Abstract: A vapor distributor for use in an internal region of a mass transfer column to receive and redistribute a vapor stream when it is introduced radially into the internal region through a radial inlet in a shell of the mass transfer column. The vapor distributor includes a plurality of multiple-sided elongated deflectors arranged in a descending array and a pair of braces that extend longitudinally across the array of elongated deflectors and hold them in spaced apart and side-by-side relationship to each other. Each of the elongated deflectors has a deflecting surface that faces toward the radial inlet to redirect and redistribute the radially-introduced vapor stream. The braces each include a strut that may also redirect and redistribute the vapor stream.

Abstract: A mass transfer column comprising: a shell (12); an open internal region (14) defined by said shell; and a mass transfer assembly (16) positioned in the open internal region (14), the mass transfer assembly (16) comprising: a dividing wall (18) forming first and second sub-regions; one or more zones of mass transfer structures positioned in the first and second sub-regions (22 and 24); and a liquid flow divider (48) positioned above the dividing wall (18) for delivering a volumetric split of liquid to the first and second sub-regions. The liquid flow divider (48) may comprise a moveable weir (68) or a valve (180) in order the change the ratio of liquid flow between the two sub-regions.

Abstract: A mass transfer assembly has at least one dividing wall, zones of mass transfer structures on opposite sides of the dividing wall, and a vapor flow restrictor that is operable to vary the split of vapor ascending through the zones of mass transfer structures on the opposite sides of the dividing wall.

Abstract: A mass transfer column comprising: a shell (12); an open internal region (14) defined by said shell; and a mass transfer assembly (16) positioned in the open internal region (14), the mass transfer assembly (16) comprising: a dividing wall (18) forming first and second sub-regions; one or more zones of mass transfer structures positioned in the first and second sub-regions (22 and 24); and a liquid flow divider (48) positioned above the dividing wall (18) for delivering a volumetric split of liquid to the first and second sub-regions. The liquid flow divider (48) may comprise a moveable weir (68) or a valve (180) in order the change the ratio of liquid flow between the two sub-regions.

Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of a rail end in a rail of a railway track includes a support structure mountable to a component of a rail vehicle. At least one magnetic field generator is carried by the support structure to generate a remanent magnetic field in the rail. A sensor arrangement is carried by the support structure in spaced relationship to the magnetic field generator to detect magnetic flux leakage associated with the remanent magnetic field. The sensor arrangement includes at least one pair of longitudinally spaced sensors, each sensor generating a measured signal based on the magnetic flux leakage detected by that sensor. A signal processing module is responsive to the measured signals to calculate a differential signal from the measured signals of the sensors of the at least one pair of sensors. The differential signal is indicative of the presence of a rail end in the rail.

Abstract: A vane inlet device is provided in a vessel to receive and redistribute a fluid stream entering the vessel and to facilitate separation of liquid from the fluid stream. The vane inlet device includes a passageway bounded by a top plate and a bottom plate spaced from the top plate. First and second arrays of vanes extend between the top and bottom plates and are positioned to receive respective portions of the fluid stream flowing from an inlet end of the passageway toward an opposite end and redirecting it out opposite sides of the passageway. A spacing between the first array of vanes and the second array of vanes progressively decreases in a direction from the inlet end of the passageway toward the opposite end. A beam extends from the top plate to the bottom plate between the first and second arrays of vanes to reduce flexure of the top and bottom plates and to separate the respective portions of the fluid stream.

Abstract: A mass transfer assembly has at least one dividing wall, zones of mass transfer structures on opposite sides of the dividing wall, and a vapor flow restrictor that is operable to vary the split of vapor ascending through the zones of mass transfer structures on the opposite sides of the dividing wall.

Abstract: A mass transfer column comprising: a shell (12); an open internal region (14) defined by said shell; and a mass transfer assembly (16) positioned in the open internal region (14), the mass transfer assembly (16) comprising: a dividing wall (18) forming first and second sub-regions; one or more zones of mass transfer structures positioned in the first and second sub-regions (22 and 24); and a liquid flow divider (48) positioned above the dividing wall (18) for delivering a volumetric split of liquid to the first and second sub-regions. The liquid flow divider (48) may comprise a moveable weir (68) or a valve (180) in order the change the ratio of liquid flow between the two sub-regions.

Abstract: A cross-corrugated structured packing element is provided for use in mass transfer or heat exchange columns. The packing element has a plurality of packing layers positioned in an upright, parallel relationship to each other and including corrugations formed of alternating peaks and valleys and corrugation sidewalls extending between the peaks and valleys. The packing element also includes a plurality of apertures each presenting an open area. The apertures are distributed such that the corrugation sidewalls have a greater density of open areas than any density of the open areas that may be present in the peaks and valleys. Some of the apertures may be present in the peaks and the valleys to facilitate liquid distribution. The apertures may also be placed in rows or other patterns that are aligned in a direction along a longitudinal length of the corrugations.

