Abstract: Horizontal structured packing utilizing horizontal panels or horizontal corrugated foils arranged in a crisscrossing pattern are disclosed together with methods for manufacturing and assembling the horizontal structured packing in an exchange column. In one embodiment, the structured packing comprises at least one first layer in a generally horizontal first plane and at least one second layer in a generally horizontal second plane below the first layer, each layer having at least one generally horizontal panel in the shape of a polygon having a center. Each panel is substantially uniform in size and of a shape that nests with horizontally adjacent panels, and there are a plurality of vanes disposed inside each panel. At least one of the vanes is at an angle to the horizontal and has a passage between the vane and an adjacent vane. The center of at least one panel in the second layer is horizontally offset from the center of a vertically adjacent panel in the first layer.

Abstract: The present invention is a kind of flexible plum flower mini ring which is used in chemical separation equipment. The packing consists of a mini ring with plum flower shape and rectangular windows and connected inner arc strips on its petals. There is a smaller flap cut from the middle of the inner arc strip which is bent into the center of the mini ring. The present invention can be used in normal or high pressure distillation, absorption and stripping with heavy liquid load and solvent extraction (lube-oil refining, aromatic separation and so on).

Abstract: A built-in packing for the material exchange and/or heat exchange between gases and liquids is composed of a plurality of undulating lattice-like elements arranged next to each other and each mounting element has channels formed by the undulations extending at an angle relative to the vertical direction and extending parallel to each other, wherein the channels of always two adjacent mounting elements intersect each other. Continuous longitudinal struts are provided at the bottom of the channels, wherein the longitudinal struts have contact plates at the ends thereof, and wherein the contact plates are components of an upper and a lower horizontal closed edge strip. The longitudinal struts are connected through transverse struts in a framework-like manner, wherein the transverse struts extend in horizontal planes which extend parallel to the two edge strips.

Abstract: An effluent treatment system for removing effluent gases from a gas stream including a packing having a plurality of randomly arranged elements of calcareous material. The elements may be spent shells of shellfish, especially half mussel shells and have a liquid retention portion which may form an individual liquid reservoir depending on the orientation of the element with the packing. Suitable bacteria are retained in at least some of the reservoirs. The system may be operated as a biofilter or a bioscrubber.

Abstract: A packing element with a plurality of symmetrically disposed subdivisions within a cylindrical body member provides a very strong, high temperature and corrosive media resistant structure with a large surface area. The elements are of great utility as dumped packing elements in mass transfer applications.

Abstract: Heat and material exchange device including a stack of fixed ventilators to promote gas mixing, each ventilator being constituted by four deflectors whose mean normals are inclined and generated one after another by rotation about vertical axes, the sum of the four angles of rotation being 360.degree.. The ventilators are stacked in successive horizontal layers amidst which each deflector forms a part of two adjacent ventilators turned in opposite directions and such that there is sufficient space between two adjacent deflectors for the passage of gas. The deflectors are pierced by at least one hole so as to promote passage of the liquid to the underside of the deflectors. At least some of the deflectors are connected to at least one of their neighbors in a same horizontal plane by a common edge segment so as to permit lateral division of the liquid between deflectors.

Abstract: A liquid-vapor contact column is packed with at least one layer formed of a plurality of structured packing sheets orientated to provide liquid-vapor contact in the axial direction of the column and arranged so that, viewed in the axial direction of the column, packing sheets in the body of the layer are in one or more sections in which at least one band surrounds a central core, said band being formed of segments in which the packing sheets in each segment extend rectilinearly in a different direction to those in the adjacent segments in the same band. The packing sheets in the body of the or each layer can be arranged in a plurality of abutting sections or in a single section.

Abstract: Structured packing for mass-exchange or energy-exchange processes uses a stack of parallel, flat sheets forming flat channels therebetween. A number of tabs extends between adjacent pairs of sheets to form both bridges for fluid flow and spacers for structural rigidity of the packing. Some of the tabs serve predominantly to divert fluid over the entire surface of a given sheet to prevent so-called channeling, while other tabs are disposed to predominantly enhance fluid transfer between the adjacent sheets. Fluid communication between both sides of each sheet is facilitated due to perforations caused by the manufacturing of the tabs. The design allows for the use of very thin sheets resulting in a light-weight packing assembly.

