Abstract: A tray assembly for improved gas/liquid contact in a chemical process tower includes a tray deck and a downcomer. A mixer is provided in the top of the downcomer and a distributor is attached to a floor of the downcomer. The mixer includes at least one mixing baffle parallel to an outlet weir on the tray. The distributor includes a plurality of spaced apart flow directing plates extending downwardly toward and spaced apart from the floor of the downcomer. In combination, the mixer and distributor effect even liquid flow across the surface of a subjacent tray deck.

Abstract: A tray assembly for improved gas/liquid contact in a chemical process tower includes a tray deck and a downcomer. A mixer is provided in the top of the downcomer and a distributor is attached to a floor of the downcomer. The mixer includes at least one mixing baffle parallel to an outlet weir on the tray. The distributor includes a plurality of spaced apart flow directing plates extending downwardly toward and spaced apart from the floor of the downcomer. In combination, the mixer and distributor effect even liquid flow across the surface of a subjacent tray deck.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a process for refining a hydrocarbon feed to make substantially styrene-free C6-C8 aromatic hydrocarbons (BTX). The hydrocarbon feed, for example, unhydrotreated pyrolysis gasoline, is distilled to make a BTX rich stream containing styrene which is fractionated to separate C6 and C7 hydrocarbons from C8 hydrocarbons including styrene. Styrene in the C8 hydrocarbons reacts in the presence of a selective etherification catalyst with a C1-C3 lower alkyl alcohol to form the corresponding styrene ether, which is then separated by distillation into a styrene ether stream and a C8 hydrocarbons rich stream. The C8 hydrocarbons rich stream is then re-mixed with the C6 and C7 hydrocarbons, and sent to hydrogenation reactors to remove sulphur and olefinic hydrocarbons to form substantially styrene-free BTX.

Abstract: A wet gas separator providing superior separation of entrained droplets of liquids in a gas stream when compared with prior art wet gas separators. The wet gas separator of the present invention has a combination of: a gas inlet system with vanes that divide and direct the gas stream very evenly across the cross-sectional area of the inlet portion of the apparatus, a first stage Z-shaped de-entraining device at the upstream side of a wire mesh mist eliminator, and a gas outlet system having cyclones for removal of traces of re-entrained droplets. The apparatus of the present invention has capability of improving processing throughput by 50% when compared with prior art apparatus, with greater de-entrainment efficiency (achieving 99.7% removal of droplets larger than 10 microns in size).

Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for reduction of dissolved oxygen content in seawater from about 8 ppm in the feed seawater to about 10 ppb or less. Significant advantages are achieved by: use of a separator in horizontal alignment to provide high gas-liquid contacting area for separation and de-entrainment within the separator, thereby providing higher throughput; and heating seawater to at least 30° C. and up to 60° C., so as to enhance removal of oxygen from seawater; use of once-through fuel gas as stripping gas and its subsequent combustion for heating the seawater provides for high efficiency and reduction of fouling. The combination of these features allows the amount of residual oxygen in deoxygenated seawater to be reduced to below 10 ppb and as low as 2 ppb.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a process for refining a hydrocarbon feed to make substantially styrene-free C6-C8 aromatic hydrocarbons (BTX). The hydrocarbon feed, for example, unhydrotreated pyrolysis gasoline, is distilled to make a BTX rich stream containing styrene which is fractionated to separate C6 and C7 hydrocarbons from C8 hydrocarbons including styrene. Styrene in the C8 hydrocarbons reacts in the presence of a selective etherification catalyst with a C1-C3 lower alkyl alcohol to form the corresponding styrene ether, which is then separated by distillation into a styrene ether stream and a C8 hydrocarbons rich stream. The C8 hydrocarbons rich stream is then re-mixed with the C6 and C7 hydrocarbons, and sent to hydrogenation reactors to remove sulphur and olefinic hydrocarbons to form substantially styrene-free BTX.

