Molecular sieves for Industrial Gases
Arkema’s Siliporite® molecular sieves are engineered for high reliability and performance, particularly in dynamic adsorption systems. Their use in hydrogen purification, air pre-treatment, and oxygen production via PSA and VPSA units ensures consistent gas quality, extended equipment life, and energy efficiency.
Oxygen applications
Air Separation Units (ASU)
Before separating air gases like nitrogen, oxygen, or argon in a cryogenic unit, the incoming air must be purified. This step, known as Air Pre-Purification, removes water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sometimes hydrocarbons that could freeze at cryogenic temperatures and damage the distillation system.
Arkema’s zeolite-based molecular sieves are a trusted technology for ASU worldwide. Used in dual-bed configurations, they continuously cycle between adsorption and regeneration, ensuring uninterrupted gas production.
MORE ON SILIPORITE® MOLECULAR SIEVES FOR AIR SEPARATION UNITS
Siliporite® mol sieves benefits include:
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Deep drying and CO₂ removal down to ppm levels
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Excellent regeneration performance at moderate temperatures
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Resistance to contaminants and pressure cycling.
Air separation units rely on this pre-treatment to guarantee safe and efficient operations. Without it, equipment would be exposed to blockages and thermal shocks, compromising both performance and safety.
Oxygen PSA & VPSA
Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption (VPSA) are technologies commonly used to generate oxygen from ambient air. These processes exploit the selective adsorption capabilities of molecular sieves to separate nitrogen from oxygen.
Arkema provides advanced 13X molecular sieves tailored for these applications.
Their crystalline structure enables:
- Maximum nitrogen uptake at low pressure
- High oxygen recovery and productivity
- Low energy consumption
Whether for medical oxygen production, wastewater treatment plants, or steel production, the use of high-efficiency molecular sieves allows producers to deliver oxygen-enriched gas streams reliably and cost-effectively. For VPSA systems, where energy optimization is critical, Arkema offers specialized grades with low attrition and high adsorption kinetics—ensuring long service life and minimal maintenance.
Hydrogen purification
Hydrogen plays a vital role in refining, chemical production, and the emerging green energy economy. Yet, raw hydrogen—especially when produced via steam methane reforming (SMR)—contains unwanted impurities such as CO, CO2, moisture, residual CH4, N2 and light hydrocarbons. To meet the purity specifications of hydrogen for fuel cells, ammonia synthesis, or refining operations, molecular sieve purification is essential. Arkema’s 5A molecular sieves, activated alumina and silica gels are specifically designed to remove impurities through Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA). These sieves exhibit:
- High water, CO and N2 adsorption capacity
- Thermal and mechanical stability
- Fast cycle compatibility
With Siliporite® adsorbents, hydrogen producers can achieve ultra-high purity H₂, while protecting downstream catalysts and membranes.
Why choose Arkema's Molecular sieves?
Our services - before, during, after
Why choose Arkema's molecular sieves for Industrial gases?
Our services before, during, after:
With decades of experience and a global presence, Arkema is your trusted partner for industrial gases production. Our Siliporite® molecular sieve range includes products specifically formulated for:
- Hydrogen purification via PSA
- Cryogenic air separation pre-treatment
- VPSA oxygen generation
Arkema offers multiple services, such as:
- A global supply chain and technical support network
- High-consistency product quality
- Customizable bead sizes and pore structures (3A, 4A, 5A, 13X)
- Innovation for emerging applications like green hydrogen and CO₂ valorization
Whether you are producing ultra-pure hydrogen, operating a PSA oxygen generator, or running an air separation unit, the choice of molecular sieve is key to operational success. Arkema’s zeolite molecular sieves provide the performance, durability, and technical excellence needed for the industrial gases market. Discover how Arkema’s Siliporite® solutions can enhance gas purification —reducing energy consumption, improving purity, and supporting your sustainability goals.
Contact our experts today to identify the best molecular sieve for your industrial gases application.
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