Structured packing material and cross-flow contactor employing same

Abstract

A structured packing module for cross-flow applications is provided that includes a plurality of corrugated structured packing sheets positioned in upright parallel relationship to one another. The corrugations of adjacent structured packing sheets are in contact with one another and extend at intersecting angles. The openings and raised ridges may be positioned on the corrugation sidewalls. The structured packing module may be used in a cross-flow contactor, such as in a process for removing carbon dioxide from air.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Related Applications) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 210,458, filed June 14, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] The present invention relates generally to mass transfer, and more particularly to structured packing used to enhance mass transfer between fluid streams, and to cross-flow contactors using structured packing.

[0003] Mass transfer columns are configured to contact at least two fluid streams to provide a product stream of a particular composition and / or temperature. As used herein, the term "mass transfer column" is intended to encompass cross-flow liquid-vapor contactors, absorbers, separators, distillation columns, dividing wall columns, liquid-liquid extractors, scrubbers, and evaporators that facilitate heat and / or mass transfer between two or more fluid phases. Some mass transfer columns, such as those used in multicomponent absorption and distillation, are configured to contact a vapor phase and a liquid phase, while other mass transfer columns, such as extractors, are configured to contact two liquid phases of different densities.

[0004] Structured packing is commonly used in mass transfer columns to provide surfaces across which different fluid streams can spread and interact with one another to cause mass transfer in which one or more components of one of the fluid streams are transferred to the other, and / or to cause heat transfer between the fluid streams. These structured packings typically comprise multiple structured packing sheets positioned in an upright, parallel relationship to one another. One type of structured packing sheet has corrugations, where the corrugations on adjacent structured packing sheets are arranged in cross-flow relationship to one another to form flow paths for one of the fluid streams. The other fluid stream can flow in a cross-flow relationship, i.e., cross-flow or counter-flow, relative to the fluid stream flowing along the flow paths formed by the cross-flowing corrugations.

[0005] It is generally desirable to maximize mass and energy transfer between fluid streams as they flow through structured packing by increasing the specific surface area with which they interact. However, increasing the specific surface area generally results in an increased pressure drop, which is undesirable in terms of the capital and operating costs associated with creating sufficient pressure to overcome the pressure drop. As a result, there is a need for improved structured packing that achieves lower pressure drop without sacrificing efficiency, or achieves improved efficiency without significantly increasing pressure drop. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In one aspect, the invention relates to a structured packing module including a plurality of structured packing sheets positioned in an upright, parallel relationship to one another, each structured packing sheet having opposing ends, a top edge, a bottom edge, corrugations formed from alternating peaks and valleys, corrugation sidewalls extending between adjacent ones of the peaks and valleys, and openings in the corrugations to allow fluid passage through the structured packing sheet. The structured packing sheets are constructed and arranged such that the corrugations of each one of the structured packing sheets contact the corrugations of an adjacent one of the structured packing sheets, extend at an intersecting angle relative to the corrugations of each adjacent one of the structured packing sheets, and are configured for cross-flow of a first fluid flow from one of the opposing ends to the other of the opposing ends and a second fluid flow descending from the top edge to the bottom edge of the structured packing sheet. Each structured packing sheet has an inlet region at one of its opposing ends, an outlet region at the other of its opposing ends, and a bulk region extending between the inlet and outlet regions. The corrugations in the bulk region extend longitudinally along an inclination angle defined relative to the horizontal axis in a range selected from the group consisting of 5 to 35 degrees, 10 to 25 degrees, 10 to 20 degrees, and 12 to 17 degrees. In one variation, at least some of the corrugations in each structured packing sheet have, in the bulk region, a plurality of primary segments each extending longitudinally along an inclination angle defined relative to the horizontal axis and periodic segments between adjacent ones of the primary segments, the inclination angle passing through an inflection point where successive ones of the primary segments are displaced in one lateral direction.

