Abstract: The invention relates to contact trays with a self adjusting free section for rectification and absorption tray columns in gas (steam)-fluid systems operating in a wide range of gas (steam) loads. The contact tray comprises a base with apertures in every one of which a valve is mounted providing a one-way outlet of gas and having an upper wall, side walls, and position limiters to define the upper (open) and lower (closed) positions of the valve. Every valve is manufactured from a blank made in the form of a circular sector with a truncated apex, whose peripheral side and segment portions are bent to form side walls of the valve, one of the lower position limiters and the upper wall of the valve. This makes it possible to simplify the technology of manufacturing valves, improve the conditions of operation and raise the efficiency of the tray.

Abstract: The contact apparatus comprises a perforated base provided with at least one liquid overflow device, and two baffles, the ports of the base being for gas (steam) to pass. The overflow device is in fact two coaxial shells of which the top (as along the flow of liquid) partly encloses the bottom one, and is made up by two shell pieces interconnected by a guide member. The bottom shell piece has smaller flow passage area than the top one. The lower edge of the guide member is located above the upper end of the bottom shell. Each of the baffles is situated under the shell so to make a certain clearance with the lower end of the respective shell. The present invention can find utility when applied in fractionating and absorption columns for processes proceeding under heavy loads in terms of liquid processed, e.g., for purifying converted gas from carbon monoxide and dioxide by various absorbents, as well as for processes for absorbing nitrogen oxides with water in producing weak nitric acid.