Support beam for supporting internals within a mass transfer column

A support beam for supporting an internal within a mass transfer column, said support beam comprising:

• an elongated web having opposed end portions, a longitudinal length extending in a direction between the opposed end portions, an upper edge portion, a lower edge portion, and opposed first and second faces;
• an upper open flange positioned at the upper edge portion of the web and having opposed ends, said upper open flange comprising:
• an upright first reinforcement rail extending along the longitudinal length of the web and spaced from the first face of the web by upright spacers positioned at spaced apart locations along the longitudinal length of the web to create open fluid flow channels between the first reinforcement rail and the first face of the web, and
• an upright second reinforcement rail extending along the longitudinal length of the web and spaced from the second face of the web by additional ones of the upright spacers positioned at spaced apart locations along the longitudinal length of the web to create additional ones of the open fluid flow channels between the first reinforcement rail and the second face of the web;
• a lower open flange positioned at the lower edge portion of the web and having opposed ends, said lower open flange comprising:
• an upright third reinforcement rail extending along the longitudinal length of the web and spaced from the first face of the web by spacers positioned at spaced apart locations along the longitudinal length of the web to create additional ones of the open fluid flow channels between the third reinforcement rail and the first face of the web, and
• an upright fourth reinforcement rail extending along the longitudinal length of the web and spaced from the second face of the web by additional ones of the upright spacers positioned at spaced apart locations along the longitudinal length of the web to create additional ones of the open fluid flow channels between the fourth reinforcement rail and the second face of the web;
• bearing plates extending transversely and affixed to an underside of the web and the lower open flange at their opposite end portions;
• upright stiffening plates extending between the first face of the web and the first and third reinforcement rails at both of their opposite end portions and between the second face of the web and the second and fourth reinforcement rails at both of their opposite end portions;
• spaced openings in the web to allow fluid to pass through the web from the opposed first and second faces;
• bends in the first, second, third, and fourth reinforcement rails along their longitudinal lengths to strengthen them against deflection;
• and
• first truss members having opposite ends and extending along the first face of the web and joined at their opposite ends to the first and third reinforcement rails and the first face of the web and second truss members having opposite ends and extending along the second face of the web and joined at their opposite ends to the second and fourth reinforcement bars,
• wherein the first and second truss members extend upright, diagonally, or diagonally with a reverse bend.