# US 8,540,878 B2 · Structured packing module for mass transfer column and process involving same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,878 B2 - Document ID: US8540878B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/658,901 - Filed: 2012-10-24 - Published: 2013-02-21 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2008-09-17 - Assignees: Koch-Glitsch, LP - Applicants: Koch-Glitsch, LP - Inventors: Izak Nieuwoudt; Michael James Lockett - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540878B2 ## CPC - B01J 19/32: Packing elements in the form of grids or built-up elements for forming a unit or module inside the apparatus for mass or heat transfer - B01J 19/325: {Attachment devices therefor, e.g. hooks, consoles, brackets} - B01J 2219/3221: Corrugated sheets - B01J 2219/32213: Plurality of essentially parallel sheets - B01J 2219/32227: Vertical orientation - B01J 2219/32272: relating to blocks in superimposed layers - B01J 2219/32275: Mounting or joining of the blocks or sheets within the column or vessel - B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS ## Abstract A cross-corrugated structure packing module is provided for use in mass transfer or heat exchange columns and has particular applicability in severe service applications in which fouling, coking, and erosion are of concern. The structured packing module has a plurality of upright, parallel-extending, corrugated plates. Spacer elements are used to maintain the corrugations of adjacent plates in spaced apart relationship to reduce the opportunity for solids to accumulate on the surfaces of the plates. The plates are also free of apertures or surface treatments that would increase the opportunity for solids to accumulate on the plates. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A structured packing module comprising: a plurality of upright, parallel-extending, plates having corrugations, the plates being arranged with the corrugations of adjacent plates extending in a criss-crossing fashion with respect to each other; and spacer elements that secure the plates in spaced-apart relationship with the corrugations of adjacent plates spaced from and not in contact with each other or other structures along substantially an entire length of the corrugations to form an open spacing between facing surfaces of the plates, wherein said surfaces of the plates and said open spacing between the plates form generally unimpeded flow paths for fluids. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The structured packing module of claim 1, wherein the corrugations extend along an entire surface of each plate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The structured packing module of claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the plates are smooth and generally free of texturing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The structured packing module of claim 1, wherein the spacer elements comprise rods extending through the plates. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The structured packing module of claim 4, wherein the plates have a top and a bottom edge and said rods extend through said top and bottom edges. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The structure packing module of claim 5, wherein said plates have apertures at said top and bottom edges and said rods extend through said apertures. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The structured packing module of claim 1, wherein said plates are constructed of metal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The structured packing module of claim 7, wherein the plates have a top and a bottom edge and said spacer elements comprise rods that extend through the plates at said top and bottom edges in a direction generally perpendicular to the plates. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The structured packing module of claim 8, wherein said surfaces of the plates are smooth, generally free of texturing, and free of apertures except for those apertures through which the rods extend at said top and bottom edges. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The structured packing module of claim 9, having a vertical height of approximately 2 and ⅞th inches. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The structured packing module of claim 9, having a vertical height of up to approximately 6 inches. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The structured packing module of claim 9, wherein said rods are welded to the plates. ### Claim 13 A mass transfer or heat exchange column comprising: a shell defining an open internal region; and a structured packing module positioned within said open internal region, said structured packing module comprising: a plurality of upright, parallel-extending, plates having corrugations, the plates being arranged with the corrugations of adjacent plates extending in a criss-crossing fashion with respect to each other; and spacer elements that secure the plates in spaced-apart relationship with the corrugations of adjacent plates spaced from and not in contact with each other or other structures along substantially an entire length of the corrugations to form an open spacing between facing surfaces of the plates, wherein said surfaces of the plates and said open spacing between the plates form generally unimpeded flow paths for fluids. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The column of claim 13, wherein the surfaces of the plates are smooth and generally free of texturing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The column of claim 13, wherein the spacer elements comprise rods extending through the plates. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The column of claim 15, wherein the plates have a top and a bottom edge and said rods extend through said top and a bottom edges. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The column of claim 16, wherein said rods are welded to said plates. ### Claim 18 A process for causing mass transfer and/or heat exchange between fluid streams flowing within a mass transfer column having structured packing modules positioned within an open internal region formed by a shell of the column, said structured packing modules comprising a plurality of upright, parallel-extending, plates having corrugations, the plates being arranged with the corrugations of adjacent plates extending in a criss-crossing fashion with respect to each other and being secured in spaced apart relationship along their entire lengths by spacer elements that are positioned at top and bottom edges of the plates, the corrugations of adjacent plates being spaced from and not in contact with each other or other structures along substantially an entire length of the corrugations to form an open spacing between facing surfaces of the plates, said process comprising the step of passing said fluid streams through said structured packing modules along generally unimpeded flow paths formed by said surfaces of the plates and said open spacing to cause said mass transfer and/or heat exchange on surfaces of said plates. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The process of claim 18, including the step of causing substantially uniform flow of said fluid streams along said flow paths. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The process of claim 19, wherein said step of passing said fluid streams through said structured packing modules comprises passing a descending liquid stream and an ascending vapor stream through said structured packing modules.