molekylsieve

A molecular sieve is a porous material that can be used as a desiccant, or drying agent. It is also used to separate molecules based on size. Molecular sieves are typically made from zeolites, which are crystalline aluminosilicates with a very uniform pore structure. The pore size of a molecular sieve can be controlled by varying the composition of the zeolite.

Molecular sieves work by selectively adsorbing molecules that are small enough to fit into their pores. Larger molecules are excluded and remain in the gas or liquid phase. This property allows molecular sieves to be used to purify gases and liquids, as well as to separate mixtures of molecules.

Common applications for molecular sieves include drying gases such as natural gas, hydrogen, and oxygen. They are also used in the purification of ethanol, the separation of isomers, and the removal of water from refrigerants. Different types of molecular sieves are available, each with a specific pore size and adsorption capacity, making them versatile tools in various industrial processes. For example, 3A molecular sieves have a pore size of 3 angstroms and are effective at removing water from unsaturated hydrocarbons, while 4A sieves with 4 angstrom pores are used for drying saturated hydrocarbons and polar solvents. 5A sieves, with 5 angstrom pores, are useful for separating normal paraffins from branched-chain and cyclic hydrocarbons.