Abstract: A horizontal pass, multiple packed-bed gas scrubber features relatively low pressure drop flow paths for both the gas flow and the scrubbing liquid flow, allowing large scale mass transfer of solute from the gas to the liquid. The scrubber is volumetrically compact, yet possesses extremely high scrubbing efficiency of large gas flow rates. Each packed bed comprises packing that is wetted by liquid emitted from low pressure drop orifices in piping near the top of the packing. The piping is supported by baffles that extend into the packing so as to force back into the packing any gas that seeks to avoid the packing by flowing through any void, or inadequately wetted, zone at the top of a bed.

Abstract: A dumped packing for use in gas liquid contact apparatus is provided of the type where the packing comprises a perforated base member which curves around a notional axis to define a space which is partially enclosed by the base member. There is at least one oppositely directed curved bridging member carried by the base member, and preferably formed therefrom, which extends clear of the base member into the space. In the present invention the base member cooperates with the bridging member to bound a space having dimensions roughly equal when measured along lines at right angles to each other. In a preferred form the base member has the general shape of an ellipse and portions of the bridge member are cut therefrom to form fingers which extend into the interior of the space defined by the base member and the bridge member.

Abstract: Precision molded plastic cellular packing elements (10 and 40) of polygonal and curvilinear spriral shape are provided for mass transfer and effluent treatment apparatus. Each spiral element (10 and 40) has more than one convolution (16 and 46), a maximum transverse width (W) significantly greater than its axial height (H) whereby it has a greater tendency to orient itself horizontally and its relatively shorter wall surfaces substantially vertical, angularly spaced ribs (24-26) (52-54) which extend from the axis (x) and interconnect the convolutions; and wherein adjacent wall portions of the ribs and of the spiral convolutions around open end cells of the element are either in alignment or inclined in one direction, or oppositely inclined relative to one another whereby the element may be provided with either or a combination of straight, tapered or oppositely tapered cells.

Abstract: A generally hollow packing element of relatively high surface area having a plurality of open end tubes situated radially within and connected to one another. At least two of the tubes have walls with or without openings therein extending around and inclined relative to each other and at an angle to a central axis of the body. A plurality of ribs are angularly spaced around the axis and include ribs extending between the walls, ribs projecting from and beyond an end of an outer tube and ribs extending from the central axis which divide the body into a plurality of sectors and chambers. Whether stacked or randomly dumped into a vessel the majority of the surface area of the body is inclined and neither parallel nor normal to the axis of the element or the vessel.

Abstract: A low flow liquid distributor for liquid/gas contact apparatus having a liquid feed splitter dividing the flow into a plurality of streams, an array of troughs extending across the cross sectional area of the contact apparatus, below the splitter, collects the plurality of streams and further divides the flow into a greater number of streams. A shallow pan situated under each of the troughs collects the streams and has upturned sides with drain openings extending upwardly from at least the junction with a downwardly sloping bottom of the pan of greater number than the streams deposited in the pan whereby low rates of liquid flow are obtainable and uniformly distributed onto a bed of tower packing for contact with a gas flowing therethrough.