US5132056A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Structured column packing with improved turndown and method
Assignee: Praxair Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1991-05-28
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Granted: 1992-07-21
•
Expires: 2011-05-28
Abstract
Abstract Structured metal column packing with corrugations and textured surfaces having a defined construction of the corrugation corners which enables significantly improved performance especially under turndown conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Lockett
- 👤 Richard A. Victor
- 👤 James D. Augustyniak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:03
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25J; F25J3/00; F25J3/02; F25J3/04; F25J3/04763; F25J3/04866; F25J3/04896; F25J3/04909; B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/32; F25J3/04406; F25J3/04412; F25J3/04642; F25J3/04648; F25J3/04654; F25J3/04666; F25J3/04672; F25J3/04678; F28; F28F; F28F25/00; F28F25/02; F28F25/08; F28F25/087; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/32; B01J2219/322; B01J2219/32203; B01J2219/3221; B01J2219/32213; B01J2219/32224; B01J2219/32227; B01J2219/32237; B01J2219/32244; B01J2219/32248; B01J2219/324; B01J2219/32408; B01J2219/326; F25J2290/00; F25J2290/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
Structured packing comprising textured, corrugated metal sheet material having sharp corners at the corrugations, a ratio of the developed sheet thickness difference at the corners to the developed sheet thickness difference between the corners which exceeds 0.6, and corners where the ratio of twice the corner radius to the corrugation height is less than 0.75.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
Structured packing comprising textured, corrugated metal sheet material having sharp corners at the corrugations, a ratio of the developed sheet thickness difference at the corners to the developed sheet thickness difference between the corners which exceeds 0.6, and corners where the ratio of twice the corner radius to the corrugation height is less than 0.75.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structured packing of claim 1 wherein the ratio of the developed sheet thickness difference at the corners to the developed sheet thickness difference between the corners exceeds 0.7.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structured packing of claim 1 wherein the ratio of the developed sheet thickness difference at the corners to the developed sheet thickness difference between the corners exceeds 0.8.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The structured packing of claim 1 wherein the texture comprises fluting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The structured packing of claim 1 further comprising perforations through the packing sheet material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
9 words
The structured packing of claim 1 comprised of aluminum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
9 words
The structured packing of claim 1 comprised of copper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
10 words
The structured packing of claim 1 comprised of stainless steel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
A column containing vapor liquid contacting elements comprising structured packing comprising textured, corrugated metal sheet material having sharp corners at the corrugations, a ratio of the developed sheet thickness difference at the corners to the developed sheet thickness difference between the corners which exceeds 0.6, and corners where the ratio of twice the corner radius to the corrugation height is less than 0.75.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
A column containing vapor liquid contacting elements comprising structured packing comprising textured, corrugated metal sheet material having sharp corners at the corrugations, a ratio of the developed sheet thickness difference at the corners to the developed sheet thickness difference between the corners which exceeds 0.6, and corners where the ratio of twice the corner radius to the corrugation height is less than 0.75.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The column of claim 9 wherein the structured packing has a ratio of the developed sheet thickness difference at the corners to the developed sheet thickness difference between the corners which exceeds 0.7.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The column of claim 9 wherein the structured packing texture comprises fluting.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The column of claim 9 wherein the structured packing further comprises perforations through the packing sheet material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The column of claim 9 wherein the structured packing comprises aluminum.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The column of claim 9 which is the lower pressure column of a double column system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The column of claim 9 which is the higher pressure column of a double column system.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The column of claim 9 which is an argon column of an air separation plant having a double column system.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for carrying out distillation comprising passing vapor and liquid countercurrently in a column containing structured packing comprising textured, corrugated metal sheet material having sharp corners at the corrugations, a ratio of the developed sheet thickness difference at the corners to the developed sheet thickness difference between the corners which exceeds 0.6, and corners where the ratio of twice the corner radius to the corrugation height is less than 0.75.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for carrying out distillation comprising passing vapor and liquid countercurrently in a column containing structured packing comprising textured, corrugated metal sheet material having sharp corners at the corrugations, a ratio of the developed sheet thickness difference at the corners to the developed sheet thickness difference between the corners which exceeds 0.6, and corners where the ratio of twice the corner radius to the corrugation height is less than 0.75.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the ratio of the developed sheet thickness difference at the corners to the developed sheet thickness difference between the corners exceeds 0.7.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the distillation is cryogenic distillation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the vapor and liquid within the column comprises at least two of oxygen, nitrogen and argon.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the countercurrent flow of vapor and liquid in the column is carried out under turndown conditions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-21 | 1996-01-20 | 1996-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-21 | 2000-01-20 | 2000-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-21 | 2004-01-20 | 2004-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |