be an effective approach to generate Oxygen even in hospitals. Finally, it has a variant of the portable oxygen concentrator, which makes it more reliable and effective. Zeolite is a booster in oxygen generation and does give help to the molecular sieve for oxygen generation to be precise about the product.

Sorbead India has technical expertise in Adsorbent since 1996, tries to go beyond, and continues to serve. Providing what is needed now is quite a mission, and Sorbead India is ready with the products that can help regain health and save lives in the outburst of the worst of the pandemic.

What is a rectified spirit?

Rectified spirit is a mixture of ethanol and water that is formed by the repetitive distillation process. It contains 95% ethanol and 5% water. Rectified spirit can also be found to be a highly concentrated form of ethanol. It is also otherwise called as rectified alcohol or neutral spirits. 

How to convert rectified spirits to ethanol?

There are various processes used across the world to convert rectified spirits to ethanol. Generation of absolute alcohol involves employing the separation technique by using molecular sieves. By adding molecular sieves into the mixture of rectified spirit, this separation of water is easily possible.

The usual procedure is to add 3A type molecular sieves into a mixture for 12 hours.

Molecular sieve is an excellent desiccant that is used in the major industrial application for the moisture removal process. Being crystalline metal aluminosilicates, molecular sieves have a 3D interconnecting network that adsorbs water molecules into its cavities. These silicate compounds contain small pores of uniform sizes that traps vapour and other gas molecules easily. Based on the pore size, there are various types of molecular sieves such as 3A, 4A, 5A and 13A.

Molecular sieve for ethanol drying holds to be its popular application. Ethanol dehydration process utilizes the adsorption capabilities of the molecular sieves. Molecular sieve dehydration process works on the principle of pressure swing adsorption process.

Sorbead India is one of the prime molecular sieves manufacturers and suppliers. Our high-grade and ace-quality products win acclamation from all across the world. Contact us for more details.

Moisture, Carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulphide removal from natural gas are crucial to achieving perfect purification. These contaminants can affect the functionality of natural gases. Gases like CO2 and H2s are corrosive, flammable and toxic. In some of the industrial manufacturing processes, these contaminants can be generated as a by-product or by other means. Thus, removing them becomes crucial.

Molecular sieve for Biogas purification and bottling plant

A whole biogas plant consists of generation, purification and bottling units. The purification unit consists of a pressure swing adsorption unit that adsorbs gases selectively. The mesh-like networks of molecular sieves trap the gases into their cavities. Selective adsorption is achieved from the variation in the gas pressure. Molecular sieve for carbon dioxide removal hydrogen sulphide removal is one of the most used methods in the oil and gas, petrochemical and sugar industries.

Pressure swing adsorption

Biogas up-gradation plants use the technique called pressure swing adsorption or PSA that majorly comprises four vessels filled with molecular sieve pellets or beads. All four vessels alternate their operations. At a point, they can aid in the adsorption, regeneration, pressurization or depressurization process. These desiccants successfully adsorb the moisture, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and hydrogen sulphide from the natural gas stream. Upon adsorption of these gases, the methane or CH4 is then let outside the unit as the product.

In the pressurization phase, the pressure achieved by bringing the pressure to equilibrium and injecting raw biogas. The adsorption phase is all about the removal of CO2, H2S, N2 and moisture. Equalizing of the pressure of the adjacent vessel brings forth the depressurization phase. In the regeneration phase, by purging gases into the bed of desiccants, it is regenerated from the saturated phase.

Molecular sieve, a highly porous material made up of alumina silicate is a powerful desiccant. This desiccant is used by major industrial application such as the petroleum industry for drying moisture content in the gas streams. In this article, we will understand the adsorption capacity of molecular sieves and its type.

Types of Molecular sieve desiccants and their formation

Molecular sieves are available grade. Namely, molecular sieve 3A type, molecular sieve 4A type, molecular sieve 5A type, and molecular sieve 13X type, it is differentiate on basis of their structure

Type A have three grade 3A, 4A and 5A and type x have 13 X having a pore diameter of 10 Angstrom. The adsorption capacity of each type depends on the pore size.

How much water/moisture can molecular sieve adsorb?

Molecular sieves are unique structured crystalline aluminosilicates that have ionic forces built up in it due to the presence of calcium, potassium and sodium. Thus, causing stronger adsorptive forces allowing water/gases to separate. Experts suggest that at a temperature of 25 °C and 10% relative humidity, molecular sieves can adsorb water molecules to almost 14% of its weight.

Molecular sieve type 3A adsorbed 19-20 % w/w and type 4A could adsorb 20-21 % w/w. Molecular sieve 5A pellets or beads can adsorb 21-22 % w/w whereas 13X type can adsorb 23-24 % w/w.

Regeneration process of molecular sieve

It is important to reactivate the molecular sieves before use. The molecular sieve can be regenerated in the following ways:

1. Regeneration through thermal activation at the temperature ranging from 175 to 315 °C.
2. Pressure change process.
3. By using a carrier gas and conducting the heating and purging process.

Sorbead India is one of the prime manufacturers and suppliers of molecular sieve desiccants. With more than two decades of high-quality service, we have been serving clients across the world. Contact us for more details.

There are various techniques used to separate oxygen from the air. One of the prime techniques used in most of the industries is the pressure swing adsorption or PSA.

Pressure swing adsorption is an effective method of oxygen separation that produces good quality gas better and cleaner. In this article, we will understand the PSA process used in oxygen generators and the role of molecular sieves in it.

PSA oxygen generators

Raw air is a mixture of multiple gases. A lot of medical and industrial procedures require a pure form of oxygen gases. This can be done by separating oxygen from the ambient air which contains 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon and 0.1% rare gases. PSA procedure used in oxygen generators uses molecular sieve desiccants for the oxygen separation.

PSA is a technique that works under the principle that as the pressure increases, more gas tends to get adsorbed to the surface. As the pressure is reduced, the gas releases. This principle is used to separate gases from a mixture.

