PACKING AND COLUMN COMPRISING ONE OR MORE PACKINGS

Abstract

A packing is provided which has an increased corrosion resistance, high chemical resistance, low flow resistance, and an increased service life in comparison with conventional packings, wherein, to this end, it is provided that the packing comprises includes a honeycomb body having first and second end faces, wherein the honeycomb body has a honeycomb structure which has a plurality of flow channels that are arranged substantially in parallel and that are adjacent to each other by means of channel walls, and wherein the honeycomb body is made from a first plastics material based on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer material. Furthermore, a column is proposed which comprises includes a housing that has at least one inlet, at least one outlet and one or more packings according to the invention which are preferably arranged in a flow path running from the inlet to the outlet, in succession if applicable.

Claims

1. A packing, in particular for use in columns for material and possibly energy exchange, comprising a honeycomb body having first and second end faces that are arranged substantially in parallel with one another, wherein the honeycomb body comprises a honeycomb structure which has a plurality of flow channels that are arranged in parallel with one another and that are adjacent to each other by means of channel walls, wherein the honeycomb body is made from a first plastics material based on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer material.

2. A packing according to claim 1, wherein the honeycomb body has flow channels that have free cross-sectional areas, wherein the sum of the free cross-sectional areas is approximately 70 to approximately 92%, in particular approximately 75 to approximately 85% of the area of an end face of the honeycomb body.

3. A packing according to claim 1, wherein the honeycomb body is circular in a cross-section parallel to the first and second end faces.

4. A packing according to claim 1, wherein the honeycomb body is formed in a number of parts and comprises two or more segments, which extend from the first to the second end face of the honeycomb body and have planar side walls and optionally side walls in the form of a circular arc, wherein, in the case that a segment has two planar side walls which meet one another in a corner region of the segment, these side walls of the segment are arranged at a right angle to one another.

5. A packing according to claim 1, wherein the individual flow channels of the honeycomb structure, as considered parallel to the end faces of the honeycomb body, are formed with a polygonal, in particular rectangular, square, pentagonal or hexagonal cross-section.

6. A packing according to claim 5, wherein in the polygonal, in particular in the rectangular, square or hexagonal cross-section of the flow channels, mutually opposed channel walls of a flow channel arranged substantially in parallel are arranged at a spacing from one another of approximately 8 to approximately 20 mm, preferably at a spacing of approximately 11 to approximately 17 mm.

7. A packing according to claim 1, wherein the channel walls, in a cross-section parallel to the end faces of the honeycomb body, are formed with a height of approximately 5 to approximately 11 mm, more preferably with a height of approximately 7 to approximately 10 mm.

8. A packing according to claim 1, wherein the channel walls of the flow channels of the honeycomb structure have a thickness of approximately 0.8 mm to approximately 2.1 mm.

9. A packing according to claim 1, wherein the first plastics material is processible in a pressing/sintering method or thermoplastically.

10. A packing according to claim 1, wherein the first plastics material of the channel walls has a thermal conductivity of approximately 0.3 W/(m.Math.K) or more, and/or in that the first plastics material of the channel walls has a specific thermal capacity of approximately 0.9 J/(g.Math.K) or more.

11. A packing according to claim 1, wherein the PTFE polymer material has a density of approximately 2.0 to approximately 2.2 g/cm.sup.3.

12. A packing according to claim 1, wherein the first plastics material of the channel walls has a temperature resistance of approximately 200 C. or more, in particular approximately 250 C. or more.

13. A packing according to claim 1, wherein the first plastics material of the channel walls has a tear strength, measured in accordance with EN ISO 12086-2, of approximately 10 to approximately 30 N/mm.sup.2.

14. A packing according to claim 1, wherein the first plastics material of the channel walls has an elongation at break, measured in accordance with EN ISO 12086-2, of approximately 160 to approximately 350%.

15. A packing according to claim 1, wherein the first plastics material of the channel walls has a permeation rate relative to Cl.sub.2, HCl and/or SO.sub.2 of approximately 620 cm.sup.3/(m.sup.2.Math.d.Math.bar) or less, and in particular relative to Cl.sub.2 and/or SO.sub.2 of approximately 300 cm.sup.3/(m.sup.2.Math.d.Math.bar) or less.

16. A packing according to claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the channel walls have a surface roughness R.sub.max of approximately 250 m or less.

