Packing element for heat and mass transfer towers

Abstract

A tower (A) for effecting heat transfer or chemical reactions contains a packing (B) formed from a multitude of packing elements ( 2, 28 ). Each element includes a peripheral wall ( 10, 30 ) and a convoluted interior wall ( 12, 32 ) that spirals inwardly from the peripheral wall toward the center of the element, thus forming a convoluted passage ( 14, 34 ) through the element. The convoluted passages in the elements capture the flow of fluid through the packing so that less fluid follows voids between the elements and more flows through the elements. Moreover, the convoluted interior wall of each element provides a large surface area for heat transfer or chemical reactions.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A packing element for effecting heat transfer or chemical reactions in a tower, said packing element comprising:
 a peripheral wall that establishes an axis;   a convoluted interior wall that is connected to and spirals inwardly from the peripheral wall and terminates near the axis to provide a convoluted passage through the element; and   webs attached to and connecting the peripheral wall and the largest convolution of the convoluted interior wall and also attached to and connecting convolutions of convoluted interior wall so as to interrupt the convoluted passage and divide it into segments;   the packing element possessing a unitary construction and being formed from a ceramic material.   
     
     
         21 . A packing element according to  claim 20  wherein the peripheral wall is uninterrupted and closes upon itself; and further comprising a thickened region where the interior wall merges with the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         22 . A packing element according to  claim 20  wherein the webs are offset angularly so that they do not align across the element. 
     
     
         23 . A packing element according to  claim 20  wherein the peripheral wall is circular. 
     
     
         24 . A packing element according to  claim 23  having an aspect ratio of between about 2 and 6. 
     
     
         25 . A packing element according to  claim 20  wherein the peripheral wall and interior wall have ends that lie in parallel planes. 
     
     
         26 . A packing element according to  claim 20  wherein the interior wall has curved end edges. 
     
     
         27 . A packing element according to  claim 26  wherein the interior wall is thickest between its curved end edges and tapers downwardly toward the curved end edges. 
     
     
         28 . A packing element according to  claim 20  wherein the webs align transversely across the element. 
     
     
         29 . A packing element according to  claim 20  that takes the form of a block in which the peripheral wall possesses a polygonal configuration; and
 wherein the convolutions of the interior wall also possess generally a polygonal configurations. 
 
     
     
         30 . A tower for effecting heat transfer or chemical reactions, said tower comprising:
 a shell having ports for introducing fluids into and delivering fluids from it; and   a packing located in the shell and including a multitude packing elements in accordance with  claim 20 .   
     
     
         31 . A tower according to  claim 30  wherein the packing elements are arranged randomly in the shell, with most being in a generally horizontal orientation.