A support structure for a structured catalytic packing is disclosed. The support structure is in a fixed position relative to the reactor tube containing it. It supports catalyzed casings that are free to move relative to the support structure. The support structure and casings are inserted in the reactor tube such that the support structure is located proximate the longitudinal axis of the tube and the casings are located between the support structure and the reactor tube wall. The support structure comprises a central support tube or rod proximate to, and impervious or perforated discs perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis of the reactor tube, and may comprise spacers separating the discs.

Systems and methods are provided for reducing maldistribution of liquids and vapors in packed towers. An exemplary separation system includes a separation tower including at least two packed beds, and a vapor redistribution plate disposed between two sequentially disposed packed beds, wherein the vapor redistribution plate is configured to mix a vapor from a lower packed bed before introducing the vapor into an upper packed bed.

Described herein are expandable center arrangements for use in a tubular reactor, such as a reformer, for enhancing heat transfer and reactor efficiency. The expandable center arrangement can include a cone being expandable in the radial direction and an expansion weight for promoting expansion of the cone. The cone and expansion weight can be slidably arranged on a center support. Expansion of the cones in the radial direction forces reactor components radially outward to an outer tube that houses the reactor components and expandable center arrangement. Expansion of reactor components towards the outer tube promotes heat for carrying out catalytic reactions.

A method of installing a vaporizer in a remote manufacturing yard is provided. The method can include the steps of obtaining a lower stage and an upper stage of a vaporizer; obtaining a first column section and a second column section; installing the lower stage to a bottom head such that the lower stage is in fluid communication with an inner volume of the bottom head; installing the first column section over and around the lower stage and fitting and welding a bottom of the first column section to the bottom head; installing the upper stage; and installing the second column section and fitting and welding a bottom of the second course to the first course.

A yard leveling base for leveling a column during assembly is provided. The yard leveling base is configured to allow for a packed column section of a column to be placed on a top surface of the yard leveling base, the yard leveling base can further include a bottom surface configured to maintain substantial contact with the ground of a remote manufacturing yard, wherein the yard leveling base is adapted to adjust the level of the top surface of the yard leveling base to account for unevenness or slope of the ground of the remote manufacturing yard.

A remote manufacturing yard configured to build a cryogenic distillation column for use in an air separation unit (ASU) is provided. the remote manufacturing yard can include a fabrication facility comprising an enclosure. The fabrication facility further can also include a vertical plate roller; a lifting device, an assembly table configured to support two or more partial shells simultaneously; a first weld machine configured to weld the two or more partial shells together to form a course while keeping the two or more partial shells stationary; a column section assembly area having a second weld machine disposed therein, a distributor installation area configured to receive at least one column section and install a distributor within the column section to form a distributor column section; and a packing installation area configured to receive the distributor column section and install packing within the distributor column section to form a packed column section.

A method for installing packing in a remote manufacturing yard is provided. The method can include the steps of manufacturing structured packing in a facility away from the remote manufacturing yard; splitting a level of the structured packing into a plurality of sections and then placing each section into a separate box for transport, wherein each box can include an inner profile configured to match its section of packing so as to reduce damage to the packing during transport; transporting the boxes to the remote manufacturing yard; and installing the packing into a column section.

A weather shelter for providing protection during assembly of a column at a remote manufacturing yard is provided. The weather shelter can include a frame mounted to a hanging platform, and extending upwards from the hanging platform, the hanging platform supported by the column; and a protective covering mounted on the frame having a side covering and a top covering, the protective covering configured to provide an inner atmosphere within the protective covering protected from external elements when the protective covering is secured to the column.

A genre of media is presented for use with a reactor vessel and for the purpose of immobilizing small particles, often catalytic in nature. The media can include a number of ferromagnetic active wafers stacked together and separated by non-ferromagnetic separator portions, such that when in the presence of a magnetic field and magnetic-particle-containing fluid, at least some of the gaps between active wafers captures and suspends magnetic particles.

The present invention relates to a packing element for a structured packing including at least two adjacent corrugated sheets, wherein each of the corrugated sheets comprises a plurality of alternately oriented peaks and troughs, wherein adjacent corrugated sheets are oriented such that the corrugations of the adjacent corrugated sheets intersect in crisscross fashion with the corrugations of the corrugated sheets extending obliquely relative to the vertical direction, wherein each corrugated sheet contacts each of the adjacent corrugated sheets at points of intersection between the corrugations of the corrugated sheet and those of the adjacent corrugated sheets, wherein all corrugated sheets are tied together by means of at least one rod, wherein the at least one rod penetrates the corrugated sheets perpendicularly to the longitudinal section of the corrugated sheets, wherein on the at least one rod before the first corrugated sheet of the packing element and/or after the last corrugated sheet of the packing element at least one mounting clip is provided for fixing the corrugated sheets on the rod, wherein the mounting clip comprises a central part forming a coupling portion for coupling the mounting clip to the rod and two opposing lateral parts forming a clamping portion for a clamping engagement with the corrugated sheet, wherein the lateral parts are connected with the central part and angled with respect to the central part.