How Does the Mechanical Vibration Affect Structured Packing Performance?

structured packing, a critical tower internal in chemical separation processes, relies on precise geometric structures to achieve high mass transfer efficiency. However, mechanical vibration—often stemming from pumps, compressors, or tower resonance—can significantly degrade its performance. Vibration causes structural deformation, with repeated stress leading to fatigue cracks in metal packings, weakening their mechanical integrity. Surface wear further reduces the packing’s specific surface area, lowering mass transfer rates by disrupting the gas-liquid contact. Additionally, vibration induces flow maldistribution, creating dead zones or channeling that increases the height of transfer units (HTU). These combined effects result in reduced separation efficiency, higher energy consumption, and potential operational failures. Understanding vibration’s mechanisms is key to designing robust packing systems and ensuring stable, efficient chemical production.