The application of alumina ceramic packing balls

Inert alumina ceramic balls are versatile industrial materials composed primarily of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), with content ranging from 17% to 99.5%. Based on composition and structure, they are mainly categorized into packing balls and grinding balls. Inert ceramic balls include ordinary ceramic balls, inert alumina ceramic balls, medium-alumina balls, and high-alumina balls, widely used in petroleum, chemical, fertilizer, natural gas, and environmental protection industries as covering support materials for catalysts in reactors and tower packing. Grinding balls serve as grinding media in fine crushing equipment like ball mills. These balls are manufactured through high-temperature sintering processes, exhibiting characteristics of high temperature and pressure resistance, strong chemical stability, and low water absorption, enabling them to withstand corrosion from acids, alkalis, other organic solvents, and adapt to temperature variations during production.

The performance of Inert alumina ceramic ball is directly related to their alumina content. High-alumina balls (Al₂O₃ ≥ 90%) possess high mechanical strength, with a Mohs hardness of up to grade 9 and a bulk density between 1.6-2.16 kg/L. Inert alumina ceramic balls can withstand temperatures from -50°C to 1700°C, with acid resistance ≥ 98%. Furthermore, to meet different process needs, various special structured balls have been derived, such as hollow ceramic balls (increased specific surface area and void volume), grooved hollow ceramic balls (enhanced material dispersion and throughput), microporous ceramic balls (impurity filtration rate over 75%), and active ceramic balls (possessing certain catalytic activity).

In the petrochemical industry, inert alumina ceramic balls serve as catalyst support materials, increasing gas or liquid distribution points and protecting the active catalysts. In refinery hydrogenation reactors, φ25mm ceramic balls can withstand operating pressures of 4 MPa. In environmental protection, porous ceramic filter balls made from industrial waste residues (such as alumina red mud, coal fly ash) feature high porosity and strength, suitable for filtration applications.