EP0130745A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expanded metal packing and method of manufacture
Assignee: Glitsch Inc
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Filing: 1984-06-21
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-06-21
Abstract
Abstract @ Expanded metal vapor-liquid contact plates disposed in face-to-face contact with respective corrugations inclined to the horizontal across a notional plane. In one embodiment, a perforated lamella is disposed across the notional plane. The expanded metal packing which may also be of slit or louvered construction is disposed within a vapor-liquid contact column for the purpose of bringing about mass and heat transfer between liquid and vapor passing in opposite directions therethrough. The body portion of each expanded metal plate comprises metal that has been slitted and expanded by stretching along oppositely oriented axes to provide both surfaces thereof with a very large number of apertures with little wasted material. The metal lands defining the apertures are, moreover, twisted and angulated. The apertures in the plates also trap liquid and expose it to the vapor stream on both sides of the expanded metal affording self-spreading of the liquid and turbulent vapor flow therethrough. In this manner, the assembly affords optimal pressure drop characteristics, surface to vapor passage area ration, and vapor-liquid distribution characteristics. The laminate plate formation may also afford select flow and turbulence characteristics through capillary action between offset laminate land areas of the corrugated sheets.
Inventors
- 👤 Gilbert Chen
- 👤 B. Layton Kitterman
- 👤 Donald L. Glaspie
- 👤 John R. Axe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:22
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/32; F; F28; F28C; F28C1/00; F28C1/02; F28F; F28F25/00; F28F25/02; F28F25/08; F28F25/087; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/32; B01J2219/322; B01J2219/32203; B01J2219/32206; B01J2219/3221; B01J2219/32213; B01J2219/3222; B01J2219/32224; B01J2219/32227; B01J2219/32237; B01J2219/32244; B01J2219/32255; B01J2219/32286; B01J2219/32289; B01J2219/324; B01J2219/32408; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
An improved tower packing grid of the type comprising a plurality of corrugated sheets in face-to-face contact with opposed corrugations inclined oppositely one to the other for receiving a descending liquid flow concomitantly with an ascending vapor flow to enhance the vapor-liquid contact therebetween, wherein the improvement comprises a sheet.of expanded material formed into said corrugated plates and including a plurality of apertures formed therein for affecting the flow of vapor and liquid therealong and within the corrugations of said adjacent plates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
An improved tower packing grid of the type comprising a plurality of corrugated sheets in face-to-face contact with opposed corrugations inclined oppositely one to the other for receiving a descending liquid flow concomitantly with an ascending vapor flow to enhance the vapor-liquid contact therebetween, wherein the improvement comprises a sheet.of expanded material formed into said corrugated plates and including a plurality of apertures formed therein for affecting the flow of vapor and liquid therealong and within the corrugations of said adjacent plates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said corrugated sheet is constructed with a plurality of relatively small apertures formed therein from expanded metal and a plurality of relatively large apertures formed therethrough for exposing vapor and liquid contact flow to opposite sides thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 2 wherein the apertures formed within said sheet are constructed with tab regions bent outwardly therefrom for imparting turbulence to the flow thereover.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said corrugated plates are comprised of expanded metal crimped along a plurality of generally parallel spaced axes to define a corrugated lamella having a uniform distribution of equally spaced expanded metal apertures therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 2 wherein said corrugated plates are comprised of slitted metal crimped and expanded along a plurality of generally parallel spaced axes to define a corrugated plate having a uniform distribution of a corrugated lamella having a uniform distribution of equally spaced slitted apertures therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 2 wherein said corrugated plates are comprised of louvered metal, expanded and crimped along a plurality of generally parallel spaced axes to define a corrugated lamella having a uniform distribution of equally spaced louvered apertures therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 6 wherein said corrugated louvered plates further include a plurality of apertures formed therein with tab regions bent outwardly therefrom for imparting turbulence to the flow of fluid thereover.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said sheet is constructed with a plurality of relatively large apertures formed therethrough having folded tab regions for exposing vapor and liquid contact flow to entrainment thereacross.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus set forth in Claim 8 wherein the relatively large apertures are constructed with integrally formed tab regions bent outwardly therefrom for imparting turbulence to the flow thereover.