Abstract: An improved contact body element, for use in forming the fill of a gas and liquid contact apparatus to produce interaction between a gas and liquid flowing through the apparatus, of the type having formed sheet members with a longitudinally extending edge of the sheet member folded over on a longitudinally extending surface of the corrugated member. This provides a strip of sheet material secured in overlapping relationship to the surface of the formed sheet member forming a full gap therebetween. An adhesive with intumescent qualities, which are triggered by heat, is applied within the fold such that the longitudinal edge and longitudinal surface in cooperation with the adhesive form a substantially rigid ply that is substantially resistant to erosion and can withstand higher compressive forces and which will expand in the event of fire, to block the openings between the sheets. The sheet edge may be slitted along its length to facilitate this blockage.

Abstract: An improved liquid gas contact tower of the type having film fill placed in the tower with its principal plane inclined at an angle to the vertical so as to intersect a gas path extending between gas inlet and outlet openings includes a plurality of dewatering sheets secured to the film fill adjacent its lower surface to intercept liquid collecting and flowing along the film fill sheets and deflect it away from the fill, thereby to decrease the air pressure drop through the film fill during use.

Abstract: A gas and liquid contact apparatus includes at least one pair of generally vertically aligned contact bodies having pairs of opposed generally vertically and horizontally extending edge portions. The contact bodies have passageways formed therein which penetrate between the two opposed vertical edges of the body, with the horizontal edges thereof being open to admit liquid into the passageways. A liquid impervious distribution strip is located between the adjacent spaced horizontal edges of the contact bodies and extends across one of the vertical edges thereof, to deflect liquid migrating to the one vertical edge toward the other vertical edge of the contact body therebelow.