Multi-channel distillation column packing

Abstract

Described herein is a column packing for a distillation apparatus, the column packing having an upper end opposite a lower end, the column packing comprising: a body extending along a central axis, the body comprising: a central channel extending parallel to the central axis, the central channel comprising a first open end opposite a second open end; and a plurality of perimeter channels circumscribing the central channel, each of the perimeter channels comprising a first open end opposite a second open end wherein the multi-channel body is formed of fluoropolymer.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A column packing for a distillation apparatus, the column packing comprising:
 a first open end opposite a second open end:   a central channel;   a plurality of perimeter channels; and   a body extending along a central axis between an upper end opposite a lower end, the body formed of polymeric material and comprising:
 an outer wall 
 an inner wall; and 
 a plurality of rib elements connecting the inner wall to the outer wall; 
   wherein the polymeric material is ultra-high purity perfluoroalkoxy alkane polymer containing up to 0.2% of the limit specified in SEMI F57 for surface extractable Total Organic Carbon.   
     
     
         2 . The column packing according to  claim 1 , wherein the central channel is concentric with the central axis. 
     
     
         3 . The column packing according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rib elements are arranged concentrically about the central axis. 
     
     
         4 . The column packing according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall extends continuously between the first and second open ends of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The column packing according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner wall extends continuously between the first and second open ends of the body. 
     
     
         6 . The column packing according to  claim 1 , wherein the central channel has a circular cross-sectional shape taken in a direction normal to the central axis. 
     
     
         7 . The column packing according to  claim 1 , wherein the central channel has a polygonal cross-sectional shape taken in a direction normal to the central axis. 
     
     
         8 . The column packing according to  claim 1 , wherein the central axis intersects both the first and second open ends, the central channel extending parallel to the central axis and the central channel circumscribed by the inner wall. 
     
     
         9 . The column packing according to  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of perimeter channels extend parallel to the central axis, each of the plurality of perimeter channels defined by at least a portion of the inner wall, at least a portion of the outer wall, and at least two the plurality of rib elements. 
     
     
         10 . The column packing according to  claim 9 , wherein the outer wall is cylindrical and comprises an outer surface opposite an inner surface; the inner wall comprises an outer surface opposite an inner surface; and each of the plurality of rib elements comprise a first major surface opposite a second major surface. 
     
     
         11 . The column packing according to  claim 10 , wherein each of the perimeter channels are formed by a portion of the inner surface of the outer wall; the outer surface of the inner wall, the first major surface of a first rib element, and the second major surface of a second rib element. 
     
     
         12 . A column packing for a distillation apparatus, the column packing having an upper end opposite a lower end, the column packing comprising:
 a body extending along a central axis, the body comprising:
 a central channel extending parallel to the central axis, the central channel comprising a first open end opposite a second open end; and 
 a plurality of perimeter channels circumscribing the central channel, each of the perimeter channels comprising a first open end opposite a second open end 
   wherein the multi-channel body is formed of ultra-high purity perfluoroalkoxy alkane polymer.   
     
     
         13 . The column packing according to  claim 12 , wherein first open end of the central channel and the first open end of each of the perimeter channels overlap with the upper end of the column packing. 
     
     
         14 . The column packing according to  claim 12 , wherein second open end of the central channel and the second open end of each of the perimeter channels overlap with the lower end of the column packing. 
     
     
         15 . The column packing according to  claim 12 , wherein the body has a height as measured between first and second open ends of the central channel and plurality of perimeter channels, and the body has a diameter as measured from an outermost surface of the body, wherein the ratio of the diameter to the height of the body ranges from about 0.33:1 to about 3:1. 
     
     
         16 . The column packing according to  claim 12 , wherein the ultra-high purity perfluoroalkoxy alkane polymer contains up to 0.2% of the limit specified in SEMI F57 for surface extractable Total Organic Carbon. 
     
     
         17 . A method of forming a column packing for a distillation apparatus, the method comprising:
 a) extruding a polymeric composition through a die to form a tube having a central channel circumscribed by a plurality of perimeter channels;   b) cutting the tube in a direction perpendicular to the central axis to form a body comprising the central channel and the plurality of perimeter channels;   wherein the polymeric composition is ultra-high purity perfluoroalkoxy alkane polymer containing up to 0.2% of the limit specified in SEMI F57 for surface extractable Total Organic Carbon.   
     
     
         18 . The method of according to  claim 17 , wherein the composition in step a) is extruded at a temperature ranging from about 190° C. to about 290° C. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein subsequent to step b), a plurality of the bodies are collected and stored together. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the tube has a diameter and the body is cut to a length such that a ratio of the diameter of the tube to the length of the body ranges from about 0.33:1 to about 3:1.