Apparatus for distributing fluid in downflow reactors

An apparatus (120) for distributing a polyphasic fluid mixture to a catalyst bed in a downflow reactor (100), the apparatus (120) comprising a distributor tray (140) comprising a plurality of distributor units (150), wherein the distributor unit (150) comprises:

• an inner tube (210) disposed on an orifice (310) in the distributor tray (140), wherein the inner tube (210) comprises:
• an at least one first aperture (314) disposed on a portion on the inner tube (210) to allow liquid to enter the inner tube (210);
• and
• a solid insert (326) disposed in a top portion of the inner tube (210), wherein the solid insert (326) forms a narrow passage (330) in the top portion of the inner tube (210) to allow gas to pass through;
• an outer tube (220) disposed on the distributor tray (140) concentric to the inner tube (210), wherein the outer tube (220) comprises:
• a slot (338) disposed on a bottom portion of the outer tube (220), wherein the slot (338) is to allow liquid from the distributor tray (140) to enter an annular portion (342) between the inner tube (210) and the outer tube (220);
• a cover (346) disposed on a top portion of the inner tube (210) inside the outer tube (220) to enclose the annular portion (342) on the top;
• a cap plate (350) disposed on a support structure (354) disposed on the outer tube (220);
• and
• a gas inlet (358) provided in the support structure (345) to allow gas to enter the distributor unit (150).