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What is Molecular GateTM?

Pressure Swing Adsorption processes have been commercialized for over 60 years.  So what makes Molecular GateTM unique for PSA processes?  The key is the patented Molecular GateTM adsorbent.  Originally developed by Engelhard (now a part of BASF), Guild Associates is the sole licensee of the technology. 

Pressure Swing Adsorption

Pressure Swing Adsorption is a chemical separation process in which a mixture of gases is passed through a bed of adsorbent media at high pressure.  Under high pressure, the specific gasses will be selectively adsorbed on to the surface and pores of the adsorbent media.  The gasses are removed from the media by “swinging” the media to low pressure, hence the moniker “Pressure Swing Adsorption”.  Commercialized systems generally use multiple adsorbent vessels so that one is always in the adsorption mode, while other vessels are regenerated, thus enabling continuous streams of separated gasses.

Molecular GateTM adsorbent is unique in that the pore size is tightly controlled during the manufacturing of the adsorbent, and thus is customized to most preferentially adsorb a specifically sized target molecule.  In the diagram below, note that the size of the pore in the adsorbent is controlled to 3.7 Angstroms.  Smaller molecules, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) are able to fit into the pores and be strongly adsorbed, while the methane (CH4) molecule is too large to fit in the pore.  The result is a reliable separation of methane from CO2 and N2.

Molecular Gate Graphic

The Molecular GateTM Advantage:

PSA systems with Molecular GateTM adsorbent offer advantages over conventional adsorbents for upgrading methane gas streams. 

1.  The methane passes through the adsorbent bed rather than being adsorbed, thus the product gas stream is delivered at high pressure.  For applications that are injecting the product gas into gas distribution networks, frequently the additional expense of product compression can be avoided.

2.  The Molecular GateTM adsorbent will preferentially adsorb COover N2. Thus, if a N2 rich feed stream contains a small amount of CO2, the CO2 will be removed to a very low level (typically to <0.005%).  Thus, more N2 can be passed through to the product stream without exceeding the product gas specification for inerts, allowing more product flow in a smaller system.

3.  Molecular GateTM adsorbent does not normally degrade in operation and therefore can last the life of the equipment.  This reduces maintenance costs and contributes to higher equipment uptime.  Molecular GateTM adsorbent has exceeded 12 years of life at multiple locations.

Do you have a project in mind?  Download our CUSTOMER QUESTIONNAIRE and send the completed form to Guild Associates.  If you have questions or want to discuss your specific application, contact Paul Baker at 614-760-8013 or email to at Information Requests.