[0007] In another aspect, the invention relates to a structured packing module including a plurality of structured packing sheets positioned in an upright, parallel relationship to one another, each structured packing sheet having opposite ends, an upper edge, a lower edge, corrugations formed from alternating peaks and valleys, corrugation sidewalls extending between adjacent ones of the peaks and valleys, openings on the corrugation sidewalls to permit fluid passage through the structured packing sheet, and raised ridges on the corrugation sidewalls. The structured packing sheets are constructed and arranged such that the corrugations of each one of the structured packing sheets contact the corrugations of each adjacent one of the structured packing sheets and extend at an angle that intersects the corrugations of each adjacent one of the structured packing sheets. Each structured packing sheet has an inlet region at one of its opposite ends, an outlet region at the other of its opposite ends, and a bulk region extending between the inlet and outlet regions. At least some of the corrugations in each structured filler sheet each have a plurality of primary segments in the bulk region extending longitudinally along an inclination angle defined relative to a horizontal axis, and periodic segments between adjacent ones of the primary segments, the inclination angle passing through an inflection point where successive ones of the primary segments are displaced in one lateral direction. The inclination angles of the primary segments of the corrugations in the bulk region are within a range selected from the group consisting of 10 to 25 degrees, 10 to 20 degrees, and 12 to 17 degrees, and in each of the structured filler sheets, the periodic segments are coplanar with the primary segments.

[0008] In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a cross-flow contactor for removing components from a fluid. The cross-flow contactor includes a shell defining an open interior region through which a first fluid stream can flow from an inlet end of the shell to a horizontally opposed outlet end. One or more structured packing modules, as described above, are positioned in the open interior region in a flow path for the first fluid stream when the first fluid stream is present in the open interior region. A liquid distributor is provided for delivering a second fluid stream from above to the one or more structured packing modules for interaction in the one or more structured packing modules while the first fluid stream is present in the open interior region. A liquid collector is provided for collecting and removing the second fluid stream from below the one or more structured packing modules after interaction with the first fluid stream when the first fluid stream is present in the open interior region. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification and in which the same reference numerals are used to indicate similar components in the various views and in which contour lines are used to help illustrate various surface features, are as follows:

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a mass transfer column in the form of a cross-flow contactor, partially broken away to show details of structured packing modules and other structures constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention positioned within the cross-flow contactor. [Figure 2] 2 is an elevational view showing one face of a single structured filler sheet used in the structured filler module shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a side perspective view of multiple structured filler sheets forming part of one of the structured modules shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the structured packing sheets shown in FIG. 3, but from a different perspective. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an end elevation view of the structured filler sheet shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of multiple structured filler sheets according to a second embodiment of the present invention, similar to the first embodiment of the structured filler sheet shown in FIG. 3, but lacking the raised ridges extending between and connecting adjacent openings in the first embodiment and the openings on the peaks and valleys shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a multiple structured packing sheet of a third embodiment of the present invention, similar to the second embodiment of the structured packing sheet shown in FIG. 6, but showing the use of two rows of openings in each corrugated sidewall rather than the single row shown in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of multiple structured filler sheets of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, similar to the second embodiment of the structured filler sheet shown in FIG. 6, but using elongated apertures rather than the circular apertures shown in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a multiple structured filler sheet of a fifth embodiment of the present invention, similar to the second embodiment of the structured filler sheet shown in FIG. 6, but including raised ridges extending between and connecting adjacent openings. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a number of structured filler sheets of a sixth embodiment of the present invention, similar to the fifth embodiment of the structured filler sheet shown in FIG. 9, but showing that the raised ridges are included between only a portion of adjacent openings in a staggered arrangement on adjacent corrugated sidewalls. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a portion of a single structured filler sheet of a seventh embodiment of the present invention, showing that the raised ridges are discontinuous and positioned in rows above and below the openings, rather than extending between and connecting adjacent openings. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is an end elevation view of a structured packing sheet according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an end elevation view of a structured packing sheet according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 19 is an end elevation view of a structured packing sheet according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 16 is an end elevation view of a structured packing sheet according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 23 is an end elevation view of a structured filler sheet according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Turning now more particularly to the drawings and initially to Figure 1, a mass transfer column suitable for use in various mass transfer, heat exchange, and / or reaction processes is indicated generally by the numeral 10. As one specific example, mass transfer column 10 may be a cross-flow contactor used to remove carbon dioxide from ambient air.

[0012] The mass transfer column 10 includes a shell 12 defining a horizontally extending open interior region 14 for passing a first fluid stream horizontally from an inlet end 16 to a horizontally opposite outlet end 18 of the open interior region 14. A liquid distributor 20 is formed by or separate from the shell 12 for delivering a second fluid stream from above into the open interior region 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid distributor 20 includes an upper plenum 22 positioned above and separated from the open interior region 14 by a perforated plate 24 that uniformly distributes the second fluid stream throughout all or a selected portion of the open interior region 14. An inlet nozzle 26 can be used to deliver the second fluid stream into the upper plenum 22 from a feed line (not shown).

