Packed Column Internals
Packed Column Internals
Index
LIQUID DISTRIBUTORS
B-106 / B-107
B-116 / B-117
B-136 / B-137
B-186 / B-186L
B-798
B-816 / B-817
B-806
B-1044
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
B-134
B-804
B-818
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
12
13
14
15
B-133 / B-133R
B-823
pag.
pag.
pag.
16
17
18
B-119 / B-129
B-755
B-855
B-955
B-196
B-198
B-896
B-960
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
B-633
B-733
B-833
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
28
29
30
31
pag.
32
pag.
pag.
pag.
32
33
34
SUPPORT PLATES
BED LIMITERS
LIQUID COLLECTORS
LIQUID DISTRIBUTORS
Liquid distributors are critical to the performance of the packed beds and the uniformity of the liquid flow is the main
factor in designing these devices.
The distributor is normally supported from the column shell and it is located at a distance between 50 to 150 mm
from the top of the bed.
The main characteristic for a distributor can be identified as follows :
Uniformity of the distribution ( or max % maldistribution )
Holes pattern. Holes punched in the distributor floor or in the sides of each trough are laid
out in a square or equilateral pitch. The size of this pitch determines the number of drip points per
square meter of the distributor. ( most commonly 100). The higher is the specific surface of the
packing, the higher should be the number of points. Particular attention is paid to the periphery of
the distributor, in order to make sure that even at the periphery the number of points per square
meter is the same as in the other tower sections.
Liquid flow. The amount of liquid flowing through each hole should be the same. This depends
mainly on the following factors:
Distributor planarity
Method of making the holes ( Drilling, Punching or Other methods). In particular the
drilling of holes should be avoided and only punching should be used.
Resistance to fouling. This a very important characteristic because the blockage of some holes due
to presence of scales, polymers or coking of the distributor can badly affect its performance. In particular
the following points should be considered:
Trough type distributors. These should be used for any fractionation bed where a low or
medium specific liquid load is used. Under these conditions holes tend to be small and the possibility
of plugging becomes important. For this reason holes must be punched at sides of the trough and
should not be smaller than 5mm. The hole is positioned at minimum 50mm from the bottom of
the trough.
Pan type distributors.
These can be used only for high liquid rate services (typically
Absorbers or heat transfer beds). In these cases the holes are large ( 10-20 mm) and can be
located on the distributor deck without major problem of plugging.
Turndown. Turndown is normally limited to 50-110%, but higher ones (1:10) can be achieved by use
of multiple levels of holes. Pan, V notched or spray distributors cannot have very high turndown due to
the impossibility of having more than one level of holes.
A Standard
B
H For Feed at Top
For Intermediate Feed
300 - 800 mm
> 5 m3/h/m2
Low
2:1
300 mm
A+150 mm
A+150 mm
B+150 mm
Type
Holes position
Drip points
60-100 / m2
Support at Shell
Construction type
One piece
Leveling method
Liquid
Redistributor
Welded at shell
Expandable
Inserted in shell flanges
Hats
Feed Device
A Standard
B
H For Feed at Top
For Intermediate Feed
900 mm
> 30 m3/h/m2
Low
2:1
250 mm
A+150 mm
A+D+150 mm
B+D+150 mm
Type
Holes position
Drip points
Supports
Support ring and gussets welded to shell for support beams if the
diameter > 2500 mm
Design type
Levelling
Hats
Feed Device
Liquid feed
Pipe distributor type B-119
Turndown
Flashing Feed
Flashing device type B-955
Standard is 2:1. Higher turndown can be achieved using higher raisers
A Standard
H
Type
Holes position
1000 mm
0.8 - 30 m3/h/m2
Medium
2 : 1 (10 : 1 max)
325 mm
>100+A+2xD mm
Supports
Design type
Levelling
Redistributor
Hats
Feed Device
Liquid feed
Pipe distributor type B-119
Flashing Feed
Flashing device type B-955
Turndown
A
B
H
Standard
Standard
> 1000 mm
0.8 - 30 m3/h/m2
High
2 : 1 (10 : 1 max)
325 mm
300 mm
100+A+B+2xD mm
B-186
B-186L
Trough type liquid Distributor with drip point multiplier (pag. 34)
Holes position
Drip points
Supports
Design type
Two levels design. The Parting Box is above the troughs and distributes
the liquid to them.
