Porous structure of fluid contact

Abstract

A porous structure consisting of one or more packings each consisting of honeycomb blocks arranged in a first direction in the plane of the packing perpendicular to the nominal direction of fluid flow through the structure. Each block includes partition walls which define channels inclined to the nominal direction and provided in parallel rows arranged in the first direction. The walls include intersections by which the channels of each row are spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The walls define a pair of voids between the adjacent channels of each row, at least one of the voids constituting part of the channels of the adjacent rows. Perforations are formed through the walls in a direction intersecting the rows of channels, for fluid communications between the adjacent channels of each row and adjacent rows. The honeycomb blocks are connected to each other such that directions of inclination of the channels of the adjacent blocks are reversed to each other. A complex channel is formed between the adjacent blocks, by outer openings defined outwardly of each block by the voids associated with the outermost row of channels of each block.