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: A carboxylic acid e.g. acetic acid, is recovered from an aqueous feed stream containing the corresponding ester, an alcohol and a small amount of water by catalytically dehydrating the alcohol to the corresponding ether and water, and reacting the water with the ester to generate a liquid carboxylic acid rich product stream. The acid is recovered by distillation. In a second embodiment, additional alcohol and/or water are co-fed with the feed or fed directly to a catalytic distillation column, resulting in a liquid bottom product stream of substantially pure acetic acid and a top distillate stream of substantially pure ether.

Abstract: A carboxylic acid e.g. acetic acid, is recovered from an aqueous feed stream containing the corresponding ester, an alcohol and a small amount of water by catalytically dehydrating the alcohol to the corresponding ether and water, and reacting the water with the ester to generate a liquid carboxylic acid rich product stream. The acid is recovered by distillation. In a second embodiment, additional alcohol and/or water are co-fed with the feed or fed directly to a catalytic distillation column, resulting in a liquid bottom product stream of substantially pure acetic acid and a top distillate stream of substantially pure ether.

Abstract: A pressure relief device for preventing damage to a tray in a distillation column arising from sudden pressure surges includes a plate normally closing an opening in the tray, a frame above which the tray can move vertically, and at least one spring assembly connecting the plate to the frame. When there is a pressure surge, the plate moves vertically to open the pressure relief device. When the pressure differential between zones above and below the plate has been relieved, the spring assembly returns the pressure relief device to the closed position in which the plate is coplanar with the fixed tray.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to catalytic distillation column internals providing improved liquid reaction mixture and catalyst contacting for simultaneous catalytic reaction and separation of the reaction mixture. The invention is an improved catalytic distillation apparatus providing optimum balance of catalytic reaction and mass transfer steps, wherein distribution, mixing and feeding of liquid reaction mixture to the reaction zone and distillation section are better controlled and more uniformly applied. At least one catalyst bed is situated in at least one receiving pan of a distillation tray so that the tray performs the functions of both of the reaction section and the distillation section of the catalytic distillation column simultaneously within a stage.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are described for recovery of a carboxylic acid by hydrolysis of an ester in a mixture comprising the ester, an alcohol and water. The apparatus comprises a catalytic distillation column containing an acidic catalyst and a distillation column. Simultaneously and interdependently the alcohol is catalytically dehydrated to the corresponding ether and water, and said water reacts with the ester to generate a carboxylic acid rich stream from the catalytic distillation column. The acid is recovered by distillation in the distillation column. The process requires no added water. A second embodiment of the apparatus and process has means to co-feed one or both of added methanol and/or water with the feed to maintain substantially optimum operation independent of feed composition.