Column Internals

Our Complete Program for

Optimal Performance
Column Internals
Knowledge and Experience from
RVT Process Equipment
Mass transfer performance as well RVT Process Equipment‘s column
as the hydraulic characteristics of internals are manufactured in our fab-
a packed column are highly depen- rication facilities, where we process
dant on the quality of the column a wide range of metal and plastic
internals used. The optimal con- materials, including fluoro-polymers
figuration of the internals to the (e. g. PTFE, TFM). We handle specific
selected tower packings as well as solutions and designs in cooperation
to the individual operating conditions with our customers as required for any
and material requirements demand special application. To complete the
comprehensive process engineering available material options, ceramic
know-how and experience. and graphite internals are also offered.
RVT Process Equipment is your Designs and technical drawings for
skilled partner for all column internal our column internals are generated
and packing requirements. by state of the art software programs,
Our complete program includes including AutoCAD, ANSYS and
the following items: SolidWorks. RVT Process Equipment
can provide an onsite supervisor or
Liquid distributors
field crews to install column internals.
Collecting trays
RVT Process Equipment‘s research
Liquid feed systems and development facility, which
includes a liquid distributor test facility
Bed supports
and several test columns, ensures
Bed limiters that quality control measures are exe-
cuted and the results achieved meet
Mist eliminators
or exceed the performance required.
Gas distributors
RVT Process Equipment is
Custom made internals DIN ISO 9001 and 14001 certified.
for special applications The qualifi­cation of our fabrication
RVT Process Equipment has been
facility employees complies
certified according to ISO 9001
In combination with our compre­ with strict workmanship and quality
since 1996, and according to ISO
hensive tower packing and mass control standards, thus assuring high
14001 since 2010.
transfer tray program, we offer quality. We are a specialized
complete solutions to customers industrial fabricator per § 19 WHG
worldwide. (German Law for Water Protection).

Our locations in Steinwiesen (headquarters) and Marktrodach (factory)

2
Fabrication of a thermoplastic tray Testing of a trough-type distributor
3
 Liquid Distributors
Design Principles
and Types
Packed columns require properly
designed liquid distribution systems
to irrigate the entire packed bed
effectively. The mass transfer perfor-
mance of a packed column is highly
dependent upon the quality of liquid
distribution through the packed bed.
Trough-type distributor To achieve optimum mass transfer
with parting box ( Type M 150 KK ) for the entire operating range of a
packed column, equal distribution
of liquid over the entire bed
cross-section must be ensured.
Other important characteristics of
liquid distributors include low gas-side
pressure drop, low sensitivity
to fouling and low overall height.
The ability to handle multiple incoming
feed streams may also be necessary.
Additionally, liquid distributors must
be designed to allow horizontal
leveling to ensure equal distribution
of liquid over the entire distributor
cross-section.
RVT Process Equipment‘s compre­
hensive experience ensures the
selection of the optimal solution for
each application.
For a wide range of various applica-
tions, we provide the following basic
Pan-type distributor ( Type M 150 T ) designs of liquid distributors:
Pan-type distributor
Deck-type distributor
Trough-type distributor
Ladder-type distributor
Spray-nozzle-type distributor

Trough-type distributor
with integrated parting box
4 ( Type M150 KQ )
Ladder-type distributor
( Type M150 RR )

Standard values Liquid load Recommended column diameter

Design type m3  / m² h gpm / ft² mm inches
Pan-type distributor 0.3 – 200 0.12 – 80 100 – 1,600 4 – 65
Deck-type distributor 5 – 200 2 – 80 > 200 >8
Trough-type distributor 0.3 – 50 0.12 – 20 > 600 > 25
Ladder-type distributor 4 – 100 1.5 – 40 all sizes all sizes
Spray-nozzle-type distributor 3 – 200 1.2 – 80 all sizes all sizes

Deck-type distributor Tube detail

( Type M150 B )

