Abstract: A packing section includes a plurality of vertically oriented, diagonally cross-corrugated packing sheets defining a section height. The section height has a base region, a bulk region, and a top region. The base region has a first particular geometry different from the geometry of the bulk region.

Abstract: A hollow, saddle-shaped packing structure 14 includes a pair of porous outer and inner semi-cylindrical side walls 22, 34 that are spaced from one another to define an interior space 40, and a particulate catalyst component 20 retained in the interior space between the side walls. The packing structure may be formed by a pair of saddle-shaped shell elements 16, 18, each of which presents one of the side walls and a pair of radially opposed laterally extending flanges 26, 38. The flanges are connected together by tabs 30, 32, welding, or the like, and the interior space between axially spaced marginal edges 24, 36 of the outer and inner shell elements is closed off to retain the particulate catalyst component between the side walls.

Abstract: A packing section includes a plurality of vertically oriented, diagonally cross-corrugated packing sheets defining a section height. The section height has a base region, a bulk region, and a top region. The base region has a first particular geometry different from the geometry of the bulk region. The top region has a second particular geometry different from the geometry of the bulk region, and different from the first particular geometry of the base region.

Abstract: A packing section includes a plurality of vertically oriented, diagonally cross-corrugated packing sheets defining a section height. The section height has a base region, a bulk region, and a top region. The base region has a first particular geometry different from the geometry of the bulk region. The top region has a second particular geometry different from the geometry of the bulk region, and different from the first particular geometry of the base region.

Abstract: A packing section includes a plurality of vertically oriented, diagonally cross-corrugated packing sheets defining a section height. The section height has a base region, a bulk region, and a top region. The base region has a first particular geometry different from the geometry of the bulk region. The top region has a second particular geometry different from the geometry of the bulk region, and different from the first particular geometry of the base region.

Abstract: A packing section includes a plurality of vertically oriented, diagonally cross-corrugated packing sheets defining a section height. The section height has a base region, a bulk region, and a top region. The base region has a first particular geometry different from the geometry of the bulk region. The top region has a second particular geometry different from the geometry of the bulk region, and different from the first particular geometry of the base region.

Abstract: A method for operating a column having a region for reaction with distillation of fluid streams is provided with structures including catalyst-filled containers having liquid permeable upper surfaces which allow for the accumulation and flow of liquid from a liquid stream. The containers include catalyst beds positioned beneath the upper surface of the containers. A portion of the liquid on the containers is driven through the catalyst bed by the liquid head created by the accumulated liquid and is catalytically reacted. Another portion of the liquid may be directed through a downcomer which allows the accumulated liquid to leave the container without passing through the catalyst bed so that higher volumetric flow rates can be achieved.

Abstract: A plurality of structured packing bricks are positioned in a column having a longitudinal axis to form one or more structured packing beds. Each brick is formed from a plurality of corrugated plates disposed in parallel relation and having opposed ends that form end surfaces of the bricks. At least one end surface, and normally both end surfaces, of the bricks are inclined at an angle to the column axis so each brick has an end surface that engages and overlaps the inclined end surface of a horizontally adjacent brick. The inclined end surfaces include openings formed by the plate corrugations and, due to the overlapping positioning of adjacent end surfaces, liquid is able to flow vertically downwardly from openings in one brick end surface into openings in the adjacent brick end surface. These angle end surfaces also disrupt the vertical flow of vapor so that vertical channeling of vapor along the end surfaces is disrupted. The shape of the packing bricks can include trapezoidal and parallelogram.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray (16) is provided with an upstream downcomer (46) and a downstream downcomer (48) which form a two-stage downcomer. The discharge outlet (62) of the upstream downcomer (46) feeds liquid into the downstream downcomer (48) to help seal the discharge outlet (58) of the downstream downcomer (48) against vapor entry at lower liquid flow rates and to allow positioning of the discharge outlet (58) above the height of the weir (66) on the underlying tray (16). Because the upstream downcomer (46) does not discharge liquid directly onto the underlying tray deck (40), the area of the tray deck (40) underlying the upstream downcomer (46) can contain vapor flow apertures (68) to increase the active area and mass transfer efficiency of the tray (16).

Abstract: A plurality of structured packing bricks are positioned in a column having a longitudinal axis to form one or more structured packing beds. Each brick is formed from a plurality of corrugated plates disposed in parallel relation and having opposed ends that form end surfaces of the bricks. At least one end surface, and normally both end surfaces, of the bricks are inclined at an angle to the column axis so each brick has an end surface that engages and overlaps the inclined end surface of a horizontally adjacent brick. The inclined end surfaces include openings formed by the plate corrugations and, due to the overlapping positioning of adjacent end surfaces, liquid is able to flow vertically downwardly from openings in one brick end surface into openings in the adjacent brick end surface. These angle end surfaces also disrupt the vertical flow of vapor so that vertical channeling of vapor along the end surfaces is disrupted. The shape of the packing bricks can include trapezoidal and parallelogram.

Abstract: A downcomer having a screened or otherwise liquid permeable wall is provided for use in a mass transfer or distillation column. The liquid permeable wall provides another avenue for liquid to be removed from the downcomer to increase the liquid handling capacity of the downcomer. When wetted, the liquid permeable wall provides a barrier against vapor entry into the downcomer through the wall.

