Abstract: Liquid distributors collect liquid falling out of the spout group at the ends of a downcomer of a fractionation tray. The devices then distribute the liquid against the wall of the column or onto the decking of the next lower tray so to cause uniform liquid flows across the terminal decking section of the next lower multiple downcomer tray. The apparatus improves the liquid flow path on the terminal decking section of the tray, thus increasing the overall efficiency of the tray.

Abstract: A hydraulically sealed crossflow mass transfer tray, separating columns which contain the hydraulically sealed crossflow mass transfer tray and the use of such separating columns for thermal separating processes.

Abstract: A plurality of fluid-fluid contact trays of the cross-flow type are provided within a shell of a mass transfer or heat exchange column. The trays include tray decks that are supported on rings fixed to an inner surface of the shell and downcomers that are supported, not by the typical bolting bars fixed to the shell, but by the tray deck of the underlying tray. The mechanisms for supporting the downcomers in this fashion are support brackets that are not secured to the column shell, but instead extend downwardly from the downcomers and rest on the tray deck of the underlying tray. Alternating trays have side downcomers positioned at openings at one or both ends of the tray deck. The support rings on those trays having side downcomers may be truncated so that the rings do not extend around that portion of the shell circumference where the side downcomer openings are located. On the remaining trays, complete 360 degree rings may be used.

Abstract: A mass transfer column (20) is provided with an external shell defining an open internal region. Centrifugal contact trays (26) and return contact trays (28) are positioned in an alternating and vertically spaced apart relationship within the open internal region. Each contact tray has a plurality of vapor passages (33) for allowing vapor to flow upwardly through the tray deck to interact with liquid on the surface of the tray deck. At least one center downcomer (40) extends downwardly at an opening in the return tray deck and has a lower discharge outlet spaced above the centrifugal tray deck for feeding liquid onto the centrifugal tray deck. A rotation-inducing element may be placed within the center downcomer (40) to induce a rotational motion in liquid exiting the center downcomer (40). At least one annular downcomer (36) extends downwardly the periphery of the centrifugal tray deck and has a lower discharge outlet spaced about the return tray deck for feeding liquid onto the return tray deck.

Abstract: Vapor and liquid passing downward through a vessel are brought into contact within a plurality of distributor assemblies arranged across a horizontal distribution tray located within the vessel. The distributor assemblies have fluid flow paths with different resistances to fluid flow, as by having vapor inlets of at least two different sizes, with the differently sized inlets being located on different assemblies or on different upflow channels of the same assembly. This provides different vapor flow rates and liquid flow rates in different upflow channels. The invention improves the uniformity of liquid distribution over the cross section of the vessel despite elevational differences in liquid levels on the distribution tray or changes in the vapor and or liquid flow rates through the reactor.

Abstract: The efficiency of multiple down comer fractional distillation trays is improved by distributing the liquid egressing from the bottom of the downcomers in a manner which provides a uniform length liquid flow path on the next lower tray. This is accomplished by liquid distribution devices suspended below the downcomers of the upper tray, with the devices running parallel to the downcomers of the next lower tray and being adapted to collect the falling liquid and then disperse it onto the decking below along the length of the lower downcomers through openings in the distribution device.

Abstract: A gas-liquid contacting apparatus is provided wherein the perforated trays are divided into portions by a lattice-like pattern of downcomers which deliver liquid to central regions of the tray portions immediately below them. An odd number, X, for example three parallel downcomers which are at right angles to an even number or X−1, for example two parallel downcomers are provided so that adjacent trays be turned at right angles so that the downcomers of the upper tray extend centrally between the downcomers of the lower tray. The downcomers reduce stagnant liquid regions, distribute the liquid more evenly on the trays and allow longer flow paths to be provided on the trays.

Abstract: Column for counter-currently contacting vapour and liquid comprising a plurality of horizontal contact trays arranged axially spaced apart in the column, each contact tray being provided with a vapour-liquid contacting area, a liquid receiving area, a downcomer area and an overflow weir between area and contact area, and which column is further provided with a plurality of horizontal separation trays, each separation tray being spatially arranged above a contact tray, said separation tray having means to separate entrained liquids from the upwardly moving vapour and means to return the thus separated liquid to a contact tray below, wherein the vapour-liquid contacting area is provided with atomiser means where in said atomiser means liquid can be dragged from a continuous liquid phase into a flow of vapour to form a dispersion of vapour and liquid droplets.

