Plural conduit replaceable outer support structure for radial flow system

Abstract

Replaceable outer support structurefor a particulate material bedin a radial flow system comprises a plurality of hollow conduits, at least some of which have a generally trapezoidal cross-section. The conduits are arranged in a ring around the inside wall surfaceof the vesseland have flat or slightly concave inner wall surfacesformed of segments of vertically extending screen members which have slots or openingswhich provide uniform flow through the uniform thickness particulate bed which they help define The side wallsof the conduits extend generally radially outwardly to engage the inner surfaceof the outside wallof the vessel and at least those of them which have a trapezoidal cross-section have their side walls formed at an included angle α which is less than if they extended radially relative to the axis of the vessel. An embodiment having alternating generally trapezoidaland generally rectangular cross-sectionsfor the conduit members maximizes the total internal flow area of the ring of conduits as compared to an embodiment in which all of the conduit members have a trapezoidal shape, while still allowing the inward movement of individual conduit members during installation or replacement operations.