Abstract: Cross flow trays are provided with a support system. The support system interconnects the upper cross flow tray to a downcomer of the lower cross flow tray to provide support for the upper tray. In some aspects, the support system may also interconnect the downcomer of the lower cross flow tray to an upper tray of an underlying pair, providing additional support for the assembly. Such tray assemblies may facilitate easier installation without impeding the performance of the column.

Abstract: Cross flow trays in a mass transfer column are provided with downcomers having one or more walls that extend from a tray deck of one the cross flow trays to an elevation below a tray deck of an underlying one of the cross flow trays. The downcomer walls are connected to and provide structural support for the tray decks of the cross flow trays.

Abstract: Cross flow trays are provided with a support system. The support system interconnects the upper cross flow tray to a downcomer of the lower cross flow tray to provide support for the upper tray. In some aspects, the support system may also interconnect the downcomer of the lower cross flow tray to an upper tray of an underlying pair, providing additional support for the assembly. Such tray assemblies may facilitate easier installation without impeding the performance of the column.

Abstract: Cross flow trays in a mass transfer column are provided with downcomers having one or more walls that extend from a tray deck of one the cross flow trays to an elevation below a tray deck of an underlying one of the cross flow trays. The downcomer walls are connected to and provide structural support for the tray decks of the cross flow trays.

Abstract: A plurality of fluid-fluid contact trays of the cross-flow type are provided for mounting within a shell of a mass transfer or heat exchange column. The trays include tray decks that may be supported on rings fixed to an inner surface of the shell and downcomers that are supported, not by the typical bolting bars fixed to the shell, but by the tray deck of the underlying tray. The mechanisms for supporting the downcomers in this fashion are support brackets that are not secured to the column shell, but instead extend downwardly from the downcomers and rest on the tray deck of the underlying tray. Alternating trays have side downcomers positioned at openings at one or both ends of the tray deck. The support rings for those trays having side downcomers may be truncated so that the rings do not extend around that portion of the shell circumference where the side downcomer openings are located. On the remaining trays, complete 360 degree rings may be used.

Abstract: A mass transfer column (10) is provided with at least one vapor-liquid contact tray (12) that is disposed within the open internal region (14) defined by a shell (16) of the column (10). At least one expansion ring (26) underlies and supports the vapor-liquid contact tray (12). An expander (38) is associated with first and second end segments (32, 34) of the expansion ring (26) that define a cutout (36) in the expansion ring (26). The expander (38) includes brackets (48) welded to the end segments (32, 34) and a threaded member (50) that extends through the brackets (48) and carries nuts (54). Turning the nuts (54) against facing surfaces of the brackets (48) causes the first and second end segments (32, 34) of the expansion ring (26) to be forced apart to cause an increase in the circumference of the expansion ring (26), thereby sealing the expansion ring (26) against the inner surface of the column shell.

Abstract: A mass transfer column (10) is provided with at least one vapor-liquid contact tray (12) that is disposed within the open internal region (14) defined by a shell (16) of the column (10). At least one expansion ring (26) underlies and supports the vapor-liquid contact tray (12). An expander (38) is associated with first and second end segments (32, 34) of the expansion ring (26) that define a cutout (36) in the expansion ring (26). The expander (38) includes brackets (48) welded to the end segments (32, 34) and a threaded member (50) that extends through the brackets (48) and carries nuts (54). Turning the nuts (54) against facing surfaces of the brackets (48) causes the first and second end segments (32, 34) of the expansion ring (26) to be forced apart to cause an increase in the circumference of the expansion ring (26), thereby sealing the expansion ring (26) against the inner surface of the column shell.

Abstract: A plurality of fluid-fluid contact trays of the cross-flow type are provided within a shell of a mass transfer or heat exchange column. The trays include tray decks that are supported on rings fixed to an inner surface of the shell and downcomers that are supported, not by the typical bolting bars fixed to the shell, but by the tray deck of the underlying tray. The mechanisms for supporting the downcomers in this fashion are support brackets that are not secured to the column shell, but instead extend downwardly from the downcomers and rest on the tray deck of the underlying tray. Alternating trays have side downcomers positioned at openings at one or both ends of the tray deck. The support rings on those trays having side downcomers may be truncated so that the rings do not extend around that portion of the shell circumference where the side downcomer openings are located. On the remaining trays, complete 360 degree rings may be used.

Abstract: A plurality of fluid-fluid contact trays of the cross-flow type are provided within a shell of a mass transfer or heat exchange column. The trays include tray decks that are supported on rings fixed to an inner surface of the shell and downcomers that are supported, not by the typical bolting bars fixed to the shell, but by the tray deck of the underlying tray. The mechanisms for supporting the downcomers in this fashion are support brackets that are not secured to the column shell, but instead extend downwardly from the downcomers and rest on the tray deck of the underlying tray. Alternating trays have side downcomers positioned at openings at one or both ends of the tray deck. The support rings on those trays having side downcomers may be truncated so that the rings do not extend around that portion of the shell circumference where the side downcomer openings are located. On the remaining trays, complete 360 degree rings may be used.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray is provided with a quick opening manway. The manway includes an opening formed in the tray and an overlying cover formed by a pair of panels joined together by a center hinged connection. The cover panels of the manway have upturned flanges formed along the lateral margins of the cover. The flanges are removably received within inverted U-shaped brackets that are positioned along the lateral margins of the tray adjacent the manway opening. When the cover is closed, the flanges are received tightly within the associated brackets to secure the lateral margins of the cover to the tray. The cover can be opened by lifting one or both cover panels to cause them to fold together about the center hinge. As the cover panels are lifted, the flanges tilt within the brackets and are released from engagement therewith. The end margins of the cover panels are secured to the adjacent portions of the tray by conventional manway clamps.

Abstract: A plurality of fluid-fluid contact trays of the cross-flow type are provided within a shell of a mass transfer or heat exchange column. The trays include tray decks that are supported on rings fixed to an inner surface of the shell and downcomers that are supported, not by the typical bolting bars fixed to the shell, but by the tray deck of the underlying tray. The mechanisms for supporting the downcomers in this fashion are support brackets that are not secured to the column shell, but instead extend downwardly from the downcomers and rest on the tray deck of the underlying tray. Alternating trays have side downcomers positioned at openings at one or both ends of the tray deck. The support rings on those trays having side downcomers may be truncated so that the rings do not extend around that portion of the shell circumference where the side downcomer openings are located. On the remaining trays, complete 360 degree rings may be used.

Abstract: A downcomer tray assembly for vapor liquid contact towers. The region of the tray beneath an upper downcomer is constructed with a raised, perforated region for improving mass transfer efficiency. The raised region reduces fluid pressure to vent excess vapor from the underlying tray. The vented vapor is selectively directed into the liquid discharged from the downcomer and imparted with a horizontal flow characteristic. In this manner both entrained liquid and entrained gas can be effectively released to facilitate a stabilized vapor-liquid flow configuration.

Abstract: An improved liquid flow distributor assembly for a process column of the type wherein the distributor is positioned above a packing section for the distribution of liquid downwardly therethrough. The improvement comprises a plurality of distributor troughs constructed with a series of internal distributor channels having stilling plates depending therefrom. Each channel is constructed of a generally U-shaped cross section, aligned with and affixed to the distributor trough for providing primary liquid flow to intermediate regions thereof. In this manner, liquid gradients between opposite ends of the troughs are eliminated and a uniform quiescent liquid level is maintained.

Abstract: A downcomer tray assembly for vapor liquid contact towers. The region of the tray beneath an upper downcomer is constructed with a raised, perforated region for improving mass transfer efficiency. The raised region reduces fluid pressure to facilitate ascending vapor therethrough. A series of louvers selectively directs the upward vapor flow into the liquid region below the downcomer to generate a more efficient vapor-liquid contact and reduced back-mixing across the tray.