Redistributors

Packed columns must be provided with good initial distribution of liquid across the column cross section and redistribution of liquid at various height intei vals that decrease with increasing column diameter. A wide variety of distributors and redistributors are available. Packed columns should be considered when ... 

As indicated above, packed column internals include hqiiid distributors, packing support plates, redistributors (as needed), and holddown plates (to prevent movement of packing under flow conditions). Costs of these internals for columns with random packing are given in Fig. 14-80, based on early 1976 prices, and a Marshall and Swift cost index of 460. 

FIG. 14-80 Cost of internal devices for columns containing dumped packings, a) Holddown plates and support plates, (h) Redistributors, (c) Liquid distributors. [Pikulik and Diaz, Cbem. Eng., 84(21), 106 (Oct. 10, 1977).]... 

D. Hold-Down Grid (see Figure 3). According to Strigle, Normally, the upper surface of the packed bed is at least 6 in. below a liquid distributor or redistributor. The bed limiter or hold-down plate is located on top of the packed bed in this space. It is important to provide such a space to permit gas disengagement from the packed bed. Such a space allows the gas to accelerate to the velocity neces-... 

Figure 10. Orifice deckHiquid redistributor. (Courtesy of Norton Chemical Process Products Corporation.)...

Packed bed heights typically vary from 20 ft to 30ft. Many times the location of manholes to provide access to the redistributor will determine the packed depth. Whenever more than 15 theoretical stages are required in one packed bed, good liquid distribution is critical. ... 

Without a manway in the section the height allowance will run 3 ft (2-ft space plus a 1-ft thick redistributor). With a manway the allowance will be 4ft. ... 

Figure 9-8J. MTS-109 Multipan two-stage liquid distributor for optimum liquid distribution for uniform flow for random and structured packings for low to moderate liquid rates, less than 5 gpm/ft. Also used for redistributor. Used by permission of Nutter Engineering, Harsco Corp., Bull. TI-1, under license from The Dow Chemical Co., protected by U.S. Patents No. 4,472,325 4,808,350 5,013,491.

Figure 9-12. Metal rosette style redistributor. Used by permission of Norton Chemical Process Products Corp., Bull. TA-80.

To allow for the vertical height required for packed tower distributors and redistributors—and in tray towers the vertical height used by additional trays—typically using 10%-20% of the vertical packed height (10% for 2-in. random packing and 20% for structured packing) [136] the analysis indicated ... 

Allow 2 ft space between support of top section and redistributor of section 2 (from top). 

Liquid redistributors are needed every 5-10 tower diameters with pall rings but at least every 20 ft. The number of liquid streams should be 3-5/sqft in towers larger than 3 ft dia (some experts say 9-12/sqft), and more numerous in smaller towers. 

Select and design the column internal features packing support, liquid distributor, redistributors. 

Redistributors are used to collect liquid that has migrated to the column walls and redistribute it evenly over the packing. They will also even out any maldistribution that has occurred within the packing. 

A full redistributor combines the functions of a packing support and a liquid distributor a typical design is shown in Figure 11.52. 

Liquid Distributor/ Redistributor Hoki-Down Grid 7 Rsndom Packing... 

Each tray in a tower is inherently a vapor-liquid redistributor. The outlet weir, or more exactly the crest height of the liquid overflowing the weir forces the liquid to flow evenly across the tray. Even if the weir... 

A properly designed valve or sieve tray will act as a vapor redistributor. Thus, poor initial vapor distribution will only lessen the efficiency of the bottom tray. But if a packed-bed vapor distributor does not work properly, vapor channeling will be promoted through the entire bed. 

Depth of packing without intermediate supports is limited by its deformability metal construction is limited to depths of 20-25 ft, and plastic to 10-15 ft. Intermediate supports and liquid redistributors are supplied for deeper beds and at sidestream withdrawal or feed points. Liquid redistributors usually are needed every 2 -3 tower diameters for Raschig rings and every 5-10 diameters for pall rings, but at least every 20 ft. 

Figure 1335. Packed column and internals, (a) Example packed column with a variety of internals [Chen, Chem. Eng. 40, (5 Mar. 1984)]. (b) Packing support and redistributor assembly, (c) Trough-type liquid distributor, (d) Perforated pipe distributor, (e) Rosette redistributor for small towers. (0 Hold-down plate, particularly for low density packing.

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