[0013] The liquid collector 28 is formed by or separate from the shell 12 to collect and remove the second liquid stream from below after it interacts with the first fluid stream within the open interior region 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid collector 28 comprises a lower plenum 30 positioned below and separated from the open interior region 14 by another perforated plate 32, similar to the perforated plate 24 used with the liquid distributor 20, where the lower plenum 30 uniformly receives the second fluid stream from all or selected portions of the open interior region 14. An outlet nozzle 34 can be used to deliver the second fluid stream from the lower plenum 30 to a flow line (not shown). It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments of the liquid distributor 20 and liquid collector 28 are merely exemplary embodiments, and that other designs can be used to deliver and then remove the second liquid stream from the open interior region 14.

[0014] The mass transfer column 10 may also include any of various types of fans 36 or other pressurizing means upstream from the inlet end 16 of the open interior region 14 to cause the first fluid stream to flow through the open interior region 14 in crossflow with the descending second fluid stream.

[0015] One or more structured packing modules 38 are positioned within the open interior region 14 of the mass transfer column 10 and extend across horizontal and vertical cross sections of the open interior region 14, or a portion thereof, thereby allowing the first fluid stream to flow through the structured packing modules 38 while minimizing the opportunity for the first fluid stream to flow around the structured packing modules 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the structured packing modules 38 are stacked vertically to form multiple layers. Multiple structured packing modules 38 may be positioned end-to-end and alternating side-to-side within each layer.

[0016] Each structured packing module 38 comprises a plurality of structured packing sheets 40 positioned in an upright, parallel relationship to one another. Each structured packing sheet 40 is constructed of a suitable rigid material, such as any of a variety of metals, plastics, or ceramics, having sufficient strength and thickness to withstand the processing conditions experienced within the mass transfer column 10. Each structured packing sheet 40 exhibits a front and a rear surface, all or a portion of which may be generally smooth, need not have a surface texture, or may include various types of texturing, embossings, grooves, lines, or indentations. The surface geometry of the packing sheet 40 depends on the particular application in which the packing sheet 40 is used and may be selected to promote spreading, thereby maximizing contact between the first and second fluid streams.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 2 , each structured filler sheet 40 has opposing ends 42 and 44, a top edge 46, and a bottom edge 48. Parallel waves 50 are formed in the structured filler sheet 40 and include alternating peaks 52 and valleys 54 and wave sidewalls 56 extending between adjacent ones of the peaks 52 and valleys 54. The peaks 52 on the front side of each structured filler sheet 40 form valleys 54 on the opposite or rear side of the structured filler sheet 40. Similarly, the valleys 54 on the front side of each structured filler sheet 40 form peaks 52 on the rear side of the structured filler sheet 40. The waves 50 may extend along the entire height and width of the structured filler sheet 40 and are generally sinusoidal in cross-section with rounded apexes for the peaks 52 and valleys 54. In another embodiment, the waves 50 have a triangular cross-section.

[0018] As seen in FIG. 3 , the structured filler sheets 40 are constructed and arranged such that the corrugations 50 of each one of the structured filler sheets meet and extend at an intersecting angle with the corrugations of each adjacent one of the structured filler sheets 40. Adjacent ones of the structured filler sheets 40 are positioned in an opposing relationship such that the front side of one of the structured filler sheets 40 faces the rear side of the adjacent structured filler sheet 40. The adjacent structured filler sheets 40 are further arranged such that the corrugations 50 in each one of the structured filler sheets 40 intersect with, or extend in a cross-corrugated manner with, the corrugations of the adjacent one of the structured filler sheets 40. As a result of this arrangement, the corrugations 50 in each one of the structured filler sheets 40 extend at an angle relative to the corrugations of each adjacent one of the structured filler sheets 40. Some of the peaks 52 of the waves 50 on the front side of each sheet of structured filler sheet 40 may contact the peaks 52 on the rear side of an adjacent sheet of structured filler sheet 40, or none of them may contact each other.