5
Liquid Distributors
Principles of Distribution

Several key principles must be The following principles of liquid

considered when assessing liquid distribution are applied:
distribution design.
Orifices at the bottom
Applicable principles are dependent of the distribution troughs Troughs with orifices at the bottom
upon the following: are used for clean systems
with standard turndown.
Liquid load
Orifices, weirs or attached
Working range
distribution pipes on the sides
Liquid properties of individual troughs are suitable
for low liquid loads and wide
Potential for fouling or for foaming
operating ranges.
Allowable entrainment
Overflow distribution ( e. g. via weirs
The number of drip points on trough sides or dripe pipes)
generally ranges between 5 -15 / ft² is recommended for systems where
( 60 -150 /m² ), depending the risk for fouling exists.
on the particular application.
Spray nozzles, particularly for
pipe ( ladder ) type distributors, can
be used for solid-free systems. Troughs with overflow distribution weirs

Combinationsof the
Drip tube above mentioned systems
with elevated side orfices can be used as needed.

Drip tube
with slotted weirs

Drip tube
with overflow weir
for fouling services

Drip tube Troughs with side orifices

with overflow weir and distribution pipes

Other drip tube layouts

are available on request.

6
Liquid Feed Systems
Design Principles
and Types
Uniform liquid feed to the liquid
distributor selected for a particular
application is critical to its optimum
performance. The feed system must
distribute liquid as evenly as possible
to the entire liquid distributor while
taking into consideration liquid dis-
charge velocity and liquid pressure Pan-type distributor with
fluctuations. parting box and l-type feed pipe ( M150 T and M155 I )

The liquid feed system is especially

critical in systems of high liquid loads
and in large diameter columns.
Fundamental design options are
as follows:
Ladder type feed system
for low and medium liquid loads
( <  32 gpm / ft², < 80 m³/m²h,
turndown ratio of 1: 3 ) and
Parting box with downcomers
for high liquid loads and wide
turndown ranges ( 1:10 or more )
Special parting box designs are
available to handle two phase
mixtures at high temperatures.
A system that distributes liquid
feed prior to the distributor
is not required for low liquid loads
( up to 2 gpm /ft2, 5 m³/m²h ) Trough-type distributor with
and small diameter columns. parting box and H-type feed pipe ( M150 KK + M155 H )

Each of the above-mentioned liquid

feed designs has specific advantages.
Not every design is able to be used
with every type of liquid distributor.
Our knowledge and experience
allow us to support you in the
optimal configuration of liquid feed
system and distributor for your
particular application.

Detail orifice

Trough-type distributor with

pipe predistribution system ( M150 KR )
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Collecting Trays and Distributors
Design Principles and Types

Collecting trays are used to collect Combi Element

downcoming liquid at the bottom
In order to reduce the overall height
of a packed bed and to allow for
of a packed column and to reduce
either removal of this liquid from the
the number of internals used, var-
column or to feed it into a liquid
ious internals can be strategically
redistributor below the collecting tray.
combined into a single unit. Between
This liquid redistributor distributes
two packed bed sections, a device
the liquid load over the entire
for collecting and removing or redis-
cross-sectional area of a second,
tributing the downcoming liquid is
lower packed bed.
necessary. The patented RVT Combi
Collecting trays and redistributors Element accomplishes these
are typically needed in the following multiple tasks in a single internal. In
cases: addition to reducing overall vessel
 An additional liquid feed stream height, further advantages are a
Combi element ( Type P 500 L )
needs to be introduced relatively low pressure loss and very
or removed low weeping rates.
 A high number of transfer stages
must be achieved
 Maldistribution of the down-coming
liquid caused by high bed heights
must be prevented Collecting tray
 The weight or mechanical stability Typically, liquid in the collecting tray
of the packed bed is limited is removed either via a circulating
collecting trough or a draw off nozzle.
For less critical applications, the total
The collecting tray can be used as a
height of the required collecting tray
sump. During equipment downtime,
and subsequent liquid redistri­butor
liquid is retained in this sump. The
can be reduced by the use of a
height of the chimneys determines
chimney tray/chevron collector con-
the volume of liquid that can be
struction as shown below.
retained. In order to prevent leakage,
the collecting tray is often welded or
laminated in the vessel by the vessel
manufacturer.
Deck type collecting tray ( Type M 900 K )

