Abstract: Packing material is formed of stacked panels of expanded metal, each of which has intersecting sets of parallel linear metal strips. Each panel has a horizontal set of linear strips oriented parallel to a corresponding set of linear strips on an adjacent panel and perpendicular to a vertical fluid flow direction which is parallel to the panels; and, each panel has a second set of linear strips inclined about 45.degree. from the vertical in a direction opposite to the inclination of the corresponding inclined set of strips on the adjacent panel. The strips of adjacent panels are canted in opposite directions relative to the planes of their respective panels. Alternative orientations and directions are also disclosed. The packing material is used in packed towers and conduit-connected motionless mixers, and with crossflow trays and dualflow trays.

Abstract: A dumped packing for use in gas liquid contact apparatus is provided of the type where the packing comprises a perforated base member which curves around a notional axis to define a space which is partially enclosed by the base member. There is at least one oppositely directed curved bridging member carried by the base member, and preferably formed therefrom, which extends clear of the base member into the space. In the present invention the base member cooperates with the bridging member to bound a space having dimensions roughly equal when measured along lines at right angles to each other. In a preferred form the base member has the general shape of an ellipse and portions of the bridge member are cut therefrom to form fingers which extend into the interior of the space defined by the base member and the bridge member.

Abstract: A reactor column is disclosed which consists of a plurality of blocks of contact body material formed of cross-corrugated sheets, with the blocks being stacked one upon the other in superimposed relation to define a column having sides and upper and lower ends. A plastic film is wrapped about the sides of the column and tightly engaged therewith to form a self-supporting reactor column suitable for use in distillation processes.

Abstract: The packing element is made up of a plurality of corrugated plates which are provided with a plurality of apertures as well as with a fine fluting on the walls of the corrugations. The flutings are disposed on both sides of the plates. The flutings are in the form of grooves which extend at an angle to the axis of the column which is of opposite sign to the angle of the corrugations relative to the axis of the column.

Abstract: A mass exchanger with a cellular packing in form of checkerworks forming cells bent in the lower part forming the gaps. The bends of the cells are of radial or skew type. The checkerworks are formed by single or duplex walls. Alternate checkerworks are turned in relation to each other at about an angle of from 0.degree. to 90.degree., an advantageous angle is 45.degree..

Abstract: A randomly packed bed in a tower or column to prevent nesting of the packing elements and to improve physical stability and efficiency. Each packing element is a curved strip with one or more integral tabs or tongues depending downwardly from slots spaced longitudinally of the strips. Single or multiple rows and slots may be provided along the strip. Point-to-point contact between packing elements and substantially non-varying resistance to fluids flowing and improved mass transfer performance resulting from a more uniform packing density is assured.

Abstract: A modular packing element of generally pismatic or rectangular shape having a continuous side wall formed of rolled sheet material having both surfaces formed with an array of elongated, thin protrusions in the form of needles, cones, spikes, or the like, of various lengths, extending both inwardly and outwardly.

Abstract: A filter bed for an air cleaner, or the like, comprising a compressed mass of coils each having axially spaced portions of different diameters. With this construction, the tendency of the coils to nest together over their entire lengths is reduced, and the filtering ability of the bed is increased.

Abstract: The packing is U-shaped in cross-section and comprises a double-curved bight portion which is arcuate in longitudinal section and in cross-section. Two transversely spaced apart, corrugated side wall portions extend along and merge into said bight portion on one side thereof and are formed with corrugations which extend in their longitudinal direction to and merge into said bight portion and have a crest-to-trough height in excess of the wall thickness of said side wall portions. The bight portion is concave in cross-section on the side on which said side wall portions are disposed and is concave in longitudinal section on the opposite side.

Abstract: Natural gas mixture containing suspended tarry particles and water as contaminants are purified by systems providing upward passage of such contaminated gas mixtures through interparticulate spaces in a vertically extending stable filter bed composed of hard lapilli-sized solid masses having internal vesicles connected to peripheral surfaces characterized by peripherally open glassy surfaced vesicles, said masses partially immersed in a volume of methyl alcohol.

Abstract: A ceramic sponge made from plastic is described. Because of the ease of cutting the plastic in various shapes before converting to ceramic several unique applications are possible. In case of a column packing better contact between liquid and gas is made. For an auto catalytic converter better contact between gas and catalyst is realized. By cutting in other ways a filter to remove solids is made, permitting longer use before clogging, also a scrubber to remove particulates. A rotary ceramic filter is described; it is also a composite of fibers and ceramic which retains small particulates without excessive pressure drop upon passage of fluid through the filter. An acid resistant collector plate for an electrostatic precipitation is described.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler pad consisting of loosely packed, randomly oriented fibers of balsam poplar (Populus tacamahaca) also known as balm of Gilead, which are generally ribbon-shaped and which are coated with a thin layer of Portland cement that is water-absorbent and has a granular surface. Balsam poplar has the unique property of forming a firm, adherent bond to the Portland cement, and the cement-coated ribbons of wood absorb and diffuse moisture over their entire surface in the manner of a blotter, so that they become uniformly damp without being excessively wet. The damp, Portland-cement coated fibers present a large surface area of moisture to the air, thereby facilitating rapid evaporation for good cooling effect, without allowing the air to pick up and carry along any fine droplets of water, which would make it wet. The damp, cement-coated fibers also cool without adding appreciably to the humidity in the air.

