Random packing elements and column containing same

Abstract

A saddle-shaped random packing element is provided with laterally spaced, arcuate side members and a plurality of inner and outer rib elements that extend from and between the side members to form an interior volume. At least one lesser rib element extends from the side members and is at least partially positioned within the interior volume so that at least about 20 percent of the surface area of the packing element is positioned within the interior volume.

1 . A random packing element comprising:
 a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally elongated, arcuate side members which cooperatively define a curved longitudinal axis therebetween;   a plurality of oppositely extending arched inner and outer rib elements extending from and between said side members to cooperatively define an interior volume therebetween; and   at least one lesser rib element longitudinally disposed between said inner and outer arched rib elements, and at least partly disposed in said interior volume,   wherein at least about 20 percent of the total surface area of said saddle-shaped random packing element is defined within said interior volume, and   wherein said random packing element represents from about 5 to about 50 percent of the volume of a torus.   
   
   
       2 . The packing element of  claim 1 , wherein the total number of said inner and outer rib elements is in the range of from about three to about twenty. 
   
   
       3 . The packing element of  claim 2 , wherein the total number of said inner and outer rib elements is five. 
   
   
       4 . The packing element of  claim 1 , including a plurality of said lesser rib elements and wherein at least one of the lesser rib elements is discontinuous to thereby create first and second rib segments. 
   
   
       5 . The packing element of  claim 4 , wherein said first and second rib segments are bent in radially opposite directions. 
   
   
       6 . The packing element of  claim 4 , wherein said first and second rib segments are bent in the same radial direction. 
   
   
       7 . The packing element of  claim 1 , wherein the width of at least one of said outer rib elements is up to twice the width of at least one of said inner rib elements. 
   
   
       8 . The packing element of  claim 1 , wherein said packing element represents about 10 to about 25 percent of the volume of a torus. 
   
   
       9 . The packing element of  claim 1 , wherein said outer and/or inner rib elements are generally alternatingly misaligned from said longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       10 . The packing element of  claim 1 , wherein the width of at least one of said outer rib elements is the same as or greater than twice the width of at least one of said inner rib elements. 
   
   
       11 . The packing element of  claim 1 , wherein the width of said outer rib elements is less than about 5 millimeters and/or the width of said inner rib elements is greater than about 1 millimeters. 
   
   
       12 . The packing element of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the lesser rib elements is at least partly continuous. 
   
   
       13 . The packing element of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said total surface area of said packing element is textured. 
   
   
       14 . The packing element of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of said inner and outer rib elements have a cupped cross section. 
   
   
       15 . The packing element of  claim 1 , wherein said packing element is formed of metal. 
   
   
       16 . The packing element of  claim 1 , wherein said packing element is formed of plastic. 
   
   
       17 . The packing element of  claim 1 , including a structure positioned in one or both of the side members to direct fluid flow from the one or both side members onto one or more of the inner and outer rib elements and lesser rib element. 
   
   
       18 . A column or reactor containing a packed bed comprising a plurality of packing elements of  claim 1 .