Abstract: Method of and apparatus for vapor-liquid contact utilizing louvered structured packing. The packing is provided in corrugated sheets and between the fold lines of the corrugations, a plurality of large louvered openings are disposed in generally parallel spaced relationship. An array of small louvers is disposed across the sheets, and each of the louvers is oriented for selectively vectoring the flow of liquid and/or vapor around and through the corrugated sheets when disposed within a chemical process tower.

Abstract: An improved liquid flow distributor assembly for a process column of the type wherein the distributor is positioned above a packing section for the distribution of liquid downwardly therethrough. The improvement comprises a plurality of distributor troughs constructed with a series of internal distributor channels having stilling plates depending therefrom. Each channel is constructed of a generally U-shaped cross section, aligned with and affixed to the distributor trough for providing primary liquid flow to intermediate regions thereof. In this manner, liquid gradients between opposite ends of the troughs are eliminated and a uniform quiescent liquid level is maintained.

Abstract: A downcomer tray assembly for vapor liquid contact towers. The region of the tray beneath an upper downcomer is constructed with a raised, perforated region for improving mass transfer efficiency. The raised region reduces fluid pressure to facilitate ascending vapor therethrough. A series of louvers selectively directs the upward vapor flow into the liquid region below the downcomer to generate a more efficient vapor-liquid contact and reduced back-mixing across the tray.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tower packing for vapor-liquid contact which includes a plurality of sheets of corrugated material, the sheets being arranged generally vertically and parallel to one another with the corrugations of adjacent sheets criss-crossing one another. The sheets are provided with a plurality of holes for effecting both liquid and vapor distribution in said packing, and the holes are arranged on the sheets with the horizontal spacing between adjacent holes being no greater than about five times the horizontal extent of a hole, and in no event greater than about 5 millimeters. The horizontal extent of the holes is no greater than about 2 millimeters.

Abstract: An improved liquid flow distributor assembly for a process column of the type wherein the distributor is positioned above a packing section for the distribution of liquid downwardly therethrough. The improvement comprises a plurality of troughs constructed with a series of removable distributor tube assemblies on opposite sides thereof. Each tube is constructed with a first generally U-shaped securing, or mounting channel affixed to the side of a distributor trough with a hole formed therethrough in flow communication with the lower region of the trough. An angulated distributor channel is constructed for slidable engagement with the U-shaped securing channel element. The sidewalls of the U-shaped channel are constructed for securing the sliding channel therein and forming a triangular flow conduit for receiving the discharge of fluid from the trough.

Abstract: Process tower vapor/liquid flow distributor and packing bed comprising a plurality of relatively thin corrugated layers stacked one atop the other. The corrugated sheets are disposed in face to face contact with respective corrugations inclined to the horizontal and facing one another for the countercurrent passage of vapor and liquid therethrough. At least two layers are utilized and rotationally offset for diverting the vapor liquid in two separate directions to effect maximum vapor liquid distribution for countercurrent fluid flow passing therethrough. An improved homogenous mixture of vapor/liquid within the process tower packing sections may thus be provided. The assembly affords optimal pressure drop characteristic while maximizing even vapor/liquid distribution into the packing regions.

Abstract: An improved liquid flow distributor for a process column of the type wherein the distributor is positioned above a packing section for the distribution of liquid downwardly therethrough. The improvement comprises a plurality of troughs formed with a downwardly tapering body section having holes formed therein for spewing liquid outwardly therefrom. Baffles are disposed outwardly of the lower tapering body sections of the troughs for receiving the spew of liquid therefrom and evenly distributing the liquid flow downwardly. A plurality of flow equalization pipes interconnect the troughs one with the other and are coupled to the troughs through a lower sidewall region thereof. In this manner, flow equalization between troughs is provided and the flow equalization pipes are presented in a configuration allowing debris to be removed therefrom. In one embodiment a series of screens are secured to the bottom regions of the baffles for further facilitating uniformity in flow distribution emanating from the troughs.

Abstract: A structural strut having at least one surface of generally U-shaped cross section and being formed with a pair of upstanding side walls having opposed tapers. The side wall tapers of the strut shift or skew the neutral axis of the member in proportion to the relative side wall dimensions. In this manner, the strut may be used to comprise a load bearing member having a neutral axis selectively slanted to a position maximizing structural loading efficiency and interconnection. The ends of the strut are further formed of substantially planar construction for flat abutment and welded attachment to cross members of a truss thereby eliminating conventional gusset plates. The structural strut may also be constructed from a pair of such U-shaped channel sections secured back-to-back with the tapering flanges complementally positioned opposite one another for selectively shifting the neutral axis of the resulting I-beam.

Abstract: Metal vapor-liquid contact plates disposed in face-to-face contact with respective corrugations inclined to the horizontal across an open notional plane. The metal packing is disposed within a vapor-liquid contact column for the purpose of bringing about mass and heat transfer between liquid and vapor passing in opposite directions therethrough. The body portion of each metal plate comprises metal that has been slitted to provide both surfaces thereof with a very large number of apertures with little wasted material. The metal lands defining the apertures are, moreover, twisted and angulated. The apertures in the plates also trap liquid and expose it to the vapor stream on both sides of the metal affording self-spreading of the liquid and turbulent vapor flow therethrough. In this manner, the assembly affords optimal pressure drop characteristics, surface to vapor passage area ratio, and vapor-liquid distribution characteristics.