Abstract: A modular apparatus for fractional distillation and other forms of vapor-liquid contacting is presented. The apparatus performs cocurrent contacting of vapor and liquid in a number of identical structural units which are placed in horizontal layers in a column or other enclosure. The structural units, or modules, are horizontally spaced apart in each layer to provide spaces for the downcomers from the modules of the next higher layer. The downcomers deliver the liquid to one of two inclined contacting channels, with the contacting channels discharging the vapor and liquid into separation chambers at the top of the module. Vapor flows upward from the separation chambers to the contacting channel of the next higher module and liquid flows down through a single central downcomer to the next lower contacting channel.

Abstract: The efficiency of multiple downcomer fractional distillation trays is improved by distributing the liquid egressing from the bottom of the downcomers in a manner which provides a uniform length liquid flow path on the next lower tray. This is accomplished by liquid distribution devices suspended below the downcomers of the upper tray, with the devices running parallel to the downcomers of the next lower tray and being adapted to collect the falling liquid and then disperse it onto the decking below along the length of the lower downcomers through openings in the distribution device.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid contactor includes a plurality of vertically stacked trays (151) within a containment column, the central downcomer (152) provides a liquid supply and removal area at the same location on each tray (151), so that the horizontal liquid flow pattern is the same on each tray (151). The contactor also includes vertical partitions (154) positioned transverse to the liquid flow within the vapor space of each tray (151) to minimize vapor mixing. The trays (151) may also include an indirect heat exchanger in the form of tubing arrays (208).

Abstract: This invention relates to a gas-liquid contact tray having a bubble area and a downcomer having a downcomer opening, in which a self-draining vent tube is present in the downcomer and fluidly connects the upper portion of the downcomer with a space above the tray.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid tray is provided which achieves markedly higher vapor loading and tray efficiency at all liquid loadings, and with little or no increase in pressure drop. Vapor loading is increased via a multiplicity of locally co-current liquid recirculating compartments, preferably with diagonal structure producing diagonal co-currency. Tray efficiency is increased by highly effective horizontal staging via a convergent-divergent liquid flowpath, preferably with structurally integrated tray downcomers. The advantageous features are also applicable individually. Referring to FIG. 16, symmetric tray partitions 1602 separate the active area of tray 1601 into a central section and two peripheral sections. The peripheral sections have tray downcomers 1615 and tray weirs 1617. The central section tray weir is 1632. Compartment partitions 1613 divide the liquid flowpaths into multiple compartments, each having compartment weir 1613 with liquid recirculation passages 1633.

Abstract: A stepped downcomer with intermediate step platform and a step wall extending down. Extensions extend out from step wall ends toward the tower wall. A main panel extends from the interior edge of the platform up to the above positioned tray. The liquid-vapor mix flows into contact with the step platform and travels off the platform. The liquid also flows down along the extensions into contact with the inlet region of the lower tray, by-passing the platform. The lower edge of the step wall and lower edge of the extensions control fluid flow traveling under the lower edging from the inlet side of the downcomer apparatus to the active area of the tray. The relative level of the edges can be varied to suit use. The flow control region can additionally include baffles, slots, doors and other flow control devices.

Abstract: The tray column (1) has downcomers (3) for a transport of the liquid between adjacent trays (2). The liquid transport takes place in each downcomer through a plurality of discharge apertures (32) onto a loaded tray. Liquid flowing out of the discharge apertures in the form of jets (60) blending into a regionally divergent flow field (6) on striking the loaded tray, said flow field having transverse components of the flow speed with respect to a longitudinal main flow direction (61). Guide elements (4) are arranged beneath the discharge apertures and at a spacing from the loaded tray which each guide the impulse of liquid corresponding to the divergent flow field. The guide elements contribute to forming the transverse speed components such that the longitudinal component of the flow speed has a largely constant profile in each plane perpendicular to the main flow direction.