The distributor is supplied in parts to pass through the column manway
Levelling
Redistributor
In case the distributor is receiving liquid from the bed above and there is
an intermediate feed, a collector tray is needed (Type B-633 or B-733)
Feed Device
Liquid feed
Pipe distributor type B-119
Flashing Feed
Flashing device type B-955
Turndown
Standard
150 mm
Type
Holes position
Drip points
Up to 50 / m2
Support at Shell
Construction type
One piece for flanged towers. Multiple pieces for towers with manway
( Tower diameter > 800mm)
Leveling method
Feed Device
A
H
> 800 mm
4-150 m3/h/m2
Medium
2:1
250 mm
Standard
A+150+D/2 mm
For Feed at Top
For Intermediate Feed
Type
Holes position
Drip points
70 Drip points / m2
Supports
Support ring and gussets welded to shell for support beams if the
diameter > 2500 mm
Design type
Levelling
Hats
Feed Device
Liquid feed
Pipe distributor type B-119
Flashing Feed
Flashing device type B-955
> 1000 mm
4-150 m3/h/m2
High
3:1
200 mm
A Standard
250 mm
B Standard
H For Feed at Top and
>A+B+100+2xD mm
for Intermediate Feed
Type
Holes position
Drip points
Up to 60 Drip points / m2
Supports
Support ring and gussets welded to shell for support beams if the
diameter > 2500 mm
Design type
Levelling
Feed Device
Liquid feed
Pipe distributor type B-119
Flashing Feed
Flashing device type B-955
10
> 1000 mm
0.5 - 150 m3/h/m2
Medium
2:1
> 500 mm
>2xD
B
A
Type
Design
Nozzles type
Four standards are available for different diameters and liquid flows:
Number of Nozzles
Tower Diameter
1000 - 3000
19
2500 - 6000
37
3500 - 8000
61
5000 - >10000
Supports
Applications
11
12
> 1000 mm
Type
Grid Height
Specific Load
(mm)
(Kg./m2)
50
200
80
600
100
1000
Flat bars type. Panels are approximately 400 mm wide and bolted
together. Bars height is variable and depends on the specific load.
Supports
The grid is supported at each panel joint by two clips welded to shell.
For diameters > 2000 mm a major beam could be necessary. In this
case additional gussets welded to the shell are required to support the
beam.
Design type
The support plate is supplied in parts to pass through the column
manway to be bolted each other. The beam rests on the supports with
no need of clamping.
13
> 1000 mm
0.8-150 m3/h/m2
High
NA
Type
Holes position
Supports
Design type
14
300 - 1200 mm
0.8 - 150 m3/h/m2
High
Type
Holes position
The entire surface is perforated to maximize the opening of the support plate.
Supports
Support ring and gussets welded to shell for support beams (if needed)
Design type
Application
It can be used for any size of metal and plastic random packing
15
BED LIMITERS
There are different types of bed limiters in function of the type of packing used in the bed.
Random packing
Ceramic Packing. In this case the hold-down device must be heavy and rest onto the bed
in order to avoid the movement of the rings that otherwise could brake.
Metal Random packing. In this case the bed limiter normally rests on a support ring and
beams in case of large towers. The function of the hold-down device is to maintain the top of
the bed flat enough to avoid possible vapor or liquid channeling. Most bed limiters can be
designed to be integral with the distributors.
Structured packing
This type of packing in many cases does not require an hold-down device. In services
where the operation of the column could be subject to surges or upsets, it is advisable to use
a bed limiter. In these cases it could be used an hold-down that does not interfere with the
liquid distribution, like the type B-133-R
16
Diameter
> 1000 mm
Metal bars
Design
Applications
17
Diameter
> 300 mm
Design
Supports
Support ring and gussets welded to shell for support beams (if needed)
Application
18
Feed devices are mostly piping systems that help to distribute the inlet liquid and vapor flow to the
distributors or beds.
These can be classified as follows:
Liquid Feed entraining a maximum of 1% vapor
These feed pipes allow the liquid being fed to a distributor to be pre-distributed to
make easier the distributor operation. These are always used with trough or pan
distributors. The type depends mainly from the required turndown.
type of flow.
Vapor distributors below a bed.
The distribution of the vapor entering a bed is as important as the liquid distribution on
top of it. The vapor has to be controlled so to dissipate its kinetic energy and making it
flowing uniformly to the bed.
A vapor distributor plate could be necessary in certain occasions to create a pressure
drop that forces the vapor to spread throughout the column section.
19
Diameter
Turn down
> 800 mm
3:1
Type
Applications
Main use of these liquid feed devices is for Baretti type distributors.
Each feed nipple brings the correct amount of liquid to each part of
the distributor.
Design
Two standards are available for different diameters and liquid flows:
119 Main Header only (To feed mainly trough type distributors)
129 With Branches (To feed mainly pan type distributors)
Supports
The main header and the secondary branches are supported at shell
by means of gussets.
20
Diameter
Resistance to fouling
A
H
> 1000 mm
Medium
>=H
>=2xD
Type
Design
The liquid is fed to the column through a nozzle and a deflector that
discharges the flashing feed into the annular area. The residence time is
designed to allow the gas to disengage from the liquid. The clear liquid
flows through the holes in the deck on to the liquid distributor positioned
below the B-755.