Abstract: Process tower vapor-liquid contact method and apparatus comprising stacks of corrugated contact plates having perforated lamella disposed therebetween. The corrugated plates are disposed in face-to-face contact with respective corrugations inclined to the horizontal and separated one from the other by a perforated sheet. The assembly affords optimal pressure drop characteristics, surficial area, vapor passage area, and vapor-liquid distribution characteristics with maximum efficiency. The sandwiched plate separating adjacent corrugated contact plates greatly increases the mass and heat transfer between the liquid and vapor phases passing thereacross by effectively segregating opposed corrugated channels and establishing a plurality of vapor-liquid contact areas positioned for engaging both vapor and liquid flow in opposed directions through the oppositely inclined corrugations of adjacent plates.

Abstract: Tower packing elements adapted for dumped packing and employed to effect vapor-liquid contact in vapor-liquid contact columns for the purposes of bringing about mass and heat transfer between the liquid and vapor phases. Each packing element is of the saddle variety and is arcuately formed about orthogonal notional axes. The body of the saddle comprises expanded metal; that is, metal that has been perforated, lanced, and/or expanded by stretching along oppositely oriented axes. Also disclosed are methods of forming a segmented, semi-toroidal tower packing element from metal which has been expanded, as well as from metal which has been slitted, and which is expanded at the same time as it is formed into a saddle shape. In this manner, the advantages of metal in tower dump packing can be utilized in a saddle configuration maximizing vapor-liquid contact and efficiency of the mass and heat transfer.

Abstract: The device of the present invention utilizes a unitized scheme to erect a sulphur dioxide scrubber tower wherein a set of factory built constituent subunits are joined at location to produce a single functional unit. The functional units themselves preferably are adaptable for parallel grouping as necessary to insure the treatment capacity required for the emission rate of any given application or where otherwise appropriate for other process reasons.The temporary strength and rigidity necessary to maintain a subunit's critical geometric integrity throughout construction, transportation and erection processes is provided by a reusable exoskeletal support cradle. Preferably each subunit is initially constructed upon such a cradle. Alternatively, subunits are constructed in jigs at the factory and transferred to the support cradles before shipping to the construction site.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved knitting machine in which special steps have been taken to provide for close correlation of the operation of the knitting filament in-feed equipment and the knitted fabric out-feed equipment with the speed of the knitting head itself, to produce a more uniform and better quality knitted product, and to reduce the danger of filament or fabric breakage caused by jamming at the knitting head or at one of the pieces of feed equipment. These steps are particularly important in the knitting of wire mesh fabric, because wire filament is less stretchable than most textile filaments and thus less able to compensate for variations in the speed of the various pieces of equipment acting upon it as it passes through the machine. In particular, the filament in-feed equipment, the fabric take-up equipment, and if desired, the fabric take-down equipment, are all driven by power trains which include the knitting head.

Abstract: A distribution duct for a reactor which can be easily fabricated. The duct has an elongated back plate and an elongated perforated front plate made up of flat segments separated by elongated angular breaks, and two flat marginal edge portions on the opposite sides thereof, the marginal edge portions being in flush engagement with, and secured to the back plate adjacent to the sides thereof, the flat segments defining with the back plate a flow chamber.

Abstract: A distributor duct for a reactor which can be easily fabricated. The duct has an elongated back plate and an elongated perforated flat plate made up of flat segments separated by elongated angular breaks, and two flat marginal edge portions on the opposite sides thereof, the marginal edge portions being in flush engagement with, and welded to the back plate adjacent to the sides thereof, the flat segments defining with back plate a flow chamber.

Abstract: Novel quick opening removable tray sections or deck plates for trays of fluid contact vessels having foldable closures or covers adapted to rest upon frame members which coact to form perimeters of one or more polygonal, preferably quadrangular, complementary openings in each tray. Each cover has at least a pair of closure panels hingedly connected at their adjacent inner margins. Opposed outer lateral or side margins of closure panels, which overlie complementary lateral or side frame members in spaced relationship, extend in the same general direction as their adjacent inner margins. At least one of opposed outer lateral margins is slidably confined whereby cover is removable upon elevating closure panels at their hinged inner margins and simultaneously sliding said outer lateral panel margins toward each other and out of confinement so as to permit folding of said cover.

Abstract: There has been provided an improved saddle for use as a packing or contacting element formed into a shape resembling an inner peripheral half section of a hollow torus having respective edges in generally parallel planes relative to a transverse axis of the torus and in generally the same plane as the cross-sectional axis of the torus, each edge having a plurality of integral protrusions forming points extending a selected distance from the surface adjacent the respective edge for providing drip points for liquids and spacing of the element one from the other such that there can be substantially no pooling of liquids regardless of how the saddles are disposed adjacent one another in the tower.

Abstract: A system for supporting, guiding and controlling a welding head to maintain the welding head normal to the instantaneous surface contour of overlapping, convoluted metal sheets to weld the same together. The system is capable of being supported on the convoluted metal sheets regardless of the relative orientation (vertical, oblique or downwardly or upwardly horizontal) of the sheets. In order to maintain a preselected penetration, consistently throughout the welding of the sheets, the orientation of the weld head, the amount of heat developed at the weld head and the rate of speed of travel of the weld head are precisely regulated. The orientation of the weld head relative to the sheet is controlled by a mechanical sensor which activates a preprogrammed configuration device displaying characteristics substantially identical with any particular departure from the normally linear surface of the sheets.