Structured Packing Mounting Clips for Mechanical Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Structured packings with thick corrugated sheets face mechanical instability and risk of sheet detachment during extreme handling, transportation, and vibration due to a small number of points of intersection, which increases fouling and coking, especially when sheets are not drillable and require large slits for mounting.
Innovation Solution
The use of mounting clips with a central coupling portion and angled lateral clamping portions that securely attach corrugated sheets to rods, providing increased mechanical stability and preventing sheet slippage or detachment, even under severe mechanical forces, by aligning with the sheet's contour and providing extensive contact areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the number of points of intersection between adjacent corrugated sheets is decreased to reduce fouling and coking, then fouling and coking are reduced, but the mechanical stability of the packing element decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Mounting clips are introduced as intermediary elements that mediate between the corrugated sheets and rods. The clips provide additional attachment points without requiring additional points of intersection between sheets, thus maintaining mechanical stability while keeping the number of intersection points low to minimize fouling and coking.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into separate components: mounting clips and rods. This allows the clips to be positioned at optimal locations for stability without requiring the corrugated sheets to intersect at every possible point, thereby reducing the number of intersection points where fouling and coking occur.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thick corrugated sheets are used that cannot be drilled, then resistance against fouling and coking is increased, but the sheets require large slits for mounting which makes them prone to detachment
Solution Approach 1:
Mounting clips serve as intermediaries that attach to the rods and engage with the corrugated sheets at locations away from the large slits. This intermediary connection method prevents direct attachment through the slit areas, reducing the risk of detachment while maintaining the use of thick, non-drillable sheets that resist fouling and coking.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting clips are pre-positioned on the rods before the corrugated sheets are installed. This preliminary placement ensures that the clips are correctly positioned to provide optimal support and attachment, preventing sheet detachment during handling and operation while allowing the use of thick sheets with large slits for fouling resistance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a small number of points of intersection is used to minimize fouling and coking, then fouling and coking are reduced, but the corrugated sheets become flabby and may fall off during extreme mechanical challenges
Solution Approach 1:
Mounting clips act as mediators that provide rigid support to the corrugated sheets at key locations. These clips compensate for the reduced number of points of intersection by providing alternative support points that prevent the sheets from becoming flabby and falling off during extreme mechanical challenges, while maintaining low fouling and coking levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system transitions from a two-dimensional attachment at points of intersection between sheets to a three-dimensional arrangement using clips that extend perpendicular to the sheet plane. This dimensional change provides additional support without requiring additional intersection points, maintaining mechanical strength while minimizing fouling and coking.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the mechanical stability of structured packings, reduces fouling and coking, and prevents sheet detachment, allowing for reliable operation under extreme conditions without compromising mass transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
two opposing lateral parts forming a clamping portion for a clamping engagement with the corrugated sheet
Implementation Method 2
providing extensive contact areas
Implementation Method 3
the amount of mass transfer per unit time is proportional to the boundary surface of the gas and of the liquid, wherein the boundary surface is larger the larger the proportion of the surface of the packing is which is wetted by the liquid
Implementation Method 4
liquid is kept at these places due to capillary forces
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a
Figure 2b~2c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a packing element for a structured packing including at least two adjacent corrugated sheets, wherein each of the corrugated sheets comprises a plurality of alternately oriented peaks and troughs, wherein adjacent corrugated sheets are oriented such that the corrugations of the adjacent corrugated sheets intersect in crisscross fashion with the corrugations of the corrugated sheets extending obliquely relative to the vertical direction, wherein each corrugated sheet contacts each of the adjacent corrugated sheets at points of intersection between the corrugations of the corrugated sheet and those of the adjacent corrugated sheets, wherein all corrugated sheets are tied together by means of at least one rod, wherein the at least one rod penetrates the corrugated sheets perpendicularly to the longitudinal section of the corrugated sheets, wherein on the at least one rod before the first corrugated sheet of the packing element and/or after the last corrugated sheet of the packing element at least one mounting clip is provided for fixing the corrugated sheets on the rod, wherein the mounting clip comprises a central part forming a coupling portion for coupling the mounting clip to the rod and two opposing lateral parts forming a clamping portion for a clamping engagement with the corrugated sheet, wherein the lateral parts are connected with the central part and angled with respect to the central part.