Column Packing Options
Standard Distillation Column Packings
A range of packing types for fractional packed column systems is available. The standard distillation column packing offered is Pro-Pak® random packing. Customer specified packings can be used including materials of stainless steel, metal alloys, ceramic and plastics.
Typical Column Packing Equipment Options
- Pro-Pak®
- Saddles
- Rings
- Structured Packing
- Knitted Packing
Non-Random Packings Available Include:
- Woven wire mesh, spiral rolled type cylindrical sections.
- “Structured” corrugated sheet or gauze metal cylindrical sections.
- Bubble-cap or sieve tray plates.
As a generality, smaller diameter columns favor small size random packings such as Pro-Pak® for higher efficiency, as opposed to large size random or non-random types due to column wall effects.
Properties, Performance and Specifications of 0.24″ Protruded Pro-Pak® Standard Packing
- Material of construction, 316 stainless steel (monel, other alloys available).
- 372 ft2 per 1 ft3 of packing, allowing high mass transfer rates.
- 96% free space, allowing low pressure drop especially in vacuum distillation.
- Shape: half-cylinder, corners bent.
- Size: 0.24″ diameter x 0.24″ length, 0.003″ sheet thickness, 1,024 protrusion holes per in2.
- Density: 290,000 pieces and 21 lb/ft3, (316 SS).
- Packing factor: 420.
- Flood rate predicated with the following equation:
- G=270(ρ1)0.58(ρg)0.42where:
G=Mass vapor velocity,lb / ft2 • hr
ρ1=Density of liquid phase, lb/ft3
ρg=Density of gas phase, lb/ft3 - Efficiency of the packing increases with increasing vacuum.
- G=270(ρ1)0.58(ρg)0.42where:
Comparative Column Packing using PRO-PAK®
| Column Diameter (inches) | Operating Pressure | Boil Up Rate(L/hr) | Vapor Velocity(ft/sec) | HETP (Plate Height Inches) | Pressure Drop (Inches H20/ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | atmospheric | 3.7 | 0.35 | 1.77 | 0.12 |
| 2 | atmospheric | 15.5 | 1.46 | 2.10 | 1.70 |
| 2 | (200 mm Hg) | 1.05 | 0.31 | 0.79 | 0.23 |
| 2 | (200 mm Hg) | 11.15 | 3.20 | 1.33 | 5.23 |
| 2 | (50 mm Hg) | 4.6 | 4.70 | 0.92 | 2.54 |
| 6 | atmospheric | 37.0 | 0.40 | 1.66 | 0.18 |
| 6 | atmospheric | 146.0 | 1.60 | 2.57 | 2.86 |
* Above data obtained at Total Reflux with 0.24″ PRO-PAK®
