Abstract: A gas-liquid contact tower comprises a tower shell and a plurality of superimposed generally horizontal contact plates mounted in vertically spaced relation within the tower shell, with the plates being grouped into at least one subassembly thereof. A supporting and sealing arrangement is provided for removably supporting said plate subassembly within the tower shell and for preventing any of the contact liquid from bypassing the plate subassembly. The supporting and sealing arrangement includes a first annular component permanently secured and sealed to adjacent inner surfaces of the tower shell, and a second annular component joined circumferentially to the plate subassembly and sealed detachably and circumferentially to the first supporting and sealing component. An annular gasket arrangement is inserted generally between the first and second components of the supporting and sealing arrangement and is circumferentially loaded by a loading arrangement mounted on at least one of the components.

Abstract: A gas-liquid contact tower comprises an outer tower shell and a plurality of superimposed generally horizontal contact plates within the tower shell. The plates are grouped into at least one sub-assembly thereof, and an arrangement is provided for removably supporting the plate assembly within the tower shell. A baffle arrangement is mounted within the tower shell and adjacently overlying the plate sub-assembly and is shaped to minimize or substantially preclude splashing of the shell walls. The baffle arrangement includes a cylindrical section closely but removably fitted within adjacent wall surfaces of the tower shell and a frustoconical section for directing fluid from the cylindrical baffle section onto a contact plate immediately underlying the baffle arrangement. The cylindrical baffle section has sufficient height to afford that flow resistance which would substantially preclude flow of condensible vapor between the adjacent wall surfaces and the baffle arrangement.

Abstract: A gas-liquid contact tower comprises a tower shell and a plurality of superimposed generally horizontal contact plates mounted in vertically spaced relation within the tower shell, with the plates being grouped into at least one subassembly thereof. A supporting and sealing arrangement is provided for removably supporting said plate subassembly within the tower shell and for preventing any of the contact liquid from bypassing the plate subassembly. The supporting and sealing arrangement includes a first annular component permanently secured and sealed to adjacent inner surfaces of the tower shell, and a second annular component joined circumferentially to the plate subassembly and sealed detachably and circumferentially to the first supporting and sealing component. An annular gasket arrangement is inserted generally between the first and second components of the supporting and sealing arrangement and is circumferentially loaded by a loading arrangement mounted on at least one of the components.