Abstract: A flow distributor for liquid descending in a vertically elongated process column having an internal space. The distributor is made up of an elongated liquid distribution trough configured and arranged for being mounted in a process column in a position to extend across the internal space thereof. The trough has outer walls defining an elongated, longitudinally extending internal fluid distribution chamber and includes outlet holes which extend through the walls at locations permitting liquid to escape laterally outwardly from the trough. The distributor also includes a baffle distributor structure made up of an elongated, downwardly extending distributor plate member disposed adjacent the trough in a position such that at least a portion of a surface thereof is contacted by liquid escaping from said hole.

Abstract: A plurality of fluid-fluid contact trays of the cross-flow type are provided for mounting within a shell of a mass transfer or heat exchange column. The trays include tray decks that may be supported on rings fixed to an inner surface of the shell and downcomers that are supported, not by the typical bolting bars fixed to the shell, but by the tray deck of the underlying tray. The mechanisms for supporting the downcomers in this fashion are support brackets that are not secured to the column shell, but instead extend downwardly from the downcomers and rest on the tray deck of the underlying tray. Alternating trays have side downcomers positioned at openings at one or both ends of the tray deck. The support rings for those trays having side downcomers may be truncated so that the rings do not extend around that portion of the shell circumference where the side downcomer openings are located. On the remaining trays, complete 360 degree rings may be used.

Abstract: A collector is used to collect and mix liquid from an overlying zone in a mass transfer column in which fluid streams are processed, such as to obtain fractionation products. The collector has two or more liquid collection regions and two or more sumps positioned about the perimeter of the liquid collection regions. A plurality of channels and deflectors are spaced apart within each liquid collection region and vapor passages are formed in the spacings between adjacent channels. The deflectors direct descending liquid into the channels and shield the vapor passages from the descending liquid. The channels within each liquid collection region are arranged into interspersed sets, with one set of channels preferentially directing collected liquid into one sump and another set of channels preferentially directing collected liquid into another sump.

Abstract: A vapor horn device for use in an elongated, generally upright mass transfer and/or heat exchange column having an internal region comprises an elongated, generally arcuate wall arranged to be located within the internal region and disposed to extend around a longitudinal axis of the column. The arcuate wall includes an inlet area positioned for being contacted by a vapor or mixed phase stream entering the column and causing the stream to flow along an outer surface of the arcuate wall and generally around the axis. The device also includes a primary elongated vane extending outwardly from the outer surface of the arcuate wall. This primary vane has an inner end located adjacent the outer surface of the inner wall and an outer end disposed in spaced relationship relative to the outer surface of the wall.

Abstract: A mass transfer column (10) is provided with at least one vapor-liquid contact tray (12) that is disposed within the open internal region (14) defined by a shell (16) of the column (10). At least one expansion ring (26) underlies and supports the vapor-liquid contact tray (12). An expander (38) is associated with first and second end segments (32, 34) of the expansion ring (26) that define a cutout (36) in the expansion ring (26). The expander (38) includes brackets (48) welded to the end segments (32, 34) and a threaded member (50) that extends through the brackets (48) and carries nuts (54). Turning the nuts (54) against facing surfaces of the brackets (48) causes the first and second end segments (32, 34) of the expansion ring (26) to be forced apart to cause an increase in the circumference of the expansion ring (26), thereby sealing the expansion ring (26) against the inner surface of the column shell.

Abstract: A mass transfer column (20) is provided with an external shell defining an open internal region. Centrifugal contact trays (26) and return contact trays (28) are positioned in an alternating and vertically spaced apart relationship within the open internal region. Each contact tray has a plurality of vapor passages (33) for allowing vapor to flow upwardly through the tray deck to interact with liquid on the surface of the tray deck. At least one center downcomer (40) extends downwardly at an opening in the return tray deck and has a lower discharge outlet spaced above the centrifugal tray deck for feeding liquid onto the centrifugal tray deck. A rotation-inducing element may be placed within the center downcomer (40) to induce a rotational motion in liquid exiting the center downcomer (40). At least one annular downcomer (36) extends downwardly the periphery of the centrifugal tray deck and has a lower discharge outlet spaced about the return tray deck for feeding liquid onto the return tray deck.

