Fill packs for use in heat and mass transfer devices
First Claim
1. A fill pack for use in a cooling tower, comprising:
- a plurality of substantially planar plates each having a pair of sides and a plurality of interconnected ribs.
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Abstract
The present invention involves a fill consisting of a plurality of plates that are preassembled into fill packs for application as fill media in cooling towers. A unique spacing and fastening system is employed to assemble individual plates into fill packs. The spacing system of the current invention utilizes a tube or rod which traverses apertures in the plates of the fill pack. The tube or rod is flattened or expanded in the area between the fill plates, thus locking the fill plates in place. The spacing system of the current invention provides substantially complete adjustability of the pitch of the fill plates. Alternatively, plate spacing can be effected by employing integral protrusions which bond to adjacent plates. The plates are designed to deploy a large amount of surface area in a compact volume and to allow free flow of fluids through the media. The plates utilize a ribbed structure which creates a relatively high strength-to-weight ratio for the individual plates. The plate ribs slightly increase air flow turbulence and therefore heat transfer, while not adversely affecting flow velocity of the liquid to be cooled. Since flow velocity of the liquid to be cooled remains high, the plates of the current invention are low fouling. The plates can be employed in other applications such as trickle filters in wastewater plants or as catalyst carriers in chemical processes. In one exemplary embodiment, plates are made of ceramic material.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A fill pack for use in a cooling tower, comprising:
a plurality of substantially planar plates each having a pair of sides and a plurality of interconnected ribs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A plate adapted for use in a heat and mass transfer process, said plate comprising:
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a plurality of ribs, at least one of said ribs defining an aperture; and
a plurality of ligaments having a pair of sides, said ligaments spanning opposing ones of said plurality of ribs, said ribs being thicker than said ligaments. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A fill pack for use in a cooling tower, comprising:
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a plurality of plates, each of said plates having an aperture; and
a fixing device, said fixing device traversing a plurality of said apertures, said fixing device having engagement portions contacting said plates in said apertures, whereby said engagement portions maintain said plates in spaced apart relationship. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of forming a fill pack for use in a cooling tower, comprising:
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placing a plurality of plates in a jig, each of said plates having an aperture;
traversing said apertures with a fixing device; and
deforming the portions of said fixing device occupying the space between said plates.
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26. A method of placing a plurality of fill packs in a cooling tower, comprising:
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providing a plurality of fill packs, each of said fill packs being formed from a plurality of plates having a pair of periodically recessed edges; and
placing a first of said fill packs on a second of said fill packs such that there are fewer points of contact between the fill packs than would occur if the fill plates had non-recessed edges. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A fill pack for use in a cooling tower, comprising:
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a plurality of stoneware plates; and
a connecting structure for connecting said plates and forming a fill pack.
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Specification