Three activity levels
Standard activity, high activity and catalyst support grades let process engineers match acidity, surface area and particle form to each reactor and feed.
Specialty Chemical
Clay Catalyst — Acid-Activated Montmorillonite Catalysts and Supports
Acid-treated smectite clays with Brønsted and Lewis acid sites, supplied as powder, granules and pellets for refining, chemical synthesis and catalyst support duties.
PowderGranulesPellets
ISO 9001 certified processes
NABL-accredited lab testing
CoA, TDS & MSDS with every shipment
Export packaging worldwide
Overview
What is Clay Catalyst?
Clay catalyst products are acid-activated smectite clays, mainly montmorillonite, engineered to carry a high density of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites on their surfaces. They act as solid acid catalysts in petroleum refining, petrochemical treating and organic synthesis, and as porous supports for other catalytically active species.
Activation is carried out by treating selected smectite clay with mineral acid under controlled conditions. The acid removes part of the octahedral aluminium, magnesium and iron from the clay layers, replaces exchangeable cations with protons and opens the structure. The result is a material with a much higher specific surface area, typically 150 to 300 m²/g, a developed pore network and acid sites that can protonate olefins, activate carbonyl groups and promote rearrangements. Washing, drying and milling or granulation then set the residual acidity, moisture and particle form for the intended reactor.
Solid acid clays offer practical advantages over liquid acids such as sulphuric acid or aluminium chloride. They are separated from the product by simple filtration or retained in a fixed bed, they reduce corrosion and neutralisation effluent, and they are thermally stable up to about 400 °C. Depending on the process and the nature of fouling, spent clay can in some cases be regenerated and reused.
Obsidian Minerals manufactures clay catalysts in Gujarat under ISO 9001 certified processes. We offer standard activity, high activity and catalyst support grades in powder, granular and pellet forms, and develop custom activity levels and particle sizes with customers. Every batch is checked in our NABL-accredited laboratory, and the Certificate of Analysis, Technical Data Sheet and MSDS/SDS travel with each consignment.
Clay Catalyst grades
Select a grade for its typical properties, applications, usage guidance and FAQs.
Clay Catalyst
Standard Activity Grade
A general-purpose acid-activated clay catalyst powder for organic synthesis, offering moderate acidity and simple separation by filtration.
General Catalysis Clay CatalystHigh Activity Grade
Strongly acid-activated clay for refinery and petrochemical treating, removing olefins and trace impurities from aromatic and hydrocarbon streams.
Refining Clay CatalystCatalyst Support Grade
Porous, acid-activated clay carrier for impregnating metal salts, heteropoly acids and other active species in specialty chemical catalysis.
Specialty Chemical Synthesis| Grade | Specification | Primary use | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Activity Clay Catalyst | On TDS | General Catalysis | Specs |
| High Activity Clay Catalyst | On TDS | Refining | Specs |
| Clay Catalyst Support Grade | On TDS | Specialty Chemical Synthesis | Specs |
From deposit to dispatch
- 01
Selection of smectite clay
- 02
Controlled acid activation
- 03
Washing and filtration
- 04
Drying, milling or granulation
- 05
Acidity, surface area testing and packing
Why source Clay Catalyst from Obsidian Minerals
Measured, not assumed
Every batch is tested in our NABL-accredited laboratory, with agreed parameters such as surface area, pH and moisture reported on the batch CoA.
Forms for any reactor
Powder for slurry reactors, granules and pellets for fixed beds, plus custom particle sizes developed with customers and samples supplied on request.
Clay Catalyst — frequently asked questions
What is a clay catalyst?
A clay catalyst is an acid-activated smectite clay, usually montmorillonite, that works as a solid acid. Acid treatment increases its surface area and creates Brønsted and Lewis acid sites, which catalyse reactions such as alkylation, olefin removal, esterification and dimerisation. Because it is a solid, the catalyst is easily separated from the product or held in a fixed bed.
How does a clay catalyst differ from bleaching earth?
Both are acid-activated clays, but they are optimised for different jobs. Bleaching earth is designed to adsorb colour bodies, soaps and trace metals from oils. Clay catalysts are activated to develop stronger and more numerous acid sites for chemical reactions, and are often supplied as granules or pellets for fixed-bed reactors as well as powder.
Which reactions use acid-activated clay catalysts?
Common uses include removal of olefins from aromatic streams, alkylation of phenols and aromatics, esterification, etherification, dimerisation and oligomerisation of olefins and fatty acids, and Friedel–Crafts type reactions. Clays are also used as supports for metal salts and other active species. Suitability for a specific reaction should be confirmed in laboratory or pilot trials.
Can clay catalysts be regenerated?
In some processes, spent clay can be regenerated, for example by solvent washing or controlled calcination to remove deposits, provided the treatment stays within the thermal stability limit of the clay. In other services, such as olefin removal from aromatics, spent clay is usually replaced when activity falls. Regeneration potential depends on the feed and the nature of fouling.
Which clay catalyst grade should I choose?
Choose the standard activity grade for general organic synthesis and moderate acid demand, the high activity grade for refining duties such as olefin removal where strong acidity is needed, and the catalyst support grade when you plan to impregnate an active metal salt or acid. Share your reaction, temperature and reactor type for a recommendation.
How do I order clay catalyst from Obsidian Minerals?
Send the grade, physical form, particle size, quantity and destination through our enquiry form. Our team will confirm the matching specification, send the Technical Data Sheet and arrange samples on request for activity testing. Clay catalyst is packed in 25 kg or 50 kg HDPE or paper bags and in 1 MT or 1.2 MT jumbo bags, with custom packaging available.
What packaging options are available for Clay Catalyst?
Standard export packing is 25 kg or 50 kg HDPE / paper bags and 1 MT or 1.2 MT jumbo (FIBC) bags, palletised and shrink-wrapped on request. Custom and private-label packaging can be arranged for volume orders.
Do you provide MSDS and technical datasheets?
Yes. A Technical Data Sheet and MSDS are available for every grade, and each shipment is accompanied by a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis.
Request a quote
Interested in Clay Catalyst?
Tell us your application, preferred grade and volume. Our engineering team will recommend the right grade and send a datasheet, sample and quotation.
- Technical Data Sheet & MSDS
- Samples for qualification trials
- Bulk and recurring supply pricing