Molecular sieve desiccants are zeolite material with pores of uniform sizes. They efficiently adsorb gases and liquids based on their molecular size and polarity. Being a potential adsorbent for different liquids and gases, molecular sieve desiccants find their application in the steel production process, drying the inner space of the insulated glass window, filtration of oxygen in breathing apparatuses and air conditioning filter cores in our cars. It is used as a cost-effective and safe alternative in various applications in the chemical process industry. Based on the pore size, molecular sieve desiccants are mainly differentiated into four types: 3A, 4A, 5A, and 13X. The 3A molecular sieve desiccants find major application in petroleum and chemical industries for refining oil, polymerization, and chemical gas-liquid depth drying. The 3A and 4A molecular sieves can adsorb air contaminants, water or carbon dioxide powerfully. Due to the high performance and renewability of these desiccants, the lithium hydrogen canisters have been replaced by molecular sieve for carbon dioxide removal from the spacecraft cabin atmosphere.

As mentioned above molecular sieves are used in various sectors of industries and one of them is molecular sieve oxygen concentrators, which is used primarily in pharmaceutical production, water treatment, and glass manufacturing. Oxygen concentrators use these molecular sieves that work on the principle of rapid pressure swing adsorption of atmospheric nitrogen onto zeolite minerals, thus removing the nitrogen gas, leaving oxygen the major gas remaining.

Being highly porous with a pore diameter of 10A°, the 13x molecular sieve beads and pellets are used in adsorbing and drying water and moisture from different gases such as H2S, H2, CO2, O2, NH3, etc. It is used in general gas drying in air compressor units.  It also acts as a catalyst carrier. Due to their lower absolute retention, 13x types are used in the petroleum industry for the PONA analysis or the separation of naphthenes from paraffins, olefins, naphthenes and aromatics. It also is used in sweetening natural gases and liquid hydrocarbon streams by removing H2S and Mercaptans.

Molecular sieve desiccants are effective adsorbents for gases and liquids. Molecular sieves can be considered as a filter used to separate molecules from each other.  The type 3a molecular sieve is a mesh-like substance which does not permit molecules of diameter larger than 3A to enter. They have higher efficiency and longer lifetime compared to other molecular sieves.

The molecular sieve 3A plays an effective role in the ethanol dehydration process. Due to the azeotropic property of ethanol during normal distillation, ethanol concentration is restricted to around 95%. Molecular sieve 3A is employed to filter out the water molecules, which have a diameter of approximately 2.8A, from the ethanol molecules, with a diameter larger than 3A (approx. 4.4A) and thus produce pure dry ethanol. The foundation for this process is the concept of adsorption of water molecules from the ethanol-water mixture.

As stated above, the Ethanol dehydration process can be simplified by the use of molecular sieve 3A beads. The ethanol-water mixture is allowed to pass through a bed of 3A sieve beads under high pressure, thus activating the molecular sieves. By activating molecular sieves, the water molecules from the mixture get adsorbed and the dry ethanol molecules shall pass the sieve bed. These ethanol molecules, which are anhydrous, will be condensed outside the 3A sieve bed and can be collected separately. This is an exothermic process and the heat emitted during the adsorption can be used to regenerate the 3A sieve beads, which allows this dehydration process to consume less energy compared to other techniques.

The high regeneration ability of the molecular 3A sieves allows the reuse of the same. The sieve beds grow saturated as more water molecules get adsorbed. Water is removed and thus the sieves are purged, by applying vacuum. Hence the 3A sieves undergo a sequence of adsorption and desorption during this process.

Molecular sieves 3A have faster adsorption speed and so the entire process of ethanol dehydration, is more efficient. The use of molecular sieves 3A beads is more accurate when combined along with the conventional distillation. The concentration of ethanol is increased to around 99% (from 95%) when both the processes are combined. As the 3A sieve beads are pollution resistance and can be stored at room temperature, the process is more environment-friendly and economical too.

An adsorbent is a chemical substance that adsorbs moisture and holds it like a magnet on its surface. Every adsorbent works specifically and addresses the needs of a particular industry. Following is the list of adsorbents for your industry:

Silica Gel

Silica gel is one of most commonly used adsorbent that consists of nano-porous Silicon Dioxide (SiO2). Silica gel comes in the form of glass beads and its nano-porous structure provides large surface area available for the adsorption and hold moisture up to 40% of its own weight.

Silica Gel is a highly activated adsorbent, furnished in a wide range of mesh sizes to suit various industrial applications. It is non-corrosive, non-flammable, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, and chemically inert. It comes in two variants:

• Indicating silica gel which visually signals when desiccant needs to be recharged or replaced as it changes color when it becomes saturated with moisture.
• Non-Indicating silica gel, it means that when the silica gel adsorbs moisture, it will continue to be white. This kind of gel you find in the small packets when you buy some products.

Silica Gel is a good adsorbent for HCl, gasoline-range hydrocarbons, CO2, C12, Sulphur and nitrogen compounds, aromatics, and many others. Silica Gel is widely used in industries where a high capacity desiccant or selective adsorbent is required.

Molecular Sieve

Molecular sieves are synthetic zeolite materials engineered with pores of precise and uniform structure and size. This allows them to preferentially adsorb gases and liquids based on molecular size and polarity. There are four main types of molecular sieves: 3A, 4A, 5A, and 13X.

A molecular sieve works by adsorbing gas or liquid molecules that are smaller than the effective diameter of its pores, while excluding those molecules that are larger than the openings. Molecular sieve is commonly used in the separation of ethanol and water.

Activated Alumina Balls

Activated alumina is a porous, solid form of aluminum oxide. As a desiccant, activated alumina can be used to dry compressed air and other gas and liquid streams. It is used to purify gas streams by the selective adsorption of specific molecules. Activated alumina also has water filtration and catalyst applications. It is commonly used in the desulfurizing process for natural gas. Filters with activated alumina can be reused over and over again as it can be regenerated by heating it to any temperature between 350° & 600°F (177° to 316°C)

Molecular sieves are used in sealed insulating glass units to prevent fogging. Fogging on inner glass surfaces by condensation of water and solvent vapors is common inside sealed dual pane windows. Window fogging arises when the vapors trapped between the two panes of the insulating glass unit condense on the glass surface. This is due to the lower temperature of the glass surface than the dew point of the air between the two panes.

