How Do Activated Alumina Balls Work in Air Separation Units?

Activated alumina balls are renowned for their exceptional chemical and physical properties used in various industries. These alumina balls are highly porous, made from alumina oxide. Activated alumina balls are employed in the industrial gas sector to protect complex Air Separation Units (ASUs). These plants rely on cryogenic distillation to produce high-purity oxygen and nitrogen that undergo a stringent pre-treatment phase. In this phase, activated alumina balls are employed to remove trace contaminants from feed air. Activated alumina balls play a crucial role in purification during the ASU process, ensuring optimal function.   

ASUs work by cooling the air to lower temperatures, thereby liquifying and separating components based on their different boiling points. However, the cryogenic surroundings possess a potential threat of solidification and plugging. In this, water vapour is the greatest risk; nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide have higher melting points, and if not removed, they can convert to dry ice solids. The activated alumina balls suppliers in India provide alumina balls that efficiently remove potential risks of hydrocarbons, ensuring the ASU systems work optimally. 

The effectiveness of activated alumina balls relies on the unique structure and large surface area, which improves their adsorption capacity. 

These high-performance alumina balls are manufactured by chemical treatment and thermally dehydroxylating alumina hydroxide. This process creates a highly porous structure with numerous micro pores, channels and cavities. The end product is a large internal surface area that adds to its performance. 

Activated alumina balls work in ASUs through the principle of physical adsorption. This adsorption is not through a chemical reaction, but due to the mechanism of Van Der Waals forces.  The feed air molecules are non-polar and pass through the bed easily. These highly polar molecules have a high affinity for the large surface area of activated alumina balls. This cool, large surface area of activated alumina balls captures and holds contaminants successfully. 

Activated alumina balls are an excellent desiccant and adsorbent. The activated alumina balls manufacturers in India specifically design these materials to remove water vapour and other contaminants in ASUs. It has an exceptional affinity for tracing impurities like hydrocarbons, like acetylene, making it a perfect material for ASU protection. 

Many industries rely on activated alumina balls as they are strong, durable, efficient and can be easily regenerated. Due to this, high-quality activated alumina balls are ideal for industrial drying and filtration solutions. 

W.A.C. is the leading activated alumina balls exporter in India, offering high-performance alumina balls for your diverse industrial needs. Our team can help you pick the right product for your applications, whether it is water treatment, gas drying or petrochemical. Partner with us.