What is 13X zeolite?

Zeolite 13X is the most commonly used adsorbent in the air separation for oxygen production. Zeolites are aluminosilicate crystallines of alkaline or earth alkaline elements such as sodium, potassium and calcium.

How do you make zeolite 13X?

Generally, the 13X zeolite is prepared by sodium aluminosilicate gels, using a wide range of silica and alumina sources via hydrothermal synthesis route.

What is 13X Molecular Sieve?

BASF 13X Molecular Sieve is a highly selective adsorbent designed for the elimination of trace contaminants from air and other gases. It can also be used for the desulphurization (sweetening) of natural gas and other fluids, especially for the removal of mercaptanes, and for drying of gases and liquids.

Which zeolite is used for oxygen concentrators?

The most common type of commercial zeolite for oxygen concentration process is zeolite 13X due to its outstanding nitrogen to oxygen adsorption selectivity.

What is the chemical composition of zeolite?

Zeolites are microporous, three dimensional crystalline solid of aluminium silicate. The chemical formula of zeolites is Na2Al2Si2O8. xH2O.

Why does zeolite adsorb nitrogen?

The selectivity for zeolite adsorbents to adsorb nitrogen compared to oxygen is due to the interaction between electrostatic field of the cationic zeolite and the quadrupole moment of the nitrogen and oxygen.

How do you activate molecular sieves?

Before a scientist can use molecular sieves as a drying agent, she must “activate” them by removing all traces of water and other volatile compounds. Normally, this involves heating the sieves to 300 to 320 degrees Celsius (572 to 608 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 15 hours.

How zeolite is regenerated?

Exhausted hydrogen zeolite is completely regenerated by washing with an excess of dilute strong vthe respective salts in the raw water.

How zeolite works in oxygen concentrator?

An oxygen concentrator uses molecular sieves composed by zeolites to adsorb the atmospheric nitrogen and then venting the nitrogen. This leaves oxygen as the primary gas remaining. At high pressure, the porous zeolite adsorbs large quantities of nitrogen, due to its large surface area and chemical character.