Abstract: A packed column comprising a bed of bodies of fibrous material for the interphase transfer of mass and/or heat and the separation of solids or immiscible phases from fluids. Each body is of generally cylindrical form and includes a centrally disposed axial support from which a large number of fibers extend radially, the fibers being secured to the support. The bodies are disposed in the bed at random and interlocked with each other. The density of the fibers in count per unit volume varies from point to point in the packing body and in the bed. The volume of each body is small compared to the volume of the bed. In mass and/or heat transfer with this bed a liquid is distributed over the top of the bed and trickles downwardly through the packing in a multitude of irregular paths while the gas is projected upwardly through the bed. The gas contacts the liquid over a very large surface area for an extended time interval and effective mass and/or heat transfer between the gas and liquid takes place.

Abstract: A cooling tower has a plurality of cooling regions with each cooling region being constructed in a cross flow or counter flow configuration for allowing air to pass into the path of falling water within that region. Each region contains a fill bundle composed of twisted fill elements. Each fill element consists of an elongated substantially flat member which is twisted normally about its longitudinal axis. A plurality of the fill elements are connected in rows and placed in the path of the air circulation. Alternate rows will be offset from adjacent rows disposing the elements at apices of an isosceles triangle pattern to obtain equal spacing between adjacent elements and create a circuitous route through which the cooling air must pass. The spiral configuration of the elements provides centrifugal action which disperses the water and air from one element to adjacent elements, thus providing more intimate contact between the water and the cooling air.

Abstract: A randomly packed bed in a tower or column to prevent nesting of the packing elements and to improve physical stability and efficiency. Each packing element is a curved strip with one or more integral tabs or tongues depending downwardly from slots spaced longitudinally of the strips. Single or multiple rows and slots may be provided along the strip. Point-to-point contact between packing elements and substantially non-varying resistance to fluids flowing and improved mass transfer performance resulting from a more uniform packing density is assured.

Abstract: A filter media for scrubbers includes a plurality of spherical bodies made of a liquid wettable material shaped in a latticework jacket having a great circular ring from which extend arcuate bars terminating near the poles of the spherical body so formed. Spaced axially extending bars extend from the arcuate bars and terminate within the body at free ends. The arcuate bars have a cross section which tapers inwardly toward the center of the body to provide maximum capture of liquid droplets.

Abstract: A packing element for a fluid-fluid, fluid-solid, contacting de-entrainment or reaction apparatus is made from wire using two or more parallel wires which are loosely twisted together, the twisted bundle then being wound into a helix, and the helix then being twisted about a second pair of heavier gauge wires which form a core, so that the individual loops of the helix are spaced helically about the central core, the individual wires being slightly separated from one another to form gaps which can be bridged by a liquid, and encourage capillary flow so as to wet the whole of the packing area.

Abstract: An improved packing element for a fluid-fluid contact apparatus is formed from pieces of sheet material; the elements contain a pair of curved strips connected together at their ends by a pair of generally coplanar bridge members.

Abstract: Precision molded plastic cellular packing elements (10 and 40) of polygonal and curvilinear spriral shape are provided for mass transfer and effluent treatment apparatus. Each spiral element (10 and 40) has more than one convolution (16 and 46), a maximum transverse width (W) significantly greater than its axial height (H) whereby it has a greater tendency to orient itself horizontally and its relatively shorter wall surfaces substantially vertical, angularly spaced ribs (24-26) (52-54) which extend from the axis (x) and interconnect the convolutions; and wherein adjacent wall portions of the ribs and of the spiral convolutions around open end cells of the element are either in alignment or inclined in one direction, or oppositely inclined relative to one another whereby the element may be provided with either or a combination of straight, tapered or oppositely tapered cells.

Abstract: The packing elements are made of a strip of foil-like material which has at least one trickle surface for a descending flow of liquid. This surface is provided with alternating smooth portions and finely-fluted portions which extend over a height of at least five millimeters. In addition, at least the smooth portions are perforated. The packing element may be formed of a plurality of flat corrugated plates, or may be spirally wound from a continuous strip to form an ordered packing or may be in the form of cylinders to form a random packing.

