BASF Catalysts offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products including advanced battery materials. BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products, including advanced battery materials. We believe mobility’s future lies in more than just products. So where others come to a full stop, we’re just getting started—by leveraging the full power of BASF to continually advance our comprehensive package of sustainable solutions that enable us to travel further, as well as above and beyond. A leading supplier of high performance cathode active materials (CAM) for electrified vehicles to battery producers and automotive OEMs around the world. Protecting the air we breathe from harmful emissions through innovation. BASF leverages unsurpassed expertise in the development of emission control technologies for a wide range of market applications. BASF is committed to advancing and promoting environmentally-sound technologies to achieve a sustainable future in aviation. Offering 50 years of experience developing intelligent solutions for air quality over a wide range of applications — enabling clean air for a healthier, more sustainable future. As the global leader in chemical catalysts, BASF develops cutting-edge catalyst chemistry with our customers’ needs in mind. We want to contribute to a world that provides a viable future with enhanced quality of life for everyone. We do so by creating chemistry for our customers and society and by making the best use of available resources. BASF offers the widest portfolio of adsorbent technologies for a broad spectrum of applications in industries such as refining, petrochemical, chemical, and gas processing. Syngas, produced from natural gas or coal, is a key intermediate in the emerging technologies for gas-to-liquids (GTL), methanol-to-olefins, coal-to-liquids and fuel cells. At BASF, our Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) catalyst and additive offerings together with our expert technical services build the right solution to create value within any unit’s constraints. Paving the way toward a brighter, more secure future. Manufacturing products for sustainable solutions, reducing emissions from our processes, and using non-fossil fueled energy sources – all of these efforts help lead BASF on a continuing journey of sustainability. BASF Natural Gas experts have a diverse portfolio of products to custom design a solution and help you meet your Natural Gas treatment needs. BASF has been serving the natural gas treatment market for over 60 years. Innovative, step-change technology with dual-purpose performance: removal of heavy hydrocarbons and water to cryogenic specifications in a single unit. With more than 150 years of experience in metal sourcing, trading, and hedging, we’ve built tangible results for our industrial customers. With more than 100 years of experience in recycling materials, BASF’s end-to-end recycling program is known and trusted around the globe. As a leader in precious-metal thermocouples for many years, BASF recently applied its technological expertise to optical-based temperature measurement. Developing and producing pharmaceutical ingredients for more than 75 years, enabling us to provide the solutions you need to meet today's and tomorrow's challenges for your pharmaceutical business. Find the latest news and media information for BASF’s Catalysts division, headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey, USA, the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. Explore this collection of resources to learn more about our innovative research and Catalyst solutions.
BASF Catalysts | Facility Syngas

Choose your language

This section is available in the following languages: English

Follow us on Linkedin

Sorbead®: CO2 Dehydration for Carbon Capture and Storage

BASF offers the chemistry and knowledge to support the full carbon capture workflow and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

CCS Flow Chart

OASE® Blue

CO2 Capture

BASF’s OASE® technologies are an industry leader in gas treatment. OASE® blue was developed specifically as an optimized large-scale post-combustion capture technology. Low energy consumption, low solvent losses and a highly flexible operating range make OASE® blue the paramount technology for flue gas carbon capture.

BASF Catalysts & Adsorbents

CO2 Purification

BASF has a diverse portfolio of catalysts and adsorbents capable of removing impurities common to CCS applications. These impurities include but are not limited to H2O, O2, and CO.

Purification can be implemented in various stages of the process depending on the specific project needs.

Sorbead®

CO2 Dehydration

Sorbead® is an amorphous, aluminosilicate gel with unique properties that make it the ideal H2O adsorbent for carbon capture and storage. Leveraging decades of manufacturing experience has allowed BASF to develop the ideal adsorbent for carbon capture and storage. Sorbead® easily meets pipeline specifications while also providing a lower energy, lower cost, and longer lifetime solution.

A comprehensive package of technology, products, and services

With worldwide experience and expertise, BASF delivers high-quality products, technologies, and reliable support to help our customers optimize performance and maximize profitability.

The services we provide:

  • Process design package
  • Media
  • Performance warranties
  • Troubleshooting & process optimization
  • Sample analyses
  • On-site support
Partnership

BASF works with preferred partners, including NOV, to deliver optimum packaged solutions to end users and project owners

BASF Sorbead® is the Ideal Adsorbent for Carbon Capture and Storage

Sorbead is an amorphous, aluminosilicate gel with unique properties

Compared to other adsorbent materials Sorbead provides:

  • Smaller bed size required
    • High surface area
  • Longer material lifetimes for CO2 capture
    • High crush strength, acid resistant, water stable
  • Lower CapEx and OpEx costs
    • Low heat of adsorption
  • Less down time necessary
    • Quick start up/shut down and ease of operation
Video BASF Sorbead WS is liquid water stable and protects the rest of the bed from incidental carry-over events.

How does Sorbead® directly compare to alternative CO2 drying solutions?

BASF offers various adsorbent solutions, but Sorbead® is uniquely suited for CO2 capture applications

Molecular Sieve

BASF molecular sieve adsorbents are crystalline aluminosilicates that are ideally suited for low dewpoint and cryogenic applications. These materials require high regeneration temperatures.

Unstable under acidic conditions and high regeneration temperatures. Not recommended for CO2 capture applications.

Activated Alumina

BASF F-200 is a smooth sphere of activated alumina produced by BASF’s unique manufacturing process. F-200 is an excellent desiccant for drying a wide variety of liquids and gases.

Not acid resistant, so much larger bed sizes are necessary for CO2 capture applications.

Glycol

Gycol (TEG) dehydration is commonly used for various applications but is less ideal than adsorbents for CO2 capture.

Why adsorption?

Sorbead® technology is a more sustainable alternative to traditional glycol units

Maintenance

Sorbead: No rotating equipment; small plot space; long life (5+ years)

Glycol: Requires pumps for solvent circulation; chemical storage required

Labor

Sorbead: No makeup between change outs

Glycol: Frequent chemical makeup/discard

Operational

Sorbead: Lower regen temperature (170°C); high turndown rates; fast start-up

Glycol: Higher regen temperature (200°C); limited turndown rates; long start-up time

Environmental

Sorbead: No BTX/Acid Gas Emissions; no chance for Chemical spills

Glycol: Potential BTX/Acid Gas emissions and TEG spills

References

BASF has a long history of providing Sorbead for CO2 dehydration applications:

Company Delivery Date Gas Rate (MMSCFD) % CO2 in Feed
US Gas Plant 1 1984 50 98
US Gas Plant 2 1987 20 98
Malaysia Gas Plant 2004 100 50
Thailand Gas Plant 2008 200 23
US Gas Plant 3 2016 150 92
Canada Gas Plant 2018 13 90

See how Sorbead® could reduce the carbon footprint of your process:

Datasheets and Brochures

View more in the Literature Library

Recent News & Media

BASF Visuals Press Release Sorbead final

Shell qualifies BASF Sorbead® Adsorption Technology for Carbon Capture and Storage Applications

Shell and BASF are collaborating to accelerate the transition to a world of net-zero emissions.

Decarbonization cover

Choosing the ideal CO2 drying solution for CCS applications

Aluminosilicate adsorbents provide a reliable, low-energy solution for CO2 dehydration prior to transport, storage or usage

Get in Touch

Complete the form to get in touch with a BASF Catalysts representative, and please let us know how we can help. We look forward to hearing from you.