The molecular sieve range covers the four canonical synthetic zeolites used in industrial adsorption. Type 3A in the potassium exchanged form, type 4A in the sodium form, type 5A in the calcium exchanged form, and type 13X in the faujasite crystal structure. Pore openings are precise to the Ångström, set during ion exchange and confirmed by water adsorption isotherm at the QC laboratory.
Manufacturing follows a fixed crystal growth recipe with downstream ion exchange to the target form, beading or pelletisation, calcination, and packing under nitrogen. Every lot is sampled for water capacity, crush strength, attrition loss, and bulk density before release. A certificate of analysis is issued with every shipment.
Inside an installed dryer the molecular sieve is the workhorse for hard drying duties where the outlet water specification falls below the equilibrium limit of silica gel or activated alumina. A typical adsorption cycle runs 8 to 16 hours. Thermal regeneration runs 4 to 8 hours at 200 to 350 °C depending on grade and cycle design.
The grade is selected so the target molecule adsorbs and everything else passes through. Size exclusion makes the family quantitative, not approximate.
Adsorption on a molecular sieve is governed by the match between the effective kinetic diameter of the target molecule and the cage opening of the zeolite framework. Water at 2.6 Å passes into all four grades. Methanol at 3.6 Å passes into 4A and larger. Nitrogen and oxygen near 3.5 Å are admitted to 5A and 13X. Aromatic molecules above 5.5 Å pass only into 13X.
This size exclusion is what makes the family quantitative rather than approximate. The grade is selected so the target molecule adsorbs and everything else passes through. Co adsorption is minimal, regeneration is clean, and the adsorber is sized by water mass balance and not by trial. The same logic extends from gas drying to PSA separations.
The molecular sieve range is produced by SorbiTech from synthetic aluminosilicate. Sodium aluminate and sodium silicate are precipitated at controlled temperature and alkalinity, then hydrothermally crystallised to form the cubic A or faujasite X framework. The synthesis route fixes the cage opening at 4 Å for the sodium form and 10 Å for the X form.
Downstream the crystal is ion exchanged to the target form. Potassium for type 3A, retained sodium for 4A, calcium for 5A. Beading or pelletisation with a clay binder follows, then calcination above 500 °C to remove binder volatiles and water of synthesis. Every lot is sampled at the QC laboratory for water capacity, crush strength, attrition loss, and bulk density before release.
Each grade is a defined product with its own technical data sheet, certificate of analysis, and engineering selection guidance. Open a grade for the full specification, applications, and lifecycle service notes.
Calcium form 5A zeolite for n paraffin separation, hydrogen purification, and oxygen PSA generation.
Sodium form 4A zeolite, the standard drying sieve for sweet methane, refrigerant streams, and insulating glass units.
Sodium form 13X zeolite for cryogenic air pre purification and combined drying and sweetening.
Potassium form 3A zeolite, the size selective desiccant for streams that must not lose hydrocarbons to the bed.
Representative process applications where the SorbiTech engineering team has scoped, sized, or supplied the bed. Each tile links to the full application page.
The SorbiTech group covers media supply, engineering design, lifecycle service, and quality documentation under a single accountability. The bead and the bed are one decision.
The grade shipped is the grade engineered into the vessel design. SorbiTech designs the dryer, sizes the bed, and supplies the media as one decision.
Every shipment ships with a certificate of analysis covering iodine number, water capacity, crush strength, attrition loss, and bulk density measured against the lot.
The bed is supported through its service life. Field sampling, performance audit, reactivation logistics, and end of life return are covered under one service agreement.
Process engineers, mechanical designers, and lifecycle specialists work the same project. The recommendation closes against duty data, not against a catalogue page.
Starting point for grade selection. The final specification is closed out after the SorbiTech engineering team receives duty data, inlet composition, and the target outlet condition.
Match the kinetic diameter of the molecule you want to admit. Water at 2.6 Å fits all four grades, so choose by the largest molecule you do not want to adsorb. Reject methanol with 3A. Reject hydrocarbons above C2 with 4A. Admit larger molecules with 5A or 13X.
Thermal swing using a slip stream of dry gas heated to 200 to 350 °C. Regeneration time is typically half to three quarters of the adsorption time. Pressure swing is also used in PSA service, but the bed must be sized for the lower working capacity at the swing pressure.
Three to five years on natural gas dehydration. Two to three years on ethanol drying. One to two years on liquid phase service or where contaminants accelerate framework collapse. A field sample at 12 months establishes the wear rate for the installation.
Yes. Both are tested by the SorbiTech in line QC laboratory on every release. Crush strength is measured by single bead compression. Attrition loss is measured by ASTM D 4058 rotating drum. Both values appear on the certificate of analysis.
660 to 720 kg per cubic metre for bead grades, 680 to 740 for pellet. Higher density means more mass per unit volume of installed bed, but also more pressure drop. The dryer designer chooses the form and density to fit the cycle time and vessel envelope.
Submit process duty data and receive a written recommendation with grade, sizing, packaging, and lead time.
Tell us briefly what you need. Our technical team responds within one business day.
Request the TDS / datasheet. We send it on email after a brief review.
