Chemical Porcelain Saddles
Traditional ceramic packing for thermal and chemical applications
Lantec saddles provide the baseline ceramic random packing for RTOs, acid gas scrubbers, dryer towers, and thermal process applications. Chemical porcelain construction meets all ASTM standards with low purchase cost, proven thermal stress resistance, and the random packing geometry familiar to tower designers worldwide.
Chemical Porcelain Construction
Lantec saddles are manufactured from chemical porcelain — a vitrified ceramic with less than 0.5% water absorption, acid resistance exceeding 96% by weight retention under ASTM C279, and thermal stability to 1,250–1,300°C firing temperature. The resulting material withstands thermal cycling in RTO service and aggressive chemical environments in scrubber applications.
Multiple Sizes for Design Flexibility
Available in sizes from ½" to 3" nominal dimension, Lantec saddles cover the full range of tower diameters and application requirements. Larger sizes provide lower pressure drop per unit bed depth; smaller sizes provide higher surface area per cubic foot. Size selection follows standard tower design practice based on column diameter and hydraulic loading.
Where Saddles Fit
Saddles remain appropriate for applications where their traditional geometry is specified, where cost is the primary consideration, or where the application characteristics don't demand structured media performance. For RTO applications seeking reduced bed depth, lower pressure drop, or capacity expansion, see MLM or LanteComb.
Key Benefits
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Low purchase cost — Commodity ceramic pricing for budget-sensitive applications
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Lower pressure drop vs. Raschig rings — Saddle geometry provides better hydraulic performance than cylindrical shapes
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High thermal stress resistance — Passes DIN 51068 thermal cycling test
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All ASTM standards met — C515 Chemical Porcelain, C373 Water Absorption, C279 Acid Resistance
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Multiple sizes available — ½" through 3" nominal for full range of tower applications
Performance Data & Literature
Case Studies
Technical Specifications
Applications
- Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers
- Acid Gas Scrubbers
- Dryer Towers
- Tail Gas Scrubbers
- Impasse Towers
Standards Compliance
| Standard | Requirement | Result |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM C515 | Chemical Porcelain | Pass |
| ASTM C373 | Water Absorption | < 0.5% |
| ASTM C279 | Acid Resistance (wt. loss) | < 4% |
| DIN 51068 | Thermal Cycling Breakage | Pass |
Chemical Composition
| Component | % by Weight |
|---|---|
| SiO₂ | 70 |
| Al₂O₃ | 23 |
| Fe₂O₃ | < 1 |
| CaO | 1–2 |
| K₂O + Na₂O | 2–4 |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Specific Gravity | 2.25–2.35 |
| Water Absorption (ASTM C373) | < 0.5% |
| Acid Resistance Wt. Loss (ASTM C279) | < 4% |
| Firing Temperature | 1,250–1,300°C |
| Softening Point | > 1,400°C |
| Density | 145 lb/ft³ |
Saddle Geometric Properties
| Nominal Size | Weight (lb/ft³) | Surface Area (ft²/ft³) | Void Fraction (%) | Packing Factor (1/ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½" | 46 | 190 | 68 | 200 |
| ¾" | 45 | 102 | 69 | 130 |
| 1" | 43 | 77 | 70 | 85 |
| 1½" | 40 | 50 | 73 | 50 |
| 2" | 37 | 35 | 74 | 37 |
| 3" | 36 | 28 | 75 | 24 |
Cerapac Geometric Properties (Alternative)
| Nominal Size | Weight (lb/ft³) | Surface Area (ft²/ft³) | Void Fraction (%) | Packing Factor (1/ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1½" | 41 | 49 | 73 | 40 |
| 2" | 39.5 | 33 | 77 | 30 |
| 3" | 37.5 | 19.5 | 79 | 18 |