Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for alternatively feeding liquid to be distributed in a chemical process tower through a plurality of liquid distributors positioned at the same level within the tower. Very low flowrates with very uniform liquid distribution is achieved with this invention.

Abstract: A diaphragm carburetor with a fuel metering chamber designed for easy restart when hot which includes a separate escape chamber connected to the metering chamber having a second diaphragm controlled exhaust valve. The second diaphragm is subject to positive crankcase pressure during engine operation to maintain the exhaust valve closed. When the engine is stopped, the exhaust valve is opened by a spring and fuel in the metering chamber will move into the escape chamber and out of the carburetor rather than be forced into the fuel mixing passage and venturi of the carburetor. A porous absorbent material is positioned to receive the fuel leaving the open exhaust valve and to retain it until it vaporizes and dissipates through openings in the retainer atmosphere. The exhaust valve may be manually operated as an option.

Abstract: The tubular arm distributor is provided with at least one tubular arm having metering orifices through which a dispersed phase can be metered and a horizontal box-like element which extends over the metering orifices to define a chamber for receiving the dispersed phase. The box-like element has exit orifices in the form of slots along the side walls to distribute the dispersed phase into the continuous phase.

Abstract: An apparatus for contacting gas and liquid is disclosed in which a vessel has fluid inlet means, fluid outlet means and horizontal trays arranged axially spaced apart in the vessel. Each horizontal tray is provided with a plurality of contacting means which have an open-ended vertical tube, contacting material and swirl imparting means arranged therein, and means allowing liquid collected on a horizontal tray to pass into the vertical tube below the contacting material and from the upper end of the vertical tube to below the tray.

Abstract: Absorption and drying towers for treating sulphur trioxide process gases and air, respectively, with concentrated sulphuric acid in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. Each tower has a suitably shaped downwardly angled gas delivery duct protruding into a lower chamber of the tower to prevent acid from entering inside the duct. Each tower also has its lower chamber defined by the base of the tower and a suitably formed packing support. Additional packing is interposed between the lower walls of the tower and the packing support. Improved corrosion resistance of the metal components is obtained.

Abstract: A support device for supporting a packing material in a packed column having an upwardly flowing gas and a downwardly flowing liquid. The device comprises a plate having a plurality of formations. Each formation comprises spaced side walls connected by an upper wall, with apertures being provided in the side walls to permit the flow of the gas therethrough. A collecting channel is provided on at least one of the formations to collect the downwardly flowing liquid. The formations have a plural-skin construction to reduce the amount of liquid flowing through the apertures. The formations are provided with streamlining in order to improve the efficiency of gas flow.

Abstract: An improved liquid flow distributor 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 troughs formed with a downwardly tapering body section having holes formed therein for spewing liquid outwardly therefrom. Baffles are disposed outwardly of the lower tapering body sections of the troughs for receiving the spew of liquid therefrom and evenly distributing the liquid flow downwardly. A plurality of flow equalization pipes interconnect the troughs one with the other and are coupled to the troughs through a lower sidewall region thereof. In this manner, flow equalization between troughs is provided and the flow equalization pipes are presented in a configuration allowing debris to be removed therefrom. In one embodiment a series of screens are secured to the bottom regions of the baffles for further facilitating uniformity in flow distribution emanating from the troughs.

Abstract: A gas cleaning system of the type having a gas cooling tower includes a septum arrangement within the cooling tower which divides the cooling tower into upper and lower chambers and effects a pressure drop between the chambers by directing streams of higher pressure gases through a pool of cooling water maintained in a trough in the septum arrangement to reduce the pressure while simultaneously scrubbing the gases, all within the cooling tower.

Abstract: A wetted wall type method of humidifying gas with a liquid which is composed, or mainly composed, of water wherein the liquid flows down a heated vertical wall to form a wetted wall and gas flows along the wetted wall in contact with the liquid on the wetted wall to increase the humidity contained in the gas, comprises supplying a greater amount of liquid than the amount of liquid used or evaporated for increasing the humidity, and recirculating the liquid which is not evaporated from an outlet of the wetted wall to a liquid supply portion, the amount of the flowing liquid being adapted to satisfy the following equation:q<5.99.times.10.sup.5 .GAMMA..sup.2.12 (1)wherein q is the heat flux in W/m.sup.2 K where W=watts, K=temperature in degrees Kelvin, and .GAMMA. is the amount of flowing water with regard to the mass of water per unit wet width in kg/ms.

