Compressed Air Activated Alumina Adsorbent And 4a Molecular Sieve
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Activated alumina is a form of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) with a myriad of industrial uses. A recent industry report by Grand View Research estimates the activated alumina market will see a CAGR of 5.4% up to 2025, largely as a result of its use in water treatment applications, which continue to grow in importance, as well as its use as a catalyst in the oil and gas industry.
Activated alumina exhibits a number of characteristics that make it ideal in many industrial process settings. This includes a high crush strength, resistance to thermal shock, resistance to chemical attack, and more. The characteristic that has pushed activated alumina to the forefront of many applications is its capability as an adsorbent, courtesy of its high porosity and surface area.
Producing the desired characteristics of an activated alumina product is achieved through a carefully controlled production process.
Production of activated alumina
In most cases, activated alumina starts out as alumina hydroxide (gibbsite, zeolite, etc.) - a material obtained through a series of chemical reactions in the Bayer process used to convert bauxite into alumina.
Calcination of activated alumina
Once the alumina has been produced, it is heat treated by calcination in a rotary kiln. This calcination step serves to dehydrate, or remove the bound water from the alumina hydroxide to produce alumina, or aluminum oxide (Al2O3).
Activation is the stage at which the alumina structure becomes highly porous and takes place over a specific temperature range, and process parameters, such as residence time and temperature profile, are used to control the properties of the final product. The composition of the original bauxite source also affects the properties of the final product.
Activated alumina agglomeration
Depending on the intended end use of the activated alumina, agglomeration is often desirable as well. This is particularly true when dealing with adsorbents and catalysts.
The agglomeration of activated alumina allows for a high level of customization to meet specific application requirements. Properties that are typically controlled by agglomeration include
Particle size distribution
Bulk density
Breakage strength
Amount of abrasion / potential for dust generation
Flowability
And much more...
There are many ways to produce activated alumina "beads" as they are often called, and some of the options include the use of a cluster, needle mixer, disc granulator, or a combination thereof.
Reactive Alumina Testing
For many reasons, testing is often a critical step in the success of an activated alumina product that performs as expected. It is often necessary to use batch and pilot scale kilns to test the thermal processing aspects of activated alumina production. In addition, it is often recommended to test various agglomeration methods, as well as potential binders, in order to gather the necessary process data to produce agglomerated materials with the desired properties.
The Innovation Center is a testing facility where both batch and pilot scale thermal and agglomeration testing can be performed. Continuous process cycle testing integrating thermal and agglomeration can also be performed. This unique testing environment allows process and material data to be collected and production conditions to be simulated to create a process suitable for the intended application of the product.
Applications of Activated Alumina
Like activated carbon, activated alumina exhibits a high surface area and porosity that allows it to capture and hold various types of materials, enabling it to be used as an adsorbent, desiccant, etc. The main ways in which activated alumina products are used include
Adsorbents
Activated alumina is a very effective adsorbent in both gas and liquid applications, and as such, is used by many industries for targeted removal of components from other media.
As an adsorbent, activated alumina is well known for its use in water filtration applications where it is a cost effective adsorbent for the removal of fluoride from water. It is also capable of removing a variety of other contaminants, including arsenic, lead and sulfur.
Decontaminants
Similar to its role as an adsorbent, activated alumina can also adsorb moisture from the air, allowing it to be used as a desiccant; activated alumina can trap and capture moisture to keep things dry, much like silica gel. As a desiccant, at a relative humidity of 50%, activated alumina can adsorb 20% of its own weight in water.
Activated alumina is widely used as a desiccant, including to remove water vapor from gases in industrial environments. Water adsorbed on activated alumina can be desorbed by heat treatment and the alumina is then reused.
Calcining agent
Activated alumina is also widely used as a catalyst, functioning as a catalyst itself and as an inert carrier or substrate for other catalysts.
As a catalyst, activated alumina is well known for its role as a Kraus catalyst; activated alumina is the most commonly used Kraus catalyst for sulfur recovery work in oil and gas refineries.
Conclusion
Because of its ability to act as an adsorbent, desiccant and catalyst, activated alumina is a valuable tool in many industrial process environments. Activated alumina is produced from alumina produced by the Bayer process and activated by calcination. Activated alumina is highly customizable and often agglomerates to improve performance and processing characteristics. Feasibility testing is often a useful exercise when working with activated alumina products.
