# US 2019/0168132 A1 · Modular Extraction Column > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0168132 A1 - Document ID: US20190168132A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/268,020 - Filed: 2019-02-05 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-05 - Assignees: Kepco Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Youngmoon Bae; Seungchul Yang; Byungkuk Lee; Dongyong Kwak; Junsang Min - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168132A1 ## CPC - B01D 11/043: {with stationary contacting elements, sieve plates or loose contacting elements} - B01D 11/04: of solutions which are liquid - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract A modular extraction column. End blocks respectively have a flange on one side. A body block includes a plurality of column modules stacked on each other and coupled to the flanges of the end blocks in a surface contact manner. Each column module includes first and second module flanges provided on opposite ends and an accommodating portion provided in an inner portion to have a predetermined area. The column modules are coupled to each other such that the first module flange of one column module faces the second module flange of an adjacent column module. An inner structure is received in the accommodating portions of the plurality of column modules to distribute a fluid. The end blocks and the body block communicate with each other. The accommodating portion of each of the column modules has a quadrangular cross-section in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction thereof. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular extraction column comprising: end blocks respectively having a flange on one side; a body block comprising a plurality of column modules stacked on each other, the plurality of column modules being coupled to the flanges of the end blocks in a surface contact manner, each of the plurality of column modules comprising a first module flange and a second module flange provided on opposite ends and an accommodating portion provided in an inner portion to have a predetermined area, wherein the plurality of column modules are coupled to each other such that the first module flange of one column module among the plurality of column modules faces the second module flange of an adjacent column module among the plurality of column modules; and an inner structure received in the accommodating portions of the plurality of column modules to distribute a fluid, wherein the end blocks and the body block communicate with each other, the accommodating portion of each of the plurality of column modules having a quadrangular cross-section in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The modular extraction column according to claim 1, wherein the end blocks and the body block are coupled to and stacked on each other such that the flanges of the end blocks are coupled to the first module flange of a predetermined column module among the plurality of column modules and the second module flange of the opposite column module among the plurality of column modules. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The modular extraction column according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of column modules further comprises a cover disposed adjacent to an open area formed in one side of the each column module, the cover being detachably coupled to a predetermined portion of the each column module to open and close the open area. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The modular extraction column according to claim 3, wherein the inner structure comprises a cartridge introduced through the open area and seated in the accommodating portion communicating with the open area. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The modular extraction column according to claim 4, wherein the inner structure comprises: a structural body formed of a plurality of structural sections having a predetermined shape and stacked in a top-bottom direction; and a support fixedly supporting the structural body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The modular extraction column according to claim 5, wherein the structural body comprises one selected from the group consisting of perforated plates, sieve trays, and baffle trays. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The modular extraction column according to claim 5, wherein the support comprises: support legs coupled to corners of the structural body to support and fix the structural body; or two or more support plates holding and fixing the structural body, wherein the structural body and the support are coupled to each other using one selected from the group consisting of welding, rivets, bolts, and spline fitting. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The modular extraction column according to claim 4, wherein the inner structure comprises: a support having a quadrangular horizontal cross-section and a hollow inner area; and stuffing accommodated in the hollow inner area. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The modular extraction column according to claim 8, wherein the inner structure further comprises one or two stuffing holding films disposed on one or both sides of the support, the stuffing holding films allowing fluids to pass therethrough.