By Russell Hillenburg, President / CEO, Woven Metal Products
When it comes to process internals, particularly for the refining and chemical sectors, respecting intellectual property (IP) is more than just a legal obligation — it’s a cornerstone of innovation and fair competition.
At Woven Metal Products (WMP), we hold IP in the highest regard. We have designed our own patented products to improve customers’ processes. However, not all process internals are protected by patents.
If customers are unsure about a patent — ours or others — we can provide expert guidance with our familiarity with the industry and the specific plant involved. Based on information such as the original manufacturer, installation year, and product description, we can determine whether the product is still considered IP.
With nearly 60 years of experience fabricating process internals, our team has deep industry knowledge to help our customers understand their options for replacement-in-kind or upgraded internals.
Our Role as a Solutions Provider
At WMP, we are more than just a fabricator, we are a solutions provider.
Once we determine that we can offer replacement internals, our team works closely with clients to assess whether replacement-in-kind is sufficient or if there are opportunities for improvements.
With our in-house engineering capabilities and full-service fabrication facility, we can fabricate replacement internals, and in some cases, recommend upgrades that can improve system performance.
Even when customers don’t have drawings or plans of the internals they need to replace, WMP can help. In many cases, we have a plant’s existing drawings saved and on file, saving time and money. However, we can also reverse-engineer components or create new designs from scratch when no drawings exist.
As an example, a client recently sent us damaged trays that needed to be replicated. In just over a week, WMP successfully reverse-engineered the trays, provided detailed drawings (which the customer did not previously have), and delivered the remade trays to the client. It’s this efficiency and expertise that set us apart from other suppliers.
Original Damaged Tray
New Trays, delivered with drawings for future use
Our Own IP
Over the years of seeing our customers’ pain points firsthand, we’ve developed several proprietary products to address common challenges in reactor and tower internals. These patented products help improve efficiency and enhance durability in demanding environments. Whether it’s our scallop support distributor for radial reactors or tray deck repair washer for trayed towers, we assess each job and situation to recommend the most suitable technology.
We also work closely with licensors to design new technology to benefit their customers, including our Outlet Support Grid (OSG) for axial reactors developed with Topose and a scallop/center pipe optimization system for radial reactors co-created with Axens. We value these long-term relationships with industry leaders and look forward to innovating more in the future.
Why Choose WMP?
Working with our team brings several advantages, including faster lead times, lower costs, a large in-stock material inventory, and access to a full-service fabrication facility. As a privately held company, we are nimble and respond quickly to customer needs, operating 24/7, 365 days a year when needed to meet tight deadlines.
We’re all about solutions that offer optimal performance and value, backed by our decades of experience and commitment to innovation.
Let us help you navigate the complexities of patented process internals. Contact us at https://wovenmetal.com/contact/ to get started.