Abstract: A vapor horn-packing bed assembly for a chemical process tower incorporating a plurality of directional flow vanes within a 360 degree annular housing. A structured packing bed is disposed centrally of the annular housing and the vapor horn is disposed in flow communication with the packing bed wherein discharged vapor will ascend therethrough. The vapor horn includes a plurality of equally spaced flow vanes positioned for intercepting and diverting the vapor flow downwardly within the tower for generating a substantially homogenous vapor region beneath the packing bed. The homogenous vapor generated by such a vapor horn will comprise a turbulent, gaseous region having sufficiently uniform kinetic energy to present a substantially even ascension front into the packing bed of the vapor horn assembly and other packing beds thereabove.

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: 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.