nitMesh Hyperfil and Multifil Column Packings provide a high efficiency, cost effective solution to many distillation problems. Since their first introduction, over 40 years ago, knitted mesh distillation packings have become generally accepted as the most efficient packing for distillation columns.

In terms of efficiency, Hyperfil and Multifil are comparable with other high performance structured packings at a fraction of the cost. They are also particularly efficient at low boil-up rates and when a high turn-down ratio is essential; the critical characteristic of the packing being its high specific surface area which, in conjunction with the capillary effect between wires, causes a very thin, well distributed liquid film to develop. Weeping cannot occur.

Mechanical engineering is kept to a minimum with no requirement for weirs or downcomers, with their associated problems of back-mixing and entrainment.

Wall flow does not occur so the vexed question of design and location of wall-wipers does not arise.

Both Hyperfil and Multifil are made in packed sections of 100mm depth and are tailored to give a snug fit against the tower wall. Specific features include:

 High specific surface area for maximum efficiency.
 High free volume for minimum pressure drop.
 Low cost compared to 'conventional' structured packings.
 Ease of handling and installation - site supervision of installation is available.

Additional Equipment
As with any packed column, liquid distribution is critical and KnitMesh can both advise on appropriate distributor designs and, if necessary, supply the distributors themselves. KnitMesh also supply associated equipment such as:

Demisters to reduce entrainment from reboiler or in overhead stream to condenser.
Packing support grids.

Site Supervision
Service does not stop at the factory gates. If necessary, KnitMesh can offer site supervision of installation.


Materials
KnitMesh Column Packings are available in a wide variety of materials including:

 Stainless steel  Copper  Monel
 Hastelloy  Incoloy  Titanium


Typical Applications
Typical applications include:
Vacuum distillation of temperature sensitive products in industries such as:

 Foods    Flavours    Fragrances     Pharmaceuticals

Multi-purpose batch distillations, lab-scale and pilot scale columns
and copper packings in liquor distilleries


Performance Data
Click to view larger image
Click image to view larger version
The above results, obtained at total reflux, illustrate the flexibility of Hyperfil, the high capacity at 3" H.E.T.P. and the particular advantage of working at low boil-up rate.

Click to view larger image
Click image to view larger version
Figure 2 illustrates the effect of vacuum operation on the performance of Hyperfil. The low H.E.T.P. is maintained, although in common with all distillation towers the capacity decreases with reduction in operating pressure.