Abstract: The supporting grate for material exchange columns has a corrugated profile (3) and gas openings (5) which are all arranged in the flanks (6) of the profile above a minimum height H1. A projecting edge (13) of the gas openings increases the strength of the profile and forces the fluid to run off into the corrugation trough of the profile and from there into a collecting trough (12) lying below it. In this way the supporting grate also acts as a fluid collector.

Abstract: An arrangement of troughs is disposed above a liquid/distribution tray in a counter-current column for collecting and mixing liquid from an upper exchange portion prior to distribution onto the tray. The arrangement includes duct-like troughs each of which has a base with a closed first part and a second part with at least one outlet for liquid. As a result, the liquid trickled into each trough is mixed transversely prior to being expelled onto the distributor tray thus levelling out any differences in concentration along the length of the trough.

Abstract: The gas/liquid distributor for a counter-current column has tubes for the liquid with outlets extending almost to the column portion underneath. At least ten flues per square meter of area of the distributor base are provided for guiding and distributing the upward-flowing gas. The total flow cross-section of the flues is not more than 10% of the area of the base which fills the entire column cross-section. The flow cross-sections of the flues are constricted in addition to their relatively narrow inlet cross-sections.