Structured Packing brochure - Koch-Glitsch
Structured Packing brochure - Koch-Glitsch
Structured Packing brochure - Koch-Glitsch
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong><br />
®
Introduction<br />
Commercialized in the 1970’s, structured packings of corrugated<br />
sheet metal were developed and introduced to the<br />
market by <strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong>. FLEXIPAC ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong><br />
has been the industry standard since that time.<br />
INTALOX ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong>, introduced in 1986,<br />
demonstrated an increased capacity over other available<br />
structured packings. The most recent development,<br />
FLEXIPAC ® HC ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong>, was introduced in<br />
1997. In addition to its high capacity, FLEXIPAC HC packing<br />
offers a lower pressure drop when operating near its maximum<br />
capacity. Each type of structured packing has a<br />
specific surface texture that contributes to its performance<br />
characteristics.<br />
INTALOX ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong><br />
FLEXIPAC ® HC ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong><br />
<strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> structured packings offer excellent capacity<br />
and low pressure drop per theoretical stage. In order<br />
to best predict the benefits that can be realized with<br />
structured packing, it is recommended to use a rating<br />
software that has been developed based on extensive<br />
test data specific to each packing. KG-TOWER<br />
Software is available for download from the <strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong><br />
website: www.koch-glitsch.com to aid in the hydraulic<br />
rating of <strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> structured packings.<br />
Stack of six layers of FLEXIPAC ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong><br />
<strong>Structured</strong> packings are made out of corrugated sheets<br />
arranged in a crisscrossing relationship to create flow channels<br />
for the vapor phase. The intersections of the corrugated<br />
sheets create mixing points for the liquid and vapor<br />
phases. Wall wipers are utilized to prevent liquid and/or<br />
vapor bypassing along the column wall. Rotating each structured<br />
packing layer about the column axis provides cross<br />
mixing and spreading of the vapor and liquid streams in all<br />
directions. All types of <strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> structured packings<br />
are available in a variety of corrugation sizes, providing the<br />
versatility to optimize the packing configuration to best<br />
meet the efficiency, capacity and pressure drop requirements<br />
for any particular application.<br />
Materials of Construction<br />
<strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> structured packings are available in a variety<br />
of materials of construction including:<br />
1<br />
• Carbon steel (<strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> does not recommend the<br />
use of carbon steel structured packing)<br />
• Stainless steel alloys<br />
• Aluminum<br />
• Titanium<br />
• Nickel alloys<br />
• Copper alloys<br />
• Zirconium<br />
FLEXIPAC structured packing is also available in a variety of<br />
thermoplastic materials. For more information, please ask for<br />
<strong>brochure</strong> KGPP-1.
FLEXIPAC ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong><br />
As the industry standard, FLEXIPAC structured packing has<br />
been used in thousands of columns worldwide. FLEXIPAC<br />
packing provides a lower pressure drop per theoretical<br />
stage and increased capacity compared to trays and conventional<br />
random packings. Columns packed with FLEXIPAC<br />
packing have resulted in:<br />
• Improved product yields<br />
• Improved product purities<br />
• Reduced reflux ratios<br />
• Increased throughput<br />
• Lower pressure drop<br />
• Reduced liquid holdup<br />
• Increased heat transfer<br />
FLEXIPAC structured packing is available in a variety of corrugation<br />
crimp sizes, each at two inclination angles. The "Y"<br />
designated packings have a nominal inclination angle of 45º<br />
from the horizontal, and are the most widely used. The "X"<br />
packings have a nominal inclination angle of 60° from horizontal<br />
and are used where high capacity and low pressure<br />