[0019] Each structured filler sheet 40 may have an inlet region 58 at an end 42, an outlet region 60 at an opposing end 44, and a bulk region 62 extending between the inlet region 58 and the outlet region 60. The portions of the waves 50 in the inlet region 58 may extend to reduce resistance to fluid flow into the inlet region 58, and the portions of the waves 50 in the outlet region 60 may similarly extend to reduce resistance to fluid flow out of the outlet region 60. In one embodiment, the waves 50 in the inlet region 58 transition from a smaller inclination angle relative to the horizontal axis at the end 42 to a larger inclination angle as they enter the bulk region 62. Similarly, the waves 50 in the outlet region 58 may transition within the outlet region from a larger inclination angle at the boundary with the bulk region 62 to a smaller inclination angle at the opposing end 44. It should be understood that if the waves 50 have the same structure throughout the structured packing sheet 40, rather than having larger volume portions in the inlet region 58 and outlet region 60, the bulk region 62 will extend throughout the structured packing sheet 40.

[0020] All or at least a portion of the waves 50 in each structured packing sheet 40 each have, in the bulk region 62, a plurality of primary segments 64 extending longitudinally along a defined inclination angle relative to a horizontal axis, and periodic segments 66 between adjacent ones of the primary segments 64, as best seen in FIG. 4, where the inclination angle passes through an inflection point where successive ones of the primary segments 64 are displaced in one lateral direction. As best seen in FIG. 5, the primary segments 64 and periodic segments 66 of the waves 50 may be coplanar, such that the crests 52 of each wave 50 lie in the same plane along their entire length, and the valleys 54 of each wave 50 likewise lie in the same plane along their entire length. While only two of the primary segments 64 and a single one of the intervening periodic segments 66 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 6-10 for ease of illustration, in other embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, three or more of the primary segments 64 and intervening periodic segments 66 may be used. The slope angle of the primary segments 64 of the corrugations 50 in the bulk region 62 may be within a range selected from the group consisting of 5 to 35 degrees, 10 to 25 degrees, 10 to 20 degrees, and 12 to 17 degrees. In one embodiment, the slope angle is 15 degrees.

[0021] The corrugations 50 may be constructed such that the contact points between the corrugations 50 of adjacent ones of the structured filler sheets 40 are located solely or primarily on the primary segments 64, rather than on the periodic segments 66. The corrugations 50 may also, in some embodiments, be constructed such that the periodic segments 66 are offset on adjacent ones of the structured filler sheets 40. This can be achieved by spacing the periodic segments 66 at different distances from the opposing edges 42 on each structured filler sheet 40, as shown in FIG. 2 , so that, during assembly of the structured filler module 38, adjacent structured filler sheets 40 can be flipped relative to one another to create a staggered arrangement of the periodic segments 66 on adjacent ones of the structured filler sheets.

[0022] Each structured packing sheet 40 may be provided with a plurality of openings 68 extending therethrough to facilitate vapor and liquid distribution within the structured packing module 38. Each opening 68 provides an open area to allow fluid passage through the associated packing sheet 40. In some embodiments, the maximum planar dimension of an opening 68 may be in the range of about 1 mm to about 13 mm, about 1.5 mm to about 10 mm, about 2 mm to about 8 mm, or about 2.5 mm to about 6 mm. While shown in the drawings as having a generally circular shape, the openings 68 may have other shapes, such as triangular, oval, elliptical, rectangular, or square. The maximum planar dimension of each opening 68 is measured along the longest line between the two sides of the opening 68, which passes through the center of the opening 68. When the opening 68 has a circular shape, the maximum planar dimension is the diameter.

[0023] 7 , the open area of ​​each of the apertures 68 may be minimized so that each individual aperture 68 has an open area of ​​about 80 mm or less, about 50 mm or less, or about 30 mm or less, while the number of apertures 68 per unit area may be maximized so that the total open area of ​​each structured packing sheet 40 is within a range of about 6 to about 20 percent, about 8 to about 18 percent, about 10 to about 16 percent, or about 11 to about 15 percent, based on the total surface area of ​​the associated structured packing sheet 40. The use of a large number of these small apertures 68 facilitates the spreading of liquid across the surface of the structured packing sheet 40 and the movement of liquid to both sides of the structured packing sheet 40.

[0024] The openings 68 may be positioned only on the wave sidewall 56, as shown in the embodiment of Figures 6-10, or may additionally be included within the peaks 52 and valleys 54, as shown in the embodiments of Figures 1-5 and 11. In one embodiment, as shown in the embodiments of Figures 1-5 and 11, the openings 68 are present on the wave sidewall 56 as well as the peaks 52 and valleys 54, but are concentrated on the wave sidewall 56 to minimize pressure drop in cross-flow applications. In another embodiment, as shown in each of the embodiments of Figures 1-11, the openings 68 are aligned in one or more rows along the center of the wave sidewall 56.