Abstract: A dividing wall column for separating a mixture into 3 or more fractions by distillation is described, where at least one dividing wall is detachably attached within the dividing wall column.

Abstract: A structured packing is disclosed. The structured packing has a plurality of packing elements stacked together as "building blocks" to provide the packing for an exchange column. Each packing element comprises a polyhedron (e.g., a cube) having a plurality of edges formed by elongated rods. At least one transfer sheet is disposed within the polyhedron (e.g., a cube), wherein the first end of each transfer sheet connects to a different edge of the polyhedron and the second end of each transfer sheet connects to another edge of the polyhedron. In one embodiment, the intersection of the transfer sheets forms two pyramids within the cube-shaped packing element, the bases of the pyramids being opposite sides of the cube and the apices of the pyramids intersecting substantially at the center of the cube. In the preferred embodiment, at least one side of each pyramid is open and the other sides of the pyramids formed by the intersecting transfer sheets provide flow surfaces within the packing element.

Abstract: To compensate the bypassing, at the edges, of the liquid flowing downward in a distillation column, in order to achieve optimum mass transfer with the ascending vapor, a specific nonuniform distribution of the liquid trickling density over the column cross-section is established including the steps of establishing a nonuniform distribution of the liquid trickling density over the column cross-section in the distillation column and adjusting the liquid trickling density in the wall regions, said nonuniform distribution being achieved bya) arranging a number of outlet orifices or the diameter of the outlet orifices of a liquid distributor orb) arranging baffles in the stripping sections at height intervals from 0.1 to 2 m, in the case of dumped packings with baffles which project into the column space from the wall by about from 0.

Abstract: A packing element for fluid-fluid contact apparatus is of generally tubular form, having a cylindrical wall in which two rows of apertures are formed. The first of the rows includes a plurality of apertures formed circumferentially in the wall, and the second of the rows, longitudinally spaced from the first row, includes a second plurality of apertures distributed circumferentially around the wall. First and second pluralities of tongues associated with the apertures respectively extend inwardly generally towards the longitudinal axis of the element, the tongues being provided in two different lengths. The packing element is preferably formed from strip metal, and the apertures are formed by depression of the tongue from the plane of the strip, prior to curving of the strip into cylindrical form.

Abstract: A packing element for mass transfer column or towers and/or heat transfer columns or towers through which a gas and/or a liquid flows, is provided herein. The packing element possesses a plurality of exchange surfaces. The exchange surfaces of the packing element are formed by the surfaces of half-wave-shaped strips or wave-shaped strips. The packing element also possesses at least one first group of strips containing at least one half-wave-shaped strip or wave-shaped strip having a first periodic length, and at least one second group of strips adjoining thereto and containing at least one half-wave-shaped or wave-shaped strip having a second periodic length. Preferably, at least one outer side of the packing element is formed as a boundary element joining at least some of the strips of a group of strips.

Abstract: A novel pourable packing element is provided herein for use, in particular, in mass transfer and/or heat transfer towers through which a gas or a liquid flows. The exchange areas of such packing element are formed by the surfaces of half-wave-shaped or wave-shaped strips. The packing element possesses at least a first group of strips having a first periodic length and at least one adjoining second group of strips having at least one strip with a second periodic length. The first periodic length of a selected first strip in the first group of strips, (such selected first strip adjoining the second group of strips), and the second periodic length of a selected second strip in the second group (such selected second strip adjoining the first group of strips), is matched to each other in such a way that two adjoining strips of the first group of strips and the second group of strips are in contact with one another at at least one point, so that liquid can pass from one strip to the other strip.

Abstract: A tower packing element for randomly dumped beds includes a straight leg portion attached at one end to an arcuate portion. The length of the straight leg portion is substantially equal to the length of a cord that extends between the ends of the arcuate portion. The arcuate portion and the straight leg portion have at least one slot therein. A tongue depends from each slot and points away from the packing element.

