Sulzer Chemtech

0699 2527-1

Metal Random Packing

Superior random packings
combined with
innovative mass transfer technology

1
 Sulzer Chemtech is dedicated to developing solutions
that optimize the performance of industrial processes and
plants through greater energy efficiency, higher product
quality, and increased capacity. Our application know-
how, dedication to exacting fabrication standards and
rigorous quality management characterize all our pro-
0603 2535-2 ducts.
Nutter Ring
Our steadfast commitment to providing the right mass
transfer equipment is supported by an in-house develop-
ment group and a state of the art research facility with
multiple pilot and industrial scale columns. This innovati-
on and commitment to our customers has taken existing
random packing technologies beyond its past threshold
0603 2532-1
and created a new outlook in a conventional product.
I-Ring
Random Packing
Random packings have been used for separations in chemical and refining
plants for many years. The practical, chemical process and commercial
benefits of random packing are well-established in many applications and
is a mainstay in the area of mass transfer equipment. For example at high
liquid load and in high pressure applications, random packings improve
distillation or absorption efficiency and reduce pressure drop compared to
0606 2501-2 other mass transfer contacting devices.
C-Ring

Sulzer Chemtechs portfolio of random packing includes standard and

latest generation random packings, comprising the Nutter Ring, I-Ring,
C-Ring, P-Ring and R-Ring. The I-Ring, C-Ring, P-Ring and R-Ring are
similar to the widely accepted IMTP, CMR, Pall Ring and Raschig Ring
respectively.

0603 2533-2 The Pall Ring is a second-generation random packing, and except for the
P-Ring Raschig Ring, it has been on the market longer than any of the others. The
P-Ring can be used as a replacement of the Pall Ring and in applications
where performance needs are not sufficient to warrant a third-generation
packing, such as the Nutter Ring or I-Ring.

The revolutionary geometric design of the third-generation Nutter Ring,

I-Ring and C-Ring minimize pressure drop and liquid hold-up while main-
taining efficiency. All three types of Nutter Ring, I-Ring and C-Ring can
0603 2534-1
R-Ring handle greater capacity than the P-Ring. They all provide up to 30% lower
pressure drop than the P-Ring.

Colum Internals Materials of Construction Customer Benefits
Liquid distribution is critical to en- Metal random packings are availa- - We offer our customers the world-
sure optimal tower performance. ble in various materials of construc- wide presence, extensive techni-
Attributes such as distribution qua- tion such as: cal services, and recognized lea-
lity, drip point density and operating - Carbon Steel dership in the design of column
range are important parameters to internals.
- Stainless Steel
a well designed distributor. Our - We offer a wide range of random
extensive experience in designing - Titanium and Zirconium
packing types and sizes that ope-
and fabricating both high perfor- - Copper rators and process licensors are
mance and fit-for-purpose internals - Aluminum familiar with.
will ensure that you will get the pro-
- At Sulzer Chemtech, decades of
per equipment for your application.
design, construction and manuf-
acturing experience combine to
ensure our column internals meet
the requirements of your applica-
Emergency delivery tion.
Sulzer Chemtech has the random packing for optimal perfor- - Each individual product offered
mance of your application. For urgent deliveries, we have on by Sulzer Chemtech has been
stock common stainless steel random packing of various sizes thoroughly researched at our
test facilities, and consistently
in our warehouses to get you back onstream. For emergencies,
provides superior reproducible
contact your nearest Sulzer Chemtech office at our website: results no matter the worldwide
www.sulzerchemtech.com location your purchase from.

