Specifications for Refractron's "Specialty" Ceramic Diffuser

Diffusers are used for:

  • Aeration in water treatment
  • Diffusion for chemical reactions
  • Diffusion in aquaculture applications
  • Ozone diffusion in water treatment
  • Sparging in pharmaceutical applications

 

These applications require dispersion of fine air or gas bubbles through porous ceramic into a liquid.  The smaller the bubbles the more gas is exposed to the liquid, increasing the gas transfer.  Diffusers can also be designed to cause turbulence, which is required when mixing is desired.

 

Material

These rugged, specialty, porous ceramic diffusers are manufactured by fusing aluminum oxide grains using a porcelain bond to form a strong, uniformly porous and homogenous structure.  The naturally hydrophilic material is easily wetted resulting in fine uniform bubbles.

 

Styles/Shapes

Tubular:  1/2", 3/4", 1 1/2", 2 1/2", 4 1/4"

Diameters x up to 48" Long

Square:  1" Square x up to 6" Long, 1 1/2 Square x up to 12" Long

Plates:  12" Square x 1" Thick, 8" x 12" x up to 1 1/2" Thick

Discs:  2" OD x 1/4" Thick, 4" OD x 1/2" Thick, 7" OD x 1/2" Thick, 9" OD x 3/4" Thick

Domes:  7" OD x 1 1/2 Thick

Solidomes™:  7" OD x 1 1/2 Thick (Membrane)

Bar:  1 1/2" Wide x 1" Thick up to 12" Long, 3" Wide x 1" Thick x up to 12" Long

Other custom shapes available on request.

 

Porosity

40 - 50% (active pores)

 

Pore Size Grades

  • Standard Grades AF 15 microns to AF 90 microns
  • Ultra fine Membrane Grades MeAF0.5 microns to MeAF12 microns
  • Bubbles formed range from <1 mm to 3 mm in size with standard grades and less than 1 mm with membrane grades
  • Reducing flow can help reduce the bubble size for a given diffuser

 

Flow Rate

1/2 to 50 SCFM per Square Foot of area

 

Maximum Temperature

Up to 800° F for porous ceramic, limited only by sealants, gaskets and/or fitting materials.

 

Corrosion Resistance

Porous ceramics are resistant to most acids, except for HF, Phosphoric Acid and H2SO4.  The sealants, gaskets and/or fitting materials may be the limiting factor in certain fluids.

 

Cleanability

Porous ceramic is cleanable by a variety of methods, depending on type of contaminant to be removed.  Methods include spraying, brushing, backwashing, oven firing, dilute acid cleaning, steam cleaning and ultrasonic cleaning.

 

Flexural Strength (M.O.R.)

1500 psi

 

Thermal Expansion

7 x 10-6° C

 

Fittings

1/8" to 3/4" NPT or hose fittings in ceramic for aggressive, corrosive applications, stainless steel, PVC or other polymers.  (The 3/4" NPT fitting is used on the 2 1/2" OD tube mounted on the fitting using a tie rod, plate, nut and gasket.

 

Applications

Aeration in wastewater, diffusion in fish hatcheries and other aquaculture applications, ozone diffusion for water treatment, other inert gas diffusion for chemical reactions and mixing, and sparging in food and beverage applications.

 

Order Information

Typical part number is AF 90, 64-44-610

AF or MeAF = Alumina or Membrane

90 = Pore size of 90 microns

64 = OD in mm

44 = ID in mm

61 = Length in mm

Contact the factory for additional details and help selecting the required product.

 

Other Refractron Technologies Corporation Capabilities

Porous ceramics can be used for a variety of applications where a uniform, controlled porosity is required.  In addition, the material can withstand high temperature and corrosive applications.  Refractron manufactures porous ceramic parts used as ink pads, liquid dispersion rolls, filter tubes, plus other engineered components.