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What are
inert balls? |
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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 refineries 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. |
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What are
inert balls used for? |
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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. |
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How are
inert balls used? |
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In the reaction tower (Reactor) in oil refinery 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. |
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Why are
inert balls used? |
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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. |
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What are
the product features of inert balls? |
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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. |
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What
about the quality of Tipton’s inert balls? |
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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.” |
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