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What is the density of ceramic balls? What factors are related to it? And what are the influences when they are in use? Etc. Here, the density of inert ceramic balls is mainly introduced.
Introduction to Density
Low-alumina inert ceramic balls: Al₂O₃ content = 23%, bulk density = 1300 kg/m³
Medium-alumina inert ceramic balls: Al₂O₃ content = 45%, bulk density = 1500 kg/m³
High-alumina inert ceramic balls: Al₂O₃ content = 92%, bulk density = 1900 kg/m³
From the bolded text in the following table, it can be concluded that the density and size of inert ceramic balls have no relation to other factors. The main factor is that the density of inert ceramic balls is directly proportional to the content of aluminum oxide.
Technical Data
| Item | Type 1 | Type 2 | Type 3 | Type 4 | |
| Equal to | Denstone 2000 | Denstone 57 | Denstone 99 | ||
| AL2O3 | 17-19% | 23-26% | 90% | >99% | |
| Acid resistance | >=98% | ||||
| Alkali resistance | >80% | >82% | >90% | >95% | |
| Thermal shock reistance | >=300 | >=400 | >=700 | >=800 | |
| Operation temperature (℃) | 982 | 1100 | 1350 | 1500 | |
| Bulk density(kg.m3) | 1300-1400 | 1400-1500 | 1600-1800 | >=1800 | |
| Crushing Strength (N/pellet) | 1/8”(3mm) | >350 | >350 | >510 | >510 |
| 1/4”(6mm) | >600 | >600 | >1500 | >1500 | |
| 3/8”(10mm) | >850 | >850 | >6000 | >6000 | |
| 1/2”(13mm) | >1850 | >1850 | >8000 | >8000 | |
| 5/8″(16mm) | >3600 | >3600 | >9000 | >9000 | |
| 3/4”(19mm) | >4870 | >4870 | >11000 | >11000 | |
| 1”(25mm) | >8500 | >8500 | >20000 | >20000 | |
| 1.5″(38mm) | >12000 | >12000 | >33000 | >33000 | |
| 2”(50mm) | >56000 | >56000 | >150000 | >150000 | |
| 3″(76mm) | >56000 | >56000 | >150000 | >150000 | |
How does the bulk density of inert ceramic balls affect their use?
The bulk density of inert ceramic balls will affect their performance in multiple aspects such as load-bearing capacity, equipment load, mass transfer efficiency, and wear resistance: ceramic balls with higher bulk density (such as high-alumina types) have a denser matrix and usually possess stronger compressive strength and wear resistance. They can stably withstand the pressure of the upper layer of packing or medium in high-pressure, high-flow rate or high-wear conditions (such as the bottom support of a catalytic reactor), reducing the risk of breakage and powdering, and extending the service life. However, at the same time, they will increase the overall load of the equipment, and put higher requirements on the shell strength and support structure of reactors, towers and other equipment. Moreover, the gaps between high-density balls are relatively small, which may affect the flow rate and mass transfer efficiency of the medium to a certain extent; while ceramic balls with lower bulk density (such as low-alumina and medium-alumina types) can reduce the load of the equipment, and the gaps between the balls are more conducive to the flow of the medium, making them suitable for low-pressure, low-wear pre-filtering or ordinary packing support scenarios. However, they have weaker compressive and wear resistance, and are prone to breakage in harsh conditions, not only losing their support or filtering function, but also generating debris that may clog pipelines and contaminate the medium, increasing equipment maintenance costs and downtime risks. Therefore, in actual use, the type of ceramic balls with matching bulk density should be selected based on the working pressure, medium flow rate, equipment load-bearing capacity and service life requirements.
