02 / TOWER PACKING · RANDOM PACKING
Metal Random Packing
High-strength metal random packing for gas–liquid contact in absorption, stripping and distillation columns — a full range of geometries, sizes and alloys.
Metal random packing
Metal random packing provides high mechanical strength and the lowest pressure drop among the packing families, making it the standard choice for high-temperature, high-pressure and deep-bed columns. PCX supplies the full range of metal geometries in stainless steel, carbon steel and special alloys, sourced from qualified international partners and supplied to your column specification across Thailand. Metal random packing (โลหะ) เหมาะกับหอที่อุณหภูมิ/ความดันสูงและเบดลึก แข็งแรงและความดันตกคร่อมต่ำ.
Industry-standard open-cylinder random packing
Metal Pall Ring
High-strength, industry-standard random packing developed from the plain Raschig ring. Two rows of punched windows with inward-folded fingers give greater capacity and lower pressure drop, with uniform gas/liquid distribution and robust strength for deep beds and high-temperature service.
- Stainless steel — 304 / 316 / 316L
- Carbon steel
- Aluminum · titanium · bronze
- Special alloys including Hastelloy
Applications: absorption, aeration, degassing, desorption, distillation and stripping; H₂S / NH₃ / SO₂ absorption and stripping, steam stripping, quench towers, direct-contact cooling
Sizes & specifications
| Size | Dimensions (mm) | Surface area (m²/m³) | Void (%) | Pieces / m³ | Bulk density (kg/m³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8″ | Ø10 × H10 × 0.3 | 482 | 92.7 | 768,000 | 527 |
| 5/8″ | Ø16 × H16 × 0.3 | 338 | 93.1 | 214,000 | 379 |
| 1″ | Ø25 × H25 × 0.3 | 218 | 94.8 | 52,000 | 223 |
| 1.5″ | Ø38 × H38 × 0.4 | 141 | 96.1 | 15,200 | 203 |
| 2″ | Ø50 × H50 × 0.5 | 107 | 95.9 | 6,500 | 199 |
| 3″ | Ø76 × H76 × 0.6 | 74 | 97.0 | 1,830 | 150 |
| 3.5″ | Ø89 × H89 × 0.7 | 65 | 98.0 | 1,200 | 161 |
Wall thickness and alloy to order.
Higher-performance evolution of the standard Pall ring
Metal Improved Pall Ring
A higher-performing evolution of the standard Pall ring. Additional internal twists and bends add interior surface — roughly 25–30% more mass-transfer points per m³ and over 10% higher capacity than a standard Pall ring, with lower pressure drop and liquid distribution that eliminates wall channeling.
- Wide range of metals and alloys — grade to order
Applications: gas dehydration, demethanizing, tall-oil fractionating, CO₂ removal, high-vacuum distillation, vacuum crude stills, H₂S contacting, liquid/liquid contacting
Sizes & specifications
| Size | Dimensions (mm) | Surface area (m²/m³) | Void (%) | Pieces / m³ | Bulk density (kg/m³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 30 mm | 172 | 97 | 29,900 | 202 |
| #1.5 | 45 mm | 122 | 97 | 9,390 | 176 |
| #2 | 60 mm | 85 | 98 | 3,670 | 166 |
| #3 | 90 mm | 56 | 98 | 1,070 | 176 |
Classic fixed-geometry ring packing
Metal Raschig Ring
The original random-packing geometry — a plain cylinder of equal height and diameter. One of the largest surface areas among tower packings, handling heavy loading, process upsets and temperature shocks with exceptional stability. Simple, robust construction with no internal features.
- Wide range of metals and alloys — grade to order
Applications: petrochemical distillation and extraction, absorption in gas processing and combustion plants, desorption in water treatment
Sizes & specifications
| Size | Dimensions (mm) | Surface area (m²/m³) | Void (%) | Pieces / m³ | Bulk density (kg/m³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8″ | Ø10 × H10 × 0.3 | 482 | 92.7 | 768,000 | 527 |
| 5/8″ | Ø16 × H16 × 0.3 | 338 | 93.1 | 214,000 | 379 |
| 1″ | Ø25 × H25 × 0.3 | 218 | 94.8 | 52,000 | 223 |
| 1.5″ | Ø38 × H38 × 0.4 | 141 | 96.1 | 15,200 | 203 |
| 2″ | Ø50 × H50 × 0.5 | 107 | 95.9 | 6,500 | 199 |
| 3″ | Ø76 × H76 × 0.6 | 74 | 97.0 | 1,830 | 150 |
| 3.5″ | Ø89 × H89 × 0.7 | 65 | 98.0 | 1,200 | 161 |
Saddle-and-ring hybrid for low pressure drop
Metal Intalox Saddle
A saddle-and-ring hybrid combining the advantages of both geometries. Delivers roughly 30% lower pressure drop than Pall rings while keeping high efficiency and low liquid hold-up, allowing shorter beds. Monolithic construction resists end deformation; effective at both deep vacuum and high pressure.
