Open-frame random tower packing — geometry, published parameters, resin properties and applications.
← Back to Hacketten PackingHacketten packing — also sold as the Tri-Pack ball, Hacketten ring, environmental ball or scrubber ball — is a random tower packing moulded from corrosion-resistant plastic. The published trade name in the industry is Tri-Pack; the four standard moulded sizes are 1 in, 1-1/4 in, 2 in and 3-1/2 in, quoted here as Φ25 mm, Φ32 mm, Φ50 mm and Φ90 mm nominal diameters.
The packing is a hollow sphere-like body built from an open network of ribs, struts and drip rods. It presents a large active surface that stays wetted during column operation, while the open frame leaves a short gas path and no flat surfaces for solids to collect on. It has been the industry standard for random dump tower packing in scrubbing, absorption and stripping service, and the same geometry is used in water treatment as a biological carrier.
Values published for the four standard sizes are listed below. Parameters that depend on the mould, the resin grade or the duty — for example packing count per cubic metre, actual batch bulk density and packing height — are confirmed against each order rather than quoted from a general table.
The frame is a single injection moulding. An equatorial ring carries ladder-shaped vertical ribs running towards each pole, and internal struts brace the ribs across the interior; the result is an open lattice that can be seen through from any direction. There is no continuous flat plane and no minute opening, which is the source of the main operating advantages claimed for the design:
Some supplier literature describes the frame as having a reinforcing centre with twelve radial lobes per side; other moulds use different rib counts. The specific mould supplied with an order can be confirmed with photographs and samples before shipment.
| Nominal size | Surface area / ft²/ft³ | Packing factor / ft⁻¹ | Void space / % | Bulk density / lb/ft³ | Bulk density / kg/m³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Φ25 mm (1 in) | 85 | 28 | 90 | 6.2 | ≈99 |
| Φ32 mm (1-1/4 in) | 70 | 25 | 92 | 5.6 | ≈90 |
| Φ50 mm (2 in) | 48 | 16 | 93 | 4.2 | ≈67 |
| Φ90 mm (3-1/2 in) | 38 | 12 | 95 | 3.3 | ≈53 |
Surface area, packing factor, void space and bulk density are the figures published in industry vendor literature for this packing class. Bulk density is converted from lb/ft³ at 16.018 kg/m³ and rounded. The metric equivalents of surface area and packing factor are quoted differently between suppliers, so they are stated here in the published units only. Void space and packing count vary noticeably between suppliers and moulds; where a figure is not confirmed for the production batch, we state it on request instead of quoting a nominal value.
The bed weight of a packed column follows directly from the bulk density: the finer the size, the heavier the bed. At Φ25 mm the bed weighs about 99 kg/m³, while at Φ90 mm it is about 53 kg/m³ — a difference of roughly 45 kg per cubic metre of packing. Column internals, packing support and vessel design should be checked against the bulk density of the size finally selected.
Pieces per cubic metre is published inconsistently by different suppliers for the same nominal size; confirm it per order. Container loading of 20–24 m³ (20 GP), 40 m³ (40 GP) and 48 m³ (40 HQ) in ton bags, or 25 m³ / 54 m³ / 68 m³ in plastic bags, is quoted by vendors of this packing class and is a reference only — we confirm actual loading with the packing list.
The standard resin is polypropylene (PP). Reinforced polypropylene (RPP), polyethylene (PE), PVC, CPVC and PVDF are used where the medium or the temperature demands them.
| Resin | Density / g/cm³ | Max. service temperature / ℃ | Chemical resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 0.94 – 0.96 | ≤90 | Good |
| PP | 0.89 – 0.91 | ≤100 | Good |
| RPP | 0.93 – 0.94 | ≤120 | Good |
| PVC | 1.32 – 1.44 | ≤60 | Good |
| CPVC | 1.50 – 1.54 | ≤90 | Good |
| PVDF | 1.75 – 1.78 | ≤150 | Good |
Density and temperature limits are the resin properties published by vendors of this packing class; they describe the material, not a guarantee for a specific aggressive medium. Tell us the composition, concentration and temperature of the gas or liquid stream and we will confirm the resin grade and, where needed, supply a sample for testing.
Published performance claims for this packing class, in the vendors' own terms, are:
These are design-intent statements published by vendors of the packing class, not measured results for a particular column. Removal efficiency and pressure drop depend on the column diameter, packing height, liquid distributor, gas and liquid loading and the medium itself. We do not publish efficiency or removal figures for this product — the correct approach is a design check against your duty, which we carry out on request.
Random tower packing of this class is used mainly for gas–liquid contact in packed columns, and as a carrier in biological water treatment:
To quote accurately we need the following, and price is always confirmed on request rather than published:
Send these details through the contact page and we will reply with the confirmed size, material, packing parameters we can guarantee for the batch, and the commercial terms.
| MOQ | On request — confirm quantity in m³ |
| Price | On request — no list price is published for this product |
| Packaging | Ton bag or plastic bag; other export packaging on request |
| Lead time | On request — confirmed against quantity and stock at the time of order |
Compiled from public vendor technical literature for the Tri-Pack / Hacketten packing class (published size tables, resin property tables and product descriptions). Parameters are indicative of the class and are confirmed per order; where a value could not be verified it is stated as on request.