Contents

Nutter Ring .............................................................. 4 - 5

I-Ring ....................................................................... 6 - 7

C-Ring . .................................................................... 8

P-Ring . .................................................................... 8

R-Ring . .................................................................... 9

Separation Technology Test Facilities ..................... 10

Colum Internals . ........................................................ 11 - 13

0693 2505 Applications ............................................................... 14


Nutter Ring

Nutter Ring Advantages

Efficiency enhanced by lateral liquid spreading and surface film renewal.
Superior surface utilization in mass and heat transfer, allowing shorter
packed bed heights.
A high performance random packing verified by tests conducted
at Fractionation Research Institute (FRI).
Mechanical form provides maximum randomness with minimal nesting. 0603 2535-3

Mechanical
Specifications No. 0.7 No. 1 No. 1.5 No. 2 No. 2.5 No. 3
Pieces (m3) 167,400 67,100 26,800 13,600 8,800 4,200
Surface Area (m2/m3) 226 168 124 96 83 66
Weight (kg/m3)* 177 179 181 144 121 133
Void (%) 97.8 97.8 97.8 97.9 98.2 98.4
* For stainless steel with standard material thickness. Other thicknesses are available upon request.
The technical data are average values and approximate sizes. Subject to changes and improvements.
No claims may be derived from information given.

KGa of Nutter Ring HETP of Nutter Ring

Liquid Load, gpm/ft2 F, ft/s lb/ft3
4 8 10 20 30 40 50 60 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
110 7 1200
100 1100
6
90 ) 40
(NR #0.7 1000
80 5 NR #3
KGa, kg-mol / (h m3 atm)

900
NR #1
KGa, lb-mol/(h ft3 atm)

70
800 NR #2.5
4 30
HETP, inches

.5)
60 (NR #1 700 NR #2
HETP, mm

2 NR #1.5
50 NR # 600
2.5 3 NR #1
NR # 500 20
NR #0.7
40 ) 400
(NR #3
35 300
10
2 200
30
100
25 0 0
10 15 20 25 30 40 50 60 80 100 150 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5

Liquid Load l, m3/m2 h F, Pa

Conditions Conditions
Diameter: 0.3 m, Bed height: 2.25 m Valid for atmospheric distillation with standard organic test mixture
Liquid concentration: 4% NaOH
at total reflux.
Conversion to carbonate (Na 2CO3): < 1%
Inlet gas concentration: 400ppm CO2
Temperature: 25 oC
F = 1.5 Pa
Bracket indicates extrapolated data


NR #0.7 F, ft/s lb/ft3 NR #1 F, ft/s lb/ft3
1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0
20 2.45 20 2.45

10 1.22 p/z, in H2O /ft 10 1.22

p/z, in H2O /ft

p/z, mbar/m

p/z, mbar/m
1.0 0.12 1.0 0.12

0.1 0.1
0.5 1.0 5.0 0.5 1.0 5.0
F, Pa F, Pa

NR #1.5 F, ft/s lb/ft3 NR #2 F, ft/s lb/ft3

1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0
20 2.45 20 2.45
Liquid
Load l, m3/m2 h 10 1.22
10 1.22
0

p/z, in H2O /ft

p/z, mbar/m
p/z, in H2O /ft
p/z, mbar/m

20
40
60
1.0 0.12 80 1.0 0.12
100
120
150
Air-water system, 0.1
0.1 ambient conditions
0.5 1.0 5.0 0.5 1.0 5.0
F, Pa F, Pa

NR #2.5 F, ft/s lb/ft3 NR #3 F, ft/s lb/ft3

1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0
20 2.45 20 2.45

10 1.22 10 1.22
p/z, in H2O /ft

p/z, in H2O /ft

p/z, mbar/m

p/z, mbar/m

1.0 0.12 1.0 0.12

0.1 0.1
0.5 1.0 5.0 0.5 1.0 5.0
F, Pa F, Pa


I-Ring

I-Ring Advantages
I-Rings provide over 30% lower pressure drop than the Pall Rings.
Revolutionary design enhances greater capacity and efficiency than
other random packings.
Geometric design minimizes liquid hold-up.
Direct replacement of the widely used IMTP.

