Methane Enrichment Molecular Sieve specifications
| Property | Unit | Value | Test condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape / size | mm | Bead 1.6–2.5 / 3.0–5.0 | — |
| N₂/CH₄ kinetic selectivity | — | 405 | — |
| N₂ adsorption rate | [value] | [value] | [value] |
| Bulk density | g/ml | ≥ 0.70 | Tapped |
| Crush strength | N | ≥ 35 / ≥ 100 | Avg. of 25 beads (1.6–2.5 / 3.0–5.0 mm) |
| Loss on attrition | % wt | ≤ 0.20 | — |
Where is Methane Enrichment Molecular Sieve used?
Methane enrichment molecular sieve is used in PSA units that remove nitrogen from low-grade methane sources such as coal mine gas, nitrogen-rich natural gas and landfill gas.
Coal mine & coalbed methane
Upgrades N₂-diluted gas to usable fuel or pipeline quality.
Nitrogen-rich natural gas
Nitrogen rejection at wellhead or small-scale plants.
Landfill & biogas
Removes air-derived N₂ after CO₂ removal.
Small-scale LNG / CNG feed
Raises methane content before liquefaction or compression.
Methane Enrichment Molecular Sieve vs other adsorbents: which do you need?
Choose a kinetic sieve when N₂ has to be removed from CH₄: equilibrium zeolites such as 13X hold CH₄ more strongly than N₂, so they cannot reject nitrogen efficiently.
| Adsorbent | Separation principle | Effect on N₂/CH₄ |
|---|---|---|
| Methane enrichment sieve (this product) | Kinetic (diffusion rate) | N₂ adsorbed fast, CH₄ passes as product |
| 13X / 5A molecular sieve | Equilibrium | CH₄ held more than N₂ |
| Carbon molecular sieve | Kinetic | Mainly used for N₂ generation from air |
What is Methane Enrichment Molecular Sieve?
Methane enrichment molecular sieve is a rate-selective adsorbent: nitrogen diffuses into its pores about 405 times faster than methane, so a short PSA step captures N₂ and lets CH₄ through.
Type
Kinetic-selective adsorbent
Adsorbs fast
N₂ (kinetic diameter ≈ 3.64 Å)
Adsorbs slowly
CH₄ (kinetic diameter ≈ 3.8 Å)
How does Methane Enrichment Molecular Sieve work?
The pore openings sit between the kinetic diameters of N₂ and CH₄, so within a short adsorption step nitrogen fills the pores while most methane has not yet entered.
- Low-grade gas is fed under pressure — for a short, timed adsorption step.
- N₂ is captured, CH₄ passes through — the raffinate is the methane-rich product.
- Pressure is released — the bed gives up N₂ and is ready for the next cycle.
When should you use Methane Enrichment Molecular Sieve?
Use it when your methane source contains too much nitrogen to meet fuel, pipeline or LNG specifications and cryogenic nitrogen rejection is too large or too costly.
- Feed is mainly CH₄ + N₂ after CO₂, H₂O and H₂S removal.
- Plant scale suits PSA rather than cryogenic nitrogen rejection.
- Methane product is needed at feed pressure.
How do you regenerate Methane Enrichment Molecular Sieve?
It is regenerated within every PSA cycle by depressurisation, vacuum or purge; no heating is needed in normal operation.
Cycle regeneration
Depressurisation / vacuum
Cycle time
[Seconds / minutes]
Service life
[Years]
