Activated Alumina is available in uniform ball sizes from 3/16" to 1/4" in bulk quantities. Custom sized orders available.
PDF data sheets for all Activated Alumina types can be found here
Activated alumina is a very porous form of aluminum oxide of high surface area which adsorbs liquids and gases without any change in form. Activated alumina will not soften or disintegrate when immersed in liquids. Activated alumina may be regenerated I to its original adsorption efficiency by heating to a temperature between 350-600°F (177-316°C).
Color: White
Benefits:
• Uniform ball size
• Low abrasion
• High crush strength
• High adsorptive capacity
About Activated Alumina:
Activated alumina is a ceramic compound used as a desiccant (to keep things dry by absorbing water from the air) and as a filter of fluoride, arsenic and selenium in drinking water. It is made of alumina (aluminum oxide; Al2O3), the same chemical substance as sapphire and rubies (but without the impurities that give those gems their color). It has a very high surface-area-to-weight ratio. That means it has a lot of very small pores, almost like tunnels, that run throughout it.
As a desiccant, it works by a process called adsorption. The water in the air actually sticks to the alumina itself in between the tiny passages, as the air passes through them. The water molecules become trapped so that the air is dried out as it passes through the filter. This process is reversible, and if the alumina desiccant is heated to about 200°C it will release all of the water stored in it. This process is called regenerating the desiccant. Air always has some water in it; one way to measure the amount of water in the air is the air's dew point.
Activated alumina is also widely used to remove fluoride from drinking water, and to a lesser extent, other substances. Normal 'safe' levels of fluoride are less than 4 ppm. Above this level, fluoride causes osteoporosis, central nervous system disorders, and perhaps surprisingly, tooth decay. Drinking water in the U.S.A. usually has less than 2 ppm. Activated alumina filters can easily reduce this from .5 ppm to less than .1 ppm. The amount of fluoride leached from the water being filtered depends on how long the water is actually touching the alumina filter media. Basically, the more alumina in the filter, the less fluoride will be in the final, filtered water. Lower temperature water, and lower pH water (acidic water) are filtered more effectively too. more...
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