Introduction
Zeolite molecular sieve 3A is an alkali metal alumino silicate; it is the potassium form of the Type A crystal structure. Type 3A has an effective pore opening of 3 angstroms (0.3 nm). It is large enough to allow in moisure, but excludes moleculars such as unsatureated hydrocarbons which can potentially form polymers: and this maximises lifetime when dehydrating such molecules.
Typical Chemical Formula
0.45k2O ·0.55Na2O·Al2O3 ·2.SiO2· 4.5H2O
Application
1) Drying of unsatureated hydrocarbons(e.g. ethylene, propylene, butadien)
2) Cracked Gas Drying
3) Drying of natural gas, if COS minimization is essential, or a minimum co-adsorption of hydrocarbons is required.
4) Drying of highly polar compounds, such as methanol and ethanol
5)Drying of liquid alcohol
6)Static, (non-regenerative) dehydration of insulating glass units, whether air filled or gas-filled.
7)Drying of refrigerants
Technical Parameter
| Item | unit | target |
| Shape | | pellet | ball |
| Diameter | mm | 1.5-1.7 | 3.0-3.3 | 1.7-2.5 | 3.0-5.0 |
| Size ratio up to grade | % | ≥98 | ≥98 | ≥96 | ≥96 |
| Bulk density | g/ml | ≥0.64 | ≥0.64 | ≥0.68 | ≥0.68 |
| Abrasion rate | % | ≤0.20 | ≤0.25 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.10 |
| Crushing strength | N/p | ≥45 | ≥60 | ≥30 | ≥70 |
| Water adsorption | % | ≥20 | ≥20 | ≥20 | ≥20 |
| Packing water | % | ≥15 | ≥15 | ≥15 | ≥15 |
Packing:
By carton box, each box 30kg or 25kg, inside airtight bag.
Or 40kg/sealed iron drum, inside airtight bag.
Regeneration
Molecular sieve Type 3A can be regenerated by either heating in the case of thermal swing processes; or by lowering the pressure in the case of pressure swing processes.
To remove moisture from a 3A molecular sieve, a temperature of 200-230°C is required. A properly regenerated molecular sieve can give moisture dew points below -100°C.
The outlet concentrations on a pressure swing process will depend on the gas present, and on the conditions of the process
