Air purification unit based on Hopkalite catalyst
2026-08-18
| Section | Description |
| Project Description | Technical solution for the TSA air pre-treatment unit of large ASUs and high-purity nitrogen production systems. A multi-layer composite layer consisting of activated alumina, 13X molecular sieve and a CO conversion catalyst is implemented to simultaneously remove CO₂, low concentration CO and H₂. |
| Installation performance | Calculated individually for an industrial TSA pre-clearance system. Air flow and design are determined by the scale of the ASU and the technological conditions of the customer. |
| Product used | Hengye brand CO conversion catalyst (based on Hopcalite) for the catalytic oxidation of low-concentration CO, chemical removal of traces of H₂ and comprehensive air purification. |
CO Conversion Catalyst – Removes low concentrations of CO and H₂ from air in TSA pre-treatment units
Industry technical priorities
For large air separation units (ASUs) and high-purity nitrogen systems, a key requirement is the ability to deeply remove traces of difficult-to-remove contaminants such as CO and H₂, combined with long-term cyclic stability.
Traditional TSA pre-treatment units typically use activated alumina and a 13X molecular sieve to remove moisture and CO₂ from compressed air. However, for low concentrations of non-polar small molecules CO and H₂, adsorption methods often do not provide the required removal depth. To solve this problem, a combination of catalytic oxidation and chemisorption is used.
Hengye CO conversion catalyst is designed for use in TSA multilayer adsorbers. This technical solution is applicable for the production of high-purity nitrogen and oxygen, air pre-treatment of ASUs and deep purification systems of industrial gases, which places high demands on maintaining catalytic activity, regeneration efficiency and stability of impurity control over long operating cycles.
Key customer criteria when purchasing a CO conversion catalyst
For consumers from the segment of large ASUs and industrial gases, the main selection criteria are:
1. Deep conversion of low-concentrated CO
The concentration of CO in atmospheric air is low, but residual CO directly affects the quality of the high purity product gas. The catalyst must demonstrate stable oxidizing ability.
2. Stable chemisorption of traces of H₂
To obtain high-purity nitrogen and special industrial gases, control of the content of hydrogen microimpurities is required.
3. Fully compatible with the TSA loop
The catalyst must provide:
– stable operation during the adsorption cycle;
– ability to regenerate at temperatures of 180–200 °C;
– the possibility of using air or waste nitrogen as a regeneration gas.
4. Long-term mechanical stability and reliability of the layer
