Comparison of Comprehensive Performance of Different Types of Molecular Sieves
A brief comparison of the overall performance of different types of molecular sieves.
Comparison of Comprehensive Performance of Different Molecular Sieves
Molecular sieves are mainly classified into 3A, 4A, 5A, and 13X models according to pore size and cation type, exhibiting significant differences in pore size, adsorbents, and application scenarios.
Comparison of Basic Parameters
Performance Specifications | 3A | 4A | 5A | 13X |
Pore Size | 3Å | 4Å | 5Å | 10Å |
Cations | K⁺ | Na⁺ | Ca²⁺ | Na⁺ |
Static Water Adsorption Capacity | ≥22% | ≥23% | ≥26% | ≥28% |
Bulk Density (g/ml) | ≥0.66 | ≥0.66 | ≥0.64 | ≥0.64 |
Compressive Strength (N/particle) | ≥30 | ≥30 | ≥30 | ≥50 |
Adsorption Selectivity and Applications
Model | Adsorbable | Non-adsorbable | Typical Application |
3A | H₂O | CH₄, C₂H₄ | Pyrolysis gas drying, ethanol dehydration |
4A | H₂O, CO₂, H₂S | C₃H₈, cyclic hydrocarbons | Natural gas dehydration, argon purification |
5A | n-alkanes, H₂S | Branched hydrocarbons, aromatics | Separation of normal and isomeric hydrocarbons, PSA oxygen production |
13X | Aromatics, H₂S, CO₂ | Molecules with diameter >10Å | Air separation, VOCs adsorption |
Performance Characteristics
3A: Smallest pore size, does not adsorb olefins, suitable for deep drying of unsaturated hydrocarbons, easy to regenerate.
4A: Basic general-purpose type, high cost-effectiveness, suitable for natural gas dehydration and decarbonization.
5A: Selectively adsorbs straight-chain hydrocarbons, used for normal and isomer separation, but regeneration performance is generally average.
13X: Largest pore size, highest static water adsorption capacity, strong adsorption capacity for CO₂ and thiols, suitable for harsh purification processes.
Selection Recommendations
Application Requirements | Recommended Models |
Deep Drying of Olefin-Containing Gas Streams | 3A |
Natural Gas Dehydration and Decarbonization | 4A or 13X |
Separation of Normal and Isomeric Hydrocarbons | 5A |
Air Separation Feed Gas Purification | 13X |
Natural Gas Desulfurization | 13X |
Summary
3A specializes in deep drying of small molecules, 4A is a general-purpose product with high cost-effectiveness, 5A focuses on straight-chain/branched chain separation, and 13X offers comprehensive macroporous and broad-spectrum performance. Selection requires a comprehensive consideration of target molecule size, adsorption capacity, and regeneration conditions. We are a molecular sieve supplier in China. For more information, please contact us via email at annayu@169chem.net or WhatsApp at +8618909016373.