Abstract: A redistributor assembly for a liquid-vapor contact tower including a liquid collecting apparatus, a ladder-type liquid redistributor disposed beneath the collecting apparatus, and at least one conduit in fluid communication connecting the collecting apparatus and the ladder-type redistributor. The assembly is capable of uniformly redistributing liquid within the liquid-vapor contact tower at ultra-low flow rates by impressing a high pressure on the liquid at the point where the liquid is just about to enter the assembly's redistribution outlets. The collecting apparatus is disposed sufficiently far above the ladder-type redistributor to provide the level of liquid in the conduit that produces the desired pressure head on the liquid within the ladder-type redistributor.

Abstract: A trap device for placement on the overflow standpipe provided in the sump of an evaporative cooler for blocking the high velocity inflow of sewer gasses or other contaminants through the standpipe into the cooler during operation thereof without interfering with the water draining functions of the standpipe. The trap device is in the form of an inverted cupshaped body which is mountable in substantially concentric relationship with the standpipe and has a closed top which is spaced above the top of the standpipe and an open bottom end which is submerged in the operational water supply contained in the sump of the evaporative cooler. The closed top of the trap device is provided with a knock-out plug so that the drain hose of a bleed-off system may be sealingly inserted therein when the cooler is so equipped.

Abstract: A fluid mixing apparatus which is used in a vertical flow fluid-solid contacting column having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet at opposite ends, two or more distinct beds of particulate material, and single or dual phase fluid flow. The mixing apparatus comprises a vertical flow barrier, positioned intermediate two adjacent beds of particulate material, having a substantially imperforate outer area and at least one central opening for passing fluid between beds and a fluid impingement compartment located at the center of the barrier.

Abstract: A gas absorption system is disclosed. The system comprises a vertical housing having a plurality of superposed absorption stages, each stage comprising a ball bed, a plurality of venturi tubes located below the ball bed through which gas is circulated upwardly from stage to stage, a piping system for circulating an absorption liquid at each stage, the level of the absorption liquid in each stage being maintained by overflow from stage to stage, a nozzle connected to the piping system and centered over each venturi tube pointing upwardly into the ball bed for spraying absorption liquid into the ball bed to react the gas circulated through each stage with the absorption liquid, and a cap for capping each venturi tube to prevent the absorption liquid from dripping from stage to stage through the venturi tubes. Each cap includes gas openings allowing gas to flow upwardly from stage to stage to be reacted with the absorption liquid in the ball bed of each stage.

Abstract: A single monolithic moulding of a fan volute and water spreader for an air cooler. There is provided at least one shelf, either on the volute or on the spreader, which supports the spreader from the volute, the spreader being of generally curved shape and outstanding from the outer surface of the volute. Link means hinge the spreader to the volute to enable the spreader to be tilted, for example for replacement of an absorptive pad which can depend from the spreader.

Abstract: There is provided a rotary flow control balancing valve and an integral predistribution box for use with gravity feed cross-flow cooling towers. The valve and predistribution box provide for the balancing of flows between halves of a cross-flow cooling tower or between or among separate cooling towers and also for maximizing the uniformity of the hot water flow in the predistribution pan and the distribution pan.

Abstract: A pan-type liquid distribution assembly or fractionator which regulates the liquid flow through distribution tubes and, at the same time, provides for clearing away of unwanted fouling material which, in the past, has served to detract from the operation by plugging or partially plugging the liquid pour-points. Adjustment of the flow through, and/or, the unfouling of, the liquid pour-tubes can be performed from a point external of the fractionator, so as not to interfere with the ongoing operation of the fractionation column. A further feature is the ability to adjust liquid flow through each individual tube to alter the distribution pattern of the liquid across the top of a packed fractionation bed.

Abstract: The liquid distributor is provided with a main channel, a plurality of secondary channels for receiving liquid from the main channel and a plurality of flow channels which extend laterally from each secondary channel in order to discharge liquid in the form of liquid streams. The flow channel permits a uniform distribution of the liquid across the cross-section of a mass transfer/heat exchange section of a mass transfer/heat exchange column. The flow channels may be in the form of downwardly bent tubes, downwardly angled tubes or troughs with downwardly directed tubes at one end or orifices at one end.

