Corrugated Structured Packing
Corrugated structured packing consists of a series of metal sheets specially arranged and engineered to encourage contact between liquids in a chemical process tower. Structured packing is used in distillation columns, chemical reactors and absorption columns. First introduced in the 1970s, corrugated packing remains in use today as an affordable, efficient and reliable alternative to other tower packing products.
Corrugated sheet packing is ideal for separations requiring a large number of theoretical stages in low liquid rate absorption/stripping systems and for applications that require a wide operating range.
Corrugated packing is available in two main configurations: X and Y. In Y packings, the more common of the two, sheets align at a 45-degree angle from horizontal. X packings, on the other hand, feature a 60-degree inclination, providing a lower pressure drop that makes them better suited for high-capacity applications.
Additionally, structured packing can be categorized by crimp size and sheet material. At MACH Engineering, we provide off-the-shelf structured packing options and custom designs, taking into account a wide range of technical and engineering factors to better suit your needs. Our corrugated structured packing is equivalent to Sulzer’s MellaPak® structured packing and the Raschig Super Pak®.
Benefits of Corrugated Structured Packing
Corrugated tower packing is among the most economical options available. It delivers minimal pressure drop across the packing bed and excellent liquid spreading characteristics across the packing surface.
This packing has specially designed vertical sheets that maximize gas/liquid contacting, mixing and renewable liquid film formation. Sheets include pressure drop reducing and liquid diversion openings. The shapes of the openings guide and direct gas and liquid flows for full integration of gas and liquid contacting.
As liquid and gas flow through corrugated packing, the shape of the openings in the sheets maximizes contact between materials, and both mixing and liquid film formation are improved. As fluid flows down the structured packing column, it drips off a series of tabs and spreads along the surface of the sheet. Systems can be engineered to prevent bridging by bending tabs upward, encouraging fluid to flow to the underside of the sheet.
Other notable benefits of this type of structured packing include:
- Higher strength even compared to a material of a similar thickness
- Wider turndowns and lower HETP for more compact system designs
- Easy installation and relatively easier cleaning and maintenance compared to other high-performance structured packing materials
Features and Characteristics of Structured Packing
MACH Engineering manufactures X and Y structured packing from 304 and 316 stainless steel. 304 is the more economical of the two and still offers good corrosion resistance. 316 is a more durable option with a higher nickel content and two percent molybdenum for additional protection against oxidation.
304 stainless steel is sufficiently durable for most use cases. For offshore marine and other demanding applications, upgrading to 316 may be a worthwhile investment.
| MACH Packing Style | MACH 250X | MACH 250Y |
| Corrugation Angle | 60 | 45 |
| Packing Thickness (mm) | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Surface Area (m2/m3) | 250 | 250 |
Benefits and Applications
Our high-performance corrugated structured packing is suitable for use in:
- Vacuum and atmospheric crude oil fractionators
- FCC main fractionators
- TEG contactors
Use structured packing for processes requiring a large number of theoretical stages, in low liquid rate absorption/stripping systems and any application requiring a large operating range. Our structured packing products are versatile and highly customizable, making them a great choice for both new systems and existing tower retrofits.
Working With MACH Engineering to Order Structured Packing
We know that every facility is different, which is why we design a wide range of corrugated steel packing products. MACH Engineering has a long history of bringing expertise and insight to this field — we can help you assess your needs and determine the best structured tower packing option for your structured packing column. To get started with a quality structured packing supplier, get in touch using the form on our contact page.