0603 2532-3

Mechanical
Specifications No. 15 No. 25 No. 40 No. 50 No. 70
Pieces (m3) 347,500 135,000 50,000 15,000 4,600
Surface Area (m2/m3) 291 226 151 100 60
Weight (kg/m3)* 336 252 180 163 116
Void (%) 95.6 96.6 97.7 98.0 98.5
* For stainless steel with standard material thickness. Other thicknesses are available upon request.
The technical data are average values and approximate sizes. Subject to changes and improvements.
No claims may be derived from information given.

KGa of I-Ring HETP of I-Ring

Liquid Load, gpm/ft2
F, ft/s lb/ft3
4 8 10 20 30 40 50 60 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
110 7 1200
(IR #15)
100 1100
IR #25 6
90 1000 40
80 5 IR #70
KGa, kg-mol / (h m3 atm)

900
KGa, lb-mol/(h ft3 atm)

70 IR #40 800
4 30
HETP, inches

60 700
HETP, mm

#50 IR #50
IR 600
50 IR #40
3 20
500

400 IR #25
40
) IR #15
35 #70 300
(IR 10
2 200
30
100
25 0 0
10 15 20 25 30 40 50 60 80 100 150 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5

Liquid Load l, m3/m2 h F, Pa

Conditions Conditions
Diameter: 0.3 m, Bed height: 2.25 m Valid for atmospheric distillation with standard organic test mixture
Liquid concentration: 4% NaOH at total reflux.
Conversion to carbonate (Na 2CO3): < 1%
Inlet gas concentration: 400ppm CO2
Temperature: 25 oC
F = 1.5 Pa
Bracket indicates extrapolated data


IR #15 F, ft/s lb/ft3 IR #25 F, ft/s lb/ft3
1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0
20 2.45 20 2.45

10 1.22 10 1.22

p/z, in H2O/ft

p/z, in H2O/ft
p/z, mbar/m

p/z, mbar/m
1.0 0.12 1.0 0.12

0.1 0.1
0.5 1.0 5.0 0.5 1.0 5.0
F, Pa F, Pa

IR #40 F, ft/s lb/ft3 IR #50 F, ft/s lb/ft3

1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0
20 2.45 20 2.45

10 1.22 10 1.22
p/z, in H2O/ft
p/z, mbar/m

p/z, in H2O/ft
p/z, mbar/m

1.0 0.12 1.0 0.12

0.1 0.1
0.5 1.0 5.0 0.5 1.0 5.0
F, Pa F, Pa

IR #70 F, ft/s lb/ft3 Liquid

1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 Load l, m3/m2 h
20 2.45
0
20
10 1.22 40
60
p/z, in H2O/ft
p/z, mbar/m

80
100
120
1.0 0.12 150
Air-water system,
ambient conditions

0.1
0.5 1.0 5.0
F, Pa


C-Ring Advantages
First commercially successful third-generation ran-
dom packing replacing the widely used Pall Ring.
Low aspect ratio (element height : element diameter
is 1:3) favors a packing orientation that results in hig-
her capacity, lower pressure drop and better fouling
resistance.
The arrangement of tabs provides more drip points
per element offering better liquid distribution and
higher efficiency.
Direct replacement of the widely used CMR. 0606 2501-2

Mechanical Specifications No. 1.5 No. 2 No. 2.5 No. 3 No. 4

Pieces (m3) 71,000 29,500 20,500 10,200 4,300
Surface Area (m2/m3) 187 144 126 103 74
Weight (kg/m3)* 207 162 205 149 108
Void (%) 97.0 97.5 97.5 98.0 98.5

P-Ring Advantages
Highest industry experience and extensively tested
by research institutes worldwide.
Material thickness overcomes mechanical weak-
nesses, and can be used in extremely corrosive ser-
vices enabling cheaper materials to be used.
Strength-to-weight ratio stronger than most other
random packings.
Direct replacement of the well known Pall Ring.

