Current chemical batch processing technology is based on batch reactors, which typically consist of a vessel, in which reactants are processed. The batch reactor comprises a reactor vessel having at least one first thermal transfer element; a removable top cover for sealing the reactor vessel; a baffle component having at least one second thermal transfer element; and an agitator component, wherein each of the at least one first thermal transfer element and the at least one second thermal transfer element is independently controllable, and wherein the batch reactor comprises a thermal transfer surface-to-volume ratio of at least 6:1. This increases the thermal transfer potential and the thermal energy transfer efficiency of the batch reactor, thereby to increase production speed and throughput.

A catalytic reactor includes: a reaction-side flow channel in which a reaction fluid flows; a structured catalyst removably located in the reaction-side flow channel; and a protrusion formed in the structured catalyst or an inner surface of the reaction-side flow channel, having a height forming a clearance between the structured catalyst and the inner surface of the reaction-side flow channel.

A structured packing module for use in a mass transfer column. Corrugated sheets of structured packing in the structured packing module are held together by fasteners that extend into the corrugated sheets from opposite sides of the structured packing module at an angle of inclination or perpendicularly with respect to the sides of the structured packing module. The fasteners may have an outer surface with protrusions or indentations that resist removal of the fasteners from the structured packing sheets.

A corrugated structured packing sheet has surface texturing that may be in the form of a grid of indented and raised structures. Each indented structure is separated from some or all of adjacent ones of the indented structures by the raised structures. The raised structures form rows of peaks and interconnecting saddles. Microchannels extend along adjacent ones of the indented structures and the interconnecting saddles and intersect the corrugation valleys at an angle in the range of 20 to 75 degrees. The surface texturing may be or include wavy parallel grooves in an upper edge region adjacent the upper edge and a lower edge region adjacent the lower edge and may be or include parallel groove segments in the bulk region that are oriented obliquely to upper and lower edges of the structured packing sheet.

A packing device for mass and heat transfer with a subject fluid includes a housing having opposing ends, and subject fluid openings at each opposing end defining a subject fluid flow path for at least one subject fluid flowing through the packing device. A plurality of mass and heat transfer plates each include an interior heat exchange fluid channel disposed between interior heat transfer surfaces of the mass and heat transfer plates. A heat exchange fluid inlet and fluid outlet can supply and remove heat exchange fluid to the heat exchange fluid channels of the mass and heat transfer plates. The mass and heat transfer plates can be oriented to define there between fluid flow channels for the subject fluid. A method and system for mass and heat transfer with a subject fluid, and a method and system for the removal of CO.sub.2 from a gas stream are disclosed.

The present invention relates to an insertion device for inserting at least one packing section for a gas/liquid separation column into a cylindrical casing, comprising a base provided with retaining means which are configured to grip a packing section and which are arranged uniformly around a main axis, characterized in that the insertion device comprises at least two fastening means secured to the base, said fastening means being configured to fasten the insertion device to the casing. The invention also covers an insertion system for inserting at least one packing section into a cylindrical casing, comprising such an insertion device, and a method for inserting at least one packing section into a cylindrical casing that is implemented by such an insertion system.

A wiper band assembly suitable for use in packed distillation columns used in an air separation unit is provided. The wiper band assembly includes specially designed metal or metal alloy wiper tabs that are longer and thinner than conventional wiper tabs. The longer and thinner wiper tabs preferably have a thickness between about 0.05 mm and 0.25 mm and a length greater than about 50.0 mm. The physical dimensions and characteristics of the wiper tabs are selected to avoid permanent deformation during the installation process and provides continuous engagement with the interior surface of the packed column wall when the wiper tabs are exposed to pressure differentials typically seen in such packed distillation columns.

A structured packing arrangement for reducing vapor bypass in the gaps between the edges of structured packing elements or bricks and the packed distillation column wall is provided. The structured packing arrangement includes a high pressure drop shroud attached to portions of the perimeter of the structured packing elements and in the gap between the edge of the structured packing elements and the interior surface of the distillation column wall. The high pressure drop shroud urges the ascending vapor flowing at or near the edges of the structured packing elements to stay within the structured packing elements instead of escaping through the side of the structured packing toward the distillation column wall.

A catalytic reactor includes: a reaction-side flow channel in which a reaction fluid flows; a structured catalyst removably located in the reaction-side flow channel; and a protrusion formed in the structured catalyst or an inner surface of the reaction-side flow channel, having a height forming a clearance between the structured catalyst and the inner surface of the reaction-side flow channel.

A catalytic reactor includes: a reaction-side flow channel in which a reaction fluid flows; structured catalysts accommodated in the reaction-side flow channel. Each structured catalyst includes inclined surfaces in at least part of each of two surfaces facing other structured catalysts. The inclined surfaces are inclined in the same direction with respect to an arrangement direction of the structured catalysts.