Asymmetrical Arch Packing Strips for Mass Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packing elements for mass and heat exchange columns suffer from high pressure loss and impaired separation performance due to overlapping ribs, leading to the formation of liquid conduits and reduced hydraulic capacity.

Innovation Solution

The packing element features strips with irregular, asymmetrical arch shapes that change direction multiple times, preventing overlap and ensuring uniform fluid distribution, thereby enhancing separation performance and reducing pressure loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If ribs are arranged in a regular pattern (e.g., sinusoidal), then manufacturing is simplified, but liquid conduits form and separation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverib arrangement simplicityVSAvoidseparation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by configuring ribs with different heights, where at least one rib has a different height from adjacent ribs. This asymmetric arrangement prevents the formation of continuous liquid conduits that occur with regular patterns, thereby improving separation performance while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a straightforward height variation design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If specific surface area is increased to improve mass transfer efficiency, then separation performance improves, but pressure loss increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemass transfer efficiencyVSAvoidpressure loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different rib heights, where higher ribs provide greater surface area for mass transfer in specific locations, while lower ribs maintain open flow paths to control pressure loss. This localized variation in rib structure allows optimization of both mass transfer efficiency and pressure characteristics in different areas of the packing element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If ribs overlap in the longitudinal direction, then structural integrity is improved, but open cross-section increases leading to liquid conduit formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidseparation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by using asymmetric rib heights where ribs of different heights are arranged alternately. This prevents overlapping when the packing element is dumped, maintaining open cross-sections that avoid liquid conduit formation, while still providing sufficient structural integrity through the interconnected rib network with varied heights.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS11583826B2Packing element having strips with asymmetrical arch or wave shapes

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 RVT PROCESS EQUIP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a packing element, in particular for mass and/or heat exchange columns, through which at least one gas and/or at least one liquid flow flows, comprising a plurality of neighbouring strips curved inwards and/or outwards, wherein each strip is connected to the neighbouring strips at at least one end thereof. It is the object of the present invention to provide a packing element that is improved relative to the state of the art. According to the disclosure, this object is achieved in that at least one of the strips has an irregular shape.