To prevent fogging the moisture vapor concentration inside the dual-pane window must be controlled. Using this desiccant molecular sieves for insulated glass can absorb moisture more than all commercially available adsorbents and sometimes they also can remove solvent vapors. When moisture or solvent vapors are absorbed by the molecular sieves, the moisture vapor concentration in the air space is reduced and the moisture dew point of the airdrops to a lower value and no condensation can occur until the glass temperature goes below that.

We provide the best molecular sieves in the adsorption process. The sieves grant protection against moisture and water. They find use in many industries such as oil & gas, petrochemicals, sugar, and air industries. The sieves are used for many purposes including water removal, moisture removal, oxygen removal, natural gas drying, industrial gas drying, and natural gas dehydration. They are available in A and X type crystalline structure and in beads & pellets. The product type includes molecular sieve 5a, 4a, 3a &13x.

Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a very popular energy source. This portable, clean and efficient source of energy is a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases. In its initial form, it contains impurities. Molecular sieves are used to remove these impurities from LPG so that it is safe and eco-friendly. In this article, this process is discussed in detail.

Mercaptans

Mercaptans are defined, as organic components of hydrocarbons with sulphur. These compounds are considered as impurities when present in large quantities. They have a stringent smell and are corrosive in nature. Mercaptan is the by-product present in natural gases. These impurities must be removed or reduced in quantity, for better performance and longer life of natural gases, LPG and other liquid hydrocarbons. Unfortunately, the mercaptans cannot be removed from LPG by normal distillation.

Molecular sieves for mercaptan removal

The molecular sieve 13X pellets are found to be the most effective method in removing mercaptans from LPG. Molecular sieves are used to separate molecules of different sizes, within a chemical compound. The type X crystalline foam known as molecular sieve type 13X is sodium-based and has a pore diameter of 10A. Thus, molecules of diameter less than 10A will be trapped within the molecular sieve type 13X desiccants.

The process of mercaptan removal from LPG using molecular sieve beds is very simple. The current of LPG to be processed is allowed to pass through a bed of molecular sieve type 13X pellets. As the gas current passes the sieve bed, the mercaptans present in big volumes from the LPG will be adsorbed by molecular sieve beads. The processed LPG is now free from the corrosive components. This adsorption process happens at ambient temperature. But as a huge amount of mercaptans are adsorbed, the molecular sieve beds may become saturated. Allowing a purge gas to pass through these molecular sieve beds will regenerate the sieve bed. This reactivation process is set at an elevated temperature ranging from 200 °C and 325 °C. There can be an arrangement of two sieve beds, which can conduct the adsorption and desorption processes in parallel, thus ensuring a continuous and more efficient process compared to the split process.

However, a very little quantity of one such mercaptan is allowed along with LPG, to identify any leaks, thus avoiding any kind of accidents. Higher regeneration, improved efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of Molecular sieve type 13X are its highlights.

Molecular sieves are synthetically manufactured crystalline, porous structures. They absorb moisture and water from substances to dry the substances completely. The most common component used in these sieves is zeolites. They offer protection against moisture and water. Moisture is the foe of many coatings, sealants, adhesives, and elastomers. It can come from pigments, fillers or ambient air during the production period. Moisture causes damage and spoilage of these products. Isocyanides react with moisture in polyurethane-based formulations. Here CO2 generation can cause problems like blistering and degradation.       

In metallic pigment paints used for anti-corrosion and marine applications, moisture will react with the metals to produce hydrogen leading to off-gassing in product containers. Molecular sieves can combat these issues by absorbing moisture from coatings, adhesives, sealants andelastomers.

They are sold in many types including A and X type crystalline structure. This desiccant molecular sieve 3a and 4a powder the high adsorption capacity and selective adsorption. They leave behind a very low residual of water. They are also cost-effective and prevent unwanted side effects. These sieves meet product specifications and prevent freeze-up of equipment. The product recovery is high when molecular sieves are used.

Molecular sieves are synthetically manufactured crystalline, porous structures. They absorb moisture and water from substances to dry them completely. The most common component used in these sieves is zeolite. This desiccant offers protection against moisture and water. Natural gases consist of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, etc. They are produced in much-hydrated components. The next step after production will be removing water content from natural gases.

Molecular sieve for natural gas dehydration is necessary before cryogenic processing to avoid plugging and clogging of equipment. Also, natural gas sweetening is done for the removal of H2S and mercaptan. If these two processes are not done, then the deposition of salts of sulphur will cause corrosion of pipes and valves. The process of removal of H2S is called sweetening.

The molecular sieves are available in beads and pellets. They are sold in many types including A and X type crystalline structure. The different sizes in the market include Molecular Sieve 4A, Molecular Sieve 3A, Molecular Sieve 5A and Molecular Sieve 13X. These molecules are used for natural gas dehydration and the sweetening process. They leave behind a very low residual of water. They are also cheap and prevent unwanted side effects. These sieves meet product specifications and prevent freeze-up of equipment. The product recovery is high when molecular sieves are used.

The molecular sieve desiccant is available in many sizes including 4A, 3A, 5A, 13X. This desiccant is used according to their pore size in different types of molecular sieves for drying solvents, solvent separation, solvent purification, and solvent dehydration. The sieves are produced in Beads & Pellets. They usually consist of zeolites. It also used in drying solvents such as ethanol.

They have various applications including ethanol dehydration process, ethanol drying, liquid purification, solvent drying, and solvent dehydration. It is used in many industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, sugar, and air Industries.

Sorbead India is known for producing molecular sieves specializing in acting as a solvent drying agent. The high-quality sieves produced by the company are remarkable and fetch clients from around the world for the company. Their appreciable after-sales communication and best quality every time make them the true leader of this field.

Molecular sieves are synthetically produced desiccants with small holes to block large molecules. They are usually used as absorbents of gases or liquids. They are quicker in absorbing water than silica gel. The sieves may be microporous, macroporous and mesoporous. They provide protection against moisture and water. These desiccant molecular sieves are available in beads and pellets. The sieves are in a crystalline structure with different pore sizes. They are uniform in their structure, and hence will not let out the moisture back into the container very easily. They are used in removing water from liquids and gases. They usually consist of zeolite. Zeolite is more effective in the removal of water than silica gel, calcium or clay. It also retains moisture even at high temperatures. Hence it is the most preferred desiccant.

