Where are inert ceramic balls applied?

Where are inert ceramic balls applied?

1. In the chemical and petrochemical industries: They are laid at the bottom or top of the catalyst bed in fixed-bed reactors (such as hydrogenation reactors, catalytic cracking units, ammonia synthesis towers, etc.).

Function

Supporting the catalyst: Bearing the weight of the catalyst and preventing it from sinking or blocking the bottom screen of the equipment due to gravity.

Uniformly distributing the fluid: Ensuring that the reaction gas/liquid flows uniformly through the catalyst layer, avoiding channeling or biased flow, and enhancing reaction efficiency.

Protecting the catalyst: Filtering mechanical impurities (such as rust, welding slag) in the fluid to prevent catalyst particles from being contaminated or worn.

Typical cases: Reforming units in oil refineries, cracking gas purification towers in ethylene production.

2. Packing towers and separation equipment: At the bottom or middle of packing towers such as distillation towers, absorption towers, and desorption towers, they serve as inert packing layers. Function:

The active packing materials on the top (such as baffles and stepped rings) evenly distribute the upward gas flow or downward liquid, thereby improving the mass transfer efficiency. In pure physical separation processes without chemical reactions (such as crude oil distillation), they can directly serve as a filling layer to stabilize the fluid flow.

3. Environmental protection and water treatment industry, as well as exhaust gas treatment equipment, metallurgy and energy industry, etc.

Key performance requirements:

1. Chemical inertness: Resistant to corrosion by acids, alkalis, and organic solvents, with extremely low metal ion leaching rate (especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries).

2. High temperature resistance: Can withstand temperatures ranging from 600 to 1400°C (depending on the alumina content; for example, 99% alumina ceramic balls can withstand temperatures up to 1700°C).

3. Mechanical strength: Compressive strength typically ≥ 3000N per piece (for φ16mm specification), preventing breakage and blockage of equipment during long-term use.

4. Porosity and surface characteristics: Smooth surface, low porosity, avoiding fluid stagnation or impurity adsorption.