Abstract: A vapor distributor for use in atmospheric or vacuum columns includes a new design of vapor inlet device, or vapor horn, to provide superior mixing and distribution of a tangential first feed and a vertical second feed. New vapor inlet device has an inlet dividing the first feed into two portions, each flowing in respective housings in opposed circulation directions, and a plurality of vanes for redirection of vapor. Mixing and distribution of feeds by the vapor distributor is further enhanced by inclusion in vapor distributor of a mixer and vapor directing plates.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for reduction of dissolved oxygen content in seawater from about 8 ppm in the feed seawater to about 10 ppb or less. Significant advantages are achieved by: use of a separator in horizontal alignment to provide high gas-liquid contacting area for separation and de-entrainment within the separator, thereby providing higher throughput; and heating seawater to at least 30° C. and up to 60° C., so as to enhance removal of oxygen from seawater; use of once-through fuel gas as stripping gas and its subsequent combustion for heating the seawater provides for high efficiency and reduction of fouling. The combination of these features allows the amount of residual oxygen in deoxygenated seawater to be reduced to below 10 ppb and as low as 2 ppb.

Abstract: A tray assembly is provided for improved gas/liquid contact when used in a large chemical process tower. Each tray has a downcomer wall of which the lower portion is a distributor. The distributor has discharge ports sized to control the rate of liquid flow at different positions across the distributor and flanges aligned individually to direct liquid flow from different discharge ports across different areas of the tray deck immediately below the downcomer. In combination, discharge ports and liquid flow directing flanges effect even liquid flow across the surface of the tray immediately below. Benefits of this invention are trays with better mass transfer efficiency and enhanced capacity compared with prior art trays.

Abstract: A wet gas separator providing superior separation of entrained droplets of liquids in a gas stream when compared with prior art wet gas separators. The wet gas separator of the present invention has a combination of: a gas inlet system with vanes that divide and direct the gas stream very evenly across the cross-sectional area of the inlet portion of the apparatus, a first stage Z-shaped de-entraining device at the upstream side of a wire mesh mist eliminator, and a gas outlet system having cyclones for removal of traces of re-entrained droplets. The apparatus of the present invention has capability of improving processing throughput by 50% when compared with prior art apparatus, with greater de-entrainment efficiency (achieving 99.7% removal of droplets larger than 10 microns in size).

Abstract: A vapor distributor for use in atmospheric or vacuum columns includes a new design of vapor inlet device, or vapor horn, to provide superior mixing and distribution of a tangential first feed and a vertical second feed. New vapor inlet device has an inlet dividing the first feed into two portions, each flowing in respective housings in opposed circulation directions, and a plurality of vanes for redirection of vapor. Mixing and distribution of feeds by the vapor distributor is further enhanced by inclusion in vapor distributor of a mixer and vapor directing plates.

Abstract: A tray assembly is provided for improved gas/liquid contact when used in a large chemical process tower, resulting in better performance. Each tray assembly has two levels of tray decks and associated downcomers. Tray decks provide gas/liquid contact for mass transfer and the downcomers are required to clarify the liquid before entering the tray below. A novel downcomer configuration is provided for use in multipass trays. The shape of downcomer bottom chord is designed to allow for liquid to travel across any part of each tray deck at a similar distance between the inlet and the outlet weir. As a result, liquid on the tray deck travels in plug flow pattern. Benefits include a higher Murphree tray efficiency due to minimum liquid back-mixing, as well as minimum local entrainment due to uniform froth height.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for improved gas/liquid contact in a chemical process tower, resulting in better performance. The apparatus includes a tower having a series of tray decks and downcomers. Tray decks provide gas/liquid contact for mass transfer and the downcomers are required to clarify the liquid before entering the tray below. In this invention, the trays have at least one downcomer and one adjacent active sump. The sump has at least one row of apertures for bubbling vapor through liquid flowing therein, and is separated from the downcomer by a baffle. The clarified liquid at the bottom of the sump is sent to the downcomer. The liquid entering the next tray can be assured to divide evenly for multiple-downcomer applications. Gas/liquid contact is thereby enhanced through the installation of these apertures, and clarification of the liquid from bubbles is thereby improved through the addition of the active sump. Benefits to the tower operation include higher tray capacity and efficiency.

Abstract: A tray assembly is provided for improved gas/liquid contact when used in a large chemical process tower. Each tray has a downcomer wall of which the lower portion is a distributor. The distributor has discharge ports sized to control the rate of liquid flow at different positions across the distributor and flanges aligned individually to direct liquid flow from different discharge ports across different areas of the tray deck immediately below the downcomer. In combination, discharge ports and liquid flow directing flanges effect even liquid flow across the surface of the tray immediately below. Benefits of this invention are trays with better mass transfer efficiency and enhanced capacity compared with prior art trays.

Abstract: The contact between, for example, ascending liquid droplets of lighter liquid, as the dispersed phase, and heavier liquid, as the continuous phase, flowing across perforated trays in a flooded liquid/liquid contacting column, is enhanced by providing upstanding baffles on lower trays, interspersed with depending baffles from the trays above. The baffles cause the heavy liquid to flow along an undulating path. Flow distributing partitions extend along the undulating flow path, between the baffles, to distribute liquid flow across the trays. The roles of the lighter liquid and the heavier liquid may be reversed as phases.

Abstract: A gas-liquid contactor baffle includes a body having a first portion, a second portion and a middle portion, the middle portion being positioned between the first portion and the second portion. The middle portion is a corrugated sheet having a first face and a second face. The corrugated sheet has alternating ridges and open ended channels extending across each of the first face and the second face between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion has a first collection channel adapted to collect liquids from the open ended channels of the middle portion when flow is along the first face in a first direction. The second portion having a second collection channel adapted to collect liquids from the open ended channels of the middle portion when flow is along the second face in a second direction.

Abstract: A tray assembly is provided for improved gas/liquid contact when used in a large chemical process tower, resulting in better performance. Each tray assembly comprises two levels of tray decks and associated downcomers. Tray decks provide gas/liquid contact for mass transfer and the downcomers are required to clarify the liquid before entering the tray below. In this invention, a novel downcomer configuration is provided for use in multipass trays. The shape of downcomer bottom chord is designed to allow for liquid to travel across any part of each tray deck at a similar distance between the inlet and the outlet weir. As a result, liquid on the tray deck travels in plug flow pattern. Benefits of this invention are higher Murphree tray efficiency due to minimum liquid back-mixing, as well as minimum local entrainment due to uniform froth height.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for improved gas/liquid contact in a chemical process tower, resulting in better performance. The apparatus comprises a tower having a series of tray decks and downcomers. Tray decks provide gas/liquid contact for mass transfer and the downcomers are required to clarify the liquid before entering the tray below. In this invention, the trays have at least one downcomer and one adjacent active sump. The sump has at least one row of apertures for bubbling vapor through liquid flowing therein, and is separated from the downcomer by a baffle. The clarified liquid at the bottom of the sump is sent to the downcomer. The liquid entering the next tray can be assured to divide evenly for multiple-downcomer applications. Gas/liquid contact is thereby enhanced through the installation of these apertures, and clarification of the liquid from bubbles is thereby improved through the addition of the active sump. Benefits to the tower operation include higher tray capacity and efficiency.

Abstract: A novel method for connecting multiple existing columns which are retrofitted into vapor-liquid contacting devices with trays or packings suitable for the operation of a three-phase (vapor-liquid-liquid) extractive distillation column for aromatics recovery. The retrofitted columns are connected by a vapor transfer line to transfer the vapor phase from the top of the lower column to the bottom of the upper column, and by a liquid transfer line to transfer the liquid phase from the bottom of the upper column to the top of the lower column of the three-phase extractive distillation column.

Abstract: The lower, liquid collecting section of a gas/liquid contacting column has an entrained substance depleting duct extending therearound wherein gas, for example, steam is fed by the duct into the lower section, steam depleted by gravity of liquid droplets, is deflected upwardly by deflectors in the duct through duct openings into a central, upper region of the lower section, while steam with the droplets is deflected downwardly by deflectors in the duct through other duct openings towards a liquid pool in the lower section. Any other liquid and/or solids entrained in the gas (steam) are also deflected downwardly in this manner.