The molecular sieve for the hydrogen purification process used according to their pore size in different types of gas drying, gas separation, gas purification, and gas dehydration. The different sized sieves are used in different processes like ethanol drying, oil purification, olefin drying, drying jet fuel, drying liquefied petroleum gas, drying refrigerants, dehydration of methane and ethylene.

They have various molecular sieve applications including hydrogen purification, natural gas removal, natural gas separation, natural gas dehydration, oxygen removal, oxygen separation, carbon dioxide removal, carbon dioxide separation, natural gas purification, Mercaptan removal, Hydrogen purification, oil purification, solvent drying, and air drying. It is used in many industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, sugar, and air Industries.

When some sort of chemical separation process or any purification process is going on, it is important to separate the similar-looking molecules with almost similar polarity. The purification doesn’t complete until the solution is free from these impurities. Under this circumstance, you need to use such substances that have the quality to absorb those elements that are actually causing the impurity. Molecular Sieve would be the perfect desiccant for such purposes.

The sieve desiccants are actually crystalline aluminosilicate which possesses the powerful ability to act as a gas and liquid adsorbent. The sieve has a three-dimensional structure and this fact greatly depends on the silicon oxide and aluminum oxide polyhedral. Both these substances are able to produce great adsorbents and when you make a perfect blend of these two ingredients, the produced substance is sure to have some excellent quality of absorbing the impurities from natural gases. Thus, these substances have massive uses in various chemical refining processes.

The effectiveness of Molecular Sieve Adsorbents is really excellent. These are actually best for those products that are used vastly in natural gas refining, petrochemical, and air drying industries. The performance of these adsorbents to separate the impurities is based on the molecular size. This adsorbent has the quality to absorb even the smallest size of molecules. The molecular sieves are available in different sizes and shapes and which includes balls, pellets, and powder. Among the different types of these molecular sieves, 3A, 4A, 5A, and 13X are widely used for a number of purposes. The effectiveness of these molecular sieves includes drying and cleaning technical gases.

The 3A molecular sieve zeolite is generally used to desiccate several hydrocarbons and non-hydrocarbon gas and liquids. Apart from that, these molecular sieve adsorbent packets are also used to dehydrate alcohol and solvents. The application of 4A molecules is quite similar to that of 3A molecules except, these sieves are also used to purify the electronic components as well. The application of 5A molecules is to separate the chain of hydrocarbons in order to dry the natural gas and most importantly, to produce a high level of pure hydrogen. It is basically used for commercial purposes of refining air, petroleum and gas for various industrial purposes.

The pellets and beads of Zeolite 5A are also used to absorb the oxygen. More so, in petrochemical industries, it is used to separate the nitrogen from the air. The 13X molecular sieves are used for the dehydration of the natural gas, LPG, and other petrochemical liquids.

There has been a widespread utilization of the molecular sieve technology for the removal of impurities and water from natural gas. Hence, there is an imminent need for a better understanding of the process and the operation of this molecular sieve technology.

Molecular sieves generally serve the purpose of blocking large molecules from interacting by preventing them from entering a compound. On the other hand, they permit the entry of smaller user-friendly molecules. Most of the molecular sieves are used as desiccants.

The size of the molecules that are restricted and the ones that are permitted are measured in angstroms or nanometers. The general size of the molecules varies between 2 nm (nanometers) and 20 A (angstroms).

The Types of Molecular Sieves Used as Drying Agents

Molecular sieves that are used as drying agents are a combination of silica and aluminum tetrahedral. In order to be used as a drying agent, the water content has to be removed by heating the relevant substances to form equal cavities that can suitably absorb hydrated molecules of a certain size.
A mesh is used for this purpose and its dimensions will depend on the material that is to be dried. Generally, a 4-8 size sieve is used for the drying of gases, while a mesh size of 8-12 is mostly used for liquids. For powders, the 3A, 4A, 5A, and the 13x types of sieves can be used, depending on the exact composition of the powders in question.

Uses of the Molecular Drying Sieves

Molecular sieves as a drying agent have been known to be very effective in many synthetic organic procedures. Many products can be prevented from the condensation process that can severely damage their composition or the required properties. This is precisely where the molecular drying sieves play a vital role.
Most of these drying agents can remove the harmful effects of water or moisture, including alcohols that can include methanol and ethanol. Importantly, they can also prevent the formation of unwanted substances that can result in a byproduct of water or moisture.

The Importance of Solvent Drying

In the chemical or pharmaceutical industries, it is critical that only the required amount of moisture or water is present to produce the ideal composition of drugs. It is important that the process of drying of solvents is employed before the material is packed or sealed as the case may be.

Every molecule of a substance or a compound has its own unique structure and molecular size and their critical diameters. It is essential that these are kept in mind when dealing with them, especially for drying solutions.

We all know the importance of keeping moisture out of certain foods and pharmaceuticals. One of the most effective methods of doing so is with the use of molecular sieves. There are also several liquids and gases that interfere with their composition when they come in contact with them.

The Importance of Molecular Sieve Desiccants

Molecular sieve desiccants have a much more powerful action when it comes to keeping unwanted liquids and gases when they are packed. The other well-known desiccants are comprised of either alumina or silica gel, but they are no match when compared to the potential that molecular sieves 4A have. They have one of the most effective dryings and absorbing properties known in the industry.

Molecular sieves are especially famous for their water purifying properties. Being very small in size, they have huge absorbing qualities. When water passes through them, its molecules get caught in the tiny pores and allow only clean and pure water to pass through, absorbing all the impurities. This is also the case with many other liquids and gases where high purity is essential.

Molecular sieves come in various sizes and specifications; each one of them is used for a particular purpose. They can be classified as 3A, 4A, 5A and 13x categories. Each one of them has a special role to play and can be used to perform various drying, purifying or absorbing applications.
 
The Special Features of Molecular Sieves

One of the most important features of molecular sieves is that they have the special ability to absorb about 22% of their original weight of gases and liquids. Using the adsorption process, molecular sieves are one of the cheapest and most convenient forms of keeping moisture and toxic gases out of many chemical processes, or during the final packaging stages.
 
The desiccant packets made from molecular sieves offer maximum protection from moisture and are very versatile in their applications. They also offer the best value for money for this purpose. One of the important factors is that they offer an atmosphere for products that require a very low RH level (Relative Humidity). They are especially suited where very high temperatures are involved. They are also very easy to use, as they are packed very conveniently in nontoxic or reactive packing materials like polyester or polyethylene bags. Tyvek or cotton bags are also used to suit the end process.

Ethanol can be produced as a petrochemical by the hydration of ethylene or naturally by fermenting sugars with yeast. Industrial grade ethanol is often produced by the hydration of ethylene in the petrochemical industry. Ethanol has several end uses, such as coatings and inks for food and paper packaging, or emulsion resins for interior and exterior coatings.

Another important use is as a solvent for the synthesis of drugs, sterilizing products, etc. Today, many European countries are also using a 10-15% blend of anhydrous ethanol in petroleum. Thus, the importance of dehydration or drying out of ethanol to completely remove any presence of moisture increases significantly.

Molecular Sieve Dehydration and its Advantages

The molecular sieve dehydration technology utilizes the adsorption phenomenon, and this is used to produce anhydrous ethanol. The technology was first used in ethanol drying in the early eighties and has since gained significant popularity. These Molecular Sieves for Ethanol drying are made of popular materials called zeolites (chemically known as aluminosilicates as well). The industrial process essentially involved passing the vapor form of ethanol through a column of the molecular sieve, which separates any water present in the vapor form from the ethanol by trapping its molecules onto its surface while allowing molecules of ethanol to pass through. Two different subzones of operation are provided within a master transfer zone so that the two liquids part ways without any further interaction. Thus, the ‘drying out’ of ethanol is achieved.

Ethanol drying with the help of molecular sieve technology has become the most attractive option for industries due to some very compelling reasons. By reducing the energy requirements in comparison to other methods like azeotropic distillation, extractive distillation or membrane separation, the operating cost has been significantly reduced. This process also does not use any other chemical, hence eliminating the chance of contaminating ethanol with any other substance completely. The cost of the usage of such chemicals is also thus automatically eliminated altogether. This in turn also translates into higher alcohol recovery from the process, thus leading to greater revenue for the industry.

Ethanol produced from the hydration of ethylene by the petrochemical industry has several crucial industrial and commercial uses. This stems from its solvent properties, and hence the purity of ethanol is critical, for which it is often dried. Molecular sieves for ethanol drying are gaining popularity across the industry. This is so because Molecular Sieve Technology offers cost advantages and higher alcohol recovery rates.

Molecular Sieve 13X, which has the pore size, is about 10A. It can adsorb any molecular which has a dimension smaller than 10A. It has a very porous structure, and because of this special characteristic, it has a tendency to adsorb molecular which can be trapped into its structure.

Molecular Sieve 13X is available in two kinds of shape, one is Beads and the other is Pellets. Also, It is available in different sizes ranging from a diameter of 1.5-1.7 mm, 3.0-3.3 mm in Pellets and for beads, it is available in 1.7-2.5 mm as well as 3.0-5.0 mm.

Because of its characteristic, 13X Molecular Sieve for Mercaptan Removal from LPG Gas. Once LPG is passed through the bed of Molecular Sieve 13X, Mercapton from LPG can be adsorbed in the pore structure. Thus LPG free from mercaptan can be used to the manufacturing Aerosol products. Once 13X Molecular Sieve Adsorbed Mercapton, it will not be regenerated. Our Molecular Sieve 13X has a high crushing strength of more than 45N. Thus it will withstand high inlet pressure.  Apart from mercaptan removal, our Molecular Sieve 13X can also be used in Paraffin sweetening, solvent drying, refrigerant purifying. One of the main advantages of our Molecular Sieve 13X is easy to handle and noncorrosive and withstand with comparatively high temperatures. Molecular Sieve 13X gives great mechanical strength and higher adsorption capacity.

Introduction and Definition

Desiccants of all types are used worldwide in different industries like pharmaceutical and food packaging for the purpose of keeping products safe and fresh. Desiccants in different forms are used by individuals to keep items such as medicines (gel, creams or capsules) and packaged foodstuff fresh for a long period of time. Moisture and humidity can really damage the package contents and therefore it becomes quite essential to use desiccants like molecular sieve 3A for keeping the packaging unit dry.

Uses

Molecular sieve 3A has a basic pore size of 3 angstroms. Any molecular which is bigger than 3A won’t be absorbed by the desiccant. One of the major reasons why this molecular sieve is used worldwide is that it is really helpful in making the ethanol dehydration process simpler. The benefits of Molecular Sieve 3A for Ethanol Dehydration include high contamination resistance, high adsorption speed, improving cyclic time and stronger crushing strength which offers an extended shelf life to the product. These types of desiccants can easily help in removing water content from gaseous and liquefied materials.

Key Applications:

As a popular form of desiccant, molecular sieve 3A can prove to be helpful in making the following applications simpler.

• Refrigerant Drying
• Moisture removal in paint or PU plastic
• Natural Gas Drying
• Drying Cracked Gas
• Static drying of glass units, whether gas filled or air-filled
• Dehydration of methanol and ethanol
• Dehydration of ethylene, propylene, and butadiene

Benefits

One of the key benefits of using 3A molecular sieves is that they can be easily reused and regenerated. For regenerating the sieves, you just have to get rid of the adsorbed moisture present inside the unit. You need to keep 3A molecular sieve inside a tight container until it’s ready for use to avoid any kind of unintended humidity adsorption. Ethanol can be easily dried up to the isotropic point that includes 95.6% purity. The ethanol molecular sieve precisely adsorbs the moisture content from the given solution so as to make the mixture pure.                                                

Sorbead India is a popular distributor of the FDA approved desiccants such as molecular sieves. The company provides packaged desiccants in bulk quantities to various industrial sectors that are based in India. To get free samples of these high-end desiccants, you can easily contact Sorbead India Located in India, the company ships the products as soon as possible so that you don’t have to wait for long to get your hands on the best desiccants in the market.

