Abstract: The present invention relates generally to radial flow vessels and processes to achieve even fluid flow distribution through the bed during purification, separation or reaction processes. The radial bed vessel is designed such that the ratio of the cross-sectional flow areas of the flow channels is in proportion to the ratio of the mass flow rates of the process gas with the proportionality constant between 0.7 and 1.4. In addition, the channels each have a cross-sectional flow areas such that the pressure change within each channel is less than or equal to 10% of the pressure drop across the bed of active material under the process operating conditions for the particular gas employed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to radial flow vessels and processes to achieve even fluid flow distribution through the bed during purification, separation or reaction processes. The radial bed vessel is designed such that the ratio of the cross-sectional flow areas of the flow channels is in proportion to the ratio of the mass flow rates of the process gas with the proportionality constant between 0.7 and 1.4. In addition, the channels each have a cross-sectional flow areas such that the pressure change within each channel is less than or equal to 10% of the pressure drop across the bed of active material under the process operating conditions for the particular gas employed.

Abstract: A high efficiency particulate air filter assembly (10) having low air flow resistance. The filter assembly (10) includes a radially pleated filter element (20) having a number of pleats generally equal to 14 times the numerical value of the diameter in inches plus 5 times the numerical value of the diameter divided by the square root of the pleat height, thus ##EQU1## The filter element (22) is mounted within a canister shell (24) having an end face (42) so designed that a negative fit test may be readily performed.

Abstract: A sorbent type filter assembly (10) which is made by sequentially placing a first resilient perforated plate (40), a first retention filter (36), a sorbent bed (34), a second retention filter (38), a second resilient perforated plate (42), and a cover (14) within the cylindrical portion (16) of a canister shell (12). The cover (14) is forced downwardly to compress the sorbent bed (34) and to resiliently spring bias or stress the first resilient perforated plate (40). While the parts are held together under compression, an annular edge portion of the cylindrical shell is rolled into a circumferentially extending groove on the canister cover to hermetically and mechanically hold the parts together in their assembled and compressed relationship.