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 9 wherein said tab regions are formed in a triangular configuration bent outwardly therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 9 wherein said tab regions are formed in a rectangular configuration bent outwardly therefrom.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said tab regions are formed in a generally conical configuration bent outwardly therefrom for imparting turbulence to the flow of fluids thereover.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the apertures are provided in a circular configuration for imparting flow diversion to the flow of fluids thereover.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said opposed corrugations are inclined generally orthogonally one to the other with said perforated lamella disposed therebetween.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said corrugations are inclined generally at a 30 degree angle, one to the other with said relatively large apertures formed therethrough for exposing vapor and liquid contact flow to opposite sides thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
16; The apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said expanded metal lamella includes a plurality of relatively large apertures, said apertures being constructed with tab regions bent outwardly therefrom for imparting turbulence to the flow of fluids thereover.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
163 words
An improved method of imparting vapor liquid contact within a process tower of the type comprising the steps of providing a generally vertical tower having means for ingressing the flow of vapor at the lower region thereof and means for ingressing a stream of liquid from the upper region thereof and a series of layers of grid rays disposed therebetween for receiving the descending flow of liquid and the ascending flow of vapor concomitantly therethrough for the thorough mass heat transfer therebetween, said improvement comprising the steps of providing said grid layers with a plurality of expanded metal corrugated lamella sheets in face-to-face contact, positioning said corrugated sheets in an inclined position opposite one-to-the-other, said lamella including a plurality of apertures forms therein for effecting the flow of vapor liquid therealong and within the corrugations of said adjacent sheets for enhancing the vapor liquid interaction flowing therethrough and substantially segregating the vapor and liquid flow of respective corrugated channels one from the other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
163 words
An improved method of imparting vapor liquid contact within a process tower of the type comprising the steps of providing a generally vertical tower having means for ingressing the flow of vapor at the lower region thereof and means for ingressing a stream of liquid from the upper region thereof and a series of layers of grid rays disposed therebetween for receiving the descending flow of liquid and the ascending flow of vapor concomitantly therethrough for the thorough mass heat transfer therebetween, said improvement comprising the steps of providing said grid layers with a plurality of expanded metal corrugated lamella sheets in face-to-face contact, positioning said corrugated sheets in an inclined position opposite one-to-the-other, said lamella including a plurality of apertures forms therein for effecting the flow of vapor liquid therealong and within the corrugations of said adjacent sheets for enhancing the vapor liquid interaction flowing therethrough and substantially segregating the vapor and liquid flow of respective corrugated channels one from the other.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as set forth in Claim 17 wherein said method further includes providing said corrugated sheets with a plurality of apertures having tab regions formed therein and bent outwardly therefrom for imparting turbulence to the flow of fluids thereover.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as set forth in Claim 17 wherein said method includes the step of providing said corrugated sheets of expanded metal crimped along a plurality of generally parallel spaced axes and defining a corrugated lamella having a uniform distribution of equally spaced expanded metal apertures therein.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as set forth in Claim 19 wherein said expanded metal corrugated plates are provided in oppositely inclined relationship one-to-the-other and imparting generally laminar flow to the descending liquid flowing thereacross and generating pseudo turbulent interaction between said liquid and said vapor flow therethrough
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
117 words
A tower packing grid comprising; a generally vertical column adapted for the process of vapor liquid therein; means for ingressing the flow of liquid from the upper region of said tower; means for ingressing the flow of vapor from the lower portion of said tower; means for supporting a plurality of grid layers within said tower between said vapor and liquid ingressing means; said grid layers comprising a plurality of corrugated expanded metal sheets in face-to-face contact with opposed corrugations inclined oppositely one-to-the-other for receiving a descending liquid flow concomitantly with an ascending vapor flow; and said facing corrugated sheets including a plurality of apertures formed therein for enhancing the vapor liquid contact flow thereacross and therethrough.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
