Packing for mass transfer tower

Abstract

A packing module for a mass transfer column has a plurality of packing elements positioned in upright, parallel relationship to each other. Each filler element has a plurality of side-by-side and parallel longitudinal rows of arcuate outer rib elements connected to spaced apart side strips at opposite ends. Outer rib elements protrude outwardly from the side strips in opposite directions. In the upper edge region and the lower edge region, at least one of the side strips in each longitudinal row converges toward the other side strip. Convergence of the side strips results in a reduction in length and outward projection of the outer rib elements that are connected to the converging side strips at opposite ends. Longitudinal rows of outer rib elements in adjacent filler elements are arranged in an intersecting relationship with each other.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] This disclosure relates to chemical processing towers in which mass transfer and / or heat exchange occur between fluid flows, and more specifically to random packing elements and structured packings used in such towers to facilitate contact between fluid flows flowing into the tower.

[0002] Random packing elements and structured packings are typically used in gas-liquid or liquid-liquid contact columns or towers to provide mass transfer surfaces between downward-flowing fluids (typically liquid flows) and upward-flowing fluids (typically gas or vapor flows or another liquid flow). Random packing elements and structured packings can be used in a variety of chemical and processing processes, such as distillation, stripping, fractionation, absorption, separation, washing, extraction, or any other chemical, heat-exchange, or processing processes.

[0003] Random packing elements have specific geometries and are designed to maximize performance for a given mass transfer surface area. Random packing elements are typically dumped or randomly packed into tower shells to form randomly oriented packed beds in which gas and liquid passages are irregular and the contact time between fluid phases is increased due to longer fluid flow paths. It is desirable that individual random packing elements, when placed in multiple rotational orientations within the packed bed, possess both high mass transfer efficiency and good hydraulic capacity. Example of a random packing element having multiple arched rib elements extending from a pair of side members is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,722,945, assigned to Koch-Glitsch, LP.

[0004] One type of structured packing uses multiple coiled sheets forming corrugations of alternating peaks and valleys. The corrugated structured packing sheets are positioned vertically parallel to each other and arranged such that the corrugations of each sheet extend in an intersecting relationship at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the tower and at an angle relative to the corrugations of each adjacent sheet. These structured packing sheets are joined together to form a structured packing module, wherein uniform fluid pathways are formed in the valleys of the intersecting corrugations. These fluid pathways defined by the corrugations typically result in structured packing having a lower pressure drop and higher throughput capacity compared to random packing. An example of a structured packing module is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 10,953,382, assigned to Koch-Glitsch, LP. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention is provided to introduce a series of concepts in a simplified form, which will be further described in the detailed description below. This invention is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0006] In one aspect, this disclosure relates to a packing element for forming a packing module for a mass transfer tower. The packing element includes: opposing faces, an upper edge region, a lower edge region, a body region between the upper and lower edge regions, an upper edge, and a lower edge; a plurality of parallel longitudinal rows of arched external ribs, the arched external ribs being connected at opposite ends to spaced-apart side strips and projecting outwards from the side strips in opposite directions, wherein the longitudinal rows intersect the upper edge at an oblique angle and the lower edge at an oblique angle, in the body region, the side strips in each longitudinal row extend parallel to each other, in the upper edge region, at least one side strip in each longitudinal row converges toward another side strip, and in the lower edge region, at least one side strip in each longitudinal row converges toward another side strip, and the convergence of the side strips results in a reduction in the length and outward projection of the external ribs, the external ribs being connected at opposite ends to the converging side strips.

[0007] In another aspect, this disclosure relates to a packing module for a mass transfer tower. The packing module includes a plurality of the aforementioned packing elements positioned in an upright, parallel relationship, wherein longitudinal rows of adjacent packing elements are arranged in an intersecting relationship.

[0008] In another aspect, this disclosure relates to a packing module for a mass transfer tower. The packing module includes: a plurality of the aforementioned packing elements positioned in an upright, parallel relationship, wherein longitudinal rows of adjacent packing elements are arranged in an intersecting relationship, and wherein: an upper edge is parallel to and separated from a lower edge by a distance, the upper and lower edges are formed by converging side strips, and when viewed by projection onto a plane parallel to the plane containing the side strips, the upper and lower edge regions each have a triangular projected area; external ribs of the packing elements contact the external ribs of adjacent packing elements, and arched external ribs collectively define opposite faces of the packing elements. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of a mass transfer tower, in which a portion of the outer shell of the mass transfer tower is cut open to show the packing module of this disclosure located in the open internal region of the mass transfer tower.

