Abstract: An improved packed tower for effecting the absorption of a gas into a liquid, comprising a cylindrical tower wall defining a packing zone; a plurality of packing pieces contained within the packing zone; a liquid distributor above the packing zone for distributing liquid onto the packing pieces; a gas feed inlet below the packing pieces for feeding gas through the packing zone, the improvement wherein the plurality of packing pieces comprises a first plurality of packing pieces, of a first packing piece size, disposed within a first region of the packing zone defining an annulus adjacent at an upper part of the tower wall, and a second plurality of packing pieces of a second packing piece size greater than the first packing piece size, within a second region of the packing zone. The packed tower provides higher efficiencies in gas absorption over prior art towers as to offer reduced tower and/or packing heights.

Abstract: An improved tower saddle packing having a general shape that is a segment of a hollow torus. The circumferential outer edges of the saddle define a plurality of radially, outwardly extending convex lobes. The lobes and wing portions preferably have weep holes to effectual wetting of all surfaces of the saddle. The hub of the saddle has in one aspect a plurality of apertures extending substantially across the hub. The saddle provides improved gas-liquid interaction, permits enhanced gas throughput in an absorption tower and allows for reduced tower packing sections.