Abstract: A hollow, saddle-shaped packing structure 14 includes a pair of porous outer and inner semi-cylindrical side walls 22, 34 that are spaced from one another to define an interior space 40, and a particulate catalyst component 20 retained in the interior space between the side walls. The packing structure may be formed by a pair of saddle-shaped shell elements 16, 18, each of which presents one of the side walls and a pair of radially opposed laterally extending flanges 26, 38. The flanges are connected together by tabs 30, 32, welding, or the like, and the interior space between axially spaced marginal edges 24, 36 of the outer and inner shell elements is closed off to retain the particulate catalyst component between the side walls.

Abstract: A flow distributor is provided for distributing liquid onto a packed bed of a process column. The distributor includes an elongated liquid trough having first and second laterally spaced, longitudinally extending sidewalls and a longitudinally extending floor which extends between and interconnects the sidewalls. The sidewalls each have a plurality of holes therethrough, which holes are spaced apart longitudinally of the distributor. The distributor also includes a respective elongated liquid distributor drainpipe for each of the holes. Each pipe has first and second ends and a central internal liquid conducting passageway extending therethrough between its ends. Each pipe also has a first segment adjacent its first end and a second segment spaced longitudinally of the pipe from the first end. The segments are angularly disposed relative to one another. The distributor also includes a respective connector assembly for each of the pipes.

Abstract: A saddle element for a static mixer includes a generally ring-shaped support structure having a central axis, concentric inner and outer, radially spaced, circumferentially extending surfaces, and first and second axially spaced, generally parallel edge surfaces. The inner surface of the ring-shaped support structure defines a fluid flow path which extends along the central axis. The edge surfaces of the ring-shaped support structure are located in respective generally parallel transverse planes which are essentially perpendicular relative to the central axis. The saddle element also includes a plurality of crossbars that are located in the flow path. The crossbars have a first end which is closer to the transverse plane of the first edge of the ring-shaped support structure than to the transverse plane of the second edge of the ring-shaped support structure.

Abstract: A modular solvent extraction plant for extracting metal from a metal are is provided. It includes a stage-wise, plug flow contactor that mixes an aqueous solution and an organic solvent solution into a mixed emulsion, a reactor to further mix the solutions, a separator for breaking up the emulsion into an aqueous solution and an organic solution, and a loaded organic coalescer that removes aqueous entrainment. It may also include a raffinate coalescer that removes organic entrainment, a second stage-wise, plug flow contactor that mixes an electrolyte solution with the organic solution from the loaded organic coalescer to form a second mixed emulsion, a second reactor, a second separator for breaking up the second emulsion, and an electrolyte coalescer. An organic scrub station may be used in place of the loaded organic coalescer. The contactors, reactors, separators, and coalescers can be mounted on movable structures.

Abstract: A gas-solid fluidized bed is formed within a contacting element having pairs of planar portions arranged in intersecting planes, each planar portion being formed by one or more webs and one or more open slots adjacent each web, the webs and slots being arranged such that a web in one of the planar portions intersects a slot in the paired planar portion. The fluidized bed can be catalyst particles fluidized by a gas stream, such as in a catalyst stripper and/or regenerator in an FCC system.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray (36) is provided with a tray deck (40) and an upstream downcomer (48) and a downstream downcomer (50) positioned at an opening (46) in the tray deck (40). The upstream downcomer (48) extends downwardly and is inclined in the direction of the upstream downcomer (48).

