Patent ID: 7390408

Claim:
In a fluid processing system in which a fluid is caused to flow from a distributor, through a resin bed, to a collector, the improvement which comprises: providing said resin bed as a column having a diameter which is dimensionally larger than a height thereof; and providing said distributor as a fractal structure, said fractal structure including a plurality of individual conduits, said distributor being positioned elevationally above said resin bed, said distributor and said resin bed defining a void therebetween for facilitating bed backwash or continuous fluidized bed operation; providing said collector in a form of a second fractal structure, said second fractal structure including a plurality of individual conduits, said collector being positioned elevationally below said resin bed, said second fractal structure being placed in a mirror image position relative to said fractal structure of said distributor for collecting fluid exiting said resin bed.