drop are the overwhelming requirements for a specific<br />
application. The benefit of the "X" packings is that they provide<br />
a lower pressure drop per theoretical stage for the<br />
same surface area.<br />
The plot below provides approximate efficiency information<br />
for FLEXIPAC structured packing as typically seen in distillation<br />
service of hydrocarbons operating under atmospheric<br />
to moderate vacuum conditions. From years of applications<br />
experience, <strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> has an extensive collection of efficiency<br />
information for a wide variety of processes and<br />
operating conditions. Consult <strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> for further<br />
information.<br />
FLEXIPAC ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong><br />
Approximate Efficiency in Atmospheric Distillation.<br />
Specific Surface Area, ft 2 /ft 3<br />
HETP TYPE X<br />
HETP TYPE Y<br />
HETP, inches<br />
NTSM,mm<br />
Note: HETP values are typical for total reflux distillation of<br />
low-alpha systems with good liquid and vapor distribution at<br />
moderate vacuum to moderate pressure in the typical design<br />
range of 50% to 80% of flood<br />
FLEXIPAC ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong> with perforated and textured surface<br />
shown with attached wall wiper band<br />
Specific Surface Area, m 2 /m 3<br />
Increasing Capacity<br />
Increasing Efficiency<br />
FLEXIPAC ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong><br />
Surface Area<br />
ft 2 /ft 3 17 25 34 47 68 77 90 106 129 152 220<br />
m 2 /m 3 55 80 110 155 225 250 295 350 420 500 725<br />
Inclination Angle<br />
45° 4Y 3.5Y 3Y 2.5Y 2Y 250Y 1.6Y 1.4Y/350Y 1Y 500Y 700Y<br />
60° 4X 3.5X 3X 2.5X 2X 250X 1.6X 1.4X/350X 1X 500X 700X<br />
2
INTALOX ® High Capacity <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong><br />
Introduced in 1986, INTALOX structured packing was<br />
shown to have greater "efficient capacity" than other structured<br />
packings. A patented, aggressively textured surface,<br />
combined with patented corrugation reversals in each packing<br />
layer, along with other subtle proprietary geometric features,<br />
give INTALOX structured packing a higher capacity.<br />
Combining excellent performance characteristics with a<br />
unique "efficient capacity" rating correlation, INTALOX<br />
structured packing has been successfully utilized in a variety<br />
of high liquid rate, high pressure systems besides the usual<br />
applications in vacuum and atmospheric processes normally<br />
reserved for structured packing. The aggressive surface<br />
texture of INTALOX structured packing provides excellent<br />
surface wetting, making this the preferred packing in aqueous<br />
distillation applications.<br />
The advantages of INTALOX structured packing are particularly<br />
noticeable in the larger corrugation crimp sizes. Here,<br />
the physical uniqueness of the INTALOX packing provides<br />
superior efficiency compared to other structured packings<br />
of similar surface area, while maintaining excellent capacity<br />
and pressure drop characteristics.<br />
Please refer to page 5 for recommended application<br />
guidelines and efficiency values.<br />
INTALOX ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong> – corrugation reversals and<br />
surface texture<br />
INTALOX ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong><br />
INTALOX ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong> 5T 4T 3T 2T 1.5T 1T<br />
Surface Area<br />
ft 2 /ft 3 27 41 52 65 77 95<br />
m 2 /m 3 90 135 170 215 250 310<br />
3
FLEXIPAC ® HC ®<br />
High Capacity <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong><br />
Since its introduction in 1997, FLEXIPAC HC structured<br />
packing has been used in hundreds of columns to<br />
increase capacity and reduce pressure drop both in new<br />
construction and for replacing standard sheet metal<br />
structured packings, conventional random packings and<br />
trays. Combining excellent capacity and efficiency characteristics<br />
along with a lower pressure drop per theoretical<br />
stage, it is the preferred packing for use in vacuum<br />
distillation applications.<br />
range of the packing. The advantages of FLEXIPAC HC<br />
packing are particularly strong for smaller corrugation<br />
crimp size, higher surface area packings.<br />
FLEXIPAC HC is similar in construction to standard<br />
