13X Molecular Sieve

13X Molecular Sieve is a versatile and highly effective adsorbent used in a wide range of industrial applications, including gas separation, drying, and purification. Its large pore size, high adsorption capacity, and thermal stability make it ideal for removing water, CO₂, and other impurities from gas and liquid streams. By enabling efficient and cost-effective separation processes, 13X Molecular Sieve plays a critical role in industries such as petrochemicals, natural gas processing, and air separation.

Quick Details

13X Molecular Sieve, is the sodium form of the type X crystal and has a much larger pore opening than the type A crystals. It will adsorb molecules with a kinetic diameter of less than 10 Angstrom(1.0nm) and exclude those larger.

13X Molecular Sieve is a type of synthetic zeolite with a uniform pore structure and high adsorption capacity, widely used for gas and liquid separation, drying, and purification processes. The "13X" designation refers to its specific crystal structure and pore size, which is approximately 10 angstroms (1 nm). This molecular sieve is composed of sodium aluminosilicate and is known for its ability to adsorb molecules based on size and polarity.

Key Features of 13X Molecular Sieve

Large Pore Size:

The 10-angstrom pore size allows it to adsorb larger molecules compared to other molecular sieves (e.g., 3A, 4A, 5A).

High Adsorption Capacity:

Can adsorb up to 20-25% of its weight in water and other molecules.

Selective Adsorption:

Adsorbs molecules based on size, shape, and polarity, making it ideal for separating specific gases or liquids.

Thermal Stability:

Stable at high temperatures (up to 350°C), allowing for regeneration and reuse.

Chemical Resistance:

Resistant to most chemicals, except strong acids and bases.

Regenerability:

Can be regenerated by heating or pressure swing adsorption (PSA) processes.

Applications of 13X Molecular Sieve

Gas Separation:

Used to separate nitrogen and oxygen from air (air separation units).
Removes carbon dioxide (CO₂) and moisture from natural gas and biogas.

Drying:

Effective for drying gases and liquids, such as hydrocarbons, refrigerants, and solvents.

Purification:

Removes impurities like water, CO₂, and sulfur compounds from gas streams.

Petrochemical Industry:

Used in the purification of aromatics, olefins, and paraffins.

Refrigerant Drying:

Dries refrigerants in air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

Insulated Glass Windows:

Used as a desiccant in double-pane windows to prevent fogging and moisture buildup.

Advantages of 13X Molecular Sieve

Versatility:

Suitable for a wide range of applications due to its large pore size and high adsorption capacity.

High Efficiency:

Effectively removes water, CO₂, and other impurities from gas and liquid streams.

Regenerability:

Can be reused multiple times, reducing operational costs.

Thermal Stability:

Maintains performance at high temperatures.

Cost-Effective:

Provides long service life and low maintenance requirements.

How 13X Molecular Sieve Works

Adsorption:

Molecules smaller than the pore size (e.g., water, CO₂, H₂S) are adsorbed onto the surface of the sieve.

Separation:

Larger molecules are excluded, allowing for selective separation of gases or liquids.

Regeneration:

Adsorbed molecules are removed by heating (thermal regeneration) or reducing pressure (PSA), restoring the sieve's adsorption capacity.

Manufacturing Process

Raw Material Preparation:

Sodium aluminate and sodium silicate are mixed to form a gel.

Crystallization:

The gel is heated under controlled conditions to form 13X zeolite crystals.

Washing and Drying:

The crystals are washed to remove impurities and dried.

Pelletizing or Beading:

The zeolite powder is formed into pellets or beads for use in adsorption systems.

Activation:

The final product is heated to remove any residual moisture and activate the adsorption sites.

Selection Criteria

Pore Size:

10-angstrom pore size is suitable for adsorbing larger molecules.

Adsorption Capacity:

Higher capacity improves efficiency and reduces the size of the adsorption system.

Regeneration Method:

Choose based on the application (e.g., thermal regeneration for high-temperature processes, PSA for gas separation).

Particle Size:

Smaller particles provide faster adsorption but may increase pressure drop.

Application-Specific Properties:

Customized for drying, purification, or gas separation.