Abstract: A mass transfer column (20) is provided with an external shell (22) defining an open internal region (24). Centrifugal contact trays (26) and return contact trays (28) are positioned in an alternating and vertically spaced apart relationship within the open internal region (24). Each contact tray (26) and (28) has a plurality of vapor passages (34) for allowing vapor to flow upwardly through the tray deck (30) and (31), respectively, to interact with liquid on the surface of the tray deck. At least one center downcomer (42) extends downwardly at an opening in the return tray deck (31) and has a lower discharge outlet (54). At least one annular downcomer (38) extends downwardly the periphery of the centrifugal tray deck (30) and has a lower discharge outlet (48) spaced above the return tray deck (31) for feeding liquid onto the return tray deck (31).

Abstract: A mass transfer column includes a feed device that is used to de-entrain liquid and more uniformly distribute vapor across a horizontal cross section of the column after a vapor or mixed phase stream has been directed into the column through a radially oriented feed nozzle. The feed device includes an annular passageway formed in the spacing between the column shell and an inner wall spaced inwardly from the shell. A deflector with oppositely directed deflecting surfaces is positioned at an inlet from the feed nozzle to the annular passageway and splits the vapor or mixed phase stream into two roughly equal streams that flow in opposite circumferential directions in the annular passageway. At least one pair of turning vanes is spaced on opposite sides of the deflecting surfaces in the annular passageway to create subpassages through which the vapor or mixed phase stream flows.

Abstract: Anti-swirl baffles are provided in a mass transfer column to reduce the swirling motion of a vapor or mixed phase feed stream introduced into the column. The column is of the type having an upper region of a preselected diameter, a lower region of reduced diameter, and an intermediate transition region that has a diameter that transitions from the preselected diameter of the upper region to the reduced diameter of the lower region. The column includes a vapor or mixed phase feed nozzle and a feed device such as a vapor horn located at least partially within the upper region for delivering the vapor or mixed phase feed stream into the column. The anti-swirl baffles are positioned in the intermediate transition region of the column to disrupt the swirling motion of the vapor or mixed phase feed stream as portions of it descend from the feed device into the transition region of the column.

Abstract: A mass transfer column is provided with an external shell defining an internal region. Packing elements are positioned within the internal region of the mass transfer column. The packing elements have one or more plates formed from sheet material that has been shaped to form a plurality of corrugations on each side of the plate as a series of peaks separated by valleys. A plurality of apertures are arranged across at least a portion of the plate and a plurality of tangs extend outwardly from the surface of the plate surrounding at least some of the apertures. At least some of the outwardly extending tangs are deformed toward the plate.

Abstract: A mass transfer column (20) is provided with an external shell (22) defining an open internal region (24). Centrifugal contact trays (26) and return contact trays (28) are positioned in an alternating and vertically spaced apart relationship within the open internal region (24). Each contact tray (26) and (28) has a plurality of vapor passages (34) for allowing vapor to flow upwardly through the tray deck (30) and (31), respectively, to interact with liquid on the surface of the tray deck. At least one center downcomer (42) extends downwardly at an opening in the return tray deck (31) and has a lower discharge outlet (54). At least one annular downcomer (38) extends downwardly the periphery of the centrifugal tray deck (30) and has a lower discharge outlet (48) spaced above the return tray deck (31) for feeding liquid onto the return tray deck (31).

Abstract: A mass transfer column (10) is provided with at least one vapor-liquid contact tray (12) that is disposed within the open internal region (14) defined by a shell (16) of the column (10). At least one expansion ring (26) underlies and supports the vapor-liquid contact tray (12). An expander (38) is associated with first and second end segments (32, 34) of the expansion ring (26) that define a cutout (36) in the expansion ring (26). The expander (38) includes brackets (48) welded to the end segments (32, 34) and a threaded member (50) that extends through the brackets (48) and carries nuts (54). Turning the nuts (54) against facing surfaces of the brackets (48) causes the first and second end segments (32, 34) of the expansion ring (26) to be forced apart to cause an increase in the circumference of the expansion ring (26), thereby sealing the expansion ring (26) against the inner surface of the column shell.