Abstract: A distributor stage for an exchange column utilizes a plurality of tubes having openings spaced apart on upper sides thereof and leading to respective troughs which are formed on the upper sides of the tubes. The liquid is spread from the troughs by capillary channels which carry the liquid through slits in the walls of the troughs onto tongues spreading below the tubes.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaporating a solution in constant proportions of the ingredients, including:(a) a solution container having a neck that extends upward from the center;(b) an impregnation member to be impregnated with the solution which is made of a water-absorbing material;(c) an impregnation member support;(d) a cylindrical tubular member that is fitted over a cylindrical tube that projects upward from the center of said support to thereby define an enclosed space;(e) a feed pipe inserted through the hole made in the center of said support, the lower part of said pipe being immersed in the solution in the container and the upper part thereof being within said cylindrical tubular member; and(f) a hole or slit made in the container and the impregnation support member so as to provide a passage that communicates the atmosphere with the space formed in the container by mounting the impregnation member support on the container,the impregnation member support being in the form of a supporting plate from the cent

Abstract: Improved trough-type liquid distributors and redistributors for use in vapor-liquid contact columns wherein uniform distribution of downflowing liquid is achieved by employing orifices in the sides of troughs, said orifices being sized such that they stay submerged. Better distribution is obtained when the orifices are used with adjacent vertical drip rods to which the liquid can adhere and follow downwardly by gravity flow. The invention allows good distribution at very low flow rates, e.g. less than 0.8 gallons/minute/square foot.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for distributing a downflowing liquid uniformly across the packed bed of a vapor-liquid contact column. The apparatus consists of a distributor unit and a parting manifold. The distributor unit includes a plate with upstanding walls positioned crosswise and lengthwise on the plate to define separate, open-top compartments. Installed in each compartment are a number of drip tubes which extend above and below the plate. Gas riser openings are positioned between certain compartments and the distributor unit is mounted inside the column above the packed bed. The parting manifold is mounted above the distributor unit, and it includes a header circuit, crosswise end conduits, a crosswise lateral conduit, and a vertical standpipe conduit. The end conduits and lateral conduit have closed ends and each includes outlet ports therein.

Abstract: A spreader plate having a water receiving area which receives water from a pump, a plurality of ribs radiating outwardly from the central water receiving area, the lengths and spacing of the ribs being such as to divide the water up into a plurality of streams of approximately equal intensity, and a cover over the water receiving area comprising a deflector which deflects water flow over the water receiving area in a constant thickness film and into the channels between the ribs.

Abstract: Liquid distributor in packed column wherein close, long-term uniform liquid distribution pattern is desired, particularly at ultra-slow distributing flow-rates. Distributor comprised of: (1) array of spaced, enclosed, horizontal distributor tubes capable of maintaining liquid to be distributed under pressure; (2) horizontal tube lines connecting these tubes; (3) vertical pipelets of predetermined inside diameter and length inserted into bottoms of distributor tubes and extending above bottom of tubes but not to top of tubes to avoid being stopped-up by debris in the liquid; and (4) a pressurized feed means. For feeds containing both liquid and vapor phase, a parting reservoir is provided above the distributor so that the vapor phase of the feed entering the reservoir can escape the liquid phase leaving the liquid phase to flow down a conduit into the distributor tubes, said conduit being of predetermined height above the tubes so as to provide liquid under constant pressure to the distributor tubes.

Abstract: Improved trough-type and plate-type liquid distributors and redistributors for use in vapor-liquid contact columns wherein uniform distribution of downflowing liquid is achieved by employing round orifices in the sides of vapor ducts and troughs, said orifices being sized such that they stay submerged. Even better distribution is obtained when small round orifices are used with adjacent vertical drip rods to which the liquid can adhere and follow downward. Invention allows good distribution for very low flow rates, e.g. less than 0.15 gallons/minute/square foot.

