PROX-SVERS® T-46 Alumina Balls

PROX-SVERS T-46 alumina ceramic balls are low-silica alumina support balls for catalyst and adsorbent beds, at 92 to 99% alumina with 0.2% silica, the grade Christy Catalytics sells as its "inert catalyst support balls." The balls are rated to 3200°F (1760°C) and pass the thermal shock test, and their low silica is the reason they are typically specified where a catalyst bed runs hot and wet: in synthesis gas and ammonia plants, silica leaching from an ordinary support layer carries downstream onto the catalyst, and a low-silica alumina ball holds its chemistry under those conditions. T-46 is the standard alumina grade of the PROX-SVERS line Interra Global supplies: PROX-SVERS T-99 is the high-purity grade at 99%+ alumina, rated to 3272°F (1800°C), and the silica-alumina ceramic grades, PROX-SVERS T-86 and cSPHERE A25, cover the beds that run at or below 325°C (617°F). All four are inert bed support media, graded by size to carry a bed and keep it in place.

Typical Chemical Composition

• Alumina (Al₂O₃): 92 to 99%
• Silica (SiO₂): 0.2%
• Calcia (CaO): 0 to 8%
• Titania (TiO₂): less than 0.1%
• Alkalies (K₂O and Na₂O): 0.3%
• Magnesia (MgO): less than 0.1%
• Leachable iron less than 0.02%, leachable chlorides less than 0.001%, no leachable sulphur detected

Typical Applications

PROX-SVERS T-46 is typically used as inert alumina ceramic balls under catalyst beds that run hot and wet:

• Synthesis gas and ammonia plant catalyst beds, as support where silica leaching from the support layer must be held low
• Hot beds above the ceramic grades' ratings, where the specification calls for an alumina ball in place of silica-alumina ceramic

Sizes and Packaging

PROX-SVERS T-46 alumina ceramic balls are quoted on request in the sizes on the data sheet, from 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) to 3 inch (76.2 mm); the 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) size is packaged in 0.5 cubic foot (14 liter) and 1 cubic foot (28 liter) bags. Support layers are typically graded from the smallest balls directly under the working bed to the largest at the outlet collector, and the loading drawing sets the sizes and depths. Pricing, availability, and lead time are quoted by size.

Interra Global supplies PROX-SVERS T-46 alumina ceramic balls for new loads and change-outs and answers sizing and quantity questions against a loading drawing. Some specifications call the product ceramic alumina balls, high alumina balls, or white ceramic balls; the sizes above apply under any of those names.