Mass transfer method using static packings

Abstract

The use of a cross-passage packing made of a metal fabric relates to a method in which an exchange of material and/or of heat is carried out between a liquid stream and a gas or vapour stream. The fabric packing (1) used is composed of vertical layers (11′, 12′) which consist of corrugated or pleated metal fabrics (11, 12) which form flow passages (13). The gas or vapour stream flows in the flow passages and the liquid stream flows on the metal fabric. The flow passages of adjacent layers cross in an open manner. The angle between crossing passages is lower than approximately 100°. In this method, the fabric packing is acted on by a relatively small liquid loading. The metal fabric forms a carrier for the liquid stream that is largely free of holes or other apertures. Values for the liquid loading are selected in accordance with the relationship L/a<10 l/mh, where L is the specific surface loading in volume units of the liquid per surface unit of the packing cross-section, and a is the specific surface which the metal fabric spans.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.