Featured industrial tower packings, catalysts support media, and synthetic zeolites exported globally from Pingxiang, Jiangxi.
Understanding the molecular structure, pore architecture, kinetic selectivity, and adsorption thermodynamics of Type 13X aluminosilicate frameworks.
Molecular Sieve 13X is the sodium form of the Type X synthetic crystal structure, an alkali metal aluminosilicate belonging to the faujasite (FAU) structural family. Characterized by a three-dimensional pore network with an aperture opening of approximately 10 Angstroms (1.0 nm), Molsieve 13X possesses one of the largest pore diameters among commercial synthetic zeolites. This structural feature allows it to adsorb molecules with kinetic diameters up to 10 Å, which encompasses virtually all molecules capable of passing through 3A, 4A, and 5A sieves, as well as larger complex molecules such as aromatic hydrocarbons, branched-chain paraffin, and organic sulfur compounds.
The chemical formula for a fully hydrated unit cell of Molecular Sieve 13X is typically represented as:
Na86[(AlO2)86(SiO2)106] · x H2O (SiO2 / Al2O3 molar ratio ≈ 2.0 – 3.0)
Because of its high aluminum density in the crystal framework, 13X zeolite exhibits an extraordinarily strong polar electrostatic field. This dipole environment confers an immense preference for polar and polarizable molecules, such as water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), mercaptans (R-SH), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). Consequently, Molsieve 13X serves as the industry standard desiccant and absorbent in critical industrial processes including Air Separation Unit (ASU) pre-purification, natural gas sweetening, petroleum olefin purification, and commercial oxygen production via Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) systems.
Below is the definitive engineering specifications for industrial-grade Molsieve 13X beads and pellets manufactured by Pingxiang Zhongtai Environmental Chemical Packing Co., Ltd.
| Property Parameter | Standard Spherical (Beads) | Standard Extruded (Pellets) | High-Capacity APG Grade | Test Standard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diameter / Size Range | 1.6 – 2.5 mm (8×12 mesh) 3.0 – 5.0 mm (4×8 mesh) |
1.6 mm (1/16") 3.2 mm (1/8") |
1.6 – 2.5 mm 3.0 – 5.0 mm |
GB/T 10504-2017 | ASTM D5158 |
| Bulk Density (g/mL) | 0.64 – 0.70 | 0.62 – 0.68 | 0.66 – 0.72 | ASTM D2854 | |
| Crush Strength (N/particle) | ≥ 35 N (1.6-2.5mm) ≥ 70 N (3.0-5.0mm) |
≥ 25 N/cm (1.6mm) ≥ 45 N/cm (3.2mm) |
≥ 45 N (1.6-2.5mm) ≥ 85 N (3.0-5.0mm) |
ASTM D4179 | |
| Static Water Adsorption (RH75%, 25°C) | ≥ 26.0 % wt | ≥ 25.5 % wt | ≥ 27.2 % wt | GB/T 6286 | |
| CO2 Adsorption Capacity (25°C, 250mmHg) | ≥ 18.0 % wt | ≥ 17.5 % wt | ≥ 19.8 % wt | Volumetric Isotherm | |
| Attrition Rate / Wear Rate | ≤ 0.10 % wt | ≤ 0.15 % wt | ≤ 0.05 % wt | ASTM D4058 | |
| Residual Moisture (As Packaged) | ≤ 1.0 % wt | ≤ 1.0 % wt | ≤ 0.8 % wt | Loss on Ignition (575°C) |
How energy transitions, clean gas demands, and cryogenic processing drive world demand for molecular sieve adsorbents.
In cryogenic air separation plants, 13X APG (Air Pre-Purification Grade) is mandatory to remove trace H2O and CO2 prior to liquefaction. Freezing of CO2 and water at cryogenic temperatures (-196°C) causes catastrophic heat exchanger blockages. Molsieve 13X eliminates CO2 down to < 1 ppm and H2O to < 0.1 ppm.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supply chains rely on massive dual-bed or tri-bed 13X vessels to adsorb hydrogen sulfide (H2S), mercaptans (methyl/ethyl mercaptans), and CO2. This protects pipelines from corrosion and prevents hydrate ice blockages during cryogenic liquefaction.
Ethylene and propylene crackers utilize 13X beds for deep oxygenate (methanol, ethanol, dimethyl ether) and trace sulfur removal. Contaminants in polymer-grade monomer streams ruin expensive metallocene and Ziegler-Natta polymerization catalysts.
Why Tier-1 global EPC contractors and chemical plant operators source molecular sieves from Pingxiang, Jiangxi Province.
Pingxiang City in Jiangxi Province stands as China’s historic and premier manufacturing cluster for industrial ceramics, chemical packing, and synthetic zeolites. Establishing supply chain roots in Pingxiang over two decades ago (founded in 2003), Pingxiang Zhongtai Environmental Chemical Packing Co., Ltd. integrates raw material refining, hydrothermal synthesis, binder formulation, automated extrusion/bead forming, and continuous rotary kiln firing into a unified production network.