FLEXIPAC packing, except for a subtle modification in<br />
the geometry of the corrugation at the top and bottom<br />
of each packing layer. This relatively small change in<br />
geometry eliminates the abrupt change in flow direction<br />
of the liquid and vapor phases at the packing layer interface.<br />
Conventional structured packing capacity is limited by<br />
flow interaction at the layer interface where the abrupt<br />
directional change limits the amount of counter-flowing<br />
liquid and vapor. As the liquid flow becomes restricted<br />
by the upward-flowing vapor, the liquid begins to build<br />
up at the layer interface which increases the pressure<br />
drop and may ultimately lead to flooding. The geometry<br />
of FLEXIPAC HC packing relieves this restriction. Since<br />
the premature build-up of liquid is eliminated, the low<br />
pressure drop characteristics of structured packing are<br />
better maintained throughout the efficient operating<br />
FLEXIPAC ® HC ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong> with a perforated<br />
and textured surface showing corrugation configuration<br />
at layer interface<br />
Please refer to page 5 for recommended application<br />
guidelines and efficiency values.<br />
TOWER<br />
SHELL<br />
The transition<br />
between the packing<br />
elements is improved<br />
due to the enlarged<br />
turning radius for<br />
the vapor flow that<br />
reduces the pressure<br />
drop and increases<br />
capacity.<br />
LIQUID<br />
STREAM<br />
VAPOR<br />
STREAM<br />
Flexipac ® HC ® structured<br />
packing enhances the<br />
liquid drainage from one<br />
element to the next,<br />
resulting in reduction<br />
of liquid holdup at the<br />
interface.<br />
FLEXIPAC ® HC ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong> 2Y 250Y 1.6Y 1.4Y/350Y 1Y 500Y 700<br />
Surface Area<br />
ft 2 /ft 3 68 77 90 106 129 152 220<br />
m 2 /m 3 225 250 295 350 420 500 725<br />
4
Choice and Application of <strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> High Capacity <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong>s<br />
Each type of <strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> structured packing has strong performance<br />
characteristics. Under certain conditions or in specific<br />
applications, each has a particular strength which may<br />
make one style more desirable. Considerations in choosing a<br />
specific structured packing type are:<br />
• To meet specific process requirements<br />
• As a direct replacement of an existing packing<br />
• Familiarity with the packing type and its performance<br />
• Past experience of using a specific packing type in a<br />
particular application<br />
• Specified for use in a licensed process<br />
With more than thirty years of history, FLEXIPAC structured<br />
packing continues to be a strong performer in applications<br />
where the incremental capacity increase of high performance<br />
structured packing is not required.<br />
Increasing Capacity<br />
When choosing a high capacity structured packing, FLEXIPAC<br />
HC and INTALOX structured packings each offer distinct<br />
advantages, depending upon the application. Through its wetting<br />
and liquid handling characteristics, the patented, aggressive<br />
surface texture of the INTALOX structured packing<br />
offers extremely efficient use of the available packing surface.<br />
For the larger corrugation size packings, INTALOX structured<br />
packing provides a better efficiency than other structured<br />
packings with similar surface area.<br />
FLEXIPAC HC structured packing uses a less aggressive, perforated<br />
and textured surface style to provide excellent surface<br />
area utilization. This surface, along with the smooth<br />
channel transition at the layer interface, provides a less<br />
restricted flow channel and results in lower pressure drop as<br />
the packing reaches the loading region. This is particularly<br />
true for the smaller corrugation packing sizes. The table<br />
below provides guidance in choosing the recommended high<br />
capacity packing.<br />
Increasing Efficiency<br />
INTALOX ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong> 5T 4T 3T 2T 1.5T 1T<br />
FLEXIPAC ® HC ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong> 2Y 250Y 1.6Y 1.4Y 1Y 500Y 700Y<br />
Approximate HETP*<br />
Special Purpose <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong>s<br />
inches 30 24 18 16 14 12.5 11 10 9 7.5<br />
