Abstract: A vertical distillation column for vacuum distillation having a feed inlet, a gas outlet and a de-entrainment device which comprises a downstream chamber and an upstream chamber separated from each other by an inclined permeable wall comprising coalescence means and flow controlling means restricting fluid flow through the upper part of the coalescence means.

Abstract: Gas/liquid contacting apparatus comprising a vertical column with a plurality of substantially horizontal trays arranged one above the other in the column, each tray having a plurality of apertures for ascending gas and at least one discharge device for descending liquid, the discharge devices being open at their upper ends and extending at least partly below the relevant trays, the parts of the liquid discharge devices extending below the trays being provided with liquid discharge openings, wherein the liquid discharge devices are each provided with a gas passage having at least one gas entry arranged in the lower part of the discharge device and having a gas outlet arranged substantially above the upper end of the discharge device.

Abstract: Gas/liquid contacting apparatus comprising a normally substantially vertically extending column enclosing a plurality of substantially horizontal gas/liquid guiding units vertically spaced apart from one another and extending over substantially the cross section of the column. Each gas/liquid guiding unit comprising a plurality of alternating upwardly converging gas passages and downwardly converging liquid passages, the gas passages and the liquid passages alternating in vertical direction. The liquid passages have open upper ends, and are provided with bottomwalls and with liquid discharge openings at or near said bottomwalls. Each upwardly converging gas passage is provided with an open lower end and terminates at its upper end in a plurality of substantially horizontal, parallel walls having a length increasing in downward direction and forming a plurality of substantially horizontal, constricted gas outlets.

Abstract: A multi-tray apparatus for contacting a liquid with a gas is described, the apparatus being characterized by a perforated structure, located beneath downward flow means in the trays, for distributing downward flowing liquid uniformly over the trays.