[0011] Figure 2 It shows that they are arranged in a vertical and parallel relationship to form Figure 1 Top perspective view of multiple packing sheets, a portion of the packing module shown;

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 2The top perspective view of two packing sheets in the packing sheet shown, wherein a portion of the front packing sheet is cut open to show the cross orientation of the longitudinal rows of ribs in the rear packing sheet;

[0013] Figure 4 This is a partial perspective view of the filler sheet, showing a single longitudinal row of rib elements;

[0014] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A partial side view of the single-row rib element shown;

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 and Figure 5 A front view of the single-row rib element shown;

[0016] Figure 7 It is shown Figures 4 to 6 A magnified partial perspective view of the upper edge region of the single-row ribbed element shown;

[0017] Figure 8 It is similar to Figure 7 The enlarged partial perspective view shown, but only shows... Figures 4 to 6 The relative lower edge regions of the single-row ribbed element shown;

[0018] Figure 9 It is shown Figure 7 The partial perspective view of the upper edge area shown is from the perspective of... Figure 7 The images shown are taken from different perspectives;

[0019] Figure 10 It is shown Figure 7 Another partial perspective view of the upper edge area shown, and from the perspective of... Figure 7 and Figure 9 The images were taken from different perspectives; and

[0020] Figure 11 It is shown Figure 7 Another partial perspective view of the upper edge area shown, and from the perspective of... Figure 7 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 The images shown are taken from different perspectives. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The subject matter of this disclosure is specifically described herein to satisfy legal requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have anticipated that the claimed subject matter may also be embodied in other ways to include components, combinations of components, steps, or combinations of steps that are similar to but different from those described in this document, in combination with other current or future technologies.

[0022] Now let's move on to more detailed accompanying images, first... Figure 1 Mass transfer towers are typically designated by the number 10 and are suitable for use in processes intended to induce mass transfer and / or heat exchange between countercurrent fluid flows. As used herein, the term "mass transfer tower" is intended to refer to a tower in which mass transfer, heat exchange, or both are intended to occur.

[0023] Although other configurations, including polygons, are possible and within the scope of the invention, the mass transfer tower 10 includes an upright outer shell 12 of generally cylindrical configuration. The shell 12 has any suitable diameter and height and is constructed of one or more rigid materials that are advantageously inert or otherwise compatible with the fluids and conditions present during operation of the mass transfer tower 10.

[0024] Mass transfer tower 10 is of the following type: used to process fluid streams (typically liquid and vapor streams) to obtain fractionated products and / or otherwise induce mass transfer and / or heat exchange between fluid streams. For example, mass transfer tower 10 may be a tower in which processes such as: atmospheric crude oil processing, vacuum lubricating oil processing, vacuum crude oil processing, fluid or thermal cracking fractionation, coking or viscous cracking fractionation, coke washing, reactor exhaust gas cleaning, gas quenching, edible oil deodorization, contamination control scrubbing, and other processes occur.

[0025] The shell 12 of the mass transfer tower 10 defines an open interior region 14 in which desired mass transfer and / or heat exchange occurs between fluid flows. Typically, the fluid flows include one or more rising vapor flows and one or more falling liquid flows. Alternatively, the fluid flows may include both rising and falling liquid flows or rising gas flows and falling liquid flows.

[0026] Fluid flows are directed to the mass transfer column 10 via any number of feed lines 16 located at appropriate heights along the column. One or more vapor flows may also be generated within the mass transfer column 10 instead of being introduced through the feed lines 16. The mass transfer column 10 will typically also include a top line 18 for removing vapor products or byproducts and a bottom feed exit line (not shown) for removing liquid products or byproducts from the column. Other mass transfer column components that may be present, such as reflux lines, reboilers, condensers, vapor horns, etc., are not illustrated in the figures because they are substantially conventional, and illustration of these components is not believed to be necessary for understanding this disclosure.

[0027] In one embodiment according to this disclosure, a single packing module 20 is shown located within an open interior region 14 of a mass transfer tower 10. For simplicity, a single packing module 20 is shown, and the remaining packing modules 20 are schematically represented. The packing modules 20 are positioned in a side-by-side and end-to-end relationship and can completely fill the horizontal cross-section of the mass transfer tower 10. Multiple stacked layers of packing modules 20 can be provided, and adjacent stacked layers can be positioned in an orientation that rotates relative to each other, for example, at a rotation angle of 90 degrees. The packing modules 20 can be supported by a housing 12 in a suitable manner, for example, using support beams (not shown) or support grids (not shown) supported by support rings 22.