0603 2533-2

Mechanical Specifications No. 5/8 No. 1 No. 1.5 No. 2 No. 3.5
Pieces (m3) 214,000 50,000 14,000 6,100 1,100
Surface Area (m2/m3) 360 215 135 105 66
Weight (kg/m3)* 560 320 208 213 158
Void (%) 95.0 95.0 96.0 97.0 97.0

R-Ring Advantages
First generation of random packings, industry expe-
rience outperforms fractionation trays.
Great strength-to-weight ratio.
Direct replacement of the well known Raschig Ring.

0603 2534-1

Mechanical Specifications No. 5/8 No. 1 No. 1.5 No. 2 No. 3.5
Pieces (m3) 214,000 50,000 14,000 6,100 1,100
Surface Area (m2/m3) 350 220 130 110 66
Weight (kg/m3)* 560 400 260 256 220
Void (%) 86.0 88.0 90.0 92.0 95.0
* For stainless steel with standard material thickness. Other thicknesses are available upon request.
The technical data are average values and approximate sizes. Subject to changes and improvements. No claims may be derived from information given.


Separation Technology Test Facilities

Separation Technology Laboratory

Comprehensive customer service

Distributor Test Facility Laboratories

Uniform liquid distributionis deci- The distributor test facility has pro- Sulzer Chemtech has set up a
sive in securing good separation vided results which have contribut- process engineering laboratory in
performance from a rectification/ ed significantly to the construction Winterthur, Switzerland.
absorption column incorporating of large distributors with diameters In addition to the further develop-
packings especially for columns of ranging from 3 m up to 15 m. Sul- ment and testing of packings,
large diameter. zer Chemtech is certified in accor- column internals and trays, this
dance to ISO 9001:2000 and ISO laboratory carries out customer
This requirement was recognized
14001. trials and pilot tests. An analytical
early on in the development of the
laboratory and trained personnel
Sulzer structured packings. Hence
are available.
a whole series of liquid distributors
has been developed, which are op-
timally matched for column diam- 0682 2026
eter, packing type and operating
conditions.

0600 2566-1

Distributors on the Sulzer Chemtech

distributor test facility

Multipurpose pilot plant

for the separation of
mixtures by distillation,
using Sulzer packings of 0600 2566-1
various designs. 0682 2026-1

10
Column Internals

0690 2532-1

Sulzer columns of sectional Welded column,

design monoblock type
All internals can be installed through All internals in segments for in-
the column flange openings stallation and removal through
manhole, nominal diameter 500 up
to 1000 mm
Sulzer packing 1
in various types and different
materials

4 Support plate 2
for the packing 4

Liquid collector 3
5
6 Feed pipe 4 5
to distributor 6
Liquid distributor 5
1
Retaining grid 6

1 Collector / distributor 7

Nozzle with inlet baffle 8

3 Column sump 9 7

Variations on the above design

Feed:
vapor 2
two phases with flash box

Side stream:
2
liquid from collector
vapor collector 8

9 9

0606 2503-1 0606 2503-2

11
 Column Internals

Liquid distributors
Discharge systems

0606 2504-1 0606 2504-2 0606 2504-3

Type VEG2 Type VKR2 Type VES

200

Collector/distributor, VS

2506 2505

50
Liquid load l, m3/m2 h

0606 2506-1
0606 2504-4

Channel-type distributor Independent arm & main channels

VKG21) or VKR21) VEG2
0.5
0.25 1.0 10
Column diameter, m
1)
Can be supplied in a flanged version, also for diameters > 0.8 m

12
 0600256601

Type Column diameter Features

Support plates The EMS and GIS grids are used as

support grids for random packing, as
well as gas injecton devices to distribu-
te vapor to the bottom layers of the
packing. Both grids have an open cross
0604 2507 sectional area of between 80 to 100%.

EMS 250 - 1200 mm

GIS 1200 - 9000 mm
0600 2513-6

Collectors The vane collector SL is used as a

separate unit to accumulate liquids from
packed sections within a column. This
collector requires a ring channel welded
to the column wall.