17. A packing according to claim 16, wherein the PTFE polymer material contains virgin grade polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in a proportion of approximately 80% by weight or more and optionally a high-performance polymer different from PTFE in a proportion of approximately 20% by weight or less, wherein the virgin grade PTFE preferably has a comonomer proportion of approximately 1% by weight or less, more preferably approximately 0.1% by weight or less.

18. A packing according to claim 17, wherein the virgin grade PTFE and optionally the high-performance polymer different from PTFE for producing the honeycomb body has, in the raw state, a mean particle size D.sub.50 of approximately 10 m to approximately 600 m, preferably approximately 250 m to approximately 450 m.

19. A packing according to claim 1, wherein the first plastics material contains non-metallic fillers, wherein the non-metallic fillers are selected in particular from PEEK, graphite, carbon, boron nitride and silicon carbide.

20. A packing according to claim 1, wherein the metallic and/or non-metallic fillers have a particle size D.sub.50 of approximately 100 m or less, and in that the non-metallic filler preferably is contained in a proportion of approximately 40% by weight or less in the first plastics material of the honeycomb body.

21. A packing according to claim 1, wherein the packing has a sealing element made from a second plastics material based on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer, wherein the sealing element preferably extends away from the honeycomb body, parallel to the first or second end face of the honeycomb body.

22. A packing according to claim 21, wherein the sealing element is connected to the honeycomb body with a substance-to-substance bond, in particular is formed integrally with the honeycomb body.

23. A column, in particular for use for material and possibly energy exchange, comprising a housing having at least one inlet, at least one outlet, and one packing or a plurality of packings according to claim 1 arranged between the inlet and outlet, said packing or packings preferably being arranged in a flow path for a fluid running from the inlet to the outlet, in succession if applicable.

24. A column according to claim 23, wherein the honeycomb body is formed in a number of parts in the form of two or more segments, which extend from the first to the second end face of the honeycomb body and have planar side walls and optionally side walls in the form of a circular arc, wherein the segments are arranged adjacent to each other in the housing by means of planar side walls.

25. A column according to claim 24, wherein the segments of the packing are arranged loosely in the housing.

26. A column according to claim 23, wherein the material exchanger comprises two or more packings, which are arranged in succession in the flow path, wherein a spacer having one or more base elements is arranged optionally between the packings.

27. A column according to claim 26, wherein the base element or base elements comprise a block-shaped honeycomb element having a first and a second end face, wherein the honeycomb element comprises a honeycomb structure which has a plurality of flow channels that are arranged substantially in parallel with one another and that are adjacent to each other by means of channel walls, wherein the honeycomb element is made from a first plastics material based on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer material, and wherein the base element or base elements is/are supported at the first and second end face on the corresponding end faces of the packings.

28. A column according to claim 23, wherein the flow channels of the honeycomb structure of the packings and optionally the flow channels of the honeycomb structure of the base elements are arranged in the housing in a manner oriented substantially parallel to the flow path.

29. A column according to claim 23, wherein the base or the bases is/are connected to a packing in a positively-locking or force-locking manner, or in that it/they is/are formed integrally with a packing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] These and further advantages of the invention will be explained in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings. Specifically, the drawings show:

[0077] FIG. 1: a first embodiment of a column according to the invention with packings according to the invention;

[0078] FIG. 2: a second embodiment of a column according to the invention with packings according to the invention;

[0079] FIG. 3: a first embodiment of a packing according to the invention;

[0080] FIG. 4: a further embodiment of a packing according to the invention;

[0081] FIG. 5: a detail of a column according to the invention with a packing according to the invention;

[0082] FIG. 6: a further detail of a column according to the invention with two packings according to the invention;

[0083] FIG. 7: a further embodiment of a packing according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0084] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a column 10 according to the invention with packings 50, 70 according to the invention in a vertical cross-section. The column can be used for material exchange and possibly energy exchange, for example for gas scrubbing. The column 10 comprises a housing 12 with two inlets 20, 22 and two outlets 30, 32, and also two packings 50, 70 that are arranged between the inlets 20, 22 and the outlets 30, 32 and that are arranged in a flow path running from the inlet 22 to the outlet 30. Depending on the use of the column 10, for example when a liquid medium is of interest, the flow path can also run from the inlet 20 to the outlet 32.

[0085] The inlet 20 arranged at the top based on the direction of the force of gravity, and/or the outlet 30, is arranged in a head region 40 of the column 10, whereas the inlet 22 arranged at the bottom based on the force of gravity, and/or the outlet 32, is arranged in a sump region 42 of the column 10.