Deck-type distributor
with covered gas risers

Vane-type collecting tray ( Type P 900 L )

Multi-Phase Feed Systems
Design Principles and Types

If superheated liquids are fed into the The incoming feed is introduced Flash gallery
column, special precautions must be tangentially against the column wall. ( Type M 800 B )
taken in order to obtain a thorough The gallery accumulates the liquid
degasification before the feed enters so that the vaporous fraction can
the liquid distributor or the tray. degasify. The liquid can then
be routed directly into
Flash gallery a distributor.
Flash galleries are particularly
suitable for larger column diameters
as well as for large feed volumes.

Light duty phase separator

Light duty phase separators have
proven successful with relatively low
feed flows or when feed flows with
a small vapor fraction must be fed
into a column with limited available
space.
The entering gas-liquid mixture
degasses in a central tube which
has slots facing downwards and
bore­holes in the upward direction.
Overflow spouts are arranged in the
encasing tube while the gas phase
escapes upwards by way of bore­
holes located on the sides.

Flash box
Flash boxes are suitable for low
flows. These boxes are located
in the column near the distributor.
The incoming feed degasses
in the flash box where the stabilized
liquid is directed downwards
and the vapour escapes upwards.
Flash box ( Type M 800 K )
9
Gas Distributors
Design Principles and Types

Gas distributors have the task of uni- Chimney tray distributor

formly distributing the incoming gas
With the chimney tray distributor,
stream over the entire cross-section
the gas flow is distributed evenly by
of a tray or packed column.
means of covered chimneys while Ladder-type distributor ( Type M 850 R )
Through proper design, the resulting downcoming liquid is collected and
pressure loss is kept as low as drawn off through a shaft or pipe.
possible. Depending on the gas The pressure loss through this type
Ladder-type distributor
volume, gas velocity, temperature of distributor can be relatively high.
and gas stream constituents being The total required installation height
handled, the design and the material of the ladder-type distributor is
of construction of the gas distributor less than that of the chimney tray
is selected. If required by the distributor. The operating range of
customer, CFD simulations of the this gas distributor depends, to a
incoming gas stream for a specific major degree, on the allowable
gas distributor can be provided. pressure loss.

Inlet feed pipe

Inlet Feed Pipes are used in cases
Gas distributors with guide vanes
where the gas velocity is high.
This distributor type uses an The kinetic energy of the incoming
engineered arrangement of curved gas is reduced by this distributor,
guide vanes to evenly distribute the there­fore improving the gas distri­
incoming gas flow which then exits bution to the column internals.
the distributor in a horizontal direc- Chimney tray distributor
tion. This design is used particularly ( Type M 850 B )
in large diameter columns with low
gas velocities and for multiple phase
feeds.

Inlet feed pipe ( Type 850 I )

Vane type gas inlet device ( Type 850 L )

10
Bed Limiters
Design Principles
and Types
Bed limiters are installed directly
above a packed bed to prevent
the movement of the packing. They
are particularly necessary in such
cases where packing can experience
uplift due to high gas loading or
sporadic pressure surges. In addi-
tion, they can be used to separate
packing of different sizes to avoid
mixing of different packings inside
the column.
Bed limiters are designed in such
a way that they do not disturb the
steady state of the liquid distribution.
Depending on the model, bed lim-
iters either sit directly on top of the
packed bed or are mechanically
attached to the vessel wall. It is
also possible to hang them directly
from the liquid distributor and /or
redistributor. Additionally, bed limit-
ers can be integrated into the
design of the liquid distributor or
redistributor.