mm 762 610 457 406 356 318 279 254 229 191<br />
* HETP values are typical for total reflux distillation of low-alpha systems with good liquid and vapor distribution at moderate vacuum to moderate<br />
pressure in the typical design range of 50% to 80% of flood<br />
All Applications<br />
Aqueous Service, High Pressure or High Liquid Rate<br />
Low Pressure Drop Requirement<br />
INTALOX ® <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong> 5TX<br />
As the only high capacity, high efficiency packing available in<br />
the "X" (60°) corrugation configuration, INTALOX structured<br />
packing 5TX offers grid type packing capacity with good<br />
efficiency. INTALOX 5TX structured packing should be considered<br />
whenever fractionation or excellent heat transfer is<br />
required at the absolute maximum throughput.<br />
FLEXIPAC ® S, FLEXIGRID ® and GLITSCH-GRID ®<br />
<strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong>s<br />
FLEXIPAC ® S packing is similar in construction to FLEXIPAC<br />
packing but has a smooth surface and can be manufactured<br />
using thicker material. The smooth surface enables the packing<br />
to be used in moderately fouling systems while the thicker<br />
material gauge gives it greater mechanical strength and provides<br />
increased corrosion resistance. FLEXIPAC S packing is<br />
available in various sizes and in both the X (45°) and Y (60°)<br />
corrugation configurations. Applications include top<br />
pumparound zones of Refinery Fractionators as well as<br />
Ethylene Water Quench Columns.<br />
FLEXIGRID ® and GLITSCH-GRID ® structured packings<br />
are the packings of choice for applications in severe services<br />
subject to fouling, coking, erosion and high solids content,<br />
while providing a robust mechanical structure to resist damage<br />
during upsets. FLEXIGRID and GLITSCH-GRID structured<br />
packings are available in a wide variety of materials.<br />
Applications for these packings include Crude Atmospheric<br />
and Crude Vacuum Towers, FCC Main Fractionators, Coker<br />
Fractionators as well as Ethylene Plant Oil and Water Quench<br />
Columns. For further information on FLEXIGRID, GLITSCH-<br />
GRID and FLEXIPAC S packings for use in severe service,<br />
please ask for <strong>brochure</strong> KGSS-1.<br />
5
Wire Gauze <strong>Structured</strong> <strong>Packing</strong><br />
<strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> wire gauze packing is the recognized leader in<br />
distillation service for deep vacuum and low liquid rate applications.<br />
For processing specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals<br />
and temperature sensitive materials, the very high efficiency<br />
and low pressure drop characteristics of this packing are<br />
unsurpassed. Used in thousands of diverse applications<br />
around the world, BX wire gauze structured packing is the<br />
most widely used. For even greater efficiency requirements,<br />
CY wire gauze structured packing is also available. DX and<br />
EX wire gauze structured packings are available for laboratory<br />
and pilot testing applications.<br />
HETP, inches<br />
12<br />
10<br />
8<br />
Fs, m/s • (kg/m 3 ) 1/2<br />
1 2 3<br />
HETP BX<br />
System: o-/p-Xylenes<br />
Diameter: 8 in [203 mm]<br />
<strong>Packing</strong> Depth:10 ft [3.05 m]<br />
Total Reflux Operation<br />
720 mm Hg<br />
300 mm Hg<br />
20 mm Hg<br />
5 mm Hg<br />
300<br />
250<br />
200<br />
HETP, mm<br />
6<br />
150<br />
4<br />
0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5<br />
Fs, ft/s • (lb/ft 3 ) 1/2<br />
8<br />
7<br />
6<br />
Fs, m/s • ) 1/2<br />
1 2 3<br />
(kg/m 3 200<br />
HETP CY<br />
System: o-/p-Xylenes<br />
Diameter: 8 in [203 mm]<br />
<strong>Packing</strong> Depth: 6 ft [1.83 m]<br />
Total Reflux Operation<br />
<strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> Wire Gauze <strong>Packing</strong> with attached wall wiper bands<br />
HETP, HETP, inches inches<br />
5<br />
4<br />
720 mm Hg<br />
300 mm Hg<br />
20 mm Hg<br />
5 mm Hg<br />
100<br />
HETP, mm<br />
HETP, mm<br />
Wire gauze structured packing is generally used in medium to<br />
small diameter columns for separations where the requirement<br />
is to achieve the maximum number of theoretical stages<br />
in the minimum column height. Because of the capillary effect,<br />
the wire gauze material provides an extremely wettable surface,<br />
resulting in excellent mass transfer efficiency, particularly<br />
