Preface
We are a professional factory specializing in the production of inert catalyst support balls. We guarantee quality, offer favorable prices and have a complete range of specifications. Because of our professionalism, our factory and our many years of experience, we are trustworthy.

Introduction
Inert catalyst support balls are spherical granular materials with stable chemical properties that do not participate in chemical reactions, usually made of ceramics (such as aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide) and other materials. Its main features are high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and high mechanical strength. Moreover, it does not have catalytic activity by itself and only exists as an “auxiliary structure” of the catalyst.

Function
Supporting and fixing catalysts: Catalysts are usually in granular form and are prone to displacement, accumulation or loss in reaction towers (such as fluidized beds and fixed beds) due to gravity or fluid impact. The support balls, by filling beneath or between the catalyst layers, utilize their own hardness and packing structure to provide physical support for the catalyst, preventing it from settling, compacting or being carried out of the reaction system by the fluid.

Uniform fluid distribution: During the reaction process, gases or liquids need to flow uniformly through the catalyst layer to enhance the reaction efficiency. The regular particle shape and reasonable bulk density of the support balls can optimize the fluid channels, reduce the problems of vortices, dead volume or excessive local flow rate, enable the fluid to contact the catalyst surface more evenly, and increase the reaction rate and product yield.

Protecting the bottom structure of the reactor: In large reaction towers, the bottom of the reactor beneath the catalyst layer (such as distribution plates, screens) may wear out due to long-term exposure to the weight of the catalyst or fluid erosion. The support balls filled at the bottom can play a buffering role, disperse pressure and impact force, and extend the service life of the reactor.

Heat insulation and high-temperature resistance: In some high-temperature reactions (such as petroleum cracking and ammonia synthesis), support balls (such as high alumina ceramic balls) have excellent high-temperature resistance and heat insulation performance. They can reduce the heat exchange between the reaction system and the outside world, maintain a stable reaction temperature, and at the same time protect the reactor wall from direct erosion by high temperatures.

Application scenarios
Petrochemical industry: Used in catalytic cracking towers, hydrogenation reactors, desulfurization towers, etc., to support catalysts such as molecular sieves and metal oxides.

Coal chemical industry: In the processes of coal gasification and syngas purification, it assists in fixing catalysts and optimizing gas distribution.

In the field of environmental protection: For instance, in waste gas treatment towers (denitrification, VOCs removal), materials such as activated carbon and catalyst carriers are supported.

Fine chemicals: In fixed-bed reactors for reactions such as esterification and hydrogenation, ensure the stability of the catalyst layer.

In the energy industry: such as in fuel cells and biogas purification devices, the auxiliary fluid uniformly contacts the catalytic components.

In conclusion, although inert catalyst support balls do not directly participate in the reaction, they are key auxiliary materials that ensure the efficient and stable progress of the catalytic reaction. Their performance (such as strength, corrosion resistance, and particle size) needs to be selected based on specific reaction conditions (temperature, pressure, and fluid properties).

How to choose materials?
The material selection of inert catalyst support balls needs to take into account multiple factors such as reaction conditions, fluid properties, and mechanical requirements. The core objective is to ensure that the support balls can stably perform functions such as support, flow guidance, and corrosion resistance in the service environment, while not interfering with the reaction system. The following are the key selection criteria and common material types:

Reaction temperature
Low-temperature reaction (<300℃) : Ordinary ceramics can be selected
Medium-temperature reaction (300-800℃) : High alumina ceramics are preferred.
High-temperature reaction (>800℃) : High-temperature resistant materials such as corundum (Al₂O₃ content > 90%) should be selected to avoid softening, deformation or sintering at high temperatures.

Fluid corrosiveness: Acidic environment, alkaline environment, organic solvent or strong oxidant environment

Mechanical strength and wear resistance
High-pressure reactions (such as hydrogenation reactors, pressure > 10MPa) or high-flow-rate fluids (such as fluidized beds) : High mechanical strength materials are required, such as corundum (compressive strength > 200MPa) and silicon carbide (hardness close to diamond), to prevent the collapse of the catalyst layer due to the breakage of the support balls.

For low-pressure and low-flow scenarios (such as fixed beds in fine chemicals), ordinary ceramics or glass can be selected to reduce costs.

Summary
The core logic of material selection is: first, to meet the environmental tolerance (temperature, corrosion, pressure), then match the mechanical strength requirements, and finally balance the cost.