Twisted Wavy Packing Strips for Mass Transfer Columns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packings for mass and/or heat exchange columns or towers experience high pressure drops and resistance to gas flow due to their structure, which limits their efficiency and stability.
Innovation Solution
The packing design features twisted wavy strips with varying period lengths, allowing for a more open structure and increased gas permeability, along with alternating torsion patterns that create openings for gas flow and enhance stability through increased torsional rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the packing uses a structure with strips that do not touch or have minimal contact, then gas flow resistance is reduced, but liquid distribution and mass transfer efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The packing structure implements local quality by creating different spatial configurations in different regions: in the upper region, strips are arranged with larger spacing and alternating twist directions to reduce gas flow resistance, while in the lower region, strips are arranged with smaller spacing and same twist direction to enhance liquid distribution and mass transfer efficiency. This regional differentiation resolves the contradiction between gas flow resistance and mass transfer efficiency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the packing structure is made more open to reduce pressure drop, then gas permeability improves, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The packing structure resolves the contradiction between pressure drop and structural stability by transitioning from a two-dimensional planar strip arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration with twisted strips extending in the longitudinal direction. The strips are twisted along their length and arranged in alternating patterns, creating a立体 (three-dimensional) open structure that reduces pressure drop while maintaining structural integrity through the twisted geometry and spatial distribution.
3Ease of manufacture
If strips are arranged parallel to each other, then manufacturing is simplified, but gas flow openings are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The packing structure implements asymmetry by arranging strips in alternating twist directions (left-handed and right-handed twists) rather than parallel arrangements. This asymmetric configuration creates additional openings and pathways for gas flow between the strips, significantly reducing gas flow resistance. The asymmetric pattern is achieved through alternating the twist direction of adjacent strips, which maintains relative simplicity in manufacturing while dramatically improving gas permeability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a packing element, in particular for mass-transfer- and/or heat-exchange columns or towers through which gas and/or liquid flows, said packing element (1) comprising a number of exchange surfaces (4a-4f) substantially formed by the surfaces of half-wave-shaped and/or wave-shaped strips (3a-3f), wherein the packing element comprises at least one first group of strips (2a) including at least one half-wave-shaped and/or wave-shaped strip having a first period length I1, and at least one subsequent second group of strips (2b) including at least one half-wave-shaped and/or wave-shaped strip (3c, 3d) having a second period length I2, said half-wave-shaped and/or wave-shaped strips (3a-3f) extending along a notional axial plane of the packing element, wherein the period length I1 of a first-group (2a) strip (3b) neighbouring the second group of strips (2b), and the period length l2 of a second-group strip (3c) neighbouring said first-group strip are adapted to one another in such a way that both the neighbouring strips (3b, 3c) are in operative contact at at least one point, in such a way that a liquid transfer can be achieved between both strips (3b, 3c), wherein at least one strip (3a-3f) extends from a first end bridge (6a) to a second end bridge (6b), and wherein both end bridges (6a, 6b) run in the transversal direction of the packing element (1). According to the invention, at least one strip (3a-3d) of the packing element (1) is twisted about a torsion line running in a longitudinal direction of the packing element (1).