Abstract: A collector is used to collect and mix liquid from an overlying zone in a mass transfer column in which fluid streams are processed, such as to obtain fractionation products. The collector has two or more liquid collection regions and two or more sumps positioned about the perimeter of the liquid collection regions. A plurality of channels and deflectors are spaced apart within each liquid collection region and vapor passages are formed in the spacings between adjacent channels. The deflectors direct descending liquid into the channels and shield the vapor passages from the descending liquid. The channels within each liquid collection region are arranged into interspersed sets, with one set of channels preferentially directing collected liquid into one sump and another set of channels preferentially directing collected liquid into another sump.

Abstract: A plurality of fluid-fluid contact trays of the cross-flow type are provided within a shell of a mass transfer or heat exchange column. The trays include tray decks that are supported on rings fixed to an inner surface of the shell and downcomers that are supported, not by the typical bolting bars fixed to the shell, but by the tray deck of the underlying tray. The mechanisms for supporting the downcomers in this fashion are support brackets that are not secured to the column shell, but instead extend downwardly from the downcomers and rest on the tray deck of the underlying tray. Alternating trays have side downcomers positioned at openings at one or both ends of the tray deck. The support rings on those trays having side downcomers may be truncated so that the rings do not extend around that portion of the shell circumference where the side downcomer openings are located. On the remaining trays, complete 360 degree rings may be used.

Abstract: A mass transfer column is provided with a liquid distributor that distributes liquid to an underlying mass transfer bed containing one or more random, grid or structured packing elements. The liquid distributor includes a plurality of elongated troughs that are spaced apart and extend across the column. A plurality of liquid discharge holes are positioned in side walls of the trough and are located in one or more preselected planes that are preferably spaced above a floor of the trough. Splash baffles are spaced outwardly from the trough side walls and include upper portions that are positioned to receive liquid exiting the troughs through the discharge holes. Lower portions of the splash baffles form a constricted discharge outlet in a plane below the trough for delivering liquid from the splash baffles to the underlying mass transfer bed.

Abstract: Anti-swirl baffles are provided in a mass transfer column to reduce the swirling motion of a vapor or mixed phase feed stream introduced into the column. The column is of the type having an upper region of a preselected diameter, a lower region of reduced diameter, and an intermediate transition region that has a diameter that transitions from the preselected diameter of the upper region to the reduced diameter of the lower region. The column includes a vapor or mixed phase feed nozzle and a feed device such as a vapor horn located at least partially within the upper region for delivering the vapor or mixed phase feed stream into the column. The anti-swirl baffles are positioned in the intermediate transition region of the column to disrupt the swirling motion of the vapor or mixed phase feed stream as portions of it descend from the feed device into the transition region of the column.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray is provided with a quick opening manway. The manway includes an opening formed in the tray and an overlying cover formed by a pair of panels joined together by a center hinged connection. The cover panels of the manway have upturned flanges formed along the lateral margins of the cover. The flanges are removably received within inverted U-shaped brackets that are positioned along the lateral margins of the tray adjacent the manway opening. When the cover is closed, the flanges are received tightly within the associated brackets to secure the lateral margins of the cover to the tray. The cover can be opened by lifting one or both cover panels to cause them to fold together about the center hinge. As the cover panels are lifted, the flanges tilt within the brackets and are released from engagement therewith. The end margins of the cover panels are secured to the adjacent portions of the tray by conventional manway clamps.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray is provided with at least two tray panels that are releaseably together along their overlapped margins by a locking hinged joint. The joint is formed by fingers in one tray panel that extend through slots located in the other tray panel. Offset bends are formed in the tray panels so that the overlapped margins do not extend above the top surface of the tray. The hinged joint includes a locking mechanism that prevents lateral separation of the tray panels once they have been releaseably joined together. The locking mechanism is formed by a downturned locking flange positioned between the fingers in one of the tray panels and extending downwardly into and, preferably through, openings located in the overlapped margin of the other tray panel.