activated alumina (AA), a porous inorganic material, has established itself as a cornerstone in adsorption technology, particularly in chemical processing applications. Its unique properties, including a high surface area (up to 300 m²/g), well-developed microporous structure, and excellent thermal stability, make it superior to traditional packing materials like raschig rings in adsorption efficiency. As a critical tower internal, AA packing is widely used in various industrial sectors where selective impurity removal is essential. Unlike inert packing such as Raschig rings, which primarily rely on physical separation, AA’s surface hydroxyl groups (-OH) enable strong chemical interactions with target molecules, enhancing its adsorption capacity for water, gases, and dissolved contaminants.
.jpg)
In gas processing, AA packing excels in moisture removal and gas purification. For instance, in natural gas production, AA-packed towers effectively reduce water content from 50,000 ppm to below 0.1 ppm, preventing pipeline corrosion and ensuring product quality. In air separation units, it selectively adsorbs CO₂, H₂S, and other acidic gases, improving the purity of oxygen and nitrogen. Additionally, AA packing is indispensable in the synthesis of ammonia and methanol, where it maintains stable operation by removing trace moisture and toxic gases from raw materials. Its ability to operate within a wide temperature range (-70°C to 600°C) further expands its applicability in harsh industrial environments.
In liquid treatment, AA packing demonstrates remarkable performance in water purification and chemical solvent refining. In municipal water treatment, it efficiently removes fluoride ions (F⁻) and arsenic (As³⁺) by surface complexation, meeting strict drinking water standards. In the pharmaceutical industry, AA-packed columns decolorize and purify organic solvents, such as ethanol and acetone, ensuring product safety and purity. Moreover, AA serves as an excellent catalyst support, with its porous structure providing a large surface for active component deposition, which enhances catalytic activity and stability in reactions like hydrodesulfurization and hydrogenation.
The advantages of AA packing extend beyond its adsorption efficiency. It exhibits chemical inertness, resisting corrosion from acids, alkalis, and organic solvents, ensuring long-term service life. Unlike activated carbon, which tends to lose adsorption capacity rapidly with repeated use, AA maintains stable performance even after multiple regeneration cycles, reducing operational costs. As environmental regulations tighten globally, the demand for AA packing in VOCs abatement, industrial wastewater treatment, and flue gas desulfurization is growing. Ongoing research focuses on optimizing AA’s pore structure and surface modification to further boost adsorption rates, positioning it as a sustainable solution for future chemical processing and environmental protection needs.