Abstract: Process for sewage treatment by the travelling contact filter method. Buoyant filter media made of synthetic resin material are filled in a sewage tank and agitated by means of an agitating means to bring them into close contact with the sewage and air. Various forms of filter media and agitating means are proposed.

Abstract: An in-line mixer for mixing fluids pumped along a tube, being a number of mixing elements inserted in series longitudinally along a tube, each mixing element comprising a plate member folded along at least one fold line to form at least two substantially planar portions angled with respect to one another, at least one of the planar portions being of triangular shape having a base edge extending across the tube, substantially centrally thereof from one side to the other of the tube, the at least one fold line forming another side of said triangular portion.

Abstract: A distillation column packing in the form of a spherical body constructed by assembling a pair of hemispherical members of the same shape and structure. Each of the hemispherical members includes a suitable number of cutout openings formed in the hemispherical surface portion thereof to leave covering portions, a plurality of mating assembly posts and tubes formed in the hollow inside of the hemispherical member, and reinforcing and gas-liquid contact area increasing contact pieces formed to connect the posts and the tubes with one another but not to close the hollow inside of the hemispherical member. The packing thus constructed is best suited for use in distillation columns.

Abstract: An inclined screen tray tower having one or more inclined screen trays, in which a liquid is passed downwardly onto said screen tray to form a film of said liquid on each of said screens and gas is passed through said liquid films so as to be absorbed by said liquid, characterized in that a plurality of cylinders are arranged side by side on each of said tray screens in such a manner that the longitudinal axis of each of said cylinders extends in the direction of inclination of each of said tray screens, each of said cylinders being made of a netting with metallic or synthetic resinous wires each arranged to make an angle of about 45.degree. with the longitudinal axis of said cylinders.

Abstract: The inclusion of 15 to 35% by weight of very fine alumina to a clay and flux containing mix for the manufacture of ceramic saddles, for use as tower packing, results in highly acid resistant packing elements.

Abstract: An improved mixing device which comprises a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet and contained within the cylinder a plurality of hollow spheres having openings all about their surfaces.

Abstract: A bed for the treatment of fluids comprising a plurality of packing units. Each packing unit has a plurality of fins disposed around an axis lying substantially in the plane of each of the fins. The fins are held in a spaced relationship to one another by at least one generally annular reinforcing member between each angularly adjacent pair of fins in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis. The outward facing edges of the fins are serrated.

Abstract: A distillation column packing in the form of a spherical body constructed by assembling a pair of hemispherical members of the same shape and structure. Each of the hemispherical members includes a suitable number of cutout openings formed in the hemispherical surface portion thereof to leave covering portions, a plurality of mating assembly posts and tubes formed in the hollow inside of the hemispherical member, and reinforcing and gas-liquid contact area increasing contact pieces formed to connect the posts and the tubes with one another but not to close the hollow inside of the hemispherical member. The packing thus constructed is best suited for use in distillation columns.

Abstract: The packing of the present invention is a continuous coil which has at least three turns, and preferably about six turns. Each turn has at least three sides which preferably are generally curved and has a generally rounded vertex between each pair of adjacent sides. Each turn of the packing is rotatably offset at least about 15.degree., and preferably between about 15.degree. and 20.degree., relative to each adjacent turn of the packing. The coil packing preferably is generally cylindrical in cross-section, and defines a generally cylindrical passage which extends axially through the coil packing. The coil packing is suitable for use in columns or towers for absorption, adsorption or rectification.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of stacked contacting grates comprises a set of laterally spaced apart, parallel first strips and a set of laterally spaced apart second strips, each of which has a longitudinal direction which is transverse to the longitudinal direction of said first strips of the same grate. Each of said second strips having at right angles to its longitudinal direction a direction which includes an oblique angle with the longitudinal direction of said first strips of the same grate. Said oblique angle is in the same sense for all said second strips of a grate and in opposite senses for the second strips of adjacent grates, whereby said second strips of all said grates define zig-zag flow passages. Each strip of each of said sets intersects all strips of the other set of the same grate. At least part of said strips of each of said grates are formed with holes.

Abstract: The use of lightweight, elastomeric closed-cell foam elements can be of particular advantage in countercurrent flow gas-liquid contactors in order to provide aeratable non-breakable forms of mobile contacting surfaces. In particular, the use of elastomeric, spherical form, closed-cell foam elements made from heating and post curing a blend of nitrile polymer and polyvinyl chloride can provide resilience to preclude sphere breakage and also provide for softness and flexibility to effect self-cleaning characteristics.