Molecular Sieve is a desiccant that has very small holes of precise & uniform size. These holes are small enough to block large molecules while allowing small molecules to pass.

Molecular Sieve is available in 3A, 4A, 5A and 13x having named according to their pore diameter. The Molecular Sieve suited for adsorption of Mercapton Removal from LPG is 13x having a pore diameter of 10A. It is available in Beads and Pellets shape which is used in Aerosol Industries.

Because of its characteristic, 13x Molecular Sieves is widely preferred for removing Mercapton from LPG Gas. Being Global Manufacturer of desiccants for past 20 years we manufacture special grades for Mercapton removal which is having High Crushing Strength so that it can withstand its inlet pressure. We are proud to have a long client list catering to Aerosol Industries for removing Mercapton from LPG. Molecular Sieve used for this purpose cannot be regenerated once used as it has been in contact with immense pressure.

In Aerosol Industries removal of Mercapton becomes necessary to avoid bad smell as deodorants and perfumes should have nice fragrance so to avoid this LPG Gas is passed through a bed containing several columns filled with Molecular Sieve which would adsorb Mercapton from LPG thereby useful in manufacturing Aerosol Products.

Being a Global Supplier for Molecular Sieve we would urge our clients to focus on the quality of the product so that you can get accurate results.

Molecular Sieve 3A is an Alkali metal Alumino-Silicate, Potassium form of type 3A Crystal Structure. Having a pored size of 3A or 3 Angstroms molecule larger than 3A will not be able to be adsorbed. Basically 3A is formed when part of the Sodium Ions of the 4 Angstroms sieve are replaced by Potassium Ions.

Adsorbents that we manufacture are of high quality and are manufactured according to the specific application and accordingly are allotted its Grade. Having manufacturing experience of adsorbents for past 20 years the main advantage that Our Molecular Sieve 3A provides is High Adsorption Rate, High Crushing Strength and High Contamination Resistance. Moreover, the adsorbents that we provide would have extended product life due to its Quality.

Molecular Sieve 3A is available in Beads and in Pellets form. Molecular Sieve 3A is the most selective type of zeolite and is commonly used in olefin crackers to dehydrate the feed stream before the cryogenic separation of LPG. Some of its application is mentioned as below:

1) Refrigerant Drying.
2) Natural Gas Drying.
3) Drying Cracked Gas.
4) Dehydration of Unsaturated Hydrocarbon.
5) Drying of Kerosene & Jet Fuel
6) Drying of Air in Insulated Window.
7) CO2 Drying and many more.

Molecular Sieve 3A can be regenerated by purging or evacuating at elevated temperatures. The degree of regeneration is dependent on the temperature and humidity of the gas.

SAFETY MEASURES: – Should be stored in a dry room to prevent re-adsorption of water.

Molecular Sieves – A Better Understanding

A lot has been written about molecular sieves and their role in keeping moisture away from packed items and industrial operations. At both these places and more, molecular sieves work around-the-clock to remove excess vapor molecules from the surroundings so that the packed items are not affected by water vapor. Molecular Sieve desiccants are available in the market in three forms- bead, balls and granular. All these forms of molecular sieve have uniform-sized pores, which allow the passage of only same-sized molecules (water vapor) and stop impurities from passing through. There are two major benefits of using molecular sieves as a desiccant. One, as mentioned above, the uniform-sized pores and second, the large surface area. While the same-sized pores attract the molecules, the big surface area ensures that more moisture molecules are absorbed over more domains.

Molecular Sieves- Their Structure, Composition

Now let us take a closer look at the structure and composition of molecular sieves. The pore size of Molecular Sieves is usually measured in angstroms. Depending on the pore size, molecular sieves are graded into various categories. These include molecular sieve 3A, 4A, 5A, 10A, and 13 X. All these various grades of molecular sieves have different purposes, depending on their pore size. Among molecular sieves, desiccants having a pore size of fewer than 2 nanometres or 20 Angstrom are known as microporous materials. Macroporous materials are those molecular sieves having a pore diameter of more than 50 nm. This is equal to 500 Angstrom.

Molecular Sieves have another category as well- mesoporous. This includes sieves having a pore diameter between 2-50 nanometres. Silicon dioxide is one of the molecular sieves coming under this category. Examples of microporous materials are zeolites, active carbon, clay, and porous glass. Macroporous materials include mesoporous silica having pore size between 200 and 1000 Angstrom.

Uses of Molecular Sieves

Molecular Sieves have many applications. The major one being in the storage and packaging industry for the removal of moisture from the surroundings so that the packed items are not affected by the presence of vapor molecules. Another field where Molecular Sieves are widely used in the petroleum industry. Here the molecular sieve is used to dry gas streams. The presence of moisture in gas streams can lead to ice formation and corrosion so Angstrom molecular sieve is used to maintain proper moisture levels in the gas streams. As molecular sieves are known to the better drying agents, it is highly recommended to buy high-quality molecular sieve products from suppliers like Sorbead India.

Molecular sieve finds use in the laboratory for chromatography purposes like drying of solvents. Molecular sieves are used for a wide range of catalytic applications. They form the stationary phase of the chromatography process, which absorbs the different components of any given mixture. The chromatography process is used to catalyze isomerization, alkylation, and epoxidation. In industries, it is used for processes like hydrocracking and fluid catalytic cracking. This is one of the main reasons why Molecular Sieve exporters cater to high demand from other countries.

Ever since the existence of refrigeration and HVAC systems, we have often come across a term known as the refrigerant. Have you ever wondered what exactly a refrigerant is? For those who don’t know about it, here is the bookish definition of the term refrigerant. It is basically a particular substance or just a mixture of substances that are formed in the fluid or gaseous forms. The refrigerant has its primary use in the heating pumps and the refrigeration cycles. Most of these cycles see the transformation of Refrigerants from liquid to gas. Some of the notable examples of refrigerants that we could find would be fluorocarbons, sulfur dioxide, ammonia and so much more. This post is dedicated to discussing some of the applications of refrigerants or freezers, the molecular sieve filter drier that is used in the refrigeration systems and so much more. You will also get to learn a lot about the filter drier installation that helps in the extraction of moisture from the refrigerants.