Comparison with Other Molecular Sieves

Property

13X Molecular Sieve

5A Molecular Sieve

3A Molecular Sieve


Pore Size	10 angstroms	5 angstroms	3 angstroms
Adsorption Capacity	High	Moderate	High
Applications	Gas separation, drying, purification	Gas separation, drying	Drying of polar liquids (e.g., ethanol)
Regeneration	Thermal, PSA	Thermal, PSA	Thermal, PSA
Cost	Moderate	Moderate	Low to moderate

Regeneration Methods

Thermal Regeneration:

The sieve is heated to 200-350°C to desorb trapped molecules.

Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA):

The pressure is reduced to release adsorbed gases.

Vacuum Swing Adsorption (VSA):

A vacuum is applied to regenerate the sieve.

Chemical Composition:

Name	Zeolite 13X
Other name	Molecular Sieve 13X
Cas No.	63231-69-6
MF	Ca₄.₅Na₃[(AlO₂)₁₂(SiO₂)₁₂]·mH₂O
Shape/Appearance	Sphere ; Pellets
Aperture	10Å
Color	Light Brown, Light Yellow, Light Pink
Product number	ZC928	ZC928B	ZC935APG	ZC941APG
Sizes	Φ1.6～2.5(mm)	Φ1.6～2.5(mm)	Φ3.0 ~ 5.0(mm)	3.2(mm)
Sizes	8 × 12(mesh)	8 × 12(mesh)	4 × 8(mesh)	1/8(inch)
Crushing Strength(N/Peices)	≥ 30	≥ 25	≥ 75	≥ 30
Static H₂O adsorption capacity(wt%, 25℃)	≥ 18（10%RH）	≥ 29（50%RH）	≥ 26（50%RH)	≥ 25（50%RH）
CO₂ adsorption capacity (250 mmHg)	N/A	≥ 18	≥ 18	≥ 18
Bulk density	≥ 0.69	≥ 0.65	≥ 0.65	≥ 0.61
H₂O Content(wt%)	≤1.5	≤1.5	≤1.5	≤1.5

Model	13X HP Molecular Sieve		Lithium Based Molecular Sieve
Diameter	0.4-0.8MM	1.6-2.5MM	0.4-0.8MM	1.3-1.7MM
Bulk density	≥0.62g/mL	≥0.62g/mL	≥0.63g/mL	≥0.63g/mL
Crushing strength	/	≥25N/piece		≥15N/piece
Static N2 Adsorption (1bar, 25°C)	≥8mL/g	≥8mL/g	≥22.5mL/g	≥22.5mL/g
N2/O2 Separation (1bar, 25°C)	≥3	≥3	≥6.2	≥6.2
Attrition	≤0.3wt.%	≤0.3wt.%	≤1wt.%	≤1wt.%
Moisture Content	≤0.5wt.%	≤0.5wt.%	≤0.5wt.%	≤0.5wt.%
Application	Medical care oxygen generator, small, portable oxygen concentrators Capacity: 1L/min-10L/min	Industrial and Medical Oxygen Generator/Plant, hospital oxygen concentrators of PSA system Capacity: <300Nm3/hour	Medical care oxygen generator, small, portable oxygen concentrators Capacity: 1L/min-10L/min	Industrial and Medical Oxygen Generator/Plant, hospital oxygen concentrators of PSA system Capacity: 300-10000Nm3/hour
Purity	93%±3%	93%±3%	93%±3%	93%±3%

Name	Zeolite 3A
Other Name	Molecular Sieve 3A
Cas No.	1318-02-1
MF	K12 [(AlO2)12(SiO2)12] · nH2O
Shape/ Appearance	Sphere ,Pellet
Aperture	3Å
Color	Light Brown, Light Yellow, Light Pink
Product number	ZC328	ZC335	ZC341	ZC341
Sizes	Φ1.6～2.5 (mm)	Φ3 ～ 5(mm)	1.6(mm)	Φ3 ～ 5(mm)
Sizes	8×12(mesh)	4×8(mesh)	1/16"	8×12(mesh)
Crushing Strength(N/Piece)	≥25	≥70	≥45	≥70
Static H₂O adsorption capacity(wt%, 75%RH，25℃)	≥21wt%	≥21wt%	≥21wt%	≥ 20wt%
Bulk density(g/cm²)	≥0.69g/cm²	≥0.69g/cm²	≥0.65g/cm²	≥0.70g/cm²
H₂O content (%)	≤1.5	≤1.5	≤1.5	≤1.5
K+ exchange rate(%)	45	45	45	60

