What is Activated Alumina?

Activated Alumina is comprised of a synthetically-produced aluminum oxide (A12O3) in a smooth spherical form with high-crush strength and thermal resistance. It is highly porous and have a high surface area greater than 300 m2/g. It is an excellent desiccants for gas dry such as AIR, CO2, SF6, NH3, CO, H2S, Cl2, HCl or liquids, such as gasoline, chlorinated, fluoridated or or aromatic hydrocarbons, and can achieve dew points from -40°F (-40°C) depending on the operating conditions and the design of the dryer.

Activated Alumina works as a desiccant through adsorption, the air go through the desiccants beads, the water in the air sticks in the beads and trapped, but the air pass through activated alumina filter to become dried out. Even if immersed in a liquid, the beads will not fall apart or soften.

Activated Alumina can be restored to its original adsorption efficiency by heating the desiccant to any temperature from 350° to 600°F (177° to 316°C). When the  desiccant is heated as described above, the water stored in it is released, which enables the Activated Alumina filters to be reused over and over again.

XINTAO offers Activated Alumina in three different sizes of beads: 1/8” (2‐5 mm), 3/16” (4‐8 mm) and 1/4” (5‐10 mm). The 1/8” (3‐5 mm) bead size is most commonly used in regenerative dryers.

Typical applications:

o compressed air dryers

o water purification to remove fluoride, arsenic and selenium

o removal of degradation acids from transformer oils, lubricating oils, and refrigerants

o natural gas drying

o liquefied natural gas drying

Activated Alumina is is most frequently used for compressed air dryers, due to its cost effectiveness in relation to the other types of desiccant. With its high surface area, high crush strength and thermal resistance, the activated alumina can easily withstand the saturated conditions that are found within an air compressor.