117 words
A tower packing grid comprising; a generally vertical column adapted for the process of vapor liquid therein; means for ingressing the flow of liquid from the upper region of said tower; means for ingressing the flow of vapor from the lower portion of said tower; means for supporting a plurality of grid layers within said tower between said vapor and liquid ingressing means; said grid layers comprising a plurality of corrugated expanded metal sheets in face-to-face contact with opposed corrugations inclined oppositely one-to-the-other for receiving a descending liquid flow concomitantly with an ascending vapor flow; and said facing corrugated sheets including a plurality of apertures formed therein for enhancing the vapor liquid contact flow thereacross and therethrough.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
87 words
An improved tower packing grid of the type comprising a plurality of corrugated sheets in face-to-face contact with opposed corrugations inclined oppositely one to the other for receiving a descending liquid flow concomitantly with an ascending vapor flow to enhance the vapor-liquid contact therebetween, wherein the improvement comprises a sheet of material disposed along the notional plane between said corrugated plates, said sheet including a plurality of apertures formed therein for affecting the flow of vapor and liquid therealong and within the corrugations of said adjacent plates.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
87 words
An improved tower packing grid of the type comprising a plurality of corrugated sheets in face-to-face contact with opposed corrugations inclined oppositely one to the other for receiving a descending liquid flow concomitantly with an ascending vapor flow to enhance the vapor-liquid contact therebetween, wherein the improvement comprises a sheet of material disposed along the notional plane between said corrugated plates, said sheet including a plurality of apertures formed therein for affecting the flow of vapor and liquid therealong and within the corrugations of said adjacent plates.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 22 wherein said sheet is constructed with a plurality of relatively small apertures formed therein and a plurality of relatively large apertures formed therethrough for exposing vapor and liquid contact flow to opposite sides thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 23 wherein the apertures formed within said sheet are constructed with tab regions bent outwardly therefrom for imparting turbulence to the flow thereover.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 23 wherein said corrugated plates are comprised of expanded metal crimped along a plurality of generally parallel spaced axes to define a corrugated lamella having a uniform distribution of equally spaced expanded metal apertures therein.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 23 wherein said corrugated plates are comprised of slitted.metal crimped along a plurality of generally parallel spaced axes to define a corrugated plate having a uniform distribution of a corrugated lamella having a uniform distribution of equally spaced slitted apertures therein.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 23 wherein said corrugated plates are comprised of louvered metal crimped along a plurality of generally parallel spaced axes to define a corrugated lamella having a uniform distribution of equally spaced louvered apertures therein.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 27 wherein said corrugated louvered plates further include a plurality of apertures formed therein with tab regions bent outwardly therefrom for imparting turbulence to the flow of fluid thereover.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 22 wherein said sheet is constructed with a plurality of relatively large apertures formed therethrough and upon a sheet having a textured surface for exposing vapor and liquid contact flow to entrainment thereacross.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus set forth in Claim 29 wherein the relatively large apertures are constructed with tab regions bent outwardly therefrom for imparting turbulence to the flow thereover.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 30 wherein said tab regions are formed in a triangular configuration bent outwardly therefrom.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as set forth in Claim 30 wherein said tab regions.are formed in a rectangular configuration bent outwardly therefrom.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 30 wherein said tab regions are formed in a generally conical configuration bent outwardly therefrom for imparting turbulence to the flow of fluids thereover.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 30 wherein the apertures are provided in a circular configuration for imparting flow diversion to the flow of fluids thereover.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein said opposed corrugations are inclined generally orthogonally one to the other with said perforated lamella disposed therebetween.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 35 wherein each of said perforated lamella comprises a sheet of expanded metal having a plurality of relatively large apertures formed therethrough for exposing vapor and liquid contact flow to opposite sides thereof.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 36 wherein said expanded metal lamella includes a plurality of relatively large apertures, said apertures being constructed with tab regions bent outwardly therefrom for imparting turbulence to the flow of fluids thereover.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