Direct access to high-purity kaolin clay and sodium silicate within a 50 km logistics radius lowers raw material acquisition costs by 18-25%. Continuous hydrothermal crystallization kettles ensure consistent SiO2/Al2O3 framework ratios across multi-ton production batches.
Our 60-meter automated rotary kilns feature multi-zone temperature control (550°C – 650°C), eliminating thermal gradients during activation. Every production lot undergoes rigorous laboratory testing for static water uptake, CO2 capacity, crush strength, and attrition loss before batch release.
Specific operational profiles and bed design parameters for Molsieve 13X across diverse industrial duties.
Challenge: Ambient air contains ~400 ppm CO2 and variable humidity (1-3% H2O). Both freeze solid at liquefaction temperatures, plugging main heat exchangers (MHEX).
Solution: Dual-layer or single 13X APG bed operated in Temperature Swing Adsorption (TSA) mode. Feed pressure 0.5–1.0 MPa, regeneration temperature 200°C–250°C using waste nitrogen gas. Achieves CO2 effluent < 0.5 ppm and dew point < -80°C.
Challenge: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) contains corrosive ethyl mercaptan (C2H5SH), methyl mercaptan (CH3SH), and H2S that fail copper strip corrosion tests.
Solution: Molsieve 13X liquid-phase adsorption towers. Large 10 Å pore size permits entry of branched organic sulfur compounds. Regenerated via hot sweet gas or lean natural gas at 260°C.
Challenge: Separating high-purity oxygen (93%±3%) from ambient air using compact Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption units.
Solution: Highly kinetic 13X or Lithium-exchanged 13X (Li-X) beads (1.6–2.5mm or 0.4–0.8mm micro-beads). 13X preferentially adsorbs N2 over O2 due to quadrupole interaction with Na+ cations, leaving high-purity O2 gas product stream.
Challenge: Siloxanes (D4, D5) in biogas combustion convert into abrasive silicon dioxide (SiO2) micro-particles inside gas engines, causing catastrophic cylinder damage.
Solution: 13X molecular sieve acts as a high-capacity macro-porous trap for heavy volatile organic siloxanes prior to combined heat and power (CHP) micro-turbines.
Understanding factory-direct wholesale cost structures, minimum order quantities (MOQ), and packaging configurations.
Wholesale prices for Molecular Sieve 13X vary based on crystalline purity, binder type (attapulgite vs clay-free), physical form (spherical beads vs extruded pellets), particle size distribution, and order volume. Below is an indicative B2B price reference matrix for global enterprise purchasing teams planning container-load procurement (FOB Qingdao / Shanghai / Shenzhen port bases).
| Product Grade / Form | Particle Size | MOQ (Metric Tons) | Indicative FOB Price (USD / MT) | Standard Export Packaging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Standard 13X (Beads) | 3.0 – 5.0 mm (4×8 mesh) | 1.0 MT (1 Pallet) | $1,450 – $1,850 / MT | 25kg Drum / 1000kg Super Sack |
| Industrial Standard 13X (Beads) | 1.6 – 2.5 mm (8×12 mesh) | 1.0 MT | $1,550 – $1,950 / MT | 25kg Drum / 1000kg Super Sack |
| Extruded Molsieve 13X (Pellets) | 1.6mm (1/16") / 3.2mm (1/8") | 2.0 MT | $1,500 – $1,900 / MT | 25kg Carton / 150kg Air-tight Drum |
| Air Separation APG 13X (High CO2) | 1.6 – 2.5 mm | 5.0 MT | $1,850 – $2,350 / MT | 150kg Sealed Steel Drum + Nitrogen Purge |
| Medical Oxygen Grade 13X (HP-PSA) | 0.4 – 0.8 mm / 1.6–2.5mm | 0.5 MT | $2,200 – $2,800 / MT | 125kg Hermetic Steel Drum |
Emerging innovations in binderless zeolites, carbon capture, and green hydrogen drying.
Traditional molecular sieves contain 20% inert clay binder which contributes no adsorption capacity. Next-gen "Binderless 13X" converts clay binders into active 13X crystals post-forming, boosting CO2 and H2O capacity by 20-25% without expanding vessel footprint.
Modified 13X zeolites functionalized with amine complexes or alkali metal cations are undergoing rapid pilot deployment for direct atmospheric CO2 capture and flue gas carbon sequestration, operating under low-energy vacuum desorption cycles.
As green hydrogen produced from water electrolysis scales globally, ultra-deep drying of H2 gas down to < 5 ppm H2O is required for fuel cell vehicle purity standards (ISO 14687). 13X beds modified for low hydrogen embrittlement provide non-reactive dew-point reduction.
Detailed technical responses curated by senior chemical process engineers and international trade specialists.
Complete product catalog items engineered for chemical processing, absorption towers, and catalyst beds.
Established in 2003, Zhongtai is a specialized manufacturer and exporter of inert ceramic support balls, metal & ceramic tower random packings, structured packing, RTO honeycomb ceramics, ceramic foam filters, and synthetic 3A 4A 5A 13X molecular sieves.
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