Expanded metal bed limiter ( Type M 100 ) Plastic bed limiter ( Type P 100 )

11
Support Grids
Design Principles and Types

A variety of support grids is available Flat support grid

to support the column packed bed,
The most straightforward design
depending on the specific application
is the flat support grid which is used
and the column diameter. The support
for small column diameters.
grid must be constructed in such
The hydraulic conditions need to be
a way that it minimally hinders gas
taken into consideration as this type
and liquid flows. Between the packed
of support grid has a relatively low
bed and the support grid, the risk of
free cross-section. Flat support grids
reduced hydraulic capacity can exist.
are available in ceramic and graphite
Support grids must be adapted to materials in addition to metals and
 Type of packing thermoplastics.
 Bed height
 Liquid holdup
Flat support grid ( Type P 65 )
 Additional weight from fouling
 Design temperature
for specific application.

If high velocities are present, or pres-

sure surges or flooding may occur,
the bed support can be mechanically
fastened to the support ring.

Profile support grid

Profile support grids offer a free The height of the profile beams
cross section of 100 % in relation as well as the slot width are
to the entire column cross-section. designed according to the specific
Downcoming liquid flows separately application.
from the upflowing gas stream,
thus preventing the risk of flooding,
even at high hydraulic loading.

Profile support grid ( Type M 350 ) Profile support grid ( Type M165 ) Profile support grid ( Type P 250 )

12
 Expanded metal
profile support grid ( Type M 95 )

A profile support grid made of expanded metal is an

inexpensive alternative. This support grid is suitable
for low loads as well as columns with small diameters.

Profile support grid made of metal Structured packing

( Type MK 65 ) flat support grid ( Type M 65 )

The open structure of the flat support grid

for use with structured packing allows
unhindered flow of liquid in relation
to the gas stream, thus preventing limitation
of hydraulic capacity in the column.

13
Mist Eliminators
Design Principles and Types

Mist eliminators are employed at

the top of a packed column or in
con­junction with a collecting tray
between two packed beds.
They separate liquid droplets from
the gas stream. Droplet discharge
from the column and/or the liquid
entrainment from one stage to the
next is minimized.
Droplet separation is achieved
utilizing mass inertia of the liquids.
For this reason, droplet removal
efficiency declines with smaller
droplet diameter.

Vane-type mist eliminator

( Type M 960 )

Wire mesh mist eliminator Wire mesh mist eliminators operate

( Type M 950 ) by droplet coalescing. As the droplets
hit the wire and collect, they are able
to discharge from the mist eliminator
via gravity. These mist eliminators
are recommended for systems where
no solids buildup is expected.
In vane-type mist eliminators, the gas
flow is deflected several times so that
the liquid droplets impinge on impact
where they then flow from these
surfaces in a downward direction.
Scaling of solids can be avoided or
reduced with the use of spray nozzles
situated above the mist eliminator.

14
Column Internals
Unique Applications and
Manufacturing Abilitites
Chemical processes sometimes Special capabilities:
demand very special materials or
Surface polishing of sheets and
surface treatments of the equipment
pipes before processing
that will be affected by the process.
RVT Process Equipment specializes Use of various welding methods
in developing appropriate solutions
Polishing work with abrasive pad
for many different applications:
on the weld seams
Hydrogen peroxide
Degreasing
production plants
Detailed view of profile support grid:
Immersion pickling deburred holes
Chlor-Alkali plants
Passivation
Air separations
Multiple rinses with distilled
Refining
or deionized water

Deck-type distributor with gas risers

15
 Zirconium TFM Bed limiter
liquid distributor

Special constructions
Highly corrosive and high tempera-
ture operations require high-grade
materials. If chemical resistant
plastic materials cannot be used due
to their decreasing stability at high
temperatures, high-grade special
materials like Zirconium, Tantalum
or carbon reinforced carbon (CFC)
can be used.
In case of corrosive process
conditions without increased
temperatures, high value
plastic materials like PTFE / TFM
are the number one choice.
Tantalum
liquid distributor

CFC Detail

CFC profile
support grid
16
PTFE / TFM Pan-type distributor PTFE / TFM Profile support grid

Internals made of combined

materials
In some cases, we can offer chem-
ical resistant and competitive con-
structions which combine several
materials in one part.

