Home > Industry > Markets > Chemical industry > Distillation and purification

Destillation und Purifikation mit strukturierten Packungen von GKD

Efficient separation processes are a key element of the chemical industry. Whether distillation, rectification, or absorption: choosing the right column internals determines product quality, energy consumption, and operating costs.

GKD wire mesh used in structured packings provides a high mass‑transfer surface while maintaining low pressure drop. The result is sharper separations, shorter columns, and increased economic efficiency.

Talk to an expert now

Challenges in practice

In chemical processes, liquids and gases often need to be separated from each other with the highest precision. Classical random packings reach their limits here: they generate higher pressure drops, uneven liquid distribution, and lower separation efficiency.

Especially in vacuum distillation or in systems with low liquid loads, efficiency is crucial. What is needed are packings that combine high capillary action, stable geometry, and resistance to corrosive media.

Solutions from GKD

GKD offers wire mesh for the manufacture of packings designed to meet the most demanding requirements. These are based on stainless steel mesh, typically in a 5-warp atlas weave (TELA mesh), which, thanks to its geometry, ensures large mass transfer areas and uniform fluid distribution.
In addition to traditional stainless steel mesh, GKD also offers hybrid mesh: combinations of stainless steel and glass fibers.

These hybrid solutions combine the strength and electrical conductivity of metal with the greatly increased surface area of glass fiber, offering significant cost advantages, particularly for large batch sizes. They are particularly well-suited for high-vacuum processes or applications involving high thermal loads. All fabrics are available in various alloys and can be supplied as rolls or semi-finished products for the manufacture of gaskets.

Technical Specifications

Materials: 316L stainless steel, Hastelloy, titanium or hybrid fabric, stainless steel + fiberglass
Fabric types: 5-warp satin weave, wire mesh with high capillary action
Pore sizes: finely tuned for maximum mass transfer with minimal pressure drop
Formats: rolls, fabric strips, semi-finished products
Surfaces: optionally cleaned, heat-treated, or perforated for special applications

Benefits for operators

High separation efficiency: optimal mass transfer area, uniform fluid distribution
Energy efficiency: low pressure drop, reduced energy consumption
Durability: corrosion-resistant, temperature-stable, long-lasting
Flexibility: customizable, stainless steel or hybrid versions

Typical Applications