High Purity Alumina balls, also known as inert balls or catalyst support media are very important component in the catalytic process in the refinery, gas processing and petrochemical industry. It is commonly used to support catalyst and adsorbents products in the vessel or reactor. Its main function is to act as packing material and at the same time to support the catalyst bed in order to prevent breakthrough or loss of catalyst or adsorbent materials downstream of the reactor vessels due to the high pressure and temperature inside the reactor vessels during the operation.

 

 

Ceramic balls come in different sizes, which include 1”, 3/4”, 1/2”, 1/4” and 1/8”.  These sizes are arranged layer by layer at the top and bottom of the vessel or reactor.

Typical application includes:

  • Ammonia Production
  • Methanol and hydrogen production (primarily reforming)
  • Alkylation process using hydrogen fluoride at high temperature
  • Naphtha reforming
  • Isomerization
  • Desiccant dryer
  • Hydrocracker
  • Petrochemical reaction

 

Chemical Composition and Physical Properties

Products Specification TP90® TP95® TP99N® TP99D® TP99.5®
Al2O3(%) ≥90 ≥95 ≥99 ≥99 ≥99.5
SiO2(%) ≤6 ≤2 ≤0.2 ≤0.2 ≤0.15
Fe2O3(%) ≤0.3 ≤0.15 ≤0.12 ≤0.12 ≤0.1
Compressive Strength N/¢13 ≥2000 ≥2000 ≥5000 ≥10000 ≥15000
Water Absorption(%) ≤3 ≤3 2-4 <1 <0.5%
Bulk Density (g/cm3 ≥2.8 ≥3.1 3.2-3.5 >3.4 3.2-3.8
Packing Densiti (g/cm3 ≥1.7 ≥1.9 1.9-2.0 2.1-2.2 >2.2
Crushing Strength Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Color White White White White White

 

 

 

Specification of Inert Alumina Ceramic Ball ((TP20® -TP70®)

Products TP20® TP30® TP40® TP70®
AL2O3% 20-30 30-45 45-70 70-90
Water Absorption% ≤3 ≤3 ≤3 ≤3
Acid Resistance% ≥98 ≥98 ≥98 ≥98
Alkali Resistance% ≥80 ≥82 ≥85 ≥90
Thermal Shock

Resistance (from 800℃ - 20℃)

No broken for

more than 3 times

No broken for

more than 3 times

No broken for

more than 3 times

No broken for

more than 3 times

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compressive Strength KN/pc

Φ3 ≥0.12 ≥0.14 ≥0.15 ≥0.16
Φ6 ≥0.40 ≥0.42 ≥0.44 ≥0.48
Φ8 ≥0.48 ≥0.52 ≥0.60 ≥0.62
Φ10 ≥0.60 ≥0.70 ≥0.80 ≥0.90
Φ12 ≥1.00 ≥1.10 ≥1.30 ≥1.50
Φ16 ≥1.50 ≥1.60 ≥1.80 ≥2.30
Φ20 ≥1.80 ≥2.00 ≥2.30 ≥2.80
Φ25 ≥2.50 ≥2.80 ≥3.20 ≥3.60
Φ30 ≥3.00 ≥3.20 ≥3.50 ≥4.00
Φ50 ≥6.00 ≥6.50 ≥7.00 ≥8.50
Packing Density (kg/m3) 1.3~1.4 1.4~1.5 1.5~1.6 1.6~1.8