[0025] The structured packing sheet 40 may also include a plurality of raised ridges 70 on one or both sides of the structured packing sheet 40 to facilitate liquid spreading. The ridges 70 are elongated and, in some embodiments, may extend generally along the slope angle of the primary segments 64 of the corrugations 50, as shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 9-11, or may follow the contours of the periodic segments 66 of the corrugations 50. The ridges 70 may extend between and connect adjacent openings of some of the openings as shown in FIG. 10, between and connect adjacent openings of all of the openings 68 as shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 9, or may extend between and connect none of the openings as shown in FIG. 11. The ridges 70 may be continuous, as shown in FIG. 11, or may have periodic gaps, and may be staggered with respect to one another, such as on adjacent corrugation sidewalls as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In some embodiments, the raised ridges 70 may be linear, as shown in Figures 1-5 and 9-11. In other embodiments, the raised ridges 70 may be wavy (not shown). In one embodiment, the raised ridges 70 may extend between 30 and 100 percent of adjacent ones of the openings 68 on at least the front or rear surface of each structured filler sheet 40. In other embodiments, the raised ridges 70 may extend between 50 and 100 percent, 75 and 100 percent, 85 and 100 percent, or 95 and 100 percent of adjacent ones of the openings 68 on the front and / or rear surface of each structured filler sheet 40.

[0026] The raised ridges 70 on opposing sides of the structured filler sheet 40 may be aligned with one another as shown in FIG. 5, or may be offset as shown in FIG. When the raised ridges 70 are offset on opposing surfaces of the structured filler sheet 40, as shown in FIGS. 13-16, the surface of the structured filler sheet 40 opposite the raised ridges 70 can include depressions or valleys 72 underlying the raised ridges 70. The cross-sectional shape of the raised ridges 70 can vary and include rectangular cross-sections, such as the square cross-section shown in FIG. 12. In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 13-16, the raised ridges 70 can be formed with angled or chamfered walls, rounded portions, and curved lines on one or both sides. The raised ridges 70 can also be formed as a series of smooth intersecting curves with no gaps between the curves, as shown in FIG. 16. The walls forming one side of the raised ridges 70 can be longer than the walls forming the other side of the raised ridges 70, as shown in FIG. 15, allowing the portions of the corrugations 50 on opposing sides of the raised ridges 70 to be offset so that they lie in different planes.

[0027] It is believed that constructing the corrugations 50 with laterally offset primary segments 64 and intervening periodic segments 66 where the inclination angle passes through an inflection point creates flow paths for the first fluid that result in good mass transfer coefficients while minimizing pressure drop. A structured packing module 38 comprising structured packing sheets 40 with openings 68 located along the centerline of the corrugation sidewalls 56, raised ridges 70 extending between and connecting adjacent ones of the openings 68, and a 15-degree inclination angle used for the primary segments 64 of the corrugations 50, demonstrated improved mass transfer and pressure drop performance compared to commercially available products when removing carbon dioxide from air using a carbon dioxide solvent in a cross-flow configuration.

[0028] A mass transfer column 10 incorporating a structured packing module 38 is well suited for operation as a cross-flow contactor for removing acid gases, such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, or sulfur dioxide, from ambient air or a gas stream. During operation, a fan 36 directs ambient air as a first fluid stream horizontally through the open interior region 14 to flow through the structured packing module 38. A liquid distributor 20 directs a lean solvent for carbon dioxide or other acid gases as a second fluid stream from above into the structured packing module 38. The cross-flow of air (or other gas stream) and solvent through the structured packing module 38 solubilizes the carbon dioxide or other acid gases in the first fluid stream into the solvent. The rich solvent is then collected and removed by a liquid collector 28.

[0029] From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objectives hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent thereto.

[0030] It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations, which is contemplated by the claims and is within the scope of the present invention.

