Patent ID: 8778285

Claim:
A clamping system comprising: a first end plate; a second end plate; at least two tension rods extending between the first end plate and the second end plate, the at least two tension rods being located proximate each edge of each of the first end plate and the second end plate; at least one module disposed between the first end plate and the second end plate, the module comprising one or more flow module plates, one or more reactor plates, one or more heat exchanger plates or combinations thereof; a first grid of a plurality of first spring piles, each of the plurality of first spring piles being defined by a plurality of first disc springs, the first grid of the plurality of first spring piles being positioned between the first end plate and the second end plate, and the first grid of the plurality of first spring piles being positioned laterally inward from the at least two tension rods; and a second grid of a plurality of second spring piles, each of the plurality of second spring piles being defined by a plurality of second disc springs, the second grid of the plurality of second spring piles being positioned between the first end plate and the second end plate, and the second grid of the plurality of second spring piles being positioned laterally inward from the at least two tension rods; when in the clamping system is in the closed position, the tension rods distribute tension forces to the plurality of first spring piles and the plurality of second spring piles.