Abstract: A tray device has a plurality of chimneys which extend above the level of liquid in the tray and have vapor outlets for the passage of the rising vapor. Tubes are also provided in the tray device with liquid inlets for the passage of liquid from the tray downwardly onto the lower exchange section. The tray device intercepts the liquid trickling down from an upper exchange section and distributes the liquid uniformly through the tubes over the top cross section of the exchange section immediately below. The vapor rising from the bottom section passes through the chimneys separately from the liquid.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler body comprises a non-corrosive, insulative assembly of self-locating, self-jigging parts. Stand-off means are provided for increasing the effective area of the evaporative cooling pads and for improving air flow across the surface of and through said pads. An improved water distribution means permits sheeting of the water across the top surfaces of the evaporative cooling pads to obtain a more uniform distribution of water within said pads. Means are provided for interrupting water flow on the surface of the evaporative cooling pads and returning such water to the interior of said pad so as to increases the overall efficiency of the evaporative cooler. The evaporative cooler cabinet is comprised of a minimal number of reaction injection molded elements of high modulus urethane elastomer. The material insulates both sound and heat providing a quieter running and more cooling-efficient device. Color may be permanently molded into the cabinet.

Abstract: The invention is for a fixed bed reactor with two phase gas and liquid flow. The reactor has at least one auxiliary bed of solid particles disposed above the main bed of solid particles. The auxiliary bed has a liquid bypass comprised of hollow tubing extending through the auxiliary bed. Liquid receptacles provide a liquid seal above the liquid bypasses, thereby preventing gas from bypassing along with the liquid. The liquid spilled from the flow receptacles seeks its lowest level and flows through the auxiliary bed. The tubing provides a bypass first for the liquid and later for both the liquid and gas when the auxiliary bed becomes fouled and the liquid seal is thereby broken. This feed arrangement allows for a low pressure drop bypassing of the auxiliary bed, when the auxiliary bed becomes fouled and clogged. The invention is also applicable to other apparatuses which use a flow arrangement similar to fixed bed reactors, but which do not necessarily utilize a chemical reaction.

Abstract: In centrifugal gas-liquid contact apparatus, liquid hold-up is reduced by the provision of guide means to separate the liquid outflow from the gas inflow to the rotor.

Abstract: In centrifugal apparatus for gas-liquid contacting, liquid discharged from the rotor into a surrounding chamber is led from the chamber by guide means on the chamber wall.

Abstract: In a cylindrical shaped chemical process tower wherein it is desired to collect and/or redirect the flow of liquid flowing down the tower's internal wall surface, a wall wiper which requires no bolting or welding to the tower and which affords a liquid seal with the tower wall, said wall wiper comprising flexible annular segments of slightly less radius of curvature than the tower, said segments being in near end to end relationship with each other so as to take the shape of a horizontal segmented ring with small gaps between the segments. The flexible segments are spread apart in the tower by spreading means connecting the ends of the adjacent flexible segments until these segments sufficiently conform to the tower wall to form both leak-proof seals and friction joints thereinbetween. Liquid flow along the tower wall in the gaps between the segments is prevented by bridging lips attached to the segments and spanning the gaps while also forming a leak-proof seal against the tower wall.

Abstract: Apparatus for periodically draining, flushing and replacing the operational water supply in an evaporative cooler during operation thereof and for completely draining the cooler when its operation is terminated. The apparatus includes a special siphon drain valve mounted in the sump of the cooler so as to be normally in an unprimed non-siphoning state and when in such a state, the evaporative cooler will operate in the normal manner. When the cooler is in normal operation, its water supply will increase in mineral salt concentration and other contaminants, such as dirt, bacteria and the like.

Abstract: An evaporative air conditioner is provided which includes a housing (10) having air-pervious portions (12). Wettable pads (20) are mounted within the housing (10) against the inner surface of the air-pervious portions (12) such that ambient air flowing through the air-pervious portions (12) flow through the pads (20). A suction fan (18) is mounted within the housing (10) for drawing ambient air through the air-pervious portion (12). A liquid distributor (16) is mounted above the housing (10). The distributor (16) has surfaces which slope downwrdly from the center of the distributor (16) toward the upper edges of the housing (10). The surfaces of the distributor (16) which slope toward the air-pervious portions (12) of the housing (10) include horizontal terraces (17) for distributing liquid evenly across the surfaces.

