FAQ

What is FRI?

Fractionation Research, Inc. is an organization that researches the mass transfer and hydraulics of distillation or fractionation. Popular modern devices researched include sieve trays, valve trays, random packings and structured packings. Other separation devices such as dualflow trays, bubble cap trays, baffle trays and proprietary devices have been tested as well.

FRI is incorporated as a nonprofit business league, or membership association, for organizations and individuals having a common business interest in promoting the distillation using industry by conducting useful R&D on methods and equipment. Any corporation, partnership, or individual which/who owns or operates distillation units or is engaged in the business of designing or fabricating such units may become a member by meeting equitable requirements - for example, by contributing its equitable share of the cost of the program.

Each member's fee or contribution is based on its membership category and its annual revenues and/or distillation capacity. For the petroleum category, the contribution is based on the member's distillation capacity and annual chemical revenues. For the chemical category, it is based on its chemical revenues. For the engineering contractor or fabricator, it is based on its annual revenues.

Each member receives the same information developed by FRI Further, each member is entitled to one vote. Each invention, and any and all patent applications and patents, made by FRI or its employees in the conduct of FRI business, are dedicated to the public.

What are the Benefits of Becoming a Member of FRI?

FRI has operated commercial scale research programs since 1954 using many devices in hydrocarbon test systems. Considerable experimental data has been gathered on two test columns which can operate from very low pressures to very high pressures. These data are the core of FRI technology.

The data are then presented in technical reports and the FRI database and then formulated into correlations which can be used to determine the mass transfer and hydraulic performance of distillation columns. Correlations are available for most major devices for flooding and efficiency. There are also specialized correlations for effects such as sieve tray weeping and sieve tray entrainment. Correlations are published in the FRI Fractionation Tray Design Handbooks.

Computerized rating programs have been developed to make use of the correlations. FRI has additional supporting materials available including documentary videos.

All FRI information is available through the Web site.

How Do I Become a Member of FRI?

Contact FRI's President, Dr. Arthur (Pete) Parker at the FRI Executive Office to inquire about the process of becoming a Member Company of FRI

The company must disclose to FRI the type of business it is in and its relevant annual revenues and/or capacities so that the membership fee can be calculated, and sign a standard membership agreement.

In addition to the issues of equitable cost, patents, voting rights, etc. presented above, the standard membership agreement includes the following:

The member agrees to pay contributions over the course of the agreement by certain scheduled annual dates.

FRI technology (design manuals, computer programs, databases, etc.) is confidential and cannot be disclosed to a third party without FRI's written permission. However, results from the use of FRI technology (for example, the designs and ratings) may be given to a third party.

My Company is a Member of FRI. How Do I Obtain FRI Materials?

Contact the Technical Representative of your company listed in the Member Companies list. He or she is responsible for distribution of Available Materials within your company. The Technical Representative is responsible for authorizing passwords for internet access of password protected FRI materials from the website.