Prospectus

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DSP-2 Inter-Bed Packing Size Change for Structured Packing

Developmental Research Idea

Expected Benefit to Members: By quantifying the effect of using successive beds of different sizes of structured packings, it will be possible to more confidently optimize performance of columns containing structured packing. Present Situation and Proposed Research: In many kinds of commercial applications for structured packings, the loadings change radically across a packed bed. To match packing sizes to these changes in loading it is desirable to change packing sizes in relatively short height where it would not be necessary or economically desirable to collect and redistribute the vapor and liquid. Standard tests will be run at vacuum and atmospheric pressure conditions with a composite bed with two sizes of structured packings. Standard FRI internal bed samplers should be used to quantify the performance of each packing size. The total bed height should be the same as already tested with at least one of the two packing sizes. Proposed Internals and Test System: Low pressure column, Mellapak TM 250Y and 500Y or equivalent. Estimated Unit Time: Three weeks Estimated Additional Costs (Beyond Unit Time ): None Background and Discussion: In commercial practice, different sizes of structured packings may form a dense interface that could decrease capacity or efficiency or both. Since structured packings tend to hold up liquid at the element interfaces when approaching flood, it is reasonable to assume that a crimp size change could adversely affect the capacity of a composite bed.

PROSPECTUS

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