Abstract: The efficiency of multiple downcomer fractional distillation trays is improved by distributing the liquid egressing from the bottom of the downcomers in a manner which provides a uniform length liquid flow path on the next lower tray. This is accomplished by liquid distribution devices suspended below the downcomers of the upper tray, with the devices running parallel to the downcomers of the next lower tray and being adapted to collect the falling liquid and then disperse it onto the decking below along the length of the lower downcomers through openings in the distribution device.

Abstract: Gas-liquid contact tray comprising a bubble area and a plurality of downcomers having a downcomer opening, which downcomer openings are spaced in the bubble area, such that, when in use, a liquid enters the downcomer opening from opposite sides of the downcomer opening, wherein the downcomer opening and downcomer is provided with at least two flow directing plates, wherein each flow directing plate has an upper end which extends above the tray and is inclined towards the direction of the liquid flowing towards the downcomer opening.

Abstract: Gas-liquid contact tray comprising a bubble area and one or more rectangular downcomer openings spaced within the bubble area, wherein a shield provided with a plurality of openings is present above the downcomer opening and which shield extends from both the longitudinal sides of the rectangular downcomer.

Abstract: A stepped downcomer apparatus for use in a vapor-liquid contact apparatus having an intermediate level step platform with a preferred tri-edge peripheral edge and corresponding step panels extending down from that edge to form a sealing step panel wall. As a preferred support device, extensions extend in chordal fashion out from the interior vertical edge of the opposite side step wall panels and either directly or indirectly by way of support bars into a supporting relationship with a tower of the vapor-liquid contact apparatus. A main panel extends up from the interior edge of the platform and up to the above positioned tray. A weir may extend above the above positioned tray that is an extension of the main panel. This main panel is attached to the support bars and supports the step platform and walls and extensions either alone or with added support members. A tray support ledge extends inwardly from the downcomer to provide support to the upper tray.

Abstract: A gas-liquid contacting column is described with a number of axially spaced trays, each having two sections separated along a diametrical line on the tray, and having a number of parallel rectangular downcomers, open at the upper end and closed at the bottom end, which has a number of liquid discharge openings, and a number of liquid receiving areas with bubble area between them. The liquid receiving area is positioned just below the downcomer of a consecutive tray just above. The downcomers extend from the diametrical line to the circumferential of the tray such that the ends of the downcomers of the two tray sections are positioned along the diametrical line in an alternating manner, wherein the area of the liquid discharge openings per downcomer length as viewed from below and close to the diametrical line is less than that as viewed from below.

Abstract: Mass transfer process, in which, in at least two contact stages, and at least two liquid or gaseous phases are brought into contact with one another, at least one component being transferred between the phases and the phases moving countercurrently. The flow through at least one of the contact stages is batchwise for one phase and continuous for another phase. The phases flow through contact stages which are formed by trays in a column, which trays are opened periodically so that the phase which flows through the column in a batchwise manner flows to the next tray.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas-liquid contacting column having a number of axially spaced contacting trays, which trays have one or more liquid receiving areas and one or more downcomers, which liquid receiving areas and downcomers are spaced in a bubble area and which downcomer has at its upper end a liquid receiving opening and at its lower end one or more downward directed liquid discharging openings, which openings are positioned above the liquid receiving area of the consecutive lower contacting tray and positioned at more than 10% of the tray spacing above this liquid receiving area, wherein along the boundary of the liquid receiving area and the bubble area a weir is present.

Abstract: Gas/liquid contact tray for use in a column for counter-currently contacting gas and liquid, which tray has a perforated panel of which the area is divided in two or more parallel sections wherein the odd numbered sections are provided with downcomers directed perpendicular to the direction of the section, wherein the bottoms of the downcomers are provided with lateral outflow openings directed in the direction of the sections, and wherein the bottom of each of the downcomers in the section(s) neighbouring the wall of the column is also provided with a frontal outflow opening directed in the direction of the wall.

