Plastic Tower Packing: Performance Characteristics and Applications
Plastic tower packing is a widely used random or structured filling material in chemical separation processes, primarily manufactured from polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Its advantages include low density (PP density approx. 0.90–0.92 g/cm³), high corrosion resistance (suitable for most acids, alkalis, and organic solvents), and significantly lower manufacturing cost compared to metal or ceramic packing. The operating temperature of plastic packing generally does not exceed 100°C (PP) to 150°C (PVDF), and it is suitable for atmospheric and low-pressure conditions. Typical plastic tower packings include Pall rings, cascade rings, Intalox saddles, and snowflake rings. For a Φ25 mm Pall ring made of PP, the specific surface area is approximately 200–220 m²/m³, void fraction reaches 90%–92%, and bulk density is about 75–85 kg/m³. Due to structural optimization, cascade rings exhibit 20%–30% lower pressure drop and 10%–15...