- Carbon steel
- Stainless steel — 304 / 316 / 316L
- Copper · aluminum · bronze
- Hastelloy · titanium · zirconium
Applications: distillation and absorption; deep-vacuum towers where low pressure drop is critical, and high-pressure towers where capacity exceeds conventional trays
Sizes & specifications
| Size | Surface area (m²/m³) | Void (%) | Pieces / m³ | Packing factor (m⁻¹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #15 | 291.3 | 95.6 | 347,500 | 51 |
| #25 | 225.8 | 96.6 | 135,000 | 41 |
| #40 | 150.8 | 97.7 | 50,000 | 24 |
| #50 | 100.0 | 98.0 | 15,000 | 18 |
| #70 | 60.0 | 98.5 | 4,625 | 12 |
Low aspect-ratio high-capacity ring (CMR)
Metal Cascade Mini Ring
A low aspect-ratio ring (H/D ≈ 1/2–1/3) that raises capacity and cuts pressure drop versus standard rings. Preferential vertical orientation keeps the gas path open; highly exposed surfaces create efficient contact at many drip points. More fouling-resistant than taller rings and strong for deep, high-capacity beds.
- Stainless steel
- Carbon steel
- Titanium · zirconium
- Special alloys
Applications: desulfurization and decarburization in ammonia plants, decompression in crude-oil separation, methanol and organic-acid separation, absorption/desorption towers
Sizes & specifications
| Size | Dimensions (mm) | Surface area (m²/m³) | Void (%) | Pieces / m³ | Bulk density (kg/m³) | Packing factor (m⁻¹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0P | Ø17 × Ø17 × H6 × 0.3 | 427 | 94 | 530,000 | 472 | 55 |
| 1P | Ø25 × Ø22 × H8 × 0.3 | 230 | 96 | 150,000 | 270 | 40 |
| 1.5P | Ø34 × Ø29 × H11 × 0.3 | 198 | 97 | 60,910 | 201 | 29 |
| 2P | Ø43 × Ø38 × H14 × 0.4 | 164 | 97 | 33,170 | 230 | 22 |
| 2.5P | Ø51 × Ø44 × H17 × 0.4 | 127 | 97 | 17,900 | 186 | 17 |
| 3P | Ø66 × Ø57 × H21 × 0.4 | 105 | 98 | 8,800 | 139 | 14 |
| 4P | Ø86 × Ø76 × H29 × 0.4 | 90 | 98 | 4,200 | 143 | 10 |
| 5P | Ø131 × Ø118 × H41 × 0.6 | 65 | 98 | 1,480 | 136 | 7 |
High-porosity symmetric ring packing
Metal VSP Ring
A high-porosity, symmetric ring with continuous, evenly distributed surface. Versus a standard Pall ring, gas flux can rise 15–30% and pressure drop fall 20–30%. The open, non-nesting structure promotes droplet formation and uniform distribution at very low pressure drop — well suited to vacuum and low-pressure service.
- Carbon steel
- SS304 / SS316 / SS304L / SS316L
- Brass · aluminium
Applications: high-efficiency, low-pressure-drop gas–liquid contacting across a wide operating range
Sizes & specifications
| Size | Dimensions (mm) | Surface area (m²/m³) | Void (%) | Pieces / m³ | Bulk density (kg/m³) | Packing factor (m⁻¹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dg25 | 25 × 25 × 0.6 | 250 | 93 | 59,200 | 420 | 310 |
| Dg38 | 38 × 38 × 0.6 | 138 | 94.7 | 14,000 | 296 | 163 |
| Dg50 | 50 × 50 × 0.8 | 121 | 95 | 7,000 | 350 | 144 |
| Dg76 | 76 × 76 × 1.0 | 75 | 95 | 1,950 | 280 | 86 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which metal random packing should I choose?
The metal Pall ring is the versatile default. For higher capacity and lower pressure drop, the improved Pall ring, Cascade Mini Ring and VSP ring outperform it. The Intalox saddle gives the lowest pressure drop and allows shorter beds, while the plain Raschig ring is chosen for simplicity and stability under severe loading and temperature shocks. Send us your service and we will recommend a type and size.
What metals and alloys are available?
Stainless steel 304 / 316 / 316L, carbon steel, aluminum, titanium, bronze, copper, brass, Hastelloy, zirconium and other special alloys — selected to suit the process chemistry, temperature and budget.
What do packing factor and void fraction mean?
Void fraction is the open volume of the packed bed (a higher value means more room for gas–liquid flow). Packing factor measures resistance to that flow — a lower value means lower pressure drop and higher capacity. Both are used in column sizing and flooding calculations, and are listed in the tables above where the manufacturer publishes them.
Metal, plastic or ceramic random packing — what is the difference?
Metal packing offers the highest strength and lowest pressure drop for high-temperature and deep-bed service. Plastic packing resists corrosion at low weight and cost but is limited to roughly 120–160 °C. Ceramic packing is inert and handles hot gas and strong acids (except HF). We supply all three families of random packing.
Do you supply metal random packing in Thailand, and how do I get a quotation?
Yes. PCX supplies metal random packing across Thailand, sourced from qualified international partners and supplied to your specification. Send us the service, geometry, size, alloy and volume — or your column data for sizing help — and we will return a quotation.
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Send us your requirements — we'll source and supply to your spec.
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