Liquid extraction packed towers support plates

[25362]

Would the experts tell me what is the recognized practice for the design loads on supports of random packing having a bulk density of 600 kg/m³ in a vertical lube extraction tower with six beds. The tower would be 20 m high, 3 m in diameter, filled with a liquid having a density of around 1000 kg/m³. It is also suspected that over the years, coke may be forming and depositing on the trays and the packing.

 

[25362]

On a conventional trayed distillation tower the I support beams are designed to stand, without deflection a distributed load equal to the weight of the tray plus up to 5 in water (at the downcomner section plus 1 ft water).

Since in a liquid-liquid extraction packed tower the beds can become plugged with coke, I assume the total head of the liquid plus the packing plus the perforated support plate should be taken into consideration in the design of the support beams. Am I right ? Is that the common practice ? Thanks for any advice.