Abstract: A ceramic packing element is formed from a stack of ceramic plates having parallel ribs forming parallel grooves therebetween. The grooves are closed into channels by the surf ace of an opposed plate. The ribs may engage the end surfaces of ribs on an adjacent space or may be interleaved with the ribs of an opposed plate to form smaller channels. The plates are adhered to each other by firing a stack of plates in the green state or wrapping film or bands around a stack of pre-fired plates. The elements may be preassembled into larger units before placement in a column by wrapping metal bands around an assembly of elements.

Abstract: A packing element for use as a biofilm support in the biological processing of liquids. The packing element has a hollow cylindrical body having a plurality of helical blade members extending generally radially from the cylindrical body. A plurality of such packing elements are placed in a vessel. When liquid and/or gas flows over them, they tend to rotate causing local turbulence with resulting improvement in diffusion of gas and/or substrate to and from the biofilm, giving enhanced rates of liquid processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic support, which is superior in economy and also in various properties such as durability and exhaust gas cleaning ability to conventional metallic supports, each of which is composed, as a principal element, of a metallic honeycomb body of a honeycomb structure making use of expensive planar band(s) and/or corrugated band(s) ?sheet(s)! or conventional metallic supports, each of which is of a honeycomb structure constructed by close-packing small-diameter tubes within a metal casing.Namely, the metallic support according to the present invention for supporting thereon a cleaning catalyst for exhaust gas comprises(i) a cylindrical metal casing;(ii) a desired number of small-diameter open tubes of a desired cross-sectional shape arranged within the metal casing; and(iii) metal wires fixing the small-diameter open tubes arrayed within the metal casing.

Abstract: A media suitable for trickle filters and biological treatment of effluent or sewage wherein the media comprises an elongated member having a center core, a plurality of axially extending ribs and a plurality of fins extending outwardly from each rib, and a plurality of outwardly extending vanes situated at the distal end of each rib. The media element can be used either in a horizontal or vertical orientation and when made of a flexible material can be formed into a twisted configuration.

Abstract: Tower packing blocks (10) for biological treatment particularly of waste water, comprising a bundle of tube sections (11) with net-like structured peripheral surfaces. The tube sections (11) are connected together at their end sides (20) by reflector welding. Thus there are formed at the end sides (20) of the tube sections (11) accumulations of material (21) which constrict the free internal cross-section of the tube sections (11). These constrictions render difficult the passage of water to be treated through the tower packing block (10). Thus the effectiveness of such known tower packing blocks (10) is reduced. According to the invention, the accumulations of material (21) at the end sides (20) of the tube sections (11) are of such dimensions, i.e. reduced in width, that they correspond to the cross-sections of the tube sections (11) outwith the accumulations of material (21), and thus the cross-sectional constrictions present in known tower packing blocks (10) are eliminated.

Abstract: The invention provides novel mass transfer elements with a corrugated body structure and having ends turned back in a direction opposed to the curves of the corrugations such that the ends are turned towards one another. These elements are particularly effective as random dumped packing for mass transfer towers, providing a combination of high surface area and low pressure drop.

Abstract: A multi-phase staged passive reactor (10) for promoting interphasic interaction of a first substance in a liquid phase with a second substance in a non-miscible liquid phase, a solid phase or a gaseous phase. The reactor comprises a plurality of stages (C, D and E) which define a flow path for the substances in different phases. Each stage is shaped to define a substantially curved flow path (12) having a center of curvature located to one side of the flow path (12). Thus, for example, stages (D) and (E) have a respective center of curvature (14, 16), on opposite sides of the flow path (12) whereby, in use, as the substances flow through the reactor (10) particles of the second substance are forced to migrate through the first substance, first in one direction and then in substantially the reverse direction due to an inertial field of changing direction thus generated.

