Government Polytechnic Jalna Packings Used in Destillation Coloum

Introduction

The purpose of a packing is typically to improve contact between two

phases in a chemical or similar process. Packing beds can be used in a chemical
reactor, a distillation process, or a scrubber, but packing beds have also been
used to store heat in chemical plants. In this case, hot gases are allowed to
escape through a vessel that is packed with a refractory material until the
packing is hot. Air or other cool gas is then fed back to the plant through the hot
bed, thereby pre-heating the air or gas feed.
The column can be filled with random dumped packing or with
structured packing sections, which are arranged or stacked. In the column,
liquids tend to wet the surface of the packing and the vapors pass across this
wetted surface, where mass transfer takes place. Packing material can be used
instead of trays to improve separation in distillation columns. Packing offers the
advantage of a lower pressure drop across the column, which is beneficial while
operating under vacuum. Differently shaped packing materials have different
surface areas and void space between the packing. Both of these factors affect
packing performance.
Further packing classified as
 Random Column Packing
 Structured Packing

Random Column Packing

Random column packing refers to the practice of packing a distillation
column with randomly fitting filtration material in order to optimize surface
area over which reactants can interact while minimizing the complexity of
construction of such columns.

Structured Packing
The term structured packing refers to a range of specially designed
materials for use in absorption and distillation columns and chemical reactors.
Structured packing’s typically consist of thin corrugated metal plates or gauzes
arranged in a way that force fluids to take complicated paths through the
column, thereby creating a large surface area for contact between different
phases.

DEPARTEMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING. Page 1

 Government Polytechnic Jalna Packings Used in Destillation Coloum

Types of Packing

Pro-Pak

Pro-Pak is formed from metal ribbon through which more than 1000 tiny
holes per square inch have been punched. As the points of the dye push through
the metal, jagged burrs are formed on the reverse side of the ribbon. Pro-Pak's
self-wetting properties derive from a rectangular network of capillaries on the
surface of the metal, produced by the combined effect of the holes in the ribbon
and the roughness of the burrs. These properties ensure that Pro-Pak stays wet
in service in the distillation column and retains its high efficiency. Because the
surface area of the packing remains effective under low liquid loadings, high
column efficiency is maintained at vapor velocities very much lower than the
flooding velocity.

DEPARTEMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING. Page 2

 Government Polytechnic Jalna Packings Used in Destillation Coloum

Heli Pak

Heli-Pak is a particle type packing and can be "poured" into any

laboratory or pilot scale column; easily removed for replacement or cleaning.
Features include:

High Efficiency - Holdup per plate for a given distilling rate gives high
efficiency and optimum all around performance.

Non-Channeling- Furnished in larger column diameter due to its capillary

liquid redistributing action.

Pours Easily -Maximum effectiveness requires no laborious or critical filling

techniques.

Variety of Materials -Available in stainless steel; nichrome, monel,

nickel.Bronze and tantalum available upon request.

Low Cost - Economical to use on a per plate and per distillation basis.

Available in three sizes

 A larger size packing with high capacity
and low pressure drop. Specially
designed for use in columns 25mm I.D.
and larger.
 Medium size packing for low holdup
and pressure drop. Recommended for
columns from 10mm to 30mm diameter,
operating at atmospheric or vacuum
conditions.
 Smallest packing physically possible
without flooding. Recommended for
columns 5mm to 15mm I.D. operating
at atmospheric pressure.

DEPARTEMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING. Page 3

 Government Polytechnic Jalna Packings Used in Destillation Coloum

Raschig Rings

Raschig rings are pieces of tube, approximately equal in length and

diameter, used in large numbers as a packed bed within columns for distillations
and other chemical engineering processes. They are usually ceramic or metal
and provide a large surface area within the volume of the column for interaction
between liquid and gas vapours. Raschig rings are named after their inventor,
German chemist Friedrich Raschig.
It is used in a distillation column, the reflux or condensed vapour runs
down the column, covering the surfaces of the rings, while vapour from the
reboiler goes up the column. As the vapour and liquid pass each other
countercurrently in a small space, they tend towards equilibrium. Thus, less
volatile material tends to go downwards, and more volatile material upwards.
Raschig rings made from borosilicate glass are sometimes employed in
the handling of nuclear materials. They are used inside vessels and tanks
containing solutions of fissile material, for example solutions of enriched uranyl
nitrate. There they act as neutron absorbers to prevent a criticality accident

DEPARTEMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING. Page 4

 Government Polytechnic Jalna Packings Used in Destillation Coloum

Ceramic Saddle

Ceramic saddles are one of the most used packing type in heat transfer
applications and corrosive environments. The ceramic saddles offer high
resistance to chemical attack and thermal shock. Ceramic saddle packing types
are the most frequently used ceramic high-performance packing and exhibit
advantages for most applications in comparison with other shapes. The point
contacts between individual interacting packing pieces facilitate large cavity
volumes, creating a fluid dynamic shape of the bed with coherent film
spreading.
To improve efficiency and capacity, ceramic super saddles have been
developed. These geometrical adjustment to the saddles improves the surface
area contacts and decrease pressure drop.
Some Benefits-
 Good thermal shock resistance for heat transfer applications.
 High capacity version available.
 Mechanical strong structure.
 Good (corrosive) liquid handling performance.

DEPARTEMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING. Page 5

 Government Polytechnic Jalna Packings Used in Destillation Coloum

Rombopak

The unique open structure of rombopak packing has been specifically

developed for the ambitious distillation requirements of the fine chemical
industry. It has been widely used in the most diverse applications such as,
 Pharmaceutical and fine chemicals
 Alcohols, esters, fatty acids and derivatives
 Solvent recovery
 Fouling services

It has a Grid structure: Surface divided in a large number of streamlined

lamellas.Unique distribution effect for the liquid and good distribution of vapor
flow. Maximized open area for the vapor to flow through resulting in a reduced
pressure drop.
It have a High capacity and separation performance at minimum pressure
drop Highly resistant against fouling due its open structure. Good performance
with viscous liquids

DEPARTEMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING. Page 6

 Government Polytechnic Jalna Packings Used in Destillation Coloum

Metal Gauze Packing

Metal wire gauze structured packing is an universal type of packing

composed by several mesh plate corrugated sheets which are vertical arranged
in disks. Instead of being welded, metal wire gauze structured packings are
fixed by being nailed or being ringed to adhere to the walls. Its structure can not
only change the distribution of liquid, but also increase the transfer efficiency.
The key advantage of wire gauze structured packing is the high separation
efficiency even at very small liquid loads along with its low pressure drop and
small liquid hold-up, making it very suitable for distillation of thermally
sensitive products.Some features as, Metal wire gauze structured packing is a
type of structured packing which has great flux, high separation rate, low
resistance, low pressure drop, low cost and good anti-plugging performance.
Metal wire gauze structured packing has a wide application in the purification,
extraction, distillation, cooling and many other possess in the chemical,
petrochemical industry

DEPARTEMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING. Page 7

 Government Polytechnic Jalna Packings Used in Destillation Coloum

Conclusion

Through this micro project we understand the various types of packings

used in the distillation column and thier features, properties and also
Applications of this packings.

DEPARTEMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING. Page 8

 Government Polytechnic Jalna Packings Used in Destillation Coloum

References

 https://www.google.com/search
 +packing+wikipedia&oq=colum+packing+wikipedia
 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packed_bed
 https://www.google.com/search?
q=Metal+gauze+Packing+information

DEPARTEMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING. Page 9