Inert balls are used when refining
crude, the raw material, and chemically processing it into gasoline,
light fuel oil, kerosene, heavy oil, etc. at oil processing complexes.
Among these processes, a desulfurization process which removes
sulfur in substance in consideration of the environment is done.
Our inert balls are used as a filler material to hold the catalysts
beds. Other names for inert balls are: support balls, ceramic balls,
alumina balls, high-alumina balls, filler material, bed support,
etc.
What are
inert balls used for?
Inert balls are widely used in
oil refining, petrochemical, and natural gas plant devices, where
they hold the catalysts beds. One particularly common application
is in the desulphurization process of hydrodesulphurization. There
are many types such as direct desulphurization, indirect desulfurization,
metal removal, etc. In other types of oil refining, they are used
in hydraulic separation and catalytic reformation. Also, in petrochemicals,
inert balls are used in naphtha separation and dehydrogenating.
In natural gas, they are used for mercury removal and sulfur recovery.
How are inert
balls used?
In the reaction tower (Reactor)
in oil processing complexes, there are catalysts filled inside,
and in order for the inert balls to hold these catalysts, the inert
balls must be spread out in layers on the top and bottom of the
reactor, so the catalysts beds can be held in the middle. Then,
when the crude is poured inside the reactor it flows through and
has a chemical reaction. The catalysts are fixed so there is no
abrasion damage from vibration. This supports a stable reaction.
Why are inert
balls used?
Inert balls are used in the reaction
tower for the following reasons:
(1) They are inactive, so they are stable under any environment
and do not hinder the catalytic reaction.
(2)They are capable of withstanding a high-temperature, high-pressure
environment (350-1000°C).
(3)They do not melt when a strong alkaline, or strong acid environment
is used inside the tower.
(4)They resist impact caused by the fall when inert balls are filled.
What are
the product features of inert balls?
As product feature of inert balls,
there are two kinds of inert balls;
(1)Ceramic Balls
This is the grade commonly used as filler to hold the catalysts
beds in oil refining, petrochemicals, and natural gas.
The environmental temperature of usage is in the range from 100
to 500°C. Ceramic balls are mainly used in the desulfurization
(removing sulfur from the material) in the hydrorefining process
of oil refining. They are a standard item used in the desulfurization
process.
(2)High Alumina Balls
They are mainly used as fillers to hold the catalysts beds in petrochemical
and natural gas applications.
The environmental temperature of usage is in the range from
100 to 1200°C as filler that holds the catalysts beds of
a chemical reactor, which does not like impurities. Recently,
the demand for them in natural gas LNG plants is increasing.
What about
the quality of Tipton’s inert balls?
Tipton provides quality products
that easily meet the specifications for inert balls set out by
UOP and because of this, our products continue to be supplied widely
domestically and abroad. In addition, Tipton’s inert balls
are acknowledged on BP (British Petroleum)’s list of recommended
quality standards (vendor list). For more information about quality,
please refer to “Tipton Product
Advantage.”