[0028] Alternatively, go to Figure 2 and Figure 3 Each filler module 20 includes a plurality of filler elements 24 positioned in an upright, parallel relationship to each other. Each filler element 24 may be formed from a planar sheet or metal or another material that is cut and deformed to form the structure described below. In other embodiments, the filler elements 24 may be formed from other materials, such as polymers and ceramics, and formed by other means, such as 3D printing.

[0029] The packing element 24 has opposing front and back faces 26 and 28, an upper edge region 30, a lower edge region 32, and a central body region 34 between the upper edge region 30 and the lower edge region 32. The packing element 24 also includes an upper edge 36, a lower edge 38, and side edges 40 and 42, which together define the periphery of the packing element 24, which has a square, rectangular, parallelogram, trapezoidal, or other shape.

[0030] The packing element 24 includes a plurality of side-by-side and parallel longitudinal rows 44 of arched external rib elements 46, which are connected at their opposite ends to spaced-apart side strips 48 extending along the length of the longitudinal rows 44. The opposite ends of the external rib elements 46 may be integral with or otherwise joined to the side strips 48. The external rib elements 46 project outward from the side strips 48 in opposite directions and together define the opposite front end 26 and back end 28 of the packing element 20.

[0031] The longitudinal rows 44 intersect the upper edge 36 of the packing element 24 at an oblique angle, and may also intersect the lower edge 38 of the packing element 24 at the same or different oblique angles. In some embodiments, the oblique angle may be an acute angle in the range of 25 to 80 degrees, 35 to 70 degrees, or 40 to 65 degrees. Specific examples include acute angles of 45 degrees and 60 degrees. The packing elements 24 in the packing module 20 may be arranged such that the longitudinal rows 44 in adjacent packing elements 24 are arranged in a relationship of intersecting and contacting each other. This can be achieved by... Figure 3As best seen in the image, a portion of the front packing element 24 has been cut open to show the longitudinal rows 44 in the rear packing element 24 extending at an intersecting angle relative to the longitudinal rows 44 in the front packing element 24. The longitudinal rows 44 in adjacent packing elements 24 can contact each other, and due to the open space between adjacent outer rib elements 46 within each longitudinal row 44, they can be slightly nested within each other.

[0032] In the main body region 34, the side strips 48 in each longitudinal row 44 may extend in a parallel relationship to each other. In the upper edge region 30 and the lower edge region 32, at least one side strip 48 in each longitudinal row 44 converges toward another side strip 48. This convergence of the side strips 48 in the upper edge region 30 and the lower edge region 32 results in a reduction in both the length and outward projection of the external rib element 46 connected to the converging side strip 48. The converging side strips 48 may also form the upper edge 36 and the lower edge 38 of the packing element 24. It is believed that the reduction in the length and outward projection of the external rib element 46 in the upper edge region 30 and the lower edge region 32 can reduce the pressure drop and liquid accumulation at the interface between adjacent stacked layers of the packing module 20.

[0033] A 44-row vertical arrangement can be Figures 4-11 As best seen in the figures, these illustrations show multiple views of a longitudinal row 44 separate from the packing element 24. The illustrated longitudinal row 44 comprises only half the width of the side strip 48 shown in the packing element 24. In addition to the outer rib element 46, the longitudinal row 44 may also include additional rib elements, such as smaller rib elements 50, which are connected to the side strip 48 at their opposite ends in the same manner as the outer rib element 46. The smaller rib elements 50 may be integral with the side strip 48 or otherwise engaged to the side strip 48 at their opposite ends. The smaller rib elements 50 may be positioned within an internal volume defined by the opposing inner surfaces 26 and outer surfaces 28 of the packing element 24. The smaller rib elements 50 may be continuous or discontinuous. For example, smaller rib element 50a may be continuous and have a Z-shaped configuration, and smaller rib element 50b may be discontinuous and form a first curved rib segment and a second curved rib segment.