The collector SLF is designed to be

installed between the column flanges in
0600 2509-2
SLR/SLM from 0.3 m smaller flanged columns.

Chimney trays The collector SK is an established and

versatile tray design, available either
in bolted or seal-welded construction.
It is generally used in large diameter
columns with high liquid loads.

The collector SK can also serve as a

liquid draw off tray.
0600 2506-1 SK from 1 m

Retaining grid for random Retaining grids, consisting of wire

packing mesh welded to the underside of grid
frames, are required above random
packing beds. Such grids may be either
suspended from a liquid distributor
above it or bolted to wall support angles
RPB welded to the column wall.
0600 2513-5

13
Applications

Acid Gas Removal of the unique benefits offered here. Ring, I-Ring or C-Ring, offers about
Gas streams containing H2S, CO2 Random packing such as the Nut- one-third the pressure drop of trays
and mercaptans are sweetened by ter Ring or I-Ring have one third the and hence the higher capacity de-
contact with solvents in an absorp- liquid hold-up compared to trays, a sired. You will also reap significant
tion tower. Afterwards, the solvent benefit which can boast the slip- saving in energy consumption from
is restored in a regenerator. Tradi- page of CO2 in selective MDEA gas this change.
tional natural gas sweetening plants treatment plants. Due to the foam- Combined with our extensive expe-
are based on MEA, DEA, DGA, ing tendency of these systems, rience in column internals design
DIPA or MDEA solvents. Several some trayed units are limited by and fabrication, you will be ensured
proprietary solvents use activated capacity. Sulzers latest genera- optimal performance from your gas
formulations of potassium carbon- tion random packing such as Nutter treating unit.
ate (or MDEA) based solvents to en-
hance its performance. Examples Treated Gas Off
of such proprietary solvents are
Gas
the Benfield, Catacarb , aMDEA
and UCARSOL processes. Similar
operations in the petrochemical in-
dustry, such as ethylene oxide and
ammonia production plants, utilize
proprietary solvents that address
specific requirements of these ap-
plications. Due to the typical high
liquid load and high pressure na-
ture of these systems, you will find
Sulzers random packing particular-
ly well suited. Our random packing
are therefore often specified and
extensively applied.
Some natural gas absorbers are
specially designed using MDEA or
DIPA to selectively remove H2S and
slip CO2. The majority of grass- Raw
roots acid gas removal plants are Gas
equipped with trays owing to past
design experience. A significant
number of such plants however, are
now being specified new or retrofit-
ted with packing to take advantage

Absorber Regenerator

14
 0693 2505

Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) As droplets of the dispersed phase

rise through the column, the drop- Treated Gas
Treating.
lets are sheared by the edges of the
Natural gas liquids produced from packing, providing thorough mixing
liquids recovery plants contain H2S, of the phases and helping maximize
CO2 and mercaptans, which must mass transfer. At the top and bot- Lean Amine
be removed to satisfy contract pu- tom of the column, the difference in
rity requirements. Some of these density allow for the separation of
impurities can be removed by con- the two phases.
tacting the NGL with amine solvent In meeting with increasingly strin-
in a liquid treater. Liquid treaters gent emission regulations and pro-
are frequently equipped with ran- duction demands, revamping with
dom packing owing to the higher Sulzers latest generation random
mass transfer efficiency, ability to packing such as Nutter Rings, I-
decrease droplet size, increase dis- Rings or C-Rings, will provide you
persed phase hold-up, and reduce with higher efficiency while main-
the effect of back-mixing compared taining capacity. Coupled with our
to trays. The heavy amine solu- experience in fabrication and de-
tion is introduced at the top of the sign of liquid treater internals, you
column, and the light natural gas will be assured of maximizing your
liquids are introduced at the bot- columns full utilization.
tom. To achieve intimate contact
between both solvents, one liquid In a similar way, mercaptans can
must be dispersed into the other. be removed by contact with aque-
The amine solution is usually the ous caustic. NGL Inlet
continuous phase, and the hydro-
carbons are the dispersed phase.

