Liquid distribution in co-current contacting apparatuses
AssigneeUop LLC
InventorsZhanping XU, Brian NOWAK
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Fluid distribution systems, and particularly those for distributing liquids into apparatuses containing modules used to carry out vapor-liquid contacting, are described. Representative liquid distribution systems comprise an extended trough having a plurality of outlet spouts that are aligned for distribution into a plurality of downcomers. The downcomers may be in non-parallel (e.g., orthogonal) alignment with respect to the trough and/or the number of troughs may be less than the number of downcomers to which fluid is distributed.
Claims20
An apparatus for performing co-current vapor-liquid contacting, comprising:
- a) a liquid distribution system comprising at least one extended trough having a plurality of outlet spouts;
- and
- b) a contacting stage having at least two contacting modules, each contacting module comprising:
- i) at least one downcomer having an outlet proximate at least one co-current flow channel;
- ii) a demister having an inlet surface proximate said co-current flow channel and an outlet surface superior to a receiving pan;
- and
- iii) at least one duct having an upper end in fluid communication with said receiving pan, and a lower end, wherein said lower end of each duct is in fluid communication with a separate downcomer of an inferior stage;
- wherein said outlet spouts are aligned for liquid distribution to said downcomers of said contacting modules and wherein the number of troughs of said distribution system is less than the number of downcomers of said contacting stage.
An apparatus for performing co-current vapor-liquid contacting, comprising:
- a liquid distribution system comprising pre-distribution piping in communication with both an external fluid inlet to the apparatus and at least one extended trough having a plurality of outlet spouts, said liquid distribution system being superior to a contacting stage having at least two contacting modules and a plurality of receiving pans, and each of said contacting modules comprising:
- a) a pair of substantially parallel demisters being spaced apart;
- and
- b) a downcomer located between said demisters and defining, with inlet surfaces of said demisters, a pair of co-current flow channels, wherein said inlet surfaces of said demisters are in fluid communication with said co-current flow channels, said downcomer has an outlet in fluid communication with said co-current flow channels, and said demisters have outlet surfaces superior to separate receiving pans of said plurality of receiving pans;
- wherein said outlet spouts are in fluid communication with said downcomers of said contacting modules.
A liquid distribution system comprising at least one extended trough having a plurality of outlet spouts aligned for distribution into a plurality of downcomers in non-parallