Siliporite® Airsiev® Series Molecular sieves for oxygen production
Molecular sieves are central to PSA and VPSA oxygen generation, providing efficient, reliable, and efficient production of high‑purity oxygen from ambient atmosphere.
With decades of expertise in zeolite engineering, Arkema provides tailored molecular sieve solutions that ensure superior nitrogen selectivity, robust mechanical strength, and reduced energy consumption—making (V)PSA systems a trusted, cost‑effective alternative to cryogenic oxygen production for industries worldwide.
- Africa
- Asia Pacific
- Europe
- Latin America and the Caribbean
- Middle East
- North America
- Oceania
Looking for more details and information on our product ranges for oxygen production? Fill in the form and ask for our documentation.
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(V)PSA systems with molecular sieves for oxygen production: performance and key benefits
Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption (VPSA) are widely used technologies for producing high‑purity oxygen from ambient air.
In PSA systems, compressed air is passed through adsorption vessels filled with zeolite molecular sieves, which selectively capture nitrogen while allowing oxygen to pass through as product gas. When the adsorbent becomes saturated, the pressure is reduced to release the adsorbed nitrogen, regenerating the media for the next cycle.
VPSA follows the same adsorption principle but provides enhanced regeneration efficiency by applying a vacuum during desorption, significantly lowering energy consumption compared to PSA.
Why choose PSA or VPSA systems using molecular sieves for oxygen production?
Reliable and autonomous oxygen supply
- High-purity oxygen (up to 95%) for continuous industrial use
- Modular installations for centralized or on-site deployment
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Greater autonomy and supply security through on-site oxygen generation
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Reduced logistics costs and carbon footprint by eliminating the need to transport oxygen
Cost-efficiency and energy savings
Compact units require fewer utilities and a smaller footprint.
PSA and VPSA technologies significantly reduce electricity consumption compared to cryogenic plants, where the very low temperature needed for the air separation in the cold box requires a lot of energy.
VPSA units are preferred for larger‑scale oxygen production due to their improved operating economics and reduced electrical demand. Lower operating pressures (under vacuum) lead to optimized energy usage.
Arkema’s expertise in PSA/VPSA oxygen production
Arkema’s Siliporite® Airsiev® OX range
This range is optimized for cyclic operation by:
- High nitrogen selectivity for optimized oxygen concentration
- Long-term stability across vacuum and pressure swings
- Low pressure drop, enabling compact and energy-efficient unit design
- Robust mechanical strength to prevent attrition in fast-cycling beds
Thanks to these properties, the Siliporite® Airsiev® OX series is the preferred choice for PSA and VPSA units and includes specialized ion exchanged products to meet all needs.
| Applications |
Airsiev® products |
Cation |
Adsorption capacity |
Nitrogen selectivity | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | OX8/S | Sodium | ++ | ++ | For PSA applications |
| VSA | OX15 | Calcium | +++ | +++ | Cost savings for vacuum process |
| VPSA | OX19 | Lithium | ++++ | ++++ | Highest performance, lowers operating expenditures |
| VPSA | OX19-RC | Lithium | ++++ | ++++ | Reactivated OX19 |
Industrial use cases and sectors
Steel, Glass, and Pulp Industries
In primary industries, oxygen is essential for combustion, oxidation, and process intensification:
- Steel: decarburization and oxidation reactions
- Glass: oxy-fuel melting furnaces
- Pulp and paper: bleaching, ozone treatment
(V)PSA oxygen systems offer these sectors an efficient alternative to bulk oxygen delivery, improving process control and reducing emissions.
Healthcare, Waste and Water Treatment
- Hospitals benefit from on-demand oxygen supply enabled by (V)PSA
- Environmental applications include ozone generation, bioreactor aeration, and sludge treatment
- Oxygenation for fish farming industry
- Oxygen in fermentation and biogas enhances yield and purity.
Reliable oxygen supply = cleaner, safer, and more productive operations.
Supporting sustainability
By offering a dedicated range for (V)PSA systems, Arkema helps industries to :
- Reduce CO₂ emissions linked to transportation and cryogenic production
- Improve efficiency in combustion and biological processes
- Extend adsorbent lifespan, reducing waste and replacement costs
- Enable on-site generation strategies aligned with sustainability goals
These contributions align with:
SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Our engineering & support services
Arkema offers more than just materials:
SUPPORT FOR ADSORBENT SELECTION
GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN WITH A LOCAL PRESENCE AND SERVICE
PILOT TESTING UNDER REAL-WORLD (V)PSA CONDITIONS