Rich Amine

Formula Notation

Metric Units Imperial Units

l Liquid load m3/m2h gpm/ft2
HETP Height equivalent to a theoretical plate mm inches
p/z Pressure drop per unit height mbar/m in H2O/ft
KGa Volumetric mass transfer coefficient kg-mol / (h m3 atm) lb-mol/(h ft3 atm)
F F factor Pa ft/s lb/ft3

aMDEA and Pall Ring are registered trademarks of BASF AG.

Benfield and UCARSOL are registered trademarks of UOP LLC.
Catacarb is a registered trademark of Eickmeyer & Associates.
IMTP and CMR are registered trademarks of Koch-Glitsch, LP.

15
 0603 2532-2

Haedquarters Sulzer Chemtech Ltd, a member of the Sulzer Corporation, with

Headquarters
Sulzer Chemtech Ltd Sulzer Chemtech
headquarters Ltd, aSwitzerland,
in Winterthur, member of isthe Sulzer
active Corporation,
in the with head-
field of process
Sulzer
P Chemtech
.O. Box 65 AG quarters in Winterthur, Switzerland, is active in the fi
engineering and employs some 2000 persons worldwide. eld of process engi-
P.O. Box 65
CH-8404 Winterthur, Switzerland neering and employs some 1500 persons worldwide.
CH-8404
Phone +41Winterthur,
(52) 262 50Switzerland
28 SulzerSulzer
Chemtech is represented
Chemtech in all important
is represented industrial
in all important countries
industrial and and
countries
Telephone
Fax +41 (52)+41
262(0)52 262 50 28
01 82 sets standards in the field eld of mass transfer and static mixing with its ad-
sets standards in the fi of mass transfer and static mixing with its
Fax [email protected]
E-mail +41 (0)52 262 01 82 advanced
vancedand economical
and economical solutions.
solutions.
E-mail [email protected]
Internet www.sulzerchemtech.com
Internet www.sulzerchemtech.com The activity program comprises:
The activity
Process program comprises:
components such as trays, structured and random pa-
North and
North and South
South America
America Process
ckings, components
internals such as
for separation trays, structured
columns and reactionandtechnology
random packings,
Sulzer Chemtech
Sulzer Chemtech USA,
USA, Inc.
Inc. internals for separation columns and reaction technology
4106 E.
8505 New West
North Drive
Belt Drive Engineering services for separation and reaction technology such
US-Pasadena,TX
USA-Humble, TX77396
77507 as optimizing
Engineering services
energy for separation
consumption, plantand reaction technology
optimization such as
studies, pre-
optimizing
engineering for energy consumption,
governmental plant
approval, optimization
basic studies, pre-engi-
engineering
Telephone
Phone +1 (281)
+1 (281) 604-4100
441 5800 neering for governmental approval, basic engineering
Fax +1 (281)+1
Fax (281)
291 291-0207
0207 Separation and purification
Separation and purifi of organic chemicals by means of crys-
cation of organic chemicals by means of crystalli-
tallization
zationand
andmembranes
Asia Pacific membranes
Sulzer
Asia Chemtech Pte. Ltd.
Pacific Mixing and and
Mixing reaction technology
reaction withwith
technology static mixers
static mixers
Regional
Sulzer Headquarters
Chemtech Pte. Ltd.
Tower fi
Mixing and Cartridges
eld servicesTechnology
25 Benoi
10 International
Sector Business Park
#03-28 German 629845
SGP-Singapore Centre
Tower field services
SG-60 +65
Phone 99 16 Singapore
6515 5500
Telephone
Fax +65 6862+65 6863 75 60
7563
Fax +65 6861 15 16

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