Abstract: A mass transfer column is provided in which a shell is formed of one or more side walls having an exoskeleton. The exoskeleton includes a plurality of vertical trusses joined together by crossing rails. An inner skin is supported by the vertical trusses and rails and, together with a top and bottom of the shell, defines an open internal region that may be pressurized and in which mass transfer process may occur. Horizontally extending beams that may be in the form of trusses span the open internal region and are supported by the exoskeleton. Internals such as structured packing may be supported on the horizontally extending beams.

Abstract: A mass transfer column is provided in which a shell is formed of one or more side walls having an exoskeleton. The exoskeleton includes a plurality of vertical trusses joined together by crossing rails. An inner skin is supported by the vertical trusses and rails and, together with a top and bottom of the shell, defines an open internal region that may be pressurized and in which mass transfer process may occur. Horizontally extending beams that may be in the form of trusses span the open internal reaion and are supported by the exoskeleton. Internals such as structured packing may be supported on the horizontally extending beams.

Abstract: A structured packing module for use in a mass transfer column. Corrugated sheets of structured packing in the structured packing module are held together by fasteners that extend into the corrugated sheets from opposite sides of the structured packing module at an angle of inclination or perpendicularly with respect to the sides of the structured packing module. The fasteners may have an outer surface with protrusions or indentations that resist removal of the fasteners from the structured packing sheets.

Abstract: A structured packing module for use in a mass transfer column. Corrugated sheets of structured packing in the structured packing module are held together by fasteners that extend into the corrugated sheets from opposite sides of the structured packing module at an angle of inclination or perpendicularly with respect to the sides of the structured packing module. The fasteners may have an outer surface with protrusions or indentations that resist removal of the fasteners from the structured packing sheets.

Abstract: A structured packing module for use in a mass transfer column. Corrugated sheets of structured packing in the structured packing module are held together by fasteners that extend into the corrugated sheets from opposite sides of the structured packing module at an angle of inclination or perpendicularly with respect to the sides of the structured packing module. The fasteners may have an outer surface with protrusions or indentations that resist removal of the fasteners from the structured packing sheets.

Abstract: A support system is provided to support cross flow trays in vertically spaced-apart relationship within a mass transfer column. The support system includes a chordal wall that has vertically-extending opposite ends that are secured to an external shell of the mass transfer column. Each cross flow tray has a tray deck with fluid flow apertures and at least one chordal downcomer. The chordal downcomers are positioned in vertical alignment on each of the cross flow trays and include downcomer passageways formed by spaced-apart downcomer walls. The chordal wall extends vertically through the downcomer passageways on the cross flow trays and the downcomer walls are coupled with the chordal wall to transfer a load from the tray decks and the downcomer walls to the chordal wall.

Abstract: A collector is used to collect and mix liquid from an overlying zone in a mass transfer column in which fluid streams are processed, such as to obtain fractionation products. The collector has two or more liquid collection regions and two or more sumps positioned about the perimeter of the liquid collection regions. A plurality of channels and deflectors are spaced apart within each liquid collection region and vapor passages are formed in the spacings between adjacent channels. The deflectors direct descending liquid into the channels and shield the vapor passages from the descending liquid. The channels within each liquid collection region are arranged into interspersed sets, with one set of channels preferentially directing collected liquid into one sump and another set of channels preferentially directing collected liquid into another sump.

Abstract: A collector is used to collect and mix liquid from an overlying zone in a mass transfer column in which fluid streams are processed, such as to obtain fractionation products. The collector has two or more liquid collection regions and two or more sumps positioned about the perimeter of the liquid collection regions. A plurality of channels and deflectors are spaced apart within each liquid collection region and vapor passages are formed in the spacings between adjacent channels. The deflectors direct descending liquid into the channels and shield the vapor passages from the descending liquid. The channels within each liquid collection region are arranged into interspersed sets, with one set of channels preferentially directing collected liquid into one sump and another set of channels preferentially directing collected liquid into another sump.