Commercial and Personal Uses of Freezer and Refrigerants

The refrigerants like carbon dioxide, ammonia, and the other non-halogenated portions of hydrocarbons are not responsible for the depletion of the ozone layers. These refrigerants also don’t have any or just a little bit of potential in harming the global climate as well. Hence these freezers or refrigerants are mostly used in the proper air conditioning systems that are provided in the buildings, leisure, and sports facilities. Apart from that, these freezers also have a very important use in the pharmaceutical industries, automotive organizations and most importantly the food industry as well. The emissions that come out from the air conditioning systems provided in the automobile industries can, however, be considered as a particular growing concern only because they have a significant impact on the change of the climate. There have been some changes made for that as the unions have successfully managed to phase out most of the refrigerants that have the potential for global warming in any way. Using the CO2 refrigerants is a very beneficial alternative that people can use since it is pretty much non-flammable and hence will not be able to harm the ozone layers. So, these refrigerants might just have better use in the cars, hot water pumps, commercial refrigeration, residential cooling, and the vending machines as well.

Importance of Freezer and Refrigerant in Daily Life

As we all know, there are many different uses of having refrigerants and freezers in the daily life of the people. Most of these refrigerants surely have a lot of commercial uses, but they can also be used in the day-to-day lives of the people. For example, freezers are a very important part of the refrigeration cycles. So, this means that they are a great addition to the refrigerators in the homes of people. These refrigerants help in keeping the food in the home quite fresh and healthy to eat at any time. Most of the time, having fresh fruits and vegetables is really important. The refrigerants help in controlling the temperature of the refrigerator and hence help in the cooling of the foods. With the low temperature, there is no possibility for the growth of bacteria that plays a very important role in the degradation of the food. Another one of the most important uses of having refrigerants for our daily lives is that they help a lot in enhancing the air-conditioning system of the houses. There is no doubt about the fact that air conditioning is very important, not just for the people but the electronic devices as well. Keeping the devices cool and at a very low temperature helps in the extension of their lives. Most of the electronic devices also come with a separate air conditioning system that uses the refrigerants in order to maintain a cool temperature. Apart from that, the HVAC systems in the homes of people also use the refrigerants in order to make sure that the air that comes out is always cool and refreshing.

Freezer & Refrigerants Major Malfunctions

Most of the chillers and the air-conditioning systems suffer from the problems of reduced efficiency because the freezers and refrigerants get contaminated with excess water, oil, acid, and air as well. if these contaminants are available on the refrigerants in more quantities, then it can lead to several issues such as failure of the systems.

Excess Oil

Oil is one of the components that can provide some harmful effects to the working of the cooling systems in the devices. However, not much has actually been done in order to locate or remove the oil that is present in the cooling system. There are several reasons behind that. Oil might just decrease the efficiency of the system but it necessarily doesn’t do any harm other than that. Oil can be considered a lesser harmful contaminant when compared to others such as moisture and acid. Acid Formation When we talk about the harmful contaminants that actually lead to the destruction of the systems, then acids are the first things that come to mind. The acid development in these freezers or refrigerants on the heat pumps, refrigerators, air conditioners, and other devices can be responsible for the life-shortening of the refrigerant. There are many possible reasons for the formation of acids. It could be due to the different chemical reactions that happen in between the different materials and components. Most of the time, the impurities inside the refrigerants can also be responsible for the creation of acids. Apart from that, an increase in the temperature also accelerates the formation of acids in the refrigerants Too Much Moisture The presence of moisture in these freezers and refrigerants is certainly one very common problem that can take place. It will also be very expensive to treat as well.

The refrigerant that has moisture in it will not just affect the efficiency of the refrigeration system. It will also be responsible for some serious long-term damage to the system in many different ways. If the moisture is not detected and removed with the help of filter drier in the refrigeration system, then it can result in several expensed related to the repair and downtime of the system as well. Moisture can lead to the formation of ice in the valves which causes further blockage. Also, it can make a mixture with the oils present inside the system compressor in order to form harmful acids and then attack all the motor windings which will further lead to burnout. Moisture also has an effect on the bearings as it makes them seize. Apart from that, it can also block the flow of the oils as well. So, these are some of the dangerous malfunctions that can occur in the freezers and the refrigerants. It is important to use a refrigerator filter drier to solve these problems. We will get to that in a while.

How Is Acid Formed In Refrigerants Due To Moisture Issues?

When it comes to the effects of moisture, acid formation is one of the most common effects that can cause harm to the refrigerants and ultimately the cooling system as well. The moisture accumulates in the refrigerants in different degrees. With the increase of moisture, it starts to mix up with the other materials present in the refrigerant. As a result, the mixture is then open to react with anything. Most of the time, it happens that the mixture of moisture and the refrigerant reacts along with the different lubricating oils and various other materials that are present in the system. This leads to the formation of strong compounds that have a corrosive nature. We all know that the chemical reactions that happen in the system often lead to the formation of acids. These acids that are formed can actually damage the valves, bearing journals, seals, and other important parts of the cooling system. Sometimes, the acids present can also cause the compressor to burn completely and thus degrading the cooling efficiency of the system. With the help of the molecular sieve desiccants present in the filter driers that are used for the extraction of moisture, these moisture issues can be prevented. Let us get to know a little bit more about it.

Troubleshooting the Acid Formation Due to Moisture Issues

We all surely know by now that the major reason for the formation of acids in the refrigerants would have to be the moisture that is present in these components. However, there is a solution to that problem as well. The filter driers with molecular sieve RH3 and molecular sieve RH9 are some of the options to go for. One of the primary functions of the filter drier is to make sure that the moisture is completely removed from the refrigerant systems. There are many different sources from which moisture will be able to enter the system. Improper evacuation due to trapped air and leaks in the systems are some of the reasons. The moisture that is present in the refrigerant system will be responsible for the metallic corrosion of the components. Apart from that, the moisture in the system also has the potential to form several organic acids which in turn will affect the operation of the components. In order to make sure that the formation of the acids is minimized, it is imperative to stop or pause the formation of moisture in the refrigerant. This can easily be done with the help of a filter drier. The filter drier uses the molecular sieve in order to make sure that the moisture is taken out from the refrigerant. We will get to know about that in a while.