Abstract: In mass transfer columns, particularly in distillation and extraction columns, fluidised bed bodies are frequently used to improve mass transfer. A substantial improvement in the mass transfer rate may be achieved if asymmetrically shaped fluidised bed bodies are used, which are characterised in that their geometric center does not coincide with the center of mass, whereby the geometric center is defined as the point of intersection of the body diagonals of the smallest possible right parallelepiped completely enveloping the fluidised bed body. Typical examples of such shapes are bird's egg-shaped or drop-shaped bodies. Apart from the improvement in mass transfer, a reduction in the specific pressure drop may also be achieved with such fluidised bed bodies.

Abstract: An improved packing body is formed by forming a first end wall of a perforated strip into an interior convolution surrounded by a peripheral convolution containing the second end wall of the strip. The convolution may be in spiral form or concentric polygons such as cylinders joined by connector segments. Baffle elements can project from the surface of the strip at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the packing body. Tapered strip with the large end wall disposed to the interior can be bent into a shape approaching spherical.

Abstract: Packing material for biological waste water treatment, and process for the production of such packing material. Packing material made of tube-shaped base members with net structured outer surface are provided with at least one water-impermeable surface-increasing element arranged on the outer surface of each base member and directly connected thereto, for increasing the specific growing surface for biofilm.

Abstract: A biochemical filter ball that substitutes for the parallel elongated vertical plates of standard biochemical balls a plurality of vertical, transverse, and angled plates which have intersecting angles of about 90 and 45 degrees with one another. All the plates are parallel to a central axis. With such an arrangement, no matter what orientation the biochemical filter balls may take, they will all effectively retain the filtered water on their plates. By this placement of the vertical, transverse and angled plates, surface area for water retention as well as the flow time of the filtered water can be increased. Thus oxygen content in water can be increased, and the object of having improved efficiency of biochemical filtering can be achieved.

Abstract: Tower packing element comprising a tubular body member with an essentially triangular cross-section and having projections within the element extending from the inside surface of the body member, is provided. The axial length of the tubular body member is smaller than the width as measured from an apex of the triangle to the nearest point on the opposed side.

Abstract: A fluid separation packing that is useful as a packing material for distillation and fractionation columns or towers which provides for co-current liquid and vapor contact during the countercurrent separation process. The packing comprises a number of connected packing elements, suitably in the form of connected octagons, which have continuous side walls with an upper end and a lower end which terminates in a base with a vapor opening and a vapor tab above the opening. The side walls which define openings between adjacent packing elements are connected to one another to define a contacting volume above the base and there is a liquid slit on the side wall. The packing is also provided with liquid downcomers which have side walls with their upper portions within the openings between adjacent packing elements, and their lower portions extending below the packing element base. Downcomer ports through which liquid can flow are located proximate to the lower ends of the downcomers.

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: A tower packing unit for a liquid/gas/miss contact apparatus including a plurality of filaments that form a central body and a perimeter ring surrounding and connected to the central body; wherein the perimeter ring is formed in a continuous wave configuration surrounding the central body.

Abstract: The invention provides highly deformation resistant Lessing rings made in two parts. The first part comprises a metal strip bent into a ring shape with the contacting ends provided with projections and indentations which fit together to form a complete ring. The ends are held together using an anchor strut which has projecting tabs at both ends. The tabs fit into cooperating slots located in the projections at the ends of the bent strip and at the midpoint of the bent metal strip. The tabs are bent over to locate all parts rigidly in place.

Abstract: A packing body is formed from a sheet of foldable material by forming a first row of panels with first fold lines between adjacent panels, forming a second row of panels having a second fold line inducing a common fold line with an edge of at least one panel from the first row, the common fold line being substantially perpendicular to the first fold lines, and bending the panels in the first row along the first fold lines until the panels are positioned in a stack and bending the panels in the second row into a second stack and folding them along the common fold line above or below the first stack.

Abstract: Etching the surfaces of a metal tower packing improves their wettability and therefore their efficiency in mass transfer applications.

Abstract: A flat structural element has a plurality of openings which are distributed according to a predetermined pattern for use in packings. Every opening is delimited by the edges, which extend at an angle to each other or are curved. The structural element is made from two or more adjacent strips of flat material which are connected to each other with butt or overlapping connections.

