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13X molecular sieve, a key zeolite adsorbent with uniform 13X pore structure (about 10 A), has garnered significant attention in acetylene separation. Its excellent ion exchange capacity and stable crystalline framework enable strong interaction with small molecules like acetylene (C₂H₂). Acetylene adsorption on 13X is primarily physical, driven by van der Waals forces and electrostatic interactions between polar C₂H₂ molecules and the zeolite's Na⁺-exchanged sites, ensuring high adsorption efficiency and selectivity.
Key factors influencing acetylene adsorption include temperature, pressure, and feed flow rate. Lower temperatures (20-40°C) enhance adsorption by reducing molecular thermal motion, while higher temperatures (above 80°C) accelerate desorption, limiting capacity. Pressure also plays a crucial role: increasing pressure (e.g., from 1 to 3 bar) boosts C₂H₂ partial pressure, promoting more molecules to enter 13X's supercages. Feed flow rate, however, is inversely related to adsorption time; excessive flow rates reduce contact duration, lowering acetylene removal efficiency.
In industrial applications, 13X molecular sieve is widely used for acetylene purification, such as removing trace C₂H₂ from ethylene streams in petrochemical processes. To optimize efficiency, structured or random packing of 13X is employed in adsorption columns, which increases specific surface area and facilitates gas-solid contact. tower internals, like gas distributors and adsorbent support grids, ensure uniform fluid distribution, minimizing channeling and maximizing residence time for C₂H₂ molecules to be captured.
Continuous efforts in packing design and tower internal optimization further enhance 13X's performance, making it a vital technology for efficient, energy-saving acetylene separation. As the chemical industry demands higher purity standards, 13X molecular sieve adsorption continues to be a cornerstone for gas purification processes.