Abstract: Liquid distributors collect liquid falling out of the spout group at the ends of a downcomer of a fractionation tray. The devices then distribute the liquid against the wall of the column or onto the decking of the next lower tray so to cause uniform liquid flows across the terminal decking section of the next lower multiple downcomer tray. The apparatus improves the liquid flow path on the terminal decking section of the tray, thus increasing the overall efficiency of the tray.

Abstract: A fluid inlet device for introducing a mixture of liquid and gas into a column provided with an inlet nozzle and with a horizontal gas/liquid contact tray arranged in the column below the inlet nozzle provided with a number of elongated downcomers between which bubbling areas are located, which inlet device consists of an inlet end that is in fluid communication with the inlet nozzle and a number of vertical vanes placed one behind the other, wherein each vane consists of two interconnected parts, an intercepting part and an outwardly directed deflecting part, wherein the intercepting part extends to the inlet end of the inlet device, and wherein an outlet channel defined by the deflecting parts of two adjacent vanes opens above a bubbling area of the contact tray.

Abstract: A bubble column can be operated using countercurrent flow including perforated trays. The space-time yield of gas-liquid reactions can be considerably increased if the perforated trays have a substantially uniform distribution of holes, if the cross-sectional area of the individual holes is 0.003 to 3 mm2, particularly 0.01 to 0.5 mm2, and if the open area of the trays is 3 to 20%, particularly 3 to 10%, and if the bubble column comprises passages for liquid between adjacent liquid zones. The bubble column can be used for carrying out gas-liquid reactions, such as oxidation reactions with air, with the gas and liquid preferably being passed in countercurrent flow through the column. Cocurrent flow may also be used.

Abstract: A downcomer for a plate column, which is largely centrally symmetrically formed with respect to an axis pointing in the column direction, having: a) a run-out aperture which is located within an overflow weir and which contains at least one of: deflection elements, and elements on the overflow weir, for an inflowing liquid/gas mixture for the development of a circular flow; b) a passage part which leads downward; and (c) a cup which is provided at the lower end of the passage part for accumulating the liquid flowing away. The cup contains a plurality of apertures which are designed and arranged in such a manner that a largely uniform distribution of the liquid flowing away results.

Abstract: A gas/liquid contacting apparatus is provided wherein sedimentation of particulate solids at the corner of liquid overflow weirs of perforated trays is substantially reduced. This is achieved by bowing outwardly in a downstream direction the overflow weirs, to even out the liquid flow over them, and providing downcomer chutes from the weirs, which conform to the weir contour at the upper end. The downcomer chutes have sides converging in a downstream direction on a base to draw liquid away from the weir sides. The invention may be used in a single, two or four pass gas/liquid contacting apparatus.

Abstract: In the purification of an easily polymerizable compound such as (meth)acrylic acid by the use of a purification column adapted to withdraw a liquid from the middle portion of the column, a novel liquid withdrawing tray adapted to prevent the compound from polymerization effectively and permit the purification to be stably performed for a long time, a purification column using this tray, and a method for purifications using this purification column are provided. The liquid withdrawing tray for the purification column is composed of a liquid receiving plate and a liquid withdrawing tube for withdrawing the liquid from the liquid receiving plate.

Abstract: A quench zone mixing apparatus that occupies a low vertical height and has an improved mixing efficiency and fluid distribution across the catalyst surface includes a swirl chamber, a rough distribution network, and a distribution apparatus. In the swirl chamber, reactant fluid from a catalyst bed above is thoroughly mixed with a quench fluid by a swirling action. The mixed fluids exit the swirl chamber through an aperture to the rough distribution system where the fluids are radially distributed outward across the vessel to the distribution apparatus. The distribution apparatus includes a plate with a number of bubble caps and associated drip trays that multiply the liquid drip stream from the bubble caps to further symmetrically distribute the fluids across the catalyst surface. Alternatively, deflector baffles may be associated with the bubble caps to provide a wider and more uniform liquid distribution below the plate.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid contacting tower having a tray deck, at least one downcomer and a structure packing layer in the space under the vapor-liquid bubble contacting tray wherein the tray deck has an opening such that vapor ascends upward through the opening to come into contact with the liquid flowing across the tray deck to form a froth in which the vapor and the liquid on the tray deck creates cross-flow bubble contact and with the structural dimensions of the tray deck and downcomer providing for at least 90 vol % of the total liquid flowing across the tray deck flows downwardly through the downcomer to the adjacent deck.