Name	Zeolite 4A
Other name	Molecular Sieve 4A
Cas No.	1344-00-9
MF	Na₁₂[(AlO₂)₁₂(SiO₂)₁₂]·nH₂O
Shape/Appearance	Granular;Pellet
Aperture	4Å
Color	Light Brown, Light Yellow, Light Pink
Product number	ZC412	ZC428	ZC435	ZC437	ZC441
Sizes	Φ0.5～1.0 (mm)	Φ1.6～2.5 (mm)	Φ3～5 (mm)	Φ4～6 (mm)	1/16 (inch)
Sizes		8 × 12 (mesh)	4 × 8 (mesh)
Crushing Strength(N/Piece)	N/A	≥ 30	≥ 70	≥ 70	≥ 45
Static H₂O adsorption capacity（75%RH，25℃）	≥ 18 (10%RH)	≥ 21.5 (50%RH)	≥ 18 (10%RH)	≥ 20 (50%RH)	≥ 20 (50%RH)
Bulk density	≥0.69g/cm²	≥0.69g/cm²	≥0.69g/cm²	≥0.69g/cm²	≥ 0.65/cm²
H₂O content (wt%)	≤1.5	≤1.5	≤1.5	≤1.5	≤1.5

Name	Zeolite 5A
Other name	Molecular Sieve 5A
Cas No.	69912-79-4
MF	Ca₄.₅Na₃[(AlO₂)₁₂(SiO₂)₁₂]·mH₂O
Shape/Appearance	sphere ; pellets
Aperture	5Å
Color	Light brown
Product number	ZC528	ZC532-HP	SL535A	ZCPSA-O2
Sizes	Φ1.6～2.5(mm)	Φ2～3(mm)	Φ3～5(mm)	Φ1.6～2.5(mm)
Sizes	8 × 12(mesh)	9 × 10(mesh)	4 × 8(mesh)	8 × 12(mesh)
Crushing Strength	≥30	≥30	≥70	≥30
Static H₂O adsorption capacity（75%RH，25℃）	≥ 23	≥ 23	≥ 23.5	≥ 26
Balanced CO₂ adsorption capacity(wt%, 250mmHg)	NA	≥15	NA	≥18
Bulk density	≥ 0.72	≥ 0.72	≥ 0.70	≥ 0.70
H₂O content (wt%)	≤1.5	≤1.5	≤1.5	≤1.5

3A Molecular Sieve

Mainly used in the drying of unsaturatedhydrocarbons such as ethylene, propylene,butadiene, etc. of petroleum cracking gasDrying of polar liquids such as methanoland ethanol.W Air drying. Drying of natural gas and methane gas

4A Molecular Sieve

Deep drying of gases and liquids such asair, Product namenatural gas, alkanes, andrefrigerants.

Static drying of pharmaceutical packaging.electronic components and perishable objectsPreparation and purification of argon.Used as a dehydrating agent in paints, fuelsand coatings

5A Molecular Sieve

Pressure swing adsorption devices for varioussizes of oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide andother gases.

Separation of normal and isoparaffins.

Air purification, dehydration and carbon

dioxide removal.Drying, dehydration and desulfurization of natural gas.

13X Molecular Sieve

Deep drying of general industrial gases

Purification ofraw gas in the air separation

unit (removal of H20, CO2 and some hydrocarbons at the same time).

Drying and desulfurization of natural gas,liquefied petroleum gas and liquid hydrocarbons.Oxygen production.

13X APG Molecular Sieve

It is used in cryogenic air separation device toremove H20 and CO2 in the air, and produce02 by cryogenic method.

Industrial and PSA/VPSA medical oxygenproduction.

13X HP/LiXMolecular Sieve

Industrial and PSA/VPSA medical oxygenproduction.

IG Molecular Sieve

Desiccant in vacuum hollow double-glazedaluminum strip

Activated MolecularSieve Powder

polyurethane coatings,adhesives and sealants

Storage protection for metallic pigment paint.

Polysulfide and silicone systems.

Carriers for chemicals for controlled release.

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