Drying Hydrocarbons with Desiccants

Problem

In chemical plants, excess moisture in hydrocarbon process streams creates serious problems. Water quickly poisons or deactivates catalysts, while it also corrodes piping and fouls instruments. As a result, operations lose efficiency, face higher costs, and increase safety risks.

Sorbtech’s Solution

To solve these challenges, Sorbent Technologies works with you to select the right activated alumina desiccant for your needs. These desiccants have already proven successful in drying a wide range of hydrocarbons, including:

• Propane, LPG, and Butane

• Propylene and Butene

• BTX Streams (benzene, toluene, xylene)

• Hydraulic fluids

• Kerosene and jet fuels

• Freon

• Styrene

• Pentane, Hexane, and Heptane

Application Notes

Because activated alumina performs well in both gas and liquid dehydration, the chemical industry has relied on it for decades. In practice, these products deliver reliable, time-tested performance for complex separations and purifications. At Sorbtech, our aluminas are manufactured to meet critical application requirements:

• Consistent separation and purification results

• High efficiency in moisture removal

• Strong stability in many solvents and at elevated temperatures

• Competitive cost for industrial-scale operations

Regeneration and Reuse

Moreover, activated alumina desiccants can be reused many times. Since the adsorption process is reversible, you can easily remove the water by applying heat and energy. For example, heating to about 180 °C for a few hours with dry purge gas restores the desiccant. In fact, operators often achieve up to 250 regeneration cycles, which lowers costs and extends product life.

Work with Sorbtech

By partnering with Sorbtech, you gain more than just a product—you gain expertise. We help you choose the right alumina grade, guide you through regeneration practices, and ensure long-term reliability for your hydrocarbon processes.