174 words
An improved method of imparting vapor liquid contact within a process tower of the type comprising the steps of providing a generally vertical tower having means for ingressing the flow of vapor at the lower region thereof and means for ingressing a stream of liquid from the upper region thereof and a series of layers of grid rays disposed therebetween for receiving the descending flow of liquid and the ascending flow of vapor concomitantly therethrough for the thorough mass heat transfer therebetween, said improvement comprising the steps of providing said grid layers with a plurality of corrugated sheets in face-to-face contact, positioning said corrugated sheets in an inclined position opposite one-to-the-other, and inserting a sheet of material along the notional plane between said corrugated sheets, said lamella including a plurality of apertures formed therein for effecting the flow of vapor liquid therealong and within the corrugations of said adjacent sheets for enhancing the vapor liquid interaction flowing therethrough and substantially segregating the vapor and liquid flow of respective corrugated channels one from the other.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
174 words
An improved method of imparting vapor liquid contact within a process tower of the type comprising the steps of providing a generally vertical tower having means for ingressing the flow of vapor at the lower region thereof and means for ingressing a stream of liquid from the upper region thereof and a series of layers of grid rays disposed therebetween for receiving the descending flow of liquid and the ascending flow of vapor concomitantly therethrough for the thorough mass heat transfer therebetween, said improvement comprising the steps of providing said grid layers with a plurality of corrugated sheets in face-to-face contact, positioning said corrugated sheets in an inclined position opposite one-to-the-other, and inserting a sheet of material along the notional plane between said corrugated sheets, said lamella including a plurality of apertures formed therein for effecting the flow of vapor liquid therealong and within the corrugations of said adjacent sheets for enhancing the vapor liquid interaction flowing therethrough and substantially segregating the vapor and liquid flow of respective corrugated channels one from the other.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as set forth in Claim 38 wherein said method further includes providing said corrugated sheets with a plurality of apertures having tab regions formed therein and bent outwardly therefrom for imparting turbulence to the flow of fluids thereover.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as set forth in Claim 38 wherein said method includes the step of providing said corrugated sheets of expanded metal crimped along a plurality of generally parallel spaced axes and defining a corrugated lamella having a uniform distribution of equally spaced expanded metal apertures therein.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as set forth in Claim 40 wherein said expanded metal corrugated plates are provided in oppositely inclined relationship one-to-the-other and imparting generally laminar flow to the descending liquid flowing thereacross and generating pseudo turbulent interaction between said liquid and said vapor flow therethrough
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
137 words
A tower packing grid comprising; a generally vertical column adapted for the process of vapor liquid contact therein; means for ingressing the flow of liquid from the upper region of said tower; means for ingressing the flow of vapor from the lower portion of said tower; means for supporting a plurality of grid layers within said tower between said vapor and liquid ingressing means; said grid layers comprising a plurality of corrugated sheets in face-to-face contact with opposed corrugations inclined oppositely one-to-the-other for receiving a descending liquid flow concomitantly with an ascending vapor flow; and a lamella disposed between said facing corrugated sheets for effecting the flow of vapor and liquid therealong and within the corrugations of said adjacent sheets, said lamella including a plurality of apertures formed therein for enhancing the vapor liquid contact flow thereacross.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
137 words
A tower packing grid comprising; a generally vertical column adapted for the process of vapor liquid contact therein; means for ingressing the flow of liquid from the upper region of said tower; means for ingressing the flow of vapor from the lower portion of said tower; means for supporting a plurality of grid layers within said tower between said vapor and liquid ingressing means; said grid layers comprising a plurality of corrugated sheets in face-to-face contact with opposed corrugations inclined oppositely one-to-the-other for receiving a descending liquid flow concomitantly with an ascending vapor flow; and a lamella disposed between said facing corrugated sheets for effecting the flow of vapor and liquid therealong and within the corrugations of said adjacent sheets, said lamella including a plurality of apertures formed therein for enhancing the vapor liquid contact flow thereacross.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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