FILME offers comprehensive testing capabilities for the thermal treatment and agglomeration of activated alumina as well as alumina and bauxite. In addition to our process and product development services, we design and manufacture custom rotary kilns and agglomeration equipment for all your activated alumina needs.
|
Item |
Unit |
Technical requirement |
|||
|
Particle size |
mm |
3-5 |
4-6 |
5-7 |
6-8 |
|
AL2O3 |
% |
≥93 |
≥93 |
≥93 |
≥93 |
|
SiO2 |
% |
≤0.10 |
≤0.10 |
≤0.10 |
≤0.10 |
|
Fe2O3 |
% |
≤0.04 |
≤0.04 |
≤0.04 |
≤0.04 |
|
Na2O |
% |
≤0.40 |
≤0.40 |
≤0.40 |
≤0.40 |
|
Attrition Loss |
% |
≤0.08 |
≤0.08 |
≤0.08 |
≤0.08 |
|
Bulk density |
g/ml |
≥0.75 |
≥0.75 |
≥0.75 |
≥0.75 |
|
Surface area |
㎡/g |
≥320 |
≥320 |
≥320 |
≥320 |
|
Pore Volume |
ml/g |
≥0.43 |
≥0.45 |
≥0.45 |
≥0.45 |
|
Water absorption |
% |
≥55 |
≥55 |
≥55 |
≥55 |
|
Crushing Strength (N/Particle) |
N/particle |
≥180 |
≥200 |
≥260 |
≥280 |
Activated alumina and molecular sieves may look the same color, but they have different uses and applications. In order to make an informed decision about your industry, you need to understand both in detail. Here is a complete guide to what activated alumina and molecular sieves are.
Differences between activated alumina and molecular sieves
Both of these products look the same because they are both spherical in shape. They also have regeneration properties because you can reuse them after the desiccant has reached capacity. However, they are as different as night and day.
So, how are they different? Here is your answer:
What they are made of
The most important difference comes from the way activated alumina (alumina adsorbent) and molecular sieves are made. Remember, activated alumina is made from aluminum oxide. This element is highly porous.
Molecular sieves, on the other hand, are made from crystalline metallic aluminosilicates. Simply put, the pores present on molecular sieves can be molded to specific sizes, such as 4A, 3A, etc. However, the pores of activated alumina do not provide a specific measurement of six degrees.
In practice, this means that molecular sieves can separate molecules of a particular size from each other. For example, it can be used to remove ammonia from a natural gas stream.
Applications
The second most important difference is the application of these materials. Activated alumina has a very high and powerful water adsorption capacity. This means that it can quickly adsorb more water than molecular sieves.
This is why activated alumina is very useful when it comes to natural gas treatment applications. Because activated alumina is highly durable, it can withstand high levels of humidity and pressure. On the other hand, activated alumina cannot separate specific molecules from each other and cannot adsorb many materials.
Because of these properties, activated alumina is ineffective for applications such as ethanol dehydration. It will adsorb water and ethanol molecules, which means that separation will not occur. On the other hand, molecular sieves cannot adsorb as much water as activated alumina.
However, molecular sieves can reduce water to very low amounts when needed. Other adsorbents do not have the ability to perform this application. In addition to this, it is also used to separate specific molecules from each other due to its pores.
Properties
Last but not least, molecular sieves and activated alumina differ in their characteristics. The following are some of the most basic characteristics of activated alumina:
High bulk density
Uniform pore size distribution
Catalyst carrier
Strong affinity for the active ingredient
Unique structure
The following are some of the most basic characteristics of molecular sieves:
High acid concentration on the surface
Excellent specific surface area
Open pores
Can be regenerated
Final Words
This is your complete guide to the differences between activated alumina and molecular sieves. If you are looking for the best for your industry, look no further. You can choose from our activated alumina and molecular sieves, including in your industrial applications.
Activated Alumina Desiccant Features
A.Smooth And Uniform Beads Minimize Pressure Drop And Ensure Utilization Of The Full Desiccant Bed.
B.Low Abrasion Ensures Less Dusting During Transport, Loading, And Service Life and Reduces Pressure Drop.
C. High Crush Strength For Rapid Loading Of Towers And More Efficient Use Of The Desiccant.
D. High Adsorptive Capacity Reduces Initial Costs, Operating Costs, And Energy Use.
E. Long Service Life Ensures Extended Service Intervals Of 2-5 Years.
F.Low Dusting Extends Service Intervals, Prevents The Dryer’S After-Filter From Clogging And Provides Higher Quality Clean Air.
When do I need to replace the desiccant?
The lifespan of the desiccant varies with use - the greater the flow and humidity in the system, the more often the desiccant will need to be replaced.
Need to be replaced. Here are some indicators to help you determine when to replace the desiccant beads in your dryer.
1. There is an oil coating on the desiccant beads, making it unable to absorb water
2. Any oil or contamination detected in the dryer
3. Discoloration of desiccant A desiccant analysis is recommended every six months as part of regular preventive maintenance.
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3003132330 Activated Alumina 1/8” 55-Lb(25Kg)
3003132530 Activated Alumina 3/16” 55Lb(25Kg)
3003132330 Activated Alumina 1/4” 55Lb (25Kg)
3003132730 Activated Alumina 1/8” 50 LB Bag
3003132930 Activated Alumina 1/4” 50 LB Bag
3003132830 Activated Alumina 3/16 “ 50 Lb
3003139730 Activated Alumina 1/8” 2000 lb Bag
3003144330 4A Beaded Molecular Sieve 4X8 55 lb Pail
3003143330 4A Beaded Molecular Sieve 4X8 55 lb Drum
3003101930 4A Beaded Molecular Sieve 4X8 330 lb Drum