Selecting the Desiccant for the Filter Drier: Molecular Sieve Introduction

For the removal of the components that might harm the refrigerant, the filter driers are used by every single industry. However, without the use of the proper desiccant, the filter driers will not be of any use. Here we are going to provide you with an introduction to a filter drier desiccant which is known as the molecular sieve. When you are selecting the perfect desiccant for the filter-drier, there are many different factors that are supposed to be considered. The water-absorbing capacity, the lubricant and refrigerant compatibility and so much more factors need to have special importance when selecting the proper desiccant for the filter drier. If the proper desiccant is not selected, then you might have to go for a refrigerator filter drier replacement. Let us start with the water capacity, people. The water capacity can be defined as the ability of the desiccant to hold the water. We all know that the function of the filter drier is to make sure that the levels of moisture in the refrigerants always remain low. So, the more water capacity a desiccant has, the better it will be for the refrigerant. The molecular sieve helps a lot when it comes to retaining the amount of water. These sieves have got the highest capacity for water absorption and hence can be easily used for the task. The molecular sieve would absorb the moisture and help in keeping a low concentration of the refrigerant water. The strong bonds that take place between the moisture and the molecular sieve are the reasons behind that. It is by keeping the water levels in the system very low, the corrosion problems, freeze-ups, and the formation of acids can be effectively minimized.

There is the activated alumina that can be used in order to retain a little amount of all the moisture, but the retention capacity isn’t really that great as is seen in the amazing molecular sieve that we have. It is also recommended that when it comes to the molecular sieves in the filter driers, they help in water removal in the most efficient way. Apart from the water capacity, the lubricant and refrigerant compatibility also plays a very important role in the selection of a particular desiccant. The organic and inorganic acids form due to the reactions that happen in the systems. These acids have the potential to damage the entire refrigerant system. Without having a proper desiccant these acids can also enter the valves and other important areas to cause severe damage there as well. This is where the molecular sieves come to help again. The acid removing the capacity of the desiccant depends on the size of it. If you want to know all the about the molecular sieve sizes, then you can take the help of the molecular sieve size chart. The different pore sizes present in the molecular sieve help in the removal of the molecules of organic acid in the best way.

There is another factor that would decide the selection of the desiccant for the filter drier. The desiccant strength is a very important factor to consider. The desiccants that are inserted in the refrigerant filter driers need to be quite strong so that they can resist the effects of the different surges and vibrations that are caused in the system. The molecular sieve XH-7 receiver drier certainly has the strength that is required in order making sure that the changes in the systems don’t have any negative effects on them. Molecular sieve XH 7 and XH 3 are some of the molecular sieves that are most commonly used in the refrigerant systems due to their moisture absorption capabilities. These honey-comb shaped structures are very uniform in the size and help in the absorbing of the moisture molecules that are present in the refrigerants. If you select the proper filter drier along with the perfect desiccant, then absorbing the larger moisture molecules as well as the smaller molecules will be pretty easy. Another great thing about the molecular sieves is that they are entirely coated with some positive charges which are known as the cation. These cations help in attracting the molecules that are polarized, just like water. So, there is no doubt about the fact that the filter driers that have molecular sieves in them will be able to keep moisture away and thus prevent freeze-ups, acid formation, and several other issues in the refrigerant system.

Does Size Matter When it Comes to Choosing a Filter Drier

Most of the time, it happens that the differences in the size of the filter driers create confusion in the minds of the people. Now, the question that arises here is whether the filter drier size is actually that important or you need to focus on the other factors more. To be honest, the size of the filter drier is not really that big a deal when it comes to the consideration of the other factors. Although there is a direct relation between the capacity of the filter and the volume, it is also true that the type of the desiccant that is used in the filter drier also plays a very important role in the selection of the filter drier. Always going for the biggest of the filter drier might not be the option that will always provide the best of the results. Even if you do that, you need to make sure that you know how to replace filter drier so that you don’t face any problems in the future. Knowing the filter drier location is also very important in order to replace it.

Working Principles of Filter Drier with the Help of Molecular Sieves

There is no doubt about the fact that the molecular sieves are some of the best desiccants that can be used in the filter driers. That is because of the high water capacity that they have. When it comes to discussing the working principle of the filter driers with the help of molecular sieves, there are several things that come to mind. The molecular sieve that is present in the filter drier has a crystalline structure that helps in the absorption of the water that is present in the refrigerant systems. Apart from that, the molecular sieves also play a very important role in removing the organic acids which are caused due to the contamination of moisture and the other components that are present in the refrigerant systems Furthermore, these sieves are the perfect solution for the compressor burns, corrosion problems, acid formation, and a plethora of other problems that often occur in the refrigerant systems as well. That is not it as the filter driers also take the help of molecular sieve in the filtration processes as well. The molecular sieves help in removing the solder particles, scales, and various other foreign elements that can block the compressors and the valves. Thus, it can be safely concluded that these sieves play a very important role in the filtration of the refrigerants. The larger and the smaller particles are caught by the pores of the molecular sieve, thus providing a clear way for the movement of other essential materials. Knowing all about the molecular sieves and its use in the filter dries of the refrigerant systems will surely provide you with an idea about how the system works and what can be done in order to improve on the issues that crop up with the modern-day refrigeration systems. With the help of the proper desiccants such as molecular sieves, users will be able to ensure that their air conditioning and refrigeration systems stay in a proper state always. For those who want to know about the molecular sieve price, going to the best molecular sieve suppliers would be recommended.

About Sorbead India

Sorbead India, a company created in the year 1996, is one of the best molecular sieve suppliers in India. Known to be one of the leading names in the history of desiccant suppliers in India, this company has got a reputation that cannot be matched by anyone else. The ISO 9001-2015 Certified Company currently holds the reputation of being a reliable source for high-quality desiccants such as molecular sieves and other components that are manufactured by some of the most trusted hands and production units. The company stands face-to-face with top-class support and quality for the customers and is famous for creating desiccants for the companies of very high stature. The services of the company are always dedicated to the welfare of the industries and will remain the same.