[0034] Smaller rib elements 50 may be positioned between adjacent outer rib elements 46 in an alternating or otherwise repeating pattern. The arrangement of outer rib elements 46 and smaller rib elements 50 in the main body region 34 and the upper edge region 30 and lower edge region 32 may be the same or different. In the illustrated embodiment, in the main body region 34, smaller rib elements 50a are positioned between a pair of adjacent outer rib elements 46, while smaller rib elements 50b are positioned between the next pair of adjacent outer rib elements 46, and this pattern repeats along the longitudinal row 44. In the illustrated embodiment, only outer rib elements 46 are present in the upper edge region 30 and lower edge region 32. Other arrangements of outer rib elements 46 and smaller rib elements 50 are possible and within the scope of this disclosure.

[0035] In one embodiment, the widths of the outer rib element 46 and the smaller rib element 50 can be selected based on the overall dimensions of the packing element 24. As an example, for a packing element 24 with a height of approximately 250 mm, the outer rib element 46 in the body region 34 can have a width ranging from approximately 1 mm to 8 mm, 2 mm to 7 mm, or 3 mm to 6 mm. The width of the smaller rib element 50 can be the same as, greater than, or less than, the width of the outer rib element 46. The widths of the outer rib elements 46 in the upper edge region 30 and the lower edge region 32 can be the same as, greater than, or less than, the width of the outer rib element 46 in the body region 34.

[0036] Side strip 48 may include spaced-apart perforations 52 that interrupt liquid flow along side strip 48 and allow liquid to pass through side strip 48. Other structures, such as protrusions and / or recesses, may be present in side strip 48 to interrupt liquid flow. Side strip 48, as well as outer rib element 46 and smaller rib element 50, may also have various types of surface textures to facilitate liquid diffusion on those surfaces.

[0037] like Figure 6 As can be seen, the upper edge 36 is parallel to the lower edge 38 in the longitudinal row 44 and is separated from the lower edge 38 by a preselected distance. The upper edge 36 and the lower edge 38 are formed by converging side strips 48, and when viewed by projection onto a plane parallel to the plane containing the side strips 48, the upper edge region 30 and the lower edge region 32 each have a triangular projected area. In the illustrated embodiment, the projected area is a right triangle.

[0038] Additional considerations

[0039] In this specification, references to "one embodiment," "implementation," or "multiple embodiments" mean that one or more features referenced are included in at least one embodiment of the present technology. Individual references to "one embodiment," "implementation," or "multiple embodiments" in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor are they mutually exclusive, unless so stated and / or obvious from the description to those skilled in the art. For example, features, structures, actions, etc., described in one embodiment may be included in other embodiments, but are not necessarily included. Therefore, the present technology may include various combinations and / or integrations of the embodiments described herein.

[0040] In the specification and claims, reference will be made to several terms, which should be defined as having the following meanings. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “an,” “a,” and “the” include plural references.

[0041] As used throughout this specification and claims, approximate language may be used to modify any quantitative expression that is permissibly variable without altering its underlying function. Therefore, values ​​modified by one or more terms such as “about” and “substantially” are not limited to specified exact values. In at least some cases, approximate language may correspond to the precision of the instrument used to measure the value. Range limitations may be combined and / or interchanged. Unless otherwise specified by context or language, such ranges shall be considered determined and include all subranges contained therein.

[0042] As used herein, directional references to terms such as “side” and similar terms are used for convenience only and should be understood only relative to each other.

[0043] Unless otherwise stated herein, the terms “connection”, “attachment”, etc., refer to direct connection, fixation or attachment, as well as indirect connection, fixation or attachment via one or more intermediate components or features.

[0044] Although this application sets forth detailed descriptions of various embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of this description is defined by the language of the claims and equivalents. The detailed descriptions should be construed as exemplary only and do not describe every possible embodiment, as it would be impractical to describe every possible embodiment. Many alternative embodiments may be implemented using current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, and these embodiments will still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0045] Throughout this specification, multiple instances can implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Structures and functions presented as individual components in the example configurations can be implemented as combined structures or combined components. Similarly, structures and functions presented as single components can be implemented as individual components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of this document's subject matter. Unless otherwise stated in the specification and / or apparent to those skilled in the art from the specification, the foregoing statements in this paragraph shall apply.

[0046] As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” or “containing,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article of manufacture, or apparatus that includes a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or elements inherent to such process, method, article of manufacture, or apparatus.