[0086] The packings 50, 70 each comprise a honeycomb body 52, 72 having first and second end faces 54, 56, 74, 76 arranged substantially in parallel with one another. The honeycomb bodies 52, 72 further comprise a honeycomb structure with a plurality of flow channels that are arranged in parallel with one another and that are adjacent to each other by means of channel walls. The honeycomb structure is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3. The honeycomb bodies 52, 72 are made from a first plastics material based on a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer material. The packing 70, which is the lower packing based on the force of gravity, is arranged on a supporting edge or supporting grid 78 and is thus held in the column 10 in a stable manner. The supporting edge or the supporting grid here replace the supporting grate that is conventional in the prior art, such that the proportion of material susceptible to corrosion in the interior of the column is minimised. This is possible on account of the high inherent stability of the packing according to the invention with respect to mechanical loads.

[0087] A spacer 90 with (shown here) four base elements 92, 94, 96, 98 is arranged optionally between the packings 50, 70. An optimised flow of the fluid material mixture that is to be separated can thus be achieved without pressure losses between the packing 50, 70, and an alignment of the packings in respect of their flow channels in the flow path can be dispensed with.

[0088] The base elements 92, 94, 96, 98 preferably each comprise a honeycomb element with first and second end faces arranged substantially in parallel with one another. The honeycomb elements each comprise a honeycomb structure with a plurality of flow channels that are arranged in parallel with one another and that are adjacent to each other by means of channel walls. The honeycomb elements are made from a first plastics material based on PTFE polymer material.

[0089] The honeycomb bodies 52, 72 can also be placed in direct contact with one another in the column, without base elements 92, 94, 96, 98, wherein the flow resistance at the mutually opposed end faces of the packings 50, 70 is generally higher.

[0090] Due to the anti-adhesive surface and the high chemical resistance of the first plastics material of the packings based on a PTFE polymer material, the packings 50, 70 have a low susceptibility to contamination by solid particles and an increased service life.

[0091] In one possible operating mode, which for example can be used in gas scrubbing, a gaseous medium is introduced into the column 10 in the inlet 22 formed in the sump region 42 and flows along the flow path through the packings 50, 70, before it leaves the column 10 again through the outlet 30 in the head region 40 of the column 10.

[0092] At the same time, a liquid medium is conducted through the inlet 20 in the head region 40 of the column 10 and flows through the packings 50, 70 against the flow of the gaseous medium in the direction of the force of gravity and leaves the column 10 through the outlet 32 formed in the sump region 42 of the column 10.

[0093] In the region of the packings 50, 70, the mixing of the media can be optimised and particles of dirt and contaminations, in particular solid particles, contained in the gaseous medium can pass into the liquid medium and possibly dissolve therein. The gaseous medium thus leaves the column 10 at the outlet 30 in a purified form. With suitable selection of the liquid medium undesired gaseous components in the gaseous medium can also pass into said liquid medium and possibly dissolve therein.

[0094] Many other uses are also possible, for example including one in which contaminations pass from the liquid medium into the gaseous medium.

[0095] Both continuous operating modes, as described above, and also discontinuous operating modes are possible.

[0096] FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of a column 100 according to the invention in a vertical cross-section. The column 100 can be used for material exchange and possibly energy exchange, for example in columns for industrial purposes and fractionating columns, for separating components in fluid material mixtures.

[0097] The column 100 comprises a housing 102 with two inlets 120, 122 and two outlets 130, 132, a further inlet in the form of an inflow 134, and two packings 150, 170 that are arranged between inlets 120, 122 and outlets 130, 132 and that are arranged in a flow path running from the inlet 122 to the outlet 130.

[0098] The inlet 120 which is the upper inlet based on the direction of the force of gravity, and/or the outlet 130, is arranged in a head region 140 of the column 100, whereas the inlet 122 which is the lower inlet based on the direction of the force of gravity, and/or the outlet 132, is arranged in a sump region 142 of the column 100. The inflow 134 is arranged between the packings 150, 170.

[0099] The packings 150, 170 are each arranged on a supporting grate 151, 171 and each comprise a honeycomb body 152, 172 with first and second substantially parallel end faces 154, 156, 174, 176. The honeycomb bodies 152, 172 further comprise a plurality of flow channels that are arranged in parallel with one another and that are separated from one another by means of channel walls. The flow channels and channel walls are shown in detail in FIG. 3. The honeycomb bodies 152, 172 are made from a first plastics material based on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer material.

[0100] In a preferred operating mode the column 100 is operated continuously.

[0101] The use of the column 100 as a fractionating column will be described hereinafter by way of example. This example is not to be understood as limiting the use of the column 100 according to the invention.

[0102] In continuous operation a liquid material mixture that is to be separated is introduced into the column 100 by means of the inflow 134. The column 100 is preferably heated in order to bring about a thermal separation of higher-boiling and lower-boiling components of the material mixture (not shown). Some of the material mixture is vaporised and rises upwardly in the gaseous state against the force of gravity and accumulates in the head region 140. This portion of the material mixture can be removed in the gaseous state through the outlet 130.

[0103] The gaseous portion can contain a proportion of a higher-boiling component of the material mixture. For improved separation the proportion of the higher-boiling component of the liquid material mixture, once it has left the column 100 through the outlet 130 together with the lower-boiling proportion, can be liquefied by means of a condenser 136 and fed back to the head region 140 of the column 100 through the inlet 120.

[0104] This liquefied portion of the liquid material mixture then flows downwardly against the direction of the flow path and in the packings 150, 170 contacts the gaseous portion of the material mixture. Due to the geometry of the packing (explained in greater detail in conjunction with FIGS. 3 to 5) the liquid and gaseous proportions are mixed in an optimised manner, such that predominantly the lower-boiling component of the material mixture transitions into the gaseous state by means of material exchange.

[0105] In the sump region 142 of the column 100, the higher-boiling component of the material mixture accumulates and can be removed through the outlet 132. For improved separation of the components of the material mixture, the proportion removed through the outlet 132 is heated again by means of an evaporator 138, is brought into the gaseous state as necessary, and is fed back to the column 10 through the inlet 122 in the sump region 142.

[0106] The outlets 130, 132 in the head region 140 and sump region 142 respectively can be configured such that samples can be removed from the column 100 during running operation and purity tests can be performed.

[0107] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a packing 200 according to the invention, in particular for use in columns for the material and possibly energy exchange, in a perspective view. The packing 200 comprises a honeycomb body 202 with first and second substantially parallel end faces 210, 212. The honeycomb body 202 comprises a honeycomb structure with a plurality of flow channels 220 that are arranged in parallel with one another and that are adjacent to each other by means of channel walls 222. The honeycomb body 202 is made from a first plastics material based on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer material. In the present case the honeycomb body 202 is circular in a cross-section parallel to the end faces 210, 212, whereby, in contrast with angular cross-sections, flow inhomogeneities in corner regions are avoided.

[0108] The first plastics material has a high chemical resistance and corrosion resistance, and therefore the packing 200 has a long service life, even in the event of contact with corrosive or reactive material mixtures.

[0109] In the present case the flow channels 220 are formed parallel to the end faces 210, 212 in a hexagonal cross-section, and mutually opposed channel walls 222 arranged in parallel are formed at a spacing a of approximately 14 mm.

[0110] The flow channels have a free cross-sectional area. The channel walls 222 are manufactured in the present case with a thickness of approximately 1.1 mm, and the sum of the free cross-sectional areas of the flow channels lies in a range from approximately 89 to 92% of the area of an end face 210, 212 of the honeycomb body 202. On the one hand the packing 200 has a low flow resistance, and on the other hand good mixing of the components of the material mixture can be attained.

[0111] In the present case the channel walls 222 are formed with a height h of approximately 8 mm in a cross-section parallel to the end faces 210, 212 of the honeycomb body 202.

[0112] In the present case the honeycomb body 102 has a specific surface area of approximately 75 to 115 m.sup.2/m.sup.3 and a weight of approximately 400 to 420 kg/m.sup.3.

[0113] The density of the PTFE polymer material in the present case lies at approximately 2.16 g/cm.sup.3, whereby the first plastics material has a high permeation strength.

[0114] The surfaces of the channel walls 222 in the present case have a surface roughness R.sub.max of less than 250 m, whereby the susceptibility to contamination, which is already low anyway, is minimised even further. Thus, hardly any solid particles contained in the material mixture are able to settle on the channel walls 222.

[0115] In the present case the PTFE polymer material contains virgin grade PTFE in a proportion of approximately 80% by weight and a high-performance polymer different from PTFE in a proportion of approximately 20% by weight, and the virgin grade PTFE has a comonomer proportion of approximately 0.1% by weight. For example, perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether) (PPVE) is suitable as a high-performance polymer different from PTFE.