Abstract: A fluid inlet device for introducing a mixture of liquid and gas into a column provided with an inlet nozzle and with a horizontal gas/liquid contact tray arranged in the column below the inlet nozzle provided with a number of elongated downcomers between which bubbling areas are located, which inlet device consists of an inlet end that is in fluid communication with the inlet nozzle and a number of vertical vanes placed one behind the other, wherein each vane consists of two interconnected parts, an intercepting part and an outwardly directed deflecting part, wherein the intercepting part extends to the inlet end of the inlet device, and wherein an outlet channel defined by the deflecting parts of two adjacent vanes opens above a bubbling area of the contact tray.

Abstract: The column contains a base (1) between an upper and a lower filler body section (8). With this base, liquid (9) is collected from the upper section in a buffer chamber (3) and collected liquid is distributed onto the lower section (8). Flues (2) serve as passages for a gas transport through the buffer chamber. Outlet openings (6) of the buffer chamber are arranged in vertical walls (20) of the flues and guide members (4) for the liquid to be distributed are arranged ahead of the outlet openings. Each outlet opening and its associated guide member are formed in such a manner that the liquid is incident onto a deflection surface (41) of the guide member as a largely free jet (90) unimpeded by a back pressure. The flue cross-section which is available for the gas transport is decreased by the guide members by at most 20%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas-liquid contacting tray provided with a bubble area, a liquid discharge area and an overflow weir along the boundary of the bubble area and the liquid discharge area, on which tray, when in use, a liquid flow in the direction of the liquid discharge area is present just above the surface of the bubbling area, in which the overflow weir is formed such that it guides the liquid flow in a backwards direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a gas-liquid contact tray consisting of a bubble area and a downcomer having a downcomer opening, in which a self-draining vent tube is present in the downcomer and fluidly connects the upper portion of the downcomer with a space above the tray.

Abstract: The vapor-liquid contacting tower contains multiple trays having multiple openings and multiple rectangular downcomers with multiple bottom openings. At least a pair of directing slots and at least a pair of directing baffles are installed in the liquid receiving zone of the tray and under the bottom openings of a downcomer of the adjacent overlying tray.

Abstract: The flooding capacity of a fractionation tray (2) is increased by the addition of at least one layer of low surface area grids (3) above the inlet to the downcomers (6,12) located on the tray (2). The grids (3) extend upward for a distance equal to one to four times the depth of the downcomers. The grids may rest upon the top edge of the downcomers or on the tray decking between the top portions of the downcomer sidewalls.

Abstract: This concept concerns a vapor/liquid contacting tray which is useful in distillation and related mass transfer or heat transfer applications where liquid flows down and gas or vapor flows up through a vessel. In this device, the perforated area is relatively small, so the liquid is entrained upward. The liquid flow is then directed downward into a large disengaging area. The downward momentum of the liquid and the large disengaging allow for high liquid and vapor rates without overloading the vapor/liquid disengaging capacity of the device.

Abstract: Gas-liquid contacting tray consisting of a bubble area and one or more rectangular downcomers which are longer in length than in width, which downcomers consist of two sloped downcomer walls along their length, a downcomer opening at tray level and one or more downward directed liquid discharge openings at the lower end, which downcomers are so positioned on the tray that bubble area is present at both of the longer sides, wherein the cross-sectional area at the lower end of the downcomer is less than 40% of the cross-sectional area of the upper end of the downcomer at tray level.

