Silica Supports

Though silica is a commonly used carrier for polymerization catalysts, other uses in catalytic fixed bed applications are quite rare, due to several reasons: First, many of the raw materials are difficult to handle, since they are extremely fluffy. Second, for silica carriers it is a particular challenge, to keep the balance between a good pore volume and reasonable mechanics. And finally, the high adsorption heat of water in those microporous structures often leads to a complete loss of the structural integrity, if a ‘conventional’ impregnation process as is known from alumina supports is applied. Here it is often required, to apply the active component in a process with multiple small dosing and drying steps.
Over the years Exacer has learned to overcome the aforementioned limitations and is providing a variety of different silica supports to the market.

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Explore our silica carrier portfolio:

 

 

The EX-Sxxx-series

High purity silica carriers from pyrogenic silica sources (HP-types) and conventionally precipitated silica

Exacer developed a series of silica supports based upon precipitated or pyrogenic silica as raw material. The ultrahigh purity of pyrogenic silica is, e.g., used for Fischer-Tropsch-catalyst, where every impurity impacts the selectivity. The conventionally precipitated silica is, e.g., used for VAM applications. Exacer can also provide doped versions, if this is required for a reaction. Besides straight cylindrical extrudates, Exacer also developed ring-shaped and EXAct sphere carriers.

For more information on this particular technology -> see here. This is the range that we can deliver:

Purity: up to 99.9% SiO2
Porosity: up to 1.4 ml/g
BET: up to 250 m²/g

Moreover, if required for the application, Exacer can provide a carrier that is stable in ‘standard’ impregnation conditions.

 

 

The EX-BExxx/S-series – Silica gel beads

Also available are Silica gel beads, created in an oil-drop process from waterglass, which are either stabilized by Al or are Al-free. Their high surface area allows for a fine dispersion of the catalytically active species onto the carrier and their pore structure is designed for an optimized transport to and from the active sites. All types are fairly water-stable and show excellent mechanical properties.
The standard size is approximately 4 mm. Customization of the surface area and the Al-content is feasible upon request.
Upon request, these carriers can also be calcined to a purely oxidic carrier with a reduced surface area, e.g., in the range of 100 m²/g.

Please contact us and let us know your specific request for an individual silica carrier! Write us