[0116] The virgin grade PTFE and the virgin grade, modified PTFE for production of the honeycomb body 202 are preferably used in the raw state in agglomerated form with a mean particle size D.sub.50 of approximately 250 to 650 m, particularly preferably of approximately 250 m to approximately 450 m.

[0117] Virgin grade PTFE and virgin grade, modified PTFE in non-agglomerated form with a particle size D.sub.50 of approximately 10 to approximately 200 m, preferably approximately 25 to approximately 100 m, can be used for the production of compounds that are then used for the production of the honeycomb body 202.

[0118] The first plastics material in the present case, in the case of a specimen having a film thickness of 1 mm, has a permeation rate relative to HCl of approximately 450 cm.sup.3/(m.sup.2.Math.d.Math.bar). Relative to SO.sub.2 and Cl.sub.2, the permeation rate over 24 h, measured for a film thickness of 1 mm, is approximately 190 cm.sup.3/(m.sup.2.Math.d.Math.bar) and approximately 180 cm.sup.3/(m.sup.2.Math.d.Math.bar) respectively. At such a low permeation rate the amount of gas that passes through the channel walls 222 and comes into contact with the housing of the column can be minimised, thus extending the service life of the housing.

[0119] The first plastics material preferably has a tear strength of approximately 20 N/mm.sup.2, measured in accordance with EN ISO 12086-2.

[0120] The first plastics material preferably has an elongation at break of approximately 200%, measured in accordance with EN ISO 12086-2.

[0121] With properties of this kind, the packing 200 can also withstand high mechanical loads, with only a small amount of wear. The packings can thus also be made more robust in respect of installation or high-pressure cleaning.

[0122] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of a packing according to the invention, in particular for use in columns for material and possibly energy exchange, in a perspective view. The packing 300 comprises a honeycomb body 302 with first and second substantially parallel end faces 310, 312. The honeycomb body 302 comprises a honeycomb structure having a plurality of flow channels 320 that are arranged in parallel with one another and that are adjacent to each other by means of channel walls 322. The honeycomb body 302 is made from a first plastics material based on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer material.

[0123] In the present case the honeycomb body 302 is circular in a cross-section parallel to the end faces 310, 312, whereby, in contrast with angular cross-sections, flow inhomogeneities in corner regions are avoided.

[0124] The flow channels 320 have a hexagonal cross-section, which results in a low flow resistance.

[0125] The honeycomb body 302 is formed with the same dimensions and resultant material properties and advantages as the honeycomb body 202 in FIG. 3.

[0126] The honeycomb body 302 is formed in a number of parts and in the present case comprises nine segments 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 344, 346, which extend from the first to the second end face 310, 312 of the honeycomb body 302 and have planar and partially cylindrical side walls (by way of example 348, 350, 352 in the case of segment 342).

[0127] Two planar side walls 350, 352, which meet one another in a corner region of a segment 342, are arranged at a right angle to one another. The right-angled orientation facilitates the production of the segments and arrangement thereof so as to form the honeycomb body 300 and makes this more economical than in the case of planar side walls that are arranged at angles to one another deviating from a right angle.

[0128] In the present case the first plastics material contains a filler in the form of a heat-conductive pigment. The heat-conductive pigment is contained in a proportion of approximately 3% by weight, based on the proportion by weight of the first plastics material.

[0129] The honeycomb body 302 in the present case has a thermal capacity of approximately 1.2 J/(g.Math.K) and a thermal conductivity of approximately 0.4 W//(m.Math.K). Any reaction heat produced during the material exchange can thus be dissipated by means of the packing 300, such that no areas of higher temperature form in the material mixture, and instead the heat is distributed uniformly over the entire packing 300.

[0130] FIG. 5 shows a detail of a further column 400 according to the invention with a packing 410 according to the invention, in a cross-section perpendicular to the end faces of the packing 410. In the detail, the packing 400 according to the invention is shown in the state installed in the column 400. The housing of the column, inlets and outlets, between which the packing 410 is arranged, are not shown here, but can be formed as in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, for example.

[0131] The packing 410 comprises a honeycomb body 412 with first and second end faces 420, 422 arranged in parallel with one another. The honeycomb body 412 comprises a honeycomb structure with flow channels that are arranged substantially in parallel with one another and that are adjacent to each other by means of channel walls and extend from the first end face 420 to the second end face 422. The honeycomb body 410 is made from a first plastics material based on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer material. The honeycomb structure is formed as explained in FIG. 3.