at very low liquid rates.<br />
3<br />
2<br />
0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5<br />
Fs, ft/s • (lb/ft 3 ) 1/2<br />
Random <strong>Packing</strong>s and Tower Internals<br />
Fs, m/s • (kg/m 3 ) 1/2<br />
1 1 2<br />
4<br />
HETP DX and EX<br />
100<br />
<strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> is the world leader in the supply of mass transfer<br />
equipment, offering a wide range of random packings in metal<br />
and plastic including IMTP ® , CASCADE MINI-RINGS ®,<br />
β−ETA RING ® and SNOWFLAKE ® High Performance Random<br />
<strong>Packing</strong>s. Please ask for <strong>brochure</strong>s KGIMTP-1, KGRP-1,<br />
and KGPP-1.<br />
<strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> offers a wide range of INTALOX High Performance<br />
Distributors as well as traditional tower internals to ensure<br />
optimal and predictable tower performance. Internals are available<br />
in various metals and plastic materials. Please ask for<br />
<strong>brochure</strong>s KGMTIG-1 and KGPTIG-1.<br />
HETP, inches<br />
3<br />
2<br />
1<br />
System: CB/EB<br />
Total Reflux Operation<br />
Pressure: 40 mmHg<br />
EX<br />
0<br />
0<br />
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0<br />
Fs, ft/s • (lb/ft 3 ) 1/2<br />
DX<br />
80<br />
60<br />
40<br />
20<br />
HETP, mm<br />
6
<strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> Corporate Offices<br />
Worldwide Headquarters<br />
<strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong>, LP<br />
4111 East 37 th Street North Wichita, KS 67220 – United States tel: (316) 828-5110 fax: (316) 828-7985<br />
Europe<br />
<strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> Italia S.r.l.<br />
Viale Giulio Cesare 29 24124 Bergamo – Italy tel: +39 035 2273.411 fax: +39 035 2273.400<br />
Asia<br />
<strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> Korea, Ltd.<br />
17-8, 8F, Dongsung Bldg.<br />
Yoido-dong, Youngdeungpo-ku<br />
Seoul 150-874 – Korea tel: +82-2-3276-7500 fax: +82-2-3276-7590<br />
<strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> (A division of <strong>Koch</strong> Chemical Technology Group India Pvt. Ltd).<br />
Corporate Park II, 10 th Floor<br />
Sion-Trombay Road<br />
Chembur, Mumbai 400 071 – India tel: +91 22 6771 7171 fax: +91 22 6771 7161<br />
For a complete list of our offices and facilities, visit us on the Web at www.koch-glitsch.com.<br />
Emergency Numbers<br />
US: 1-888-KOCH-911.<br />
Europe: +39-06-928-911, +44-1782-744561, or your local <strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> office.<br />
Asia Pacific: Contact your local <strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong> office.<br />
Trademarks<br />
BETA RING, CASCADE MINI-RINGS, FLEXIGRID, FLEXIPAC, GLITSCH GRID,<br />
IMTP, INTALOX, INTALOX PACKED TOWER SYSTEMS with process tower “L”,<br />
KOCH-GLITSCH, “K” KOCH-GLITSCH, and SNOWFLAKE are registered<br />
trademarks of <strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong>, LP and are registered in the US and various<br />
other countries worldwide. HC and KG-TOWER are registered trademarks of<br />
<strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong>, LP and are registered in the US. BETA RING and INTALOX<br />
PACKED TOWER SYSTEMS are trademarks of <strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong>, LP. All other<br />
trademarks, service marks, or registered trademarks that appear in this<br />
document are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.<br />
Patents<br />
Available exclusively from <strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong>, FLEXIPAC® HC® structured packing is<br />
protected by US Patent 5,632,934 and other patents worldwide assigned to Praxair<br />
Technology, Inc. <strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong>, LP is the exclusive worldwide licensee of Praxair<br />
Technology, Inc. for the manufacture and sale of this packing in all markets except<br />
for industrial gas separation.<br />
BETA RING and IMTP ® random packing and INTALOX ® structured packing<br />
technologies are protected by various patents worldwide.<br />
Legal Notice<br />
The information contained in this bulletin is believed to be accurate and reliable,<br />
but is not to be construed as implying any warranty or guarantee of performance.<br />
Bulletin KGSP-1. Rev. 3-2010. Printed in U.S.A.<br />
© 2003-2010. <strong>Koch</strong>-<strong>Glitsch</strong>, LP. All rights reserved.