CFC load bearing frame Distribution devices / Tantalum drip tubes

PTFE base plate

Example

Task: Reduce cost of liquid distributor

Materials approved by customer:
Tantalum = expensive
Carbon fibre reinforced carbon ( CFC )
= high structural stability
PTFE = poor mechanical stability

Solution
( CFC ) load-bearing frame
Distribution devices / Tantalum drip tubes
All other components made of TFM / PTFE

17
Our Range of Products
Overview
Materials of construction
Description Metal Plastic Ceramics /
Graphite
Liquid distributors
Pan-type distributor M 150 T P 150 T K 150 T
Trough-type distributor M 150 KK P 150 KK K 150 KK
Trough-type distributor with integrated parting box M 150 KQ P 150 KQ –
Deck-type distributor M 150 B P 150 B –
Ladder-type distributor M 150 RR P 150 RR –
Spray nozzle-type distributor M 150 SR P 150 SR K 150 SR
Feed pipes
L Type M 155 L P 155 L –
H Type M 155 H P 155 H –
T Type M 155 T P 155 T –
I Type M 155 I P 155 I –
Collecting trays – redistributors
Chimney-type collecting tray M 900 K P 900 K –
Vane-type collecting tray M 900 L P 900 L –
Pan-type redistributor M 200 T P 200 T K 200 T
Trough-type redistributor M 200 KK P 200 KK –
Trough redistributor with integrated parting box M 200 KQ P 200 KQ –
Deck-type redistributor M 200 B P 200 B –
Feed Systems for two-phase mixtures
Flash gallery M 800 B – –
Flash box M 800 K – –
Light duty phase separator M 800 R – –
Gas distributors
Vane type M 850 L P 850 L –
Chimney tray M 850 B P 850 B –
Ladder-type M 850 R P 850 R –
Feed pipe M 850 I P 850 I –
Support grids
Flat support grid M 65 P 65 K 65
Profile support grid (low beam) M 95 P 95 –
Profile support grid (medium beam) M 165 P 175 K 180
Profile support grid (high beam) M 350 P 250 K 300
Bed limiters
Expanded metal M 100 S – –
Flat M 100 P 100 K 100
Droplets / Mist eliminators
Wire mesh M 950 P 950 –
Vane type M 960 P 960 –
Double pocket M 96 L P 96 L –

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Two Stage Packed
Column
Mist eliminator

Trough distributor with parting box and feed pipe

Bed limiter

Profile support grid

Redistributor

Bed limiter

Profile support grid

19
RVT Process Equipment, Inc.
Range of products RVT Process Equipment
Your Expert Partner
Tower packings for
mass and heat transfer

Structured packings for

mass and heat transfer
Steinwiesen

Knoxville
Shanghai
(Kunshan)
Column internals

Mass transfer trays

Our addresses
RVT Process Equipment, Inc. Kunshan
Biological 9047 Executive Park Drive, Suite 222 RVT Process Equipment Co., Ltd
carrier media Knoxville, TN 37923 No. 66 - 68, Shaojing Road
USA Development Zone Kunshan
215300 Kunshan, Jiangsu province
Phone +1 (865) 694-2089
P.R. China
Fax +1 (865) 560-3115
e-Mail info @ rvtpe.net Phone +86 (512) 55 18 82 52
Turn-key units for
Fax +86 (512) 55 18 81 87
waste gas scrubbing
Headquarters: e-Mail info.cn@rvtpe.com
RVT Process Equipment GmbH

The information in this leaflet are generally correct, however

Paul-Rauschert-Straße 6
96349 Steinwiesen

it is not possible to lay claim to liability or guarantee.

Ammonia recovery Germany
processes
Phone +49 (0) 9262 77-0
Fax +49 (0) 9262 77-789
Combustion plants
e-Mail info @ rvtpe.de
for the disposal
of exhaust air,
waste gases
and liquid media
Column internals
12 /2014

www.rvtpe.com