Holes position
The perforation in the device deck is designed so that the holes diameter
is > 10mm to avoid possible plugging.
Supports
Support ring and gussets welded to shell for support beams (if needed)
Design type
21
Diameter
Resistance to fouling
Type
Pipe Design
22
< 1000 mm
high
Supports
Installation
Diameter
Resistance to fouling
Type
> 1000 mm
High
>3xD
Double chamber expansion type. Vapor is released from the sides and
liquid flows from the down pipes into the distributor.
Pipe Design
The mixed phase enter the internal pipe and the vapor is discharged
from the upper slots while the liquid flows through the holes in the
bottom of the pipe.
Supports
Installation
The unit can be supplied in one piece if it passes through the column
manway. Otherwise the nipples are bolted to the bottom of the main
body and can be dismantled to insert the device into the column.
23
Diameter
Resistance to fouling
Type
> 1000 mm
High
Main feed pipe with perforations in the upper part. The incoming
vapor is deflected and expanded to dissipate its energy.
Supports
Installation
The unit can be supplied in one piece if it passes through the column
manway. Otherwise the hat can be designed to be removable in order
to reduce the overall size.
Applications
24
Diameter
Resistance to fouling
> 1000 mm
High
Type
Supports
Design
Applications
25
A Standard
> 1000 mm
20.5-100 m3/h/m2
2:1
250 mm
Type
Support at Shell
Support ring and clips for major beams if the diameter is > 3000 mm
Construction type
Design
Leveling method
Applications
26
Diameter
Resistance to fouling
> 1000 mm
High
Type
Design
The mixed phase enters the flashing device and the lateral blades deflect
the mixed phase by 90 separating by centrifugal effect the liquid from the
gas. The chamber is tapered to maintain equal velocity in each section.
Supports
Installation
The unit can be supplied in one piece if it passes through the column
manway. Otherwise the blades can be supplied in prewelded groups to be
bolted to the casing.
Design
The size of the device is approximately 50mm larger than the inlet nozzle
external size.
The length of the inlet vane can be as the tower diameter or shorter up to
50% of the tower diameter.
Application
Typical application is for any flashing feed device. It is used as feed inlet for
crude vacuum towers for its efficiency in separating the mix and because it
requires a radial opening as compared to the traditional tangential entry.
27
LIQUID COLLECTORS
28
Diameter
Liquid Range
A
L and H
> 1000 mm
0.5-50 m3/h/m2
Standard
depend on service
250 mm
Type
Support at Shell
A circular trough is welded to the column shell. This acts as support of the
chevron collecting devices that bring the liquid into the channel
Construction type
Design
Applications
Typical application is below packed beds to collect the liquid coming from
the bed. It cannot be considered a vapor distributor since the pressure
drop is minimal and not enough to uniform the gas flow.
29
Diameter
Liquid Range
A
B
C
H
Standard
Standard
> 1500 mm
0.5-100 m3/h/m3
> D x 1,5
75mm
200 mm
> C + B + 200mm
Type
Support at Shell
A support ring and bars for the center draw-off trough are required
Construction type
The main trough is in one or more pieces depending on the tower diameter.
The side collecting channels bring directly the liquid into the main trough and
they are bolted to the main trough and clamped to the support ring.
Design
This collector tray can be used in all cases where the welding inside the
column has to be minimized. In fact the channels do not need any seal
welding. In order to collect the liquid falling on the tower shell a WALL WIPER
device has to be installed. This can be welded to shell (Similar to a support
ring) or designed to be expandable without need of welding.
Applications
30
Typical application is below packed beds to collect the liquid coming from the bed.
Diameter
> 1000 mm
A = B > 1.5 X D
C = RISER HEIGHT
H = C + 200
Type
Support at Shell
A support ring and bars for the center or side draw-off trough are required
Construction type
The standard design foresees a seal welding of the tray for tightness. It is
designed in parts passing through the column manholes and the hats can
be used as internal manways.
Design
The open area of these collector can range from 20% for pressure
applications, to 40% for vacuum applications.
A gasketed design is also available, but it is recommended to seal weld
the collector to minimize the leakage.
Applications
Typical application is below packed beds for total draw-off of the liquid
coming from the above bed.
31
Type
Diameter
Resistance to fouling
> 300 mm
Medium
Design
The light phase accumulates under the deck and it is dispersed by the
holes punched in the tray floor. The heavy phase flowing from the bed is
channelled through the down pipes.
Supports
Installation
32
Type
Diameter
Resistance to fouling
> 300 mm
Medium
Design
Supports
Installation
33
34
Baretti Italy
Baretti France
Baretti Do Brasil