[0132] The first plastics material, in the present case, is similar to that described in conjunction with FIG. 3 and has the properties and advantages described there.

[0133] The packing is arranged on a supporting grate 430. A layer 440 formed from packing material is stacked loosely above the packing 410.

[0134] Whereas the flow resistance is low due to the packing 410 according to the invention and components of the fluid material mixture that is to be separated can mix well, an increased residence time is made possible by the packing material layer 440, for example formed from Raschig rings or Pall rings, and the time spent by the material mixture that is to be separated in the packings 410 according to the invention for material exchange is extended.

[0135] Columns as formed in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 can also be provided, wherein packing material 440 as shown in FIG. 5 is stacked loosely on each of the packings 50, 70, 150, 170 shown in FIGS. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0136] FIG. 6 shows a detail of a column 500 according to the invention with two packings 510, 520 according to the invention each having a honeycomb body 512, 522 with first and second end faces 514, 516, 524, 526 arranged in parallel, in a cross-section perpendicular to these end faces.

[0137] The honeycomb bodies 512, 522 each have a honeycomb structure with flow channels that are arranged in parallel with one another and that are adjacent to each other by means of channel walls and are made from a first plastics material based on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer material.

[0138] The honeycomb bodies 512, 522 are formed similarly to the honeycomb bodies shown in FIG. 3.

[0139] A spacer 530 comprising base elements 532, 543, 536, 538 is arranged between the honeycomb bodies 510, 520.

[0140] The base elements 532, 543, 536, 538 are engaged in recesses in the honeycomb bodies 510, 520, said recesses being provided in the shape of the base elements 532, 543, 536, 538, and are supported by means of their end faces on the honeycomb bodies. The structure of the packings 510, 520 of the column 500 is thus stabilised against shifting out of place. In addition, as a result of the base elements 532, 534, 536, 538, a low flow resistance can be achieved at the transition from one packing 510 into the other packing 520 and vice versa, and there is no need for an alignment process for the flow channels of packings arranged in succession.

[0141] The base elements 532, 534, 536, 538 each comprise a block-shaped honeycomb element having a first and a second end face, wherein the honeycomb elements of the base elements 532, 534, 536, 538 comprise a plurality of flow channels that are arranged substantially in parallel and that are adjacent to each other by means of channel walls. The honeycomb elements are made from a first plastics material based on PTFE polymer material.

[0142] The flow channels of the base elements 532, 543, 536, 538 and the packings 510, 520 are arranged substantially in parallel with the flow path in the column 500 and thus enable a minimal flow resistance.

[0143] FIG. 7 shows a view of a packing 600 according to the invention. The packing 600 comprises a honeycomb body 602 with first and second end faces 610, 612, and a honeycomb structure with a plurality of flow channels 620 that are arranged in parallel with one another and that are adjacent to each other by means of channel walls 622. The honeycomb body 602 is again made from a first plastics material based on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer material and is formed in a number of parts, with segments 630, 632, 634. The honeycomb body 602 is constructed similarly to the honeycomb body 300 shown in FIG. 4.

[0144] The packing 602 also comprises a sealing element 650, which is made from a second plastics material based on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer. The sealing element 650 is arranged parallel to the first end face 610, 612 and extends radially away from the honeycomb body 602. Due to the sealing element 650, the gap between the packing 600 and the wall of the housing of the column (not shown) is reduced or possibly fully closed, and therefore the corrosive material mixtures often flowing therein are kept away from the housing of the column.

[0145] The sealing element 650 thus reduces or prevents the flow between housing wall and packing and in particular is fluid-tight.

[0146] In the present case the sealing element 650 is connected to the honeycomb body 602 with a substance-to-substance bond, for example by welding, adhesion, etc. However, it can also be connected to the honeycomb body 602 in a force-locking manner.

[0147] The sealing element 650 stabilises the segments 650, 632, 634 of the honeycomb body 602 in the assembled state in the column, such that use of a clamping ring, as is standard in the case of conventional metallic packings, is not necessary.

[0148] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7, a sealing ring 650 can be arranged adjacently to both end faces 610, 612 of the honeycomb body 602.

[0149] In this multi-part embodiment of the honeycomb body with sealing element 650 as well, packing material can be arranged above the packing 600.

[0150] The one or more sealing elements 650 can also be formed in a number of parts as necessary.