Abstract: A reaction with distillation column is provided with a plurality of discrete catalytic reaction containers. The containers contain a plurality of solid catalyst particles which form a catalytic reaction zone. The containers also include a liquid collection tray cover which defines a liquid accumulation zone immediately overlying the catalytic reaction zone. Overflow weirs are provided on the tray cover to allow for overflow of liquid on the tray cover. A member may be provided within the containers to create an open area within the catalytic reaction zone to facilitate entry of the liquid into the catalytic reaction zone. The containers can be individually positioned within the reactor to suit particular process requirements.

Abstract: A column having a region for reaction with distillation of fluid streams is provided with structures including catalyst-filled containers having liquid permeable upper surfaces which allow for the accumulation and flow of liquid from a liquid stream. The containers include catalyst beds positioned beneath the upper surface of the containers. A portion of the liquid on the containers is driven through the catalyst bed by the liquid head created by the accumulated liquid and is catalytically reacted. Another portion of the liquid may be directed through a downcomer which allows the accumulated liquid to leave the container without passing through the catalyst bed so that higher volumetric flow rates can be achieved.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray is provided which includes a plurality of openings and associated fixed roof structures which redirect vapor flowing vertically upward through the openings to horizontal flow paths. Each fixed roof structure includes a generally planar deflector which overlies and is spaced above the associated opening in the tray. The deflector is joined to the tray by end plates connected at one end to the tray and at the other end to the deflector. In one embodiment the deflector is generally parallel to the tray and divides the vertically flowing vapor stream into roughly equal oppositely flowing vapor streams. In other embodiments, the deflector is inclined in relation to the tray to preferentially direct the vapor stream in one direction or to split the vapor stream into equal portions which are directed in the same general direction.

Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidizer is provided with a combustion chamber and a plurality of heat transfer columns. Heat transfer media within the columns include solid surfaces which define vapor flow passages. To permit higher volumetric vapor flow rates nearer the combustion chamber, the passages are larger in cross-sectional area and the solid surfaces have less total surface area in those portions of the heat transfer media nearer the combustion chamber than in those portions away from the combustion chamber. The larger cross-sectional area of the passages and reduced area of the solid surfaces decreases the resistance to vapor flow and allows the passages to accommodate the higher volumetric flow rate of the vapor stream passing through the hotter portions of the heat transfer media.

Abstract: An integral collector-distributor device including chimney hats and adapted for use in a gas-liquid exchange column to promote radial mixing of a liquid on a distributor tray surface. The collector-distributor device includes a tray having a tray surface adapted to extend generally horizontally across the cross-sectional area of the column to collect downwardly flowing liquid. A plurality of gas risers on the tray permit the upward movement of an upwardly flowing gas through the tray, and a plurality of liquid distributors permit the generally uniform distribution of the collected downwardly flowing liquid to a lower section of the column.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray and downcomer assembly is provided with ramps which serve to impart a horizontal directional flow to the liquid exiting the downcomer and/or the vapor passing through the tray. The downcomer includes a bottom plate which closes the outlet region of the downcomer and includes a plurality of ramps which redirect the downwardly flowing liquid to include a horizontal component in the direction of liquid flow across the underlying tray. The downcomer receiving area in the underlying tray can include valves having floating caps which shield the associated openings in the tray against liquid weeping and redirect the vertical movement of the vapor streams to a generally horizontal momentum.

Abstract: A mass transfer or heat exchange column is provided with a vapor distributor having, in one embodiment, a deflecting surface which directs a vapor stream about the inner periphery of the column. Following discharge from the distributor, the vapor stream contacts circumferentially spaced guide vanes which redirect the vapor stream toward the center of the column to cause a more uniform distribution of the vapor stream across the horizontal cross section of the column.

Abstract: A mass transfer or heat exchange column is provided with a vapor distributor which circulates a vapor stream about the inner periphery of the column. The vapor stream is discharged from the distributor through an at least partially open bottom and, optionally, a plurality of spaced apart outlet ports in an inner annular wall of the distributor. A deflector extends upwardly along the inner annular wall to deflect the vapor stream away from a circumferential flow path along the inward face of the wall. The deflector may also extend outwardly under the flow channel to deflect, in a radially inward direction, vapor exiting the flow channel through the open bottom of the distributor.

Abstract: A column having a region for reaction with distillation of fluid streams is provided with structures which include distillation trays that allow for the accumulation of liquid from a liquid stream and the passage of a vapor stream through the liquid for interaction therewith. The structures include catalyst beds which extend downwardly from the trays and are housed within at least partially perforate containers. A portion of the liquid on the tray is catalytically reacted as it is driven through the catalyst bed by the liquid head created by the accumulated liquid. Another portion of the liquid may be directed through a bypass which also extends downwardly from the tray and allows the liquid to bypass the catalyst bed so that higher volumetric flow rates can be achieved. A still further portion of the liquid can be directed to a zone between adjacent catalyst beds or within a catalyst bed for developing a liquid head to force the liquid laterally through the catalyst bed.