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Enhanced Structured Packing Systems for Mass Transfer Applications

Lower Pressure Drop and up to 40% Higher Capacity than Conventional Structured Packing

FLEXIPAC® structured packing has been utilized successfully in commercial mass transfer applications since the mid seventies. An enhancement to the geometric structure of conventional FLEXIPAC® packing has been developed and commercialized for improved hydraulic capacity. The new style FLEXIPAC® HC® (High Capacity) structured packing, incorporates a patented modification to the bottom and top edge of each individual corrugated sheet. Since 1997, FLEXIPAC® HC® structured packing has been used to increase even further the high capacities achieved with structured packings.

This bulletin provides detailed information about the high performance of FLEXIPAC® HC® structured packing including capacity, pressure drop and efficiency information for use in preliminary tower design.

With conventional corrugated structured packing, it is difficult for liquid to drain from the base of one element to the top of the next element. As the vapor rate is increased, liquid begins to accumulate at the base and reduces the open area for vapor flow. At higher vapor rates, flooding initiates at the base of the element and progresses upward until the entire element is flooded. Since successive elements are typically rotated by 90 degrees, the vapor is forced to change direction between the elements. The small turning radius for the vapor flow in conventional structured packing results in a relatively high pressure drop at the interfaces between the elements.

FLEXIPAC® HC® structured packing is identical to conventional FLEXIPAC® structured packing except for a subtle modification at the base and top regions of each element consisting of vertical surfaces at the interfaces. The bulk region in between remains the same.

This change at the interface where flooding begins effectively reduces the drag of the vapor on the liquid allowing liquid to drain to the next lower element without excessive accumulation. The liquid hold-up at the interface is reduced, and the open area for vapor flow is increased. The liquid and vapor flow in a vertical countercurrent direction, reducing the shear effect at the bottom edge of each packing sheet. This results in a significantly higher flooding capacity and a reduced pressure drop in the loading region. In addition, the vertical region at the interface for FLEXIPAC® HC® structured packing enlarges the turning radius for vapor flow and reduces the pressure drop associated with the rotation between elements. The smooth transition between the elements enhances the vapor handling capacity. The efficiency for FLEXIPAC® HC® structured packing is the same since the bulk region remains unchanged. The new packing can be utilized in any application where increased capacity without loss of efficiency is required. Alternatively, by using a smaller crimp size with lower HETP (higher NTSM) of FLEXIPAC® HC® structured packing, a higher column efficiency can be realized without a loss in capacity.

FLEXIPAC® HC® structured packing is offered in a wide range of crimp size and material of construction similar to conventional FLEXIPAC® structured packing. A variety of surface textures to enhance liquid spreading is also available. FLEXIPAC® HC® structured packing may replace conventional structured packing on a one-to-one ratio.

For information on the variety of conventional FLEXIPAC® structured packing and material of construction for FLEXIPAC® and FLEXIPAC® HC® structured packing, view our Literature section for product brochures . For information on column internals please contact us for the current bulletins.













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