xr401 Molecular Sieve 3A is an alkali metal aluminosilicate; Molecular sieve 3A is the potassium form of the type A crystal structure. 3A adsorbs molecules with effective diameters small than 3 anstrom (0.3nm) such as water.
It is made from zeolite powder 3A (>70%) and binder. Zeolite powder 3A is a potassium based type A zeolite, which is generated by replacing part of sodium cation in 4 angstrom sieve. Molecular sieve 3A is usually used for dehydration.
Molecular Sieve 3A has the shape of beads and pallets.
Synonym: Zeolite 3A, Molsive 3A, Zeolith 3A
Typical Chemical Formula: 0,45 K2O . 0,55 Na2O . Al2O3 . 2 SiO2 . n H2O
CAS NO.: 1318-02-1
Silica-alumina ratio: SiO2/ Al2O3≈2
The application of xr401 zeolite molecular sieve 3A:
1.Zeolite 3A is used for drying of unsaturated hydrocarbons (e.g. ethylene, propylene, butadiene)
2. Zeolite 3A is used in deep desiccation of cracked petroleum gases, such as ethylene, propylene, butadiene, acetylene and natural gas, and of polar liquid, such as ethanol, LPG and solvent
3. Zeolite molecular sieve 3A is used in drying of natural gas, if COS minimization is essential, or a minimum co-adsorption of hydrocarbons is required
4. Zeolite 3A is used in drying of highly polar compounds, such as methanol and ethanol
5. Zeolite molecular sieve 3A is used in drying of refrigerants (e.g. R22, R134a etc)
6. Zeolite molecular sieve 3A is used in dehydration of benzene, toluene, xylene and other solvents
7. Zeolite 3A is used in static, (non-regenerative) dehydration of insulating glass units
Regeneration of XR401 Molecular sieve 3A:
Molecular sieve 3A can be regenerated or activated with thermal regeneration method(Thermal Swing Adsorption, TSA);
To remove moisture under a temperature of 200-230°C (390-570°F). Molecular sieve 3A can also be regenerated or activated by lowering the pressure in the case of pressure swing processes (PSA). A properly regenerated or activated 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.
Molecular Sieve 3A Specification
| Property | Unit | Beads | Beads | Pellets | Pellets |
| Diameter | mm | 1.6-2.5 | 3.0-5.0 | 1.5-1.8 | 2.8-3.2 |
| Static Water Adsorption | wt% | ≥21.00 | ≥21.00 | ≥20.00 | ≥20.00 |
| Bulk Density | g/ml | ≥0.70 | ≥0.70 | ≥0.65 | ≥0.65 |
| Crush Strength | N | ≥30.00 | ≥80.00 | ≥30.00 | ≥70.00 |
| Losson Attrition | wt% | ≤0.10 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.30 | ≤0.30 |
| Loss on Ignition | wt% | ≤1.50 | ≤1.50 | ≤1.50 | ≤1.50 |
Storage of XR401 molecular sieve 3A:
Keep molecular sieve 3A in an air tight container until ready for use to avoid unintended moisture adsorption.
