Fractionation tray with adjustable open area for cleaning and/or throughput control

A fractionation column comprising:

• an undivided column housing having a feed inlet, a liquid outlet, and a gas outlet;
• a plurality of fractionation trays contained in the undivided column housing that are vertically spaced from each other, at least one of the plurality of fractionation trays comprising:
• a first tray deck that includes apertures, wherein the first tray deck is configured to allow vapor rising in the undivided column housing to pass through the apertures and contact liquid flowing across and/or through the tray deck;
• a second tray deck positioned adjacent to the first tray deck, the second tray comprising at least one blanking section devoid of apertures that is movable relative to the apertures of the first tray deck between a covered position in which the apertures of the first tray deck are covered by the at least one blanking section and an uncovered position in which the apertures of the first tray deck are not covered by the at least one blanking section;
• and
• an actuator associated with the at least one of the plurality of fractionation trays that includes the first tray deck and the second tray deck, the actuator being positioned outside of the undivided column housing and being configured to control a shaft extending through a wall of the undivided column housing that is connected to the second tray deck, wherein the actuator is configured to turn the shaft connected to the second tray deck, causing the second tray deck to move linearly relative to the first tray deck.