Abstract: A mass-transfer column consisting of one or more contact zones. The contact zones are exclusively provided with packings placed in prearranged locations. In the contact zones, optimal operating conditions for the packings are created over the entire height of the contact zones in order to achieve a minimal pressure loss at a concomitant high separating efficiency. This is done by implementing a suitable gradated adaptability of the packing to the vapor and liquid loads varying over the height of the contact zones.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cleaning air carrying smoke, grease, ordors and other pollutants. The air having the grease and other pollutants, such as the exhaust air from a restaurant cooking grill, is passed through a filter box in which is mounted two pairs of planar filter members. The air is passed sequentially in halves through a lower pair of the filter members and then through an upper pair of the filter members and out of the filter box. The filter members are continuously scrubbed by a scrubbing solution comprising cold water and a cold water detergent. The water cools the air and grease in the air is congealed, and it acts as a filter, and it removes the congealed grease from the filter members.

Abstract: An improved device for the distribution of liquids in a vertical heat-exchange apparatus which has reeds mounted on the top ends of vertical tubes to spread a liquid in film form over the internal surface of each tube of the tube bundle. The reeds of the invention are closed at their tops instead of being open as was common in conventional practice, and the reeds have an array of circumferential perforations near their closed tops for venting off gases and vapors which evolve from said liquid, while tangential perforations extend through the peripheral surface of the reeds in intermediate sections thereof. The pressure drop of gases and vapors can be adjusted within a wide range and corrosion in the top portion of the tubes is very efficiently prevented.

Abstract: The invention is for a two phase gas and liquid mixture reacting in an improved fixed bed reactor having at least one auxiliary bed disposed above the main bed. The auxiliary beds each have separate liquid and gas bypasses comprising hollow tubing of relatively different lengths extending through the auxiliary bed. The gas bypass tubing projects to a greater height above the auxiliary bed than the liquid bypass tubing. This tubing bypass arrangement allows for a low pressure drop bypass of the auxiliary bed to the main bed by the liquid and gas when the auxiliary bed becomes fouled.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler body comprises a non-corrosive, insulative assembly of self-locating, self-jigging parts. Stand-off means are provided for increasing the effective area of the evaporative cooling pads and for improving air flow across the surface of and through said pads. An improved water distribution means permits sheeting of the water across the top surfaces of the evaporative cooling pads to obtain a more uniform distribution of water within said pads. Means are provided for interrupting water flow on the surface of the evaporative cooling pads and returning such water to the interior of said pad so as to increase the overall efficiency of the evaporative cooler. The evaporative cooler cabinet is comprised of a minimal number of reaction injection molded elements of high modulus urethane elastomer. The material insulates both sound and heat providing a quieter running and more cooling-efficient device. Color may be permanently molded into the cabinet.

Abstract: A chemical reactor, flow distributor, system and method are disclosed. A plurality of chemically inert flow distributors are embedded in the receiving surface of a layer of chemically inert objects supported by a bed of catalytic material which is disposed within a chemical reactor. The flow distributors are constructed from spheres of chemically inert material interconnected to one another and defining a desirable geometric form having voids and interstices which provide passageways therethrough, the passageways permitting the reactants to pass in effectively distributed manner into the bed of catalytic material.

Abstract: A low flow liquid distributor and redistributor for a liquid/gas contact tower comprises: one or more receptacles each extending over a cross sectional area of the tower chamber and adapted to receive a source of liquid supplied either directly thereto or indirectly from the source via liquid feed splitter means that divides and dispenses the liquid received to each receptacle. Each receptacle has at least one side wall including one or more metering weirs dividing the liquid flow into one or more streams directed against a liquid distribution drip plate situated relatively close to the sidewall of the receptacles.

Abstract: Apparatus for catalytic processes such as desulphurization of hydrocarbons comprises an upright reactor vessel containing at least one tray, and catalytic support means for one or more catalyst beds said support means are attached to the inner wall of the reactor and having filter units attached to render them permeable to fluids and impermeable to catalyst particles; located beneath each supporting means is a fluid permeable tray which is impermeable to catalyst particles and located beneath each tray at least one filter unit of equal or coarser filtering effect than the filter units attached to said supporting means, to prevent access of the catalyst particles to the underside of said tray.

Abstract: A baffle is mounted in spaced coextending relationship with the water outlet slots formed in the water distribution troughs of the cooler pad assemblies of an evaporative cooler to block moisture entrainment which otherwise occurs as a result of high velocity air entering the interior of the evaporative cooler trough through the water outlet slots of the troughs.

