Molecular Sieve Desiccant is available in several bead sizes and types in fixed or bulk quantities. Custom sized orders available.
Molecular sieves are desiccants with differing properties to those of silica gel. With the appearance of small opaque pinkish beads, molecular sieves are synthetically produced, highly porous crystalline metal-alumino silicates. They have many internal cavities that are linked by window openings of precise diameters. It is these diameters (measured in Ångstroms) that classify molecular sieves - 3A, 4A, 5A, and 10A (also known as 13X). Adsorption occurs only of molecules with smaller diameters than these cavity openings. Larger molecules will be excluded from adsorption. Preferentially adsorbed are molecules of greater polarity. This makes molecular sieves ideal for adsorption of water from air and liquids, as water molecules are both polar and very small. Molecular sieves will adsorb water molecules and other contaminants from liquids and gases down to
very low levels - often just 1 part per million.
Examples of the applications of the differing molecular sieve grades are :
Grade 3A. Dries unsaturated gases and organic liquids (e.g methanol). Used to remove water from cleaning fluids in ultrasonic baths.
Grade 4A. Is a general dryer of liquids, natural gases. Also an excellent absorber of carbon dioxide.
Grade 10A (13X). Is used in air pre-purification (due to its high water and carbon dioxide adsorption capacity) and adsorbs sulphur compounds ('sweetens'). It will remove decomposition products following the quenching of arcing in electrical products. |
