| abstract |
A support agent may include sintered ceramics, wherein sintered ceramics have a composition that includes an alumina content (A12O3) that ranges from about 60% to about 78% by weight, an iron oxide content (Fe2O3) that ranges from about 5% to about 20% by weight, a silica content (SiO2) that ranges from about 1% to about 10% by weight, a titania content (TiO2) that ranges from about 2% to about 8% in weight, and a content of a combination of iron oxide and titania of at least about 11% by weight. A support agent may include sintered ceramics. Sintered ceramics can have a composition that includes a calcium oxide (CaO) content that ranges from about 1% to about 5% by weight. A rod-shaped support agent may include a sintered ceramic having an aspect ratio ranging from about 1.5 to about 3, an apparent specific gravity ranging from about 2.0 to about 4.0, and a packing porosity greater than 49% . |