Abstract: A distributor of liquid is disclosed, to be used in chemical apparatus having a bundle of tubes in the interior of which the liquid to be treated is distributed in the form of a thin film flowing on the internal surfaces of the tubes, the improvement consisting in the combination of a bell placed on the top surface of the tube plate and having liquid passageways formed along its bottom edge, a foraminous collar-like component placed at the bell top for feeding the liquid, and a plurality of distribution sleeves having the form of tubes through the sidewalls of which tangential bores are formed, there being one distribution sleeve for each tube of the bundle.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an aromatic dicarboxylic acid by oxidizing a benzene derivative with molecular oxygen in the liquid phase in a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid as a solvent in the presence of an oxidation catalyst, wherein a starting material liquid e.g., a benzene derivative or a solution thereof in the lower aliphatic carboxylic acid, is fed into the liquid-phase reaction system in a uniformly dispersed state by being passed through a porous material causing the pressure of the starting material liquid just after passing through said porous material to drop more than about 1 kg/m.sup.2 in relation to the pressure of the starting material liquid just before passing through said porous material. The resultant aromatic dicarboxylic acid has high purity and has good color.

Abstract: An inclined screen tray tower having one or more inclined screen trays, in which a liquid is passed downwardly onto said screen tray to form a film of said liquid on each of said screens and gas is passed through said liquid films so as to be absorbed by said liquid, characterized in that a plurality of cylinders are arranged side by side on each of said tray screens in such a manner that the longitudinal axis of each of said cylinders extends in the direction of inclination of each of said tray screens, each of said cylinders being made of a netting with metallic or synthetic resinous wires each arranged to make an angle of about 45.degree. with the longitudinal axis of said cylinders.

Abstract: An evaporator type humidifier in which a fan wheel is rotated by an air stream and drives a water wheel. The water wheel lifts water from a water receptacle to a water distribution system. The water distribution system can collect water and then distribute a substantially equal amount of water to each air-water contact member in the humidifier. The amount of water distributed to each contact member is sufficient to wet the contact member and inhibit the formation of deposits on the contact member by flushing away minerals and other solid particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to filtering separators in particular pocket or tube filters, of the kind having a lower inlet for dirty, i.e. dust-or smoke-laden gas containing extremely adherent dust particles which is directed upwards towards the filter elements, the dust which settles when the filter surfaces are cleaned periodically being carried back to the filter surfaces by this dirty gas for agglomeration purposes and a proportion of the agglomerated dust which corresponds to the quantity of dust in the incoming dirty gas and which the said gas is not capable of carrying with it to the filter surface being extracted during the periodic cleaning of the filter elements.

Abstract: A distributor of liquid is disclosed, to be used in chemical apparatus having a bundle of tubes in the interior of which the liquid to be treated is distributed in the form of a thin film flowing on the internal surfaces of the tubes, the improvement consisting in the combination of a bell placed on the top surface of the tube plate and having liquid passageways formed along its bottom edge, a foraminous collar-like component placed at the bell top for feeding the liquid, and a plurality of distribution sleeves having the form of tubes through the sidewalls of which tangential bores are formed, there being one distribution sleeve for each tube of the bundle.

Abstract: An automatic flushing device for an evaporative cooling system contains a water sump, circulating pump, and float-operated water makeup source. A small, adjustable portion of the return flow enters a separate timing reservoir. When the timing reservoir is full, water from the well and the sump are flushed from the system through a siphon tube which communicates with both chambers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for distributing a generally downwardly flowing liquid-vapor mixture through a bed of solid particles comprising:(1) a tray deck located above said bed of solid particles;(2) at least one hollow chimney member in fluid communication with said bed of solid particles attached to said tray deck and extending upwardly from said tray deck, said chimney member having at least one aperture through said chimney member along the length of said chimney member below the top opening of said chimney member to provide fluid communication between the space above said tray deck and the hollow space of said chimney member; and(3) plate means located at a distance D above the top opening of said chimney member whereby said mixture is restricted from flowing directly into the top opening of said chimney member.An improved process for distributing a generally downwardly flowing liquid-vapor mixture is disclosed as well as an improved process for hydrocarbon conversion.

Abstract: A packed bed gas-liquid contactor wherein the liquid distributor is positioned within and supported by the packed bed, with the portion of the packed bed above the liquid distributor being blocked by an imperforate structure and the remaining portion including non-process packing, whereby gas flows from the process packing through a limited portion of the upper part of the packed bed, defined by the non-process packing to the gas outlet. In this manner, the residence time of the gas in the upper portion of the bed is limited.