Abstract: A fixed-bed bioreactor with porous carrier bodies (14) for microorganisms. The carrier bodies are sheet-like structures with a small thickness in comparison with the carrier body surface. The carrier bodies are kept spaced apart by means of spacing bars (28), defining flow paths (36) between the carrier bodies. In a process for producing porous carrier bodies for microorganisms, plastics particles (70) are introduced into a moulding space (52) and bonded together therein by application of heat. With this process, an endless extrudate (46) of carrier body material may be produced, from which the individual carrier bodies may be cut off. Alternatively, the process may be carried out by means of a series of pairs of mould halves passing through a mould filling station and a heat supply station.

Abstract: A method for the design and performance of a process such as scrubbing, stripping, heat transfer from one stream to another, and removal of particulate constituents from a gas stream.

Abstract: A column for performing thermal separations and/or chemical reactions with a vertical cylindrical outer column wall surrounding an inner volume, which is subdivided by a median vertical separating wall into two volume halves, wherein mass exchange packs are arranged, whereby an overheated liquid can be introduced in the column, whereby for the separation of the overheated liquid into liquid and vapor on the separating wall a box is mounted, wherein abuts a duct traversing the outer column wall and supplying the overheated liquid, whereby the box has a mist collector in its upper region and a liquid outlet in its lower region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a random packing element for use in exchange process apparatus, for example. The packing element features bowed strips and projections to provide an abundant supply of liquid flow surfaces, drip points and gas flow-through passages to enhance the interfacing of fluids in the exchange process packing bed, with various shapes for the packing element achieved by selecting the pattern of bowing of the strips and the attachment areas. The packing element also displays strips shortened to prevent collapse of the packing element, and ribs for strengthening the strips, projections and attachment areas.

Abstract: A hanger-supported liquid-gas contact body includes a pad of cross corrugated fill having a width, top, front and back, and the pad has a transverse slot running across at least a portion of the pad's width. The slot starts at and forms an angle .alpha. with the back, so that the slot runs toward the pad front. A bent hanger having first and second legs is bent at an angle .theta. which is approximately equal to angle .alpha., and the first leg is disposed in the slot and the second leg abuts a portion of the pad back. In addition, a method for supporting cross-corrugated fill includes providing a pad of cross-corrugated fill having a width, top, front and back, the pad having a transverse slot running across at least a portion of pad width, this slot starting at and forming an angle .alpha. with the back. The slot runs toward the front of the pad. The method also involves providing a bent hanger having first and second legs, the hanger being bent at an angle .theta. which is approximately equal to .alpha.

Abstract: An apparatus for gas-liquid contact in which tubular structure fillers having a cross section of any of various shapes and having straight tubular portions are arranged in a substantially vertical direction in the form of plural steps so that the gas-liquid contact surfaces of the fillers may be parallel with the flow of the gas,the apparatus for gas-liquid contact being characterized in that the gas-liquid contact surfaces comprise rough surface portions, porous surface portions, meshes or plates to which meshes adhere, or there is interposed, between the plural steps of the fillers, a dispersing plate for receiving the liquid downward coming from the site above the fillers, dispersing the liquid, and allowing the liquid to downward flow.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packing (2) for a material and heat exchange column (1), in which a gas phase and a liquid phase are brought into contact with one another, said packing comprising a multiplicity of identical packing elements (4) which are substantially in the form of a circular hollow cylinder whose annularly extending wall (6) is outwardly concave and inwardly convex and forms two outer edges (11) extending therearound, said hollow cylinder having a high ratio of outside diameter (D) to height (H). In order to reduce the pressure drop and to increase capacity and effectiveness, provision is made for the packing (2) to consist of a multiplicity of superimposed layers (3) of packing elements (4) which lie flat, are distributed randomly in each layer (3), and internally have a free passage cross-section, and in which the ratio of outside diameter (D) to height (H) is from about 6:1 to about 10:1.

Abstract: Corrugated tower packings which are easier to fabricate from individual corrugated elements having parallel rows of ridges and valleys wherein the elements are provided with extension tabs along the ridges of at least a first surface of such elements to provide a location at which the tabs can be spot welded to a contacting element to provide a rigid structure.

