ONE pass dehydration, Easy operation, Various solutions with various zeolite membranes
ZEBREX™ is cutting-edge zeolite membrane dehydration process, which can dehydrate solvents under a wide range of water concentration and pH conditions, and is a one-pass continuous process rather than a batch process. ex.) Ethanol, Isopropanol, Acetone, Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Tetrahydrofuran, etc.
Some reactions such as an esterification generate water during the reaction. For example, in the esterification reaction, presence of water puts the reaction in equilibrium. In general, process engineers use distillation / PSA for dehydration. However, operation of distillation / PSA is complicated for customers because the amount of water produced changes over time. ZEBREX™ can contribute to shorten takt time and easy operation. Moreover, ZEBREX™ can improve its yield. This technology is now in practical application stage.
Solutions-Solvent recovery
We contribute recycling at customer site by ZEBREX™. For example, cost of dehydrated solvent is roughly 10 JPY/kg (About 0.1 USD/kg) in some cases.
Notice：
Cost is only reference. Above reference is included ZEBREX™ unit cost, cost of membrane at replacement and utility cost. Any construction cost, interest rate, cost related with administrative procedure and the other cost that is not written in this sentences are not include. Cost is changed depending on depreciation period, yearly operation time and other factors.
Solutions-New product by low temperature dehydration
Comparison of amino acids amounts in Japanese sake before and after concentrationOperation temperature: Room temperature
Dehydration at low temperature enables concentration that retains flavor, aroma, and active pharma Ingredients. For example, dehydration of Japanese sake in an atmosphere of room temperature, dehydration of ethanol in atmosphere of 50 to 60 degree C (atmospheric pressure) to very low water concentration, etc. We have conviction that this technology will contribute to development of new customers products.
Notice：
Dehydration performance at low temperature is lower than dehydration performance at high temperature. Therefore, we suggest customer to use this technology for making high value‐added product.
Experience
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Experience-installations
ZEBREX™ customers are in industries of chemical (inorganic and organic), pharmaceutical, alcohol, bioethanol, beverage, waste solvent treatment, electronics and engineering.
2017;Dehydration of Japanese Sake (Alcoholic beverage)
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation commercialized CHA type zeolite membrane, named ZEBREX™ ZX1.
2016
Mitsui Zosen & Machinery Service Inc. (Current Mitsui E&S power systems Inc.) and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation made business alliance about zeolite membrane. Unified brand name is ZEBREX™ (Industrial grade) and KonKer™ (Food grade).
2017
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation commercialized acid resistance zeolite membrane for bio ethanol industry, named ZEBREX™ ZX2.
2023
The business alliance between Mitsui E&S Power Systems Inc. and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation was terminated.
Advantages
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Advantages-Solutions
We offer "total solutions for individual dehydration process" to our customers.
Our high-quality solutions are based on our
1.Chemical knowledge
2.Engineering knowledge
3.Long term experience of membrane dehydration
We are one of the leading companies in chemical industry and a pioneer of zeolite membrane.
We can make more effective proposals by testing customers’ sample on our own under various conditions. We also have a pilot scale test unit for dehydration. It is used for advancing our technologies.
We have the technology to perform advanced process simulation based on the conditions provided by our customers.
The core material / technology of ZEBREX™ is zeolite membrane. Water and solvent (ex. Ethanol) are separated by zeolite membrane that has homogeneous pores.
High water resistance: Maximum water concentration applicable is 99wt%.
High acid resistance: Our membrane is capable of high acidity from pH3.
Water concentration reached after dehydration: 0.01wt%.
Products
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Membrane
Industrial grade
ZEBREX™ ZX1
ZEBREX™ ZX2
Acid resistance
High
Medium
Water resistance
High
Medium
Flux
Medium
Medium
We have line-up test equipment to support customer experiment and feasibility study about ZEBREX™
Exp 1. Sheath type membrane module
Installing one zeolite membrane which length is 40cm (15.75 inch)
Main component;
Membrane module, zeolite membrane
※The connection specifications are screw-in type.
※Recommended vacuumed pump spec; Ultimate pressure is under 200Pa、 Exhaust velocity more than 10L/min
※Recommended feed pump spec; 250L/hr
※Notice; Above technical information is reference only. Recommended values might be changed depending on customer specification, customer required spec, solvent type and others.
Exp 2. Pervaporation (PV) lab scale unit ETH-Type Ⅲ
※ETH series provides insight for designing effective zeolite separation membrane system from a water containing organic solvent through a dehydration test using zeolite membrane.
