Abstract: A vapor-liquid contacting process is disclosed which may be used in gas treating, absorption or in fractional distillation. The process is characterized by the utilization of a liquid support plate (tray) having a flat vapor-liquid contacting area formed by uniformly spaced parallel members which provide long narrow passages for the rising vapor. The process is especially useful when a low pressure drop through the liquid support plate or a high tendency of the liquid support plate to prevent weeping is desired. The process allows higher operating capacity than the use of valve-type liquid support valves.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of carbon dioxide from a flue gas stream containing residual oxygen is disclosed. A combustible fuel, such as methane, is admixed with the flue gas stream and the flue gas stream is then passed into a combustion zone in which it may be contacted with a catalyst which promotes the consumption of the residual oxygen in a combustion reaction. Preferably, the heat liberated in the combustion reaction is recovered for use in heating flue gas to combustion supporting conditions and in downstream carbon dioxide recovery steps. The purpose of the combustion reaction is to lower the oxygen content of the flue gas stream, which is then contacted with a lean carbon dioxide absorbing amine solution. The low oxygen content reduces the degradation of the amine solution and the corrosiveness of the amine solution thus allowing the use of high strength amine solutions and very high absorbent liquid loadings.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid contacting apparatus suitable for use as a fractionation tray is disclosed. The horizontal liquid support area of the apparatus has a flat vapor-liquid contacting area formed by closely spaced parallel members. The parallel members are shaped such that the elongated openings between adjacent members have a tapered shape which is smallest at the top. The apparatus may be used as a fractionation tray which has a low pressure drop and a low tendency for liquid to fall through the contacting area.