What are the application fields of inert ceramic balls?

What are the application fields of inert ceramic balls?

Inert ceramic balls, with their excellent chemical inertness, high-temperature resistance, mechanical strength and structural stability, play a crucial role in various industrial fields. The following is an analysis of their main application fields and specific scenarios:

I. Petrochemical Industry

1. Catalytic Reaction Equipment

Application scenarios: Catalytic cracking towers, hydrogenation reactors, reforming units, etc.

Core functions:

Serving as a catalyst support layer, it evenly distributes gas flow and materials, preventing direct contact between the catalyst and the bottom of the reactor, which could cause blockage.

Buffers fluid impact, protects catalyst activity, and extends its service life.

Case: A certain oil refinery used φ10-25mm inert ceramic balls to support palladium catalysts in a hydrogenation reactor, stabilizing the pressure drop in the catalyst bed and increasing the reaction efficiency by 15%.

2. Distillation and Absorption Towers

Application scenarios: Crude oil fractionating towers, gas absorption towers (such as desulfurization and decarbonization towers).

Core functions: Acting as packing layers, they increase the gas-liquid contact area, enhance mass transfer efficiency, and at the same time resist the erosion of high-temperature oil and gas and corrosive media (such as H₂S).

II. Coal Chemical Industry and Energy Chemical Industry

1. Coal Gasification and Synthesis Process

Application scenarios: Water-coal slurry gasifier, methanol synthesis tower from coal, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor.

Core functions:

Resistant to high-temperature erosion (up to 1400℃), protecting the inner wall of the reactor from high-temperature slag erosion.

Evenly distribute gasifying agents (such as oxygen and steam), promoting thorough reaction of coal particles.

Case: In a certain coal-to-olefins project, φ30-50mm high alumina ceramic balls were laid at the bottom of the gasifier, reducing the wall wear rate by 30% and extending the maintenance cycle to over two years.

2. Hydrogen Energy and New Energy Field

Application scenarios: Hydrogen fuel cell raw gas purification device, lithium battery cathode material sintering furnace, electrolytic water hydrogen production reactor.

Core functions:

In hydrogen purification, resist high temperatures (above 800℃) and steam corrosion, and maintain the stability of the adsorbent bed.

During the sintering of lithium battery materials, act as a carrier to prevent direct contact between the material and the equipment, ensuring product purity.

III. Fine Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals

1. Fine Chemical Synthesis Reactions

Application scenarios: Pharmaceutical intermediate synthesis reactors, pesticide catalytic reaction towers.

Core function: Stably support the catalyst in highly corrosive media (such as concentrated hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid) environments, prevent the material from having side reactions with the reactants, and ensure product purity.

2. Solvent Distillation and Purification

Application scenarios: Distillation columns for organic solvents (such as ethanol, acetone), high-purity reagent purification devices.

Core function: Acting as an inert packing material, it prevents the leaching of metal ions to contaminate the product, and is also resistant to high-temperature distillation processes (such as the azeotropic distillation of ethanol-water, which reaches 78℃).