Abstract: A gas-liquid contacting column is disclosed that is provided with a number of axially spaced trays, each tray having two tray sections separated along a diametrical line on the tray, each tray section consisting of a number of parallel rectangular downcomers, a number of liquid receiving areas and bubble area between the downcomers and the liquid receiving areas, which liquid receiving area is positioned just below the downcomer of a consecutive tray just above and which downcomers are open at the upper end and closed at the bottom end, which bottom end is provided with a number of liquid discharge openings and which downcomers extend from the diametrical line to the circumferential of the tray in such a manner that the ends of the downcomers of the two tray sections are positioned along the diametrical line in an alternating manner, wherein the area of the liquid discharge openings per downcomer length as viewed from below and close to the diametrical line is less than the average area of the liquid discharg

Abstract: Gas/liquid contact tray for use in a column for counter-currently contacting gas and liquid, which tray consists of a perforated panel of which the area is divided in two or more parallel sections wherein the odd numbered sections are provided with downcomers directed perpendicular to the direction of the section, wherein the bottoms of the downcomers are provided with lateral outflow openings directed in the direction of the sections, and wherein the bottom of each downcomers in the section(s) neighbouring the wall of the column is also provided with a frontal outflow opening directed in the direction of the wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas-liquid contacting column consisting of a number of axially spaced contacting trays, which trays consist of one or more liquid receiving areas and one or more downcomers, which liquid receiving areas and downcomers are spaced in a bubble area and which downcomer has at its upper end a liquid receiving opening and at its lower end one or more downward directed liquid discharging openings, which openings are positioned above the liquid receiving area of the consecutive lower contacting tray and positioned at more than 10% of the tray spacing above this liquid receiving area, wherein along the boundary of the liquid receiving area and the bubble area a weir is present.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting gas-liquid contact in a system in which the liquid is the continuous phase, the apparatus consisting of a vertical column fitted with a series of perforated trays. The perforated trays provide openings near the edges of the trays or between the trays and the inside of the column wall for the transport of liquid. The trays also include a downwardfacing flange at or near the tray edge to establish and maintain a gas cushion under the tray, the height of the flange being between 5-50% of the tray-to-tray spacing The trays further including an upwardly-facing rim on the top side of the tray within which are provided perforations designed for gas flow, the height of the rim being between 5-50% of the tray-to-tray spacing. Between adjacent trays is provided a generally cylindrical tube having a diameter smaller than that of the downwards-facing flange and larger than the upwards-facing rim, the height of the cylinder being 40-80% of the distance between two successive trays.

Abstract: Vapor-liquid contact apparatus for chemical processing includes a vessel containing a plurality of spaced horizontal trays which support a vapor-liquid mixture, and downcomers which carry liquid down from one tray to another. Each tray has an infeed area, a bubbling area which has apertures for introducing vapor into the vapor-liquid mixture on the tray, and a liquid exit opening at the downstream end of the bubbling area. The downcomer receives the vapor-liquid mixture from the bubbling area, and it has a floor which increases the residence time of the vapor-liquid mixture in the downcomer. The floor forms an outlet which feeds liquid to the infeed area of a subsequent tray. The downcomer outlet is an elongated slot formed between a convex outer edge of the floor and a convex outer edge of the downcomer cross-section.

Abstract: The invention concerns a high-speed mass transfer tray with contact and separation elements (CSE) with each CSE consisting of an open, vertically aligned nozzle, which rests with its lower end on the tray and displays at least one row of annular holes, in which an axial swirler with two inclined vanes in the upper section and a firmly attached dense net of ribs arranged lengthwise along the nozzle axis at the lower section in the area of the annular holes is located. A cyclone separator located at the outlet end of the nozzle with deflection rings between separator and annular holes, characterized by the fact that the free cross-section of the CSEs for the gas flow measures 0.36 to 0.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray (36) is provided with a tray deck (40) and an upstream downcomer (48) and a downstream downcomer (50) positioned at an opening (46) in the tray deck (40). The upstream downcomer (48) extends downwardly and is inclined in the direction of the upstream downcomer (48).

Abstract: A distillation column is arranged so that a liquid hole which allows liquid containing a polymerizable organic compound to flow from on a tray supporting member downward is formed in a part of the tray supporting member, for example, a support ring, so that substantial retention of the liquid on the tray supporting member is avoided. Therefore, the liquid, such as crude acrylic acid, is allowed to smoothly flow down from on surfaces of a tray and the tray supporting member, thereby causing no substantial retention of the liquid. As a result, polymerization which tends to occur when the liquid is retained on the surfaces of the tray and the tray supporting member thereby being heated is effectively prevented, and the polymerizable organic compound is efficiently purified.