Abstract: A plurality of structured packing bricks are positioned in a column having a longitudinal axis to form one or more structured packing beds. Each brick is formed from a plurality of corrugated plates disposed in parallel relation and having opposed ends that form end surfaces of the bricks. At least one end surface, and normally both end surfaces, of the bricks are inclined at an angle to the column axis so each brick has an end surface that engages and overlaps the inclined end surface of a horizontally adjacent brick. The inclined end surfaces include openings formed by the plate corrugations and, due to the overlapping positioning of adjacent end surfaces, liquid is able to flow vertically downwardly from openings in one brick end surface into openings in the adjacent brick end surface. These angle end surfaces also disrupt the vertical flow of vapor so that vertical channeling of vapor along the end surfaces is disrupted. The shape of the packing bricks can include trapezoidal and parallelogram.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray (16) is provided with an upstream downcomer (46) and a downstream downcomer (48) which form a two-stage downcomer. The discharge outlet (62) of the upstream downcomer (46) feeds liquid into the downstream downcomer (48) to help seal the discharge outlet (58) of the downstream downcomer (48) against vapor entry at lower liquid flow rates and to allow positioning of the discharge outlet (58) above the height of the weir (66) on the underlying tray (16). Because the upstream downcomer (46) does not discharge liquid directly onto the underlying tray deck (40), the area of the tray deck (40) underlying the upstream downcomer (46) can contain vapor flow apertures (68) to increase the active area and mass transfer efficiency of the tray (16).

Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray (36) is provided with a tray deck (40) and an upstream downcomer (48) and a downstream downcomer (50) positioned at an opening (46) in the tray deck (40). The upstream downcomer (48) has at least two spaced apart legs (64) extending downwardly at a lower end thereof to carry liquid downwardly. The spacing between the legs (64) allows vapor to flow between the legs (64) so that the upstream downcomer (48) does not completely block the desired vapor flow pattern in the area of the downcomer (48). Each leg (64) includes a deflector (68) extending downwardly from a discharge outlet (66) to shield the discharged liquid from the vapor stream and to deflect the downward momentum of the liquid stream.

Abstract: A continuous process for functionalizing polymers is disclosed, wherein (A) a liquid comprising the polymer and a gas comprising a functionalizing agent are continuously introduced into a dispersing zone operated in laminar flow with high intensity mixing of the liquid and the gas under functionalization conditions, wherein the mixing is conducted for a period of the dispersing zone residence time at a shear rate effective to form a stable gas-liquid dispersion in which the gas is substantially dissolved or dispersed in the liquid for functionalization, and wherein the shear rate is less than about 5 s.sup.-1 for no more than about 30% of the residence time; (B) the gas-liquid dispersion is continuously passed to a blending zone operated in laminar flow with low intensity mixing under functionalization conditions, wherein the mixing is conducted at a shear rate effective to further dissolve the gas into the liquid for further functionalization; and (C) continuously recovering functionalized polymer.

Abstract: A plurality of structured packing bricks are positioned in a column having a longitudinal axis to form one or more structured packing beds. Each brick is formed from a plurality of corrugated plates disposed in parallel relation and having opposed ends that form end surfaces of the bricks. At least one end surface, and normally both end surfaces, of the bricks are inclined at an angle to the column axis so each brick has an end surface that engages and overlaps the inclined end surface of a horizontally adjacent brick. The inclined end surfaces include openings formed by the plate corrugations and, due to the overlapping positioning of adjacent end surfaces, liquid is able to flow vertically downwardly from openings in one brick end surface into openings in the adjacent brick end surface. These angle end surfaces also disrupt the vertical flow of vapor so that vertical channeling of vapor along the end surfaces is disrupted. The shape of the packing bricks can include trapezoidal and parallelogram.

Abstract: A downcomer having a screened or otherwise liquid permeable wall is provided for use in a mass transfer or distillation column. The liquid permeable wall provides another avenue for liquid to be removed from the downcomer to increase the liquid handling capacity of the downcomer. When wetted, the liquid permeable wall provides a barrier against vapor entry into the downcomer through the wall.

Abstract: A reaction with distillation column is provided with a plurality of discrete catalytic reaction containers. The containers contain a plurality of solid catalyst particles which form a catalytic reaction zone. The containers also include a liquid collection tray cover which defines a liquid accumulation zone immediately overlying the catalytic reaction zone. Overflow weirs are provided on the tray cover to allow for overflow of liquid on the tray cover. A member may be provided within the containers to create an open area within the catalytic reaction zone to facilitate entry of the liquid into the catalytic reaction zone. The containers can be individually positioned within the reactor to suit particular process requirements.