[0047] Although this disclosure has been described with reference to embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be noted that equivalents may be used and substitutions may be made herein without departing from the scope of this disclosure as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A packing element for forming a packing module for a mass transfer column, the packing element comprising: opposing faces, an upper edge region, a lower edge region, a body region between the upper edge region and the lower edge region, an upper edge and a lower edge; a plurality of side-by-side and parallel longitudinal rows of arched outer rib elements connected at opposing ends to spaced apart side strips and projecting outwardly from the side strips in opposite directions, wherein the longitudinal rows intersect the upper edge at an oblique angle and the lower edge at an oblique angle, in the body region the side strips in each longitudinal row extend parallel to one another, in the upper edge region at least one of the side strips in each longitudinal row converges toward the other side strip, in the lower edge region at least one of the side strips in each longitudinal row converges toward the other side strip, and the convergence of the side strips results in a decrease in length and outward projection of the outer rib elements connected at opposing ends to the converging side strips.

2. The packing element of claim 1, wherein the arched outer rib elements collectively define the opposing faces of the packing element.

3. The packing element of claim 2, comprising smaller rib elements connected at opposing ends to the side strips and positioned between the outer rib elements, the smaller rib elements positioned within an interior volume defined by the opposing faces of the packing element.

4. The packing element of claim 3, wherein at least some of the smaller rib elements are each discontinuous to form a first rib segment and a second rib segment.

5. The packing element of claim 4, wherein the outer rib elements in the body region have a width in a range of about 1 millimeter to 8 millimeters.

6. The packing element of claim 5, wherein the outer rib elements in the upper edge region and the lower edge region have a width less than the width of the outer rib elements in the body region.

7. The packing element of claim 3, wherein the side strips in the body region are perforated.

8. The packing element of claim 1, wherein the upper edge is parallel to and separated from the lower edge by a distance, the upper edge and the lower edge formed by the converging side strips, and the upper edge region and the lower edge region each have a triangular projected area when viewed in projection on a plane parallel to a plane in which the side strips lie.

9. A packing module for use in a mass transfer column, the packing module comprising: a plurality of packing elements according to claim 1 positioned in upright, parallel relation to one another, wherein longitudinal rows of adjacent packing elements are arranged in intersecting relation to one another.

10. The packing module of claim 9, wherein the outer rib elements of the packing element are in contact with the outer rib elements of an adjacent packing element.

11. The packing module of claim 10, wherein the arched outer rib elements collectively define opposing faces of the packing element.

12. The filler module of claim 11, comprising smaller rib elements connected to the side strips at opposite ends and positioned between the outer rib elements, the smaller rib elements positioned within an interior volume defined by the opposite faces of the filler element.

13. The filler module of claim 12, wherein at least some of the smaller rib elements are each discontinuous to form a first rib segment and a second rib segment.

14. The filler module of claim 13, wherein the outer rib elements in the main body region have a width in a range of about 1 millimeter to 8 millimeters.

15. The filler module of claim 14, wherein the outer rib elements in the upper edge region and the lower edge region have a width that is less than the width of the outer rib elements in the main body region.

16. The filler module of claim 12, wherein the side strips in the main body region are perforated.

17. The filler module of claim 9, wherein the upper edge is parallel to and separated from the lower edge by a distance, the upper edge and the lower edge formed by converging side strips, and the upper edge region and the lower edge region each have a triangular projected area when viewed in projection on a plane parallel to the plane in which the side strips lie.

18. A packing module for a mass transfer column, the packing module including: the plurality of filler elements of claim 1 positioned in upright, parallel relation to one another, wherein the longitudinal rows of adjacent filler elements are arranged in interdigitated relation to one another, wherein: the upper edge is parallel to and separated from the lower edge by a distance, the upper edge and the lower edge are formed by converging side strips, the upper edge region and the lower edge region each have a triangular projected area when viewed in projection on a plane parallel to the plane in which the side strips lie, the outer rib elements of the filler element are in contact with the outer rib elements of adjacent filler elements, arcuate outer rib elements collectively define opposite faces of the filler element.

19. The filler module of claim 18, comprising smaller rib elements connected to the side strips at opposite ends and positioned between the outer rib elements, the smaller rib elements positioned within an interior volume defined by the opposite faces of the filler element.

20. The filler module of claim 13, wherein the outer rib elements in the main body region have a width in a range of about 1 millimeter to 8 millimeters, and the outer rib elements in the upper edge region and the lower edge region have a width that is less than the width of the outer rib elements in the main body region.

Images