[0031] Since many possible embodiments may be made of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is to be understood that all matter set forth in this specification or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. 1. A structured packing module comprising: a plurality of structured filler sheets positioned in an upright, parallel relationship to one another; each structured packing sheet having opposite ends, a top edge, a bottom edge, corrugations formed from alternating peaks and valleys and wave sidewalls extending between adjacent ones of the peaks and valleys, and openings in the corrugations to allow fluid to pass through the structured packing sheet; the structured filler sheets are constructed and arranged such that the corrugations of each sheet of the structured filler sheets contact the corrugations of an adjacent sheet of the structured filler sheets and extend at an intersecting angle relative to the corrugations of an adjacent sheet of the structured filler sheets, and are configured for cross-flow of a first fluid flow from one of the opposing ends to the other of the opposing ends and a second fluid flow descending from the top edge to the bottom edge of the structured filler sheets; each structured packing sheet having an inlet region at one of the opposing ends, an outlet region at the other of the opposing ends, and a bulk region extending between the inlet region and the outlet region; the corrugations in the bulk region comprise structured filler sheets whose longitudinal directions extend along an inclination angle defined relative to a horizontal axis within a range selected from the group consisting of 5 to 35 degrees, 10 to 25 degrees, 10 to 20 degrees, and 12 to 17 degrees; including raised ridges on the wave sidewalls. Structured infill module.

2. the plurality of corrugations disposed within the bulk region of the structured packing sheet include a plurality of primary segments and periodic segments, the primary segments having longitudinal directions extending along the inclination angle, and the periodic segments being disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of primary segments; 10. The structured packing module of claim 1.

3. The structured packing module of claim 2 , wherein the openings are on the corrugated sidewalls.

4. The structured packing module of claim 3 , wherein the openings are on the corrugated sidewalls and on the peaks and valleys.

5. The structured packing module of claim 3 including raised ridges on said corrugations.

6. The structured filler module of claim 5 , wherein the raised ridges extend between and connect one of the openings.

7. 4. The structured packing module of claim 3, wherein in each of said structured packing sheets, said periodic segments are coplanar with said primary segments.

8. 4. The structured packing module of claim 3, wherein the peaks and valleys have rounded peaks.

9. The structured filler module of claim 1 , wherein the raised ridges extend between and connect each of the openings.

10. 2. The structured packing module of claim 1, wherein the raised ridges are linear or wavy, and the first and second fluid flows are in the cross-flow within the structured packing module.

11. The structured filler module of claim 10 , wherein the openings are aligned along the center of the corrugated sidewall.

12. 1. A structured packing module comprising: a plurality of structured filler sheets positioned in an upright, parallel relationship to one another; each structured packing sheet having opposite ends, a top edge, a bottom edge, corrugations formed from alternating peaks and valleys and wave sidewalls extending between adjacent ones of the peaks and valleys, openings on the wave sidewalls to allow fluid to pass through the structured packing sheet, and raised ridges on the wave sidewalls; the structured filler sheets are constructed and arranged such that the corrugations of each sheet of the structured filler sheets contact and extend at an angle to intersect the corrugations of each adjacent sheet of the structured filler sheets; each structured packing sheet having an inlet region at one of the opposing ends, an outlet region at the other of the opposing ends, and a bulk region extending between the inlet region and the outlet region; the plurality of corrugations disposed within the bulk region of the structured packing sheet include a plurality of primary segments and periodic segments, the primary segments extending along longitudinal directions defined at an oblique angle relative to a horizontal axis, and the periodic segments disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of primary segments; the slope angle of the primary segments of the corrugations in the bulk region is in a range selected from the group consisting of 10 to 25 degrees, 10 to 20 degrees, and 12 to 17 degrees; A structured packing module, wherein the periodic segments are coplanar with the primary segments in each of the structured packing sheets.

13. 13. The structured filler module of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the raised ridges extend between and connect one of the openings.

14. 14. The structured packing module of claim 13, wherein the raised ridges are linear or wavy, and a first fluid flow from one of the opposing ends of the structured packing sheet to the other of the opposing ends and a second fluid flow descending from the top edge to the bottom edge of the structured packing sheet are in cross-flow within the structured packing module.

15. 1. A cross-flow contactor for removing components from a fluid, comprising: a shell defining an open interior region in which a first fluid stream may flow from an inlet end to a horizontally opposed outlet end of the shell; one or more structured packing modules according to claim 1 positioned in the open interior region in a flow path for the first fluid stream when the first fluid stream is present in the open interior region; a liquid distributor for delivering a second fluid stream from above to the one or more structured packing modules for interaction therein while the first fluid stream is present in the open interior region; a liquid collector for collecting and removing the second fluid stream from below the one or more structured packing modules after interacting with the first fluid stream when the first fluid stream is present in the open interior region.

16. 16. The cross-flow contactor of claim 15, including a fan at the inlet end of the shell to blow the first fluid stream, when present, along the flow path and through the one or more structured packing modules.

17. 17. The cross-flow contactor of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of said raised ridges extend between said openings to connect one of said openings.

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