Abstract: The vortex packing for an apparatus designed as a mass exchange column or a static mixer is build up of face-shaped structural elements. These structural elements define a point lattice whose lattice planes, situated in cross-sections of the apparatus, form base grids of quadrilaterals. Each of the quadrilaterals represents an equatorial periphery of an octahedron and the polar vertices of these octahedra are positioned at the points of neighbouring lattice planes. The octahedra have either all open faces or alternately open and closed faces. According to the invention the packing is built of parallel layers (3) of a sheet-like material having substantially triangular elementary areas (8,9). Part of these elementary triangles (9) have on two sides cut edges (30) and are deflected in a flap-like manner about folding edges (15) out of the sheet area. The structural elements of the packing are formed by association or connection of the elementary triangles (8,9) in pairs.

Abstract: An improved packing body is formed by forming a first end wall of a perforated strip into an interior convolution surrounded by a peripheral convolution containing the second end wall of the strip. The convolutions may be in spiral form or concentric polygons such as cylinders joined by connector segments. Baffle elements can project from the surface of the strip at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the packing body. Tapered strips with the large end wall disposed to the interior can be bent into a shape approaching spherical.

Abstract: A liquid-vapor contact column comprising a column shell and one or more beds of structured packing located within the column shell. Each bed of structured packing includes a plurality of vertical stacks which are formed of at least two upper and lower levels of structured packing. The structured packing is partitioned to form the vertical stacks. When the structured packing is formed from corrugated sheet material, the vertical stacks can also be spaced from one another with the corrugated sheets making up the structured packing rotated 90.degree. with respect to boarding vertical stacks of structured packing. The partitions or the rotated arrangement of the packing inhibit liquid migration in a transverse, horizontal direction of the column. This promotes constant liquid and vapor flow characteristics through each of the vertical stacks of structured packing to resist widespread liquid channeling throughout the column.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing volatile liquids comprises a packed column, a gas inlet port (for introducing a hot entrainer gas), a feed tube (for introducing a volatile liquid), a feed distributor comprising a base plate equipped with orifices (through which the liquid flows downward into the packed column) and risers (through which the formed gaseous mixture of entrainer gas and vaporized liquid flows upward), and a gas outlet port. This apparatus can be used to vaporize volatile liquids, preferably volatile tin compounds, optionally in admixture with volatile silicon compounds, wherein steam is used as the entrainer gas.

Abstract: An improved packing body is formed from a strip divided into segments along fold lines. Segments along one side of a medial segment are alternately folded along the fold lines into a stack on the top surface of the medial segment. Segments on the other side of the medial segment are then folded along the fold lines into a stack on the bottom surface of the medial segments. Side segments hingedly connected to the medial or end segments can be folded along the side edges of the stack. Baffle elements can project from the surface of the strip at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the packing body. Tapered strips with a large medial segment disposed to the interior can be folded into a shape approaching spherical.

Abstract: The crown element (3) for the packing (2) of a matter-exchange column (1) in the exchange part (2) of which in particular a gas flowing upwards and a liquid flowing in contraflow are brought into contact, serves for the guidance of these flows of matter. An annular gap (12) lying between the packing and the column wall (10) is largely roofed over by parts (30) of the crown element in the form of tabs. In accordance with the invention the crown element (3) is a separate component which exhibits the following features: regions (31) of the crown element which define a surface for making contact with the packing (2); the roofing-over parts (30) are connected with springy elasticity to the regions (31) touching the packing; and the profile of the cross-section of the crown element exhibits a radial dimension which enables fixing of the crown element in the annular gap (12) because of spring and frictional forces. The column may be equipped with collar elements at favorable cost by the invention.

Abstract: The orderly packing for a column for mass transfer between a trickling film (14) and a gas is made of alternately arranged layers (10, 20) of undulating foil material. Some of the layers (10) steer the trickling film towards one vertical edge (13) of the layers while the other layers (20) steer the trickling film away from that edge. Pairs of invention the layers are coupled by redirector elements (3) which form a liquid-conducting bridging-over to transfer edge-seeking liquid (15) on the one layer (10) at least partially to the associated neighboring layer (20).