3A molecular sieve is a kind of aluminosilicate compound with a cubic lattice. It gets its name because its pore size is approximately 3Å and is widely used in many fields such as chemical engineering, gas separation and purification, and petroleum. The specific applications are as follows:
Gas Drying
- Air Drying: In air compression systems, 3A molecular sieve can be used to remove moisture from the air. This prevents equipment corrosion, pipeline blockages caused by water condensation, and adverse effects on subsequent processes, providing a dry gas source for industrial production. In some electronic chip manufacturing workshops with extremely high requirements for air humidity, the air dried by 3A molecular sieve can ensure that the humidity of the production environment meets the requirements, thus improving the product yield.
- Natural Gas Drying: Natural gas usually contains a certain amount of moisture. If not removed, hydrates are likely to form under low – temperature or high – pressure conditions, blocking pipelines and equipment. 3A molecular sieve can deeply remove the moisture in natural gas, enabling it to meet the pipeline transportation standards and ensuring the safe transportation and use of natural gas.
- Drying of Other Gases: For gases such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and argon, 3A molecular sieve is also a commonly used desiccant. In chemical production, these gases are often used as reaction raw materials or protective gases. After being dried by 3A molecular sieve, the interference of moisture on chemical reactions or the production process can be avoided.
Petrochemical Field
- Cracked Gas Drying: During the process of producing products such as ethylene and propylene through petroleum cracking, the cracked gas contains moisture, as well as small amounts of impurities such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. 3A molecular sieve can preferentially adsorb moisture, protecting subsequent catalysts and equipment, and improving the quality of the cracked gas and the efficiency of subsequent processing.
- Reformed Gasoline Drying: In the reforming reaction, the moisture in the reformed gasoline can affect the activity and service life of the reforming catalyst. Using 3A molecular sieve to dry the reformed gasoline can effectively remove moisture, maintain the performance of the catalyst, ensure the stable progress of the reforming reaction, and improve the quality of the reformed gasoline and the product yield.
- Methanol Dehydration: During the methanol production process, 3A molecular sieve can be used for the dehydration and refining of methanol to improve the purity of methanol. This is crucial for processes that use methanol as a raw material to produce other chemical products, such as formaldehyde and acetic acid, ensuring the smooth progress of subsequent reactions and the product quality.
Other Applications
- Insulating Glass Sealing: Insulating glass is a commonly used building energy – saving material. 3A molecular sieve is used in the sealing strips of insulating glass. It can adsorb the moisture inside the insulating glass, prevent the formation of condensation inside the glass due to temperature changes during use, and improve the heat – insulation, sound – insulation performance and service life of the insulating glass.
- Lithium – battery Production: During the lithium – battery production process, 3A molecular sieve can be used to dry the production environment and raw materials, preventing moisture from affecting the performance and safety of lithium – batteries. For example, during the preparation of electrode materials and the assembly of lithium – ion batteries, strictly controlling the moisture content is the key to ensuring the stability of the battery’s quality and performance, and 3A molecular sieve plays an important drying role.
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