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: In a process for the fractional condensation of an acrylic acid-containing product gas mixture of a gas-phase partial oxidation of C3 precursors of acrylic acid with molecular oxygen under heterogeneous catalysis, the separation column used contains both dual-flow trays and hydraulically sealed cross-flow trays as baffles having separation activity.

Abstract: Problems generated by heat transfer through the vertical dividing wall of a trayed “dividing wall column” and into a downcomer of a tray are mitigated by providing a separate vertical isolation wall between the downcomer and dividing wall. The isolation wall forms one side of the downcomer and is spaced a short distance outward from the dividing wall to form an isolation volume which thermally insulates the downcomer from the dividing wall. The added wall is parallel to the dividing wall and supplants the dividing wall as a part of the downcomer. It eliminates a need to insulate the dividing wall.

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: A vapor-liquid contact tray is provided with a quick opening manway. The manway includes an opening formed in the tray and an overlying cover formed by a pair of panels joined together by a center hinged connection. The cover panels of the manway have upturned flanges formed along the lateral margins of the cover. The flanges are removably received within inverted U-shaped brackets that are positioned along the lateral margins of the tray adjacent the manway opening. When the cover is closed, the flanges are received tightly within the associated brackets to secure the lateral margins of the cover to the tray. The cover can be opened by lifting one or both cover panels to cause them to fold together about the center hinge. As the cover panels are lifted, the flanges tilt within the brackets and are released from engagement therewith. The end margins of the cover panels are secured to the adjacent portions of the tray by conventional manway clamps.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray is provided with at least two tray panels that are releaseably together along their overlapped margins by a locking hinged joint. The joint is formed by fingers in one tray panel that extend through slots located in the other tray panel. Offset bends are formed in the tray panels so that the overlapped margins do not extend above the top surface of the tray. The hinged joint includes a locking mechanism that prevents lateral separation of the tray panels once they have been releaseably joined together. The locking mechanism is formed by a downturned locking flange positioned between the fingers in one of the tray panels and extending downwardly into and, preferably through, openings located in the overlapped margin of the other tray panel.

Abstract: A vapor-liquid contact tray is provided with at least two tray panels that are releaseably together along their overlapped margins by a locking hinged joint. The joint is formed by fingers in one tray panel that extend through slots located in the other tray panel. Offset bends are formed in the tray panels so that the overlapped margins do not extend above the top surface of the tray. The hinged joint includes a locking mechanism that prevents lateral separation of the tray panels once they have been releaseably joined together. The locking mechanism is formed by a downturned locking flange positioned between the fingers in one of the tray panels and extending downwardly into and, preferably through, openings located in the overlapped margin of the other tray panel.

Abstract: A gas/liquid contacting tray assembly is provided, including a perforated sheet and elongated cover strips arching over the perforations in the sheet. The cover strips have slots with liquid conveying strips in them for conveying liquid along the slots while mixing gas therewith. This reduces stagnant areas downstream of the cover strips, and sedimentation of solids in these areas, thus increasing the gas/liquid mixing and handling capacity while reducing the frequency of shut downs. A further slot, extending in the opposite direction to the one above, may be provided in the cover strip and have a conveying strip for conveying liquid mixed with gas to the other end of the cover strip and further reducing the formation of stagnant areas. The cover strips may taper inwardly width-wise in a downstream direction.

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 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 liquid/gas contacting apparatus is provided wherein the perforated trays have an upper liquid repellent layer of a fluorocarbon polymer, to increase, and spread, liquid flow over the tray, and a rough underside for bursting any bubbles of any spray there against. Ridges are provided forming chevron patterns between perforations in the trays to deflect liquid towards the casing sides and remove sediment therefrom.

Abstract: A liquid/gas contacting apparatus is provided wherein the perforated trays comprise an upper liquid repellent layer of a fluorocarbon polymer, to increase, and spread, liquid flow over the tray, and a rough underside for bursting any bubbles of any spray there against. Ridges are provided forming a chevron-like patterns between perforations in the trays to deflect liquid towards the casing sides and remove sediment therefrom.

Abstract: A perforated tray without downcomer having only a small deviation between the opening ratio based on the diameter of a column and the actual opening ratio and a perforated tray column without downcomer formed by disposing such perforated trays without downcomer are provided. The perforated trays without downcomer are characterized by having a ratio of (A)/(B) in the range of 1.1-1.5, wherein A denotes the opening ratio found from the standard pitch between centers of holes and (B) denotes the opening ratio based on the diameter of a column.

Abstract: Gas-liquid contact tray comprising a bubble area and one or more downcomers provided at its upper end with a downcomer opening for receiving liquid, wherein the downcomer opening and downcomer is provided with a flow directing plate, wherein the flow directing plate has an upper end which extends horizontally in the direction of the bubble area.

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: 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: 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: An apparatus for connecting adjacent tray panel of a fractionation tray within a distillation column tower for the separation between a vapor and liquid is provided. A first interlocking panel has an alignment area with at least one alignment slot toward the center of the panel and at least one alignment aperture located distal from the center of the panel. A second interlocking panel has an alignment tab with a valve perforation on the alignment tab. The alignment tab of the second panel is inserted into the alignment slot of the first panel at an angle. The gravitational force on the panel opposite the alignment tab of the second panel aligns the second panel within the horizontal plane of the first panel such that no bolts are required during assembly. Dispersion valves are inserted into the valve perforation to disperse the vapor and prevent weeping to the tray below and flooding to the tray above.

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: 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: In a method for distilling (meth)acrylic acid and/or (meth)acrylic ester, the method has the step of uniformly distributing a supply liquid in a distillation tower over an entirety of a horizontal cross sectional area in the distillation tower. A distillation apparatus for distilling (meth)acrylic acid and/or (meth)acrylic ester in a distillation tower has a supply element for supplying the supply liquid into the distillation tower. The supply element is formed with at least two supply ports through which the liquid is supplied into the distillation tower.

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: The present invention relates to the use of orthogonal tray stiffeners in supporting tray panels for process tray.

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: 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for use in the contact between a vapor and a liquid. In one embodiment, a column is provided having a generally vertical shell. A plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal fluid contacting trays for contacting the vapor and the liquid within the column may also be provided. Each horizontal contacting tray may include a liquid receiving area, an active perforated area and a liquid discharge area. An imperforate inlet area may be formed from a perimeter section of the liquid receiving area, and secured to the inner surface of the column. A downcomer may be positioned above said inlet area and inward from the inner wall surface of the column whereby the downcomer receives liquid from the liquid discharge area of an upper tray and directs flow to the inlet area. A froth activator may also be provided for contacting the liquid from the downcomer.

Abstract: A distributor assembly for a multi-bed, downflow catalytic reactor is disclosed. The distributor assembly is configured for disposal and fixable attachment between the inner surfaces of the walls of a multi-bed downflow cylindrical reactor wall and for disposal between vertically stacked catalyst beds within the reactor.