Abstract: A process for the production of a cellular material which comprises cutting in a planar sheet of material separate linear slits in a series of substantially parallel linear rows, subsequently subjecting the sheet to tension in a direction perpendicular to the linear rows, maintaining the tension until the slits have opened up to form cells and hardening the material in the desired cellular shape, and the cellular material so produced.

Abstract: A canister and the manufacturing process therefor, for a catalyst converter for prevention of attrition of the catalyst by rounding of the inside corners of the gas inlet and outlet in the canister holding a pellet catalyst.

Abstract: A packed bed gas-liquid contactor wherein the liquid distributor is positioned within and supported by the packed bed, with the portion of the packed bed above the liquid distributor being blocked by an imperforate structure and the remaining portion including non-process packing, whereby gas flows from the process packing through a limited portion of the upper part of the packed bed, defined by the non-process packing to the gas outlet. In this manner, the residence time of the gas in the upper portion of the bed is limited.

Abstract: There has been provided an improved saddle for use as a packing or contacting element formed into a shape resembling an inner peripheral half section of a hollow torus having respective edges in generally parallel planes relative to a transverse axis of the torus and in generally the same plane as the cross-sectional axis of the torus, each edge having a plurality of integral protrusions forming points extending a selected distance from the surface adjacent the respective edge for providing drip points for liquids and spacing of the element one from the other such that there can be substantially no pooling of liquids regardless of how the saddles are disposed adjacent one another in the tower.

Abstract: A packing material for liquid/gas contact reaction apparatus, in particular for gas purifying systems, which consists of a plurality of parallel rods arranged on a basket-shaped carrier and so dimensioned that it has an approximately spherical or spheroid form. The carrier consists preferably of parallel rings of staggered diameters. The packing material according to the invention has an extraordinarily high degree of efficiency and is very easy and relatively cheap to manufacture.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to packing elements for fluid-fluid contact apparatus of the packed tower type. The packing elements comprise open-ended tubular members of any desired cross-sectional configuration having a maximum transverse dimension or diameter greater than its width in the axial direction, and having one or more protuberances or ribs extending inwardly from the inside wall of the member. Additionally, the overall length of the packing element is at least as great as the diameter of the tubular portion thereof, and none of the protuberances extend the whole of the length of the packing element.

Abstract: A catalyst bed packed with metal ribbon strands having a number of different crimped configurations. Also a method of converting hydrocarbon waste gas streams which utilizes the multi-configurated packed catalyst bed.

Abstract: Packing elements for fluid-fluid contact apparatus comprising a pair of oppositely curved strip members connected together at their ends so that the two curved members have generally parallel non-coincident planes of curvature. The curved strip members should be "under square" as is also, preferably, the whole packing element.

Abstract: A pollution control device having a tank provided with an inlet and an outlet arranged for passing a gaseous medium to be cleaned into the tank and through a bath of washing solution held in the tank. A blower unit, mounted outside of the tank, forces the gaseous medium through the bath. A line connecting the blower unit to the bath passes a quantity of washing solution through the blower unit for cooling the unit. Baffles are arranged partially immersed in the bath in the tank for creating a large surface across the gaseous flow and facilitating separation of particulate matter from the medium being cleaned. The baffles are advantageously in the form of a plurality of cylinders each constructed from a mesh material and tiered in one or more substantially vertical channels arranged within the tank.

Abstract: Heat and/or mass exchanger operating by direct contact between a liquid and a gas comprising a cooling tower, of the type having a casing in which is disposed a filling through which the liquid and the gas circulate. The filling is constituted of a plurality of independent tubular elements whose cross-section varies along the length of the tubular elements. The tubular elements are preferably disposed with their axes vertical and parallel to define internal and external passages of variable section. The tubular elements vary in cross-section in continuous manner throughout their length and the section variations recur periodically along the length of the tubular elements.

Abstract: A method of biological treatment of effluent and the like in a packing tower or bed. Individual plastic packing elements are disposed in open-weave or open-mesh sacks, and are arranged in the tower or bed. Effluent is then passed through the tower or bed, bacteria and the like forming as a biological film on wetted surfaces of the packing elements. The open-weave arrangement allows the passage of air to the biological film, and allows passage of the biological film out of the tower when it becomes loosened from time to time. The sacks are disposed permanently in the tower, no cleaning or the like thereof being necessary.

Abstract: Gas-liquid contact apparatus comprising a packed bed formed of at least two superimposed layers of fabricated packings including an upper layer of randomly dumped members comprising ribbed tubular elements and a lower layer of stacked packing elements.

Abstract: A monofil fabric for use as a perpendicular trickle wall in exchange columns wherein gas and liquid are contacted with one another, which comprises wires disposed in the same horizontal plane which wires are positioned contiguously to one another in groups, the spacing between a group of contiguously positioned wires and the next wire running in the same general direction being at least equivalent to the diameter of a wire of said group.