Abstract: A corrugated structured packing sheet has surface texturing that may be in the form of a grid of indented and raised structures. Each indented structure is separated from some or all of adjacent ones of the indented structures by the raised structures. The raised structures form rows of peaks and interconnecting saddles. Microchannels extend along adjacent ones of the indented structures and the interconnecting saddles and intersect the corrugation valleys at an angle in the range of 20 to 75 degrees. The surface texturing may be or include wavy parallel grooves in an upper edge region adjacent the upper edge and a lower edge region adjacent the lower edge and may be or include parallel groove segments in the bulk region that are oriented obliquely to upper and lower edges of the structured packing sheet.

Abstract: A contact tray for use in a mass transfer or heat exchange column and having a tray deck with an inlet area and a remotely positioned outlet for respectively receiving liquid on the tray deck and then removing the liquid after it has flowed across the tray deck and interacted with another fluid on and above the tray deck. A plurality of barriers are positioned between the inlet area and the outlet. The barriers each have spaced-apart pickets and openings in the spacing between adjacent ones of the pickets. The pickets impede the flow of the liquid and increase the upstream liquid loading on the tray deck as the liquid flows from the inlet area, through the openings, and then into the outlet. At low liquid flow rates, this increase in the liquid loading may significantly increase the vapor handling capacity of the tray.

Abstract: An inlet device for use in a vessel to facilitate separation of a gas phase from a liquid phase in a fluid stream. The inlet device has separation cans positioned at each of the outlet ends of a flow channel. Each separation can has a cylindrical wall and an elongated inlet opening in the cylindrical wall to allow the fluid stream to be introduced in a tangential direction into an open interior region where it swirls to facilitate separation of the gas phase from the liquid phase in the fluid stream. The liquid phase exits the separation can through slots in the cylindrical wall and through an open lower end of the open interior region. The gas phase exits the separation can by ascending upwardly through an open upper end of the open interior region.

Abstract: The contacting device for countercurrent contacting of fluid streams and having a first pair of intersecting grids of spaced-apart and parallel deflector blades and a second pair of intersecting grids of spaced-apart and parallel deflector blades. The deflector blades in each one of the grids are interleaved with the deflector blades in the paired intersecting grid and may have uncut side portions that join them together along a transverse strip where the deflector blades cross each other or adjacent opposed ends of the deflector blades and cut side portions that extend from the uncut side portions to the ends of the deflector blades. At least some of the deflector blades have directional tabs and associated openings to allow portions of the fluid streams to pass through the deflector blades to facilitate mixing of the fluid streams.

Abstract: The contacting device for countercurrent contacting of fluid streams and having a first pair of intersecting grids of spaced-apart and parallel deflector blades and a second pair of intersecting grids of spaced-apart and parallel deflector blades. The deflector blades in each one of the grids are interleaved with the deflector blades in the paired intersecting grid and may have uncut side portions that join them together along a transverse strip where the deflector blades cross each other or adjacent opposed ends of the deflector blades and cut side portions that extend from the uncut side portions to the ends of the deflector blades. At least some of the deflector blades have directional tabs and associated openings to allow portions of the fluid streams to pass through the deflector blades to facilitate mixing of the fluid streams.

Abstract: A multi-pass contact tray for use in a mass transfer column has a mixture of fixed valves to movable valves, with the numbers of the respective valves being selected to balance the volumetric flow of vapor through deck segments when the vapor is ascending at volumetric flow rates insufficient to maintain the movable valves in an open position.

Abstract: A contact tray for use in a mass transfer or heat exchange column and having multiple baffles walls that cause the liquid flowing on an upper surface of a tray deck tray to change its direction of flow and narrow its flow path width and extend the length of the flow path when the liquid flows from an inlet area to an outlet on the tray deck. By narrowing the flow path, the volumetric flow rate of the liquid at any portion of the deck increases and reduces the opportunity for vapor entrainment of the liquid at low liquid flow rates. A downcomer extends downwardly from the outlet to receive liquid when it enters the outlet and then convey it downwardly to a discharge outlet located at a lower end of the downcomer. The downcomer includes an inclined or horizontal portion that causes the discharge outlet to be positioned beneath and in vertical alignment with the inlet area on the tray deck.

Abstract: A contact tray for use in a mass transfer column and having a tray deck for receiving a liquid stream and a plurality of valves distributed across the tray deck through which vapor ascends for interacting with the liquid stream. Each valve has an opening in the tray deck in the form of a central segment and extensions that extend outwardly from opposite ends of the central segment. The valves each include a valve body with a valve cover positioned in covering relationship above and extending outwardly beyond the opening and legs that are attached to the valve cover at recesses located at opposite ends of the valve cover. The legs extend downwardly through the extensions in the opening and include stops in portions of the legs positioned below the tray deck to permit limited vertical movement of the legs to allow the valve body to move between open and closed positions in response to ascending vapor pressure against an undersurface of the valve cover.

Abstract: The contacting device for countercurrent contacting of fluid streams and having a first pair of intersecting grids of spaced-apart and parallel deflector blades and a second pair of intersecting grids of spaced-apart and parallel deflector blades. The deflector blades in each one of the grids are interleaved with the deflector blades in the paired intersecting grid and may have uncut side portions that join them together along a transverse strip where the deflector blades cross each other and cut side portions that extend from the uncut side portions to the ends of the deflector blades. At least some of the deflector blades have directional tabs and associated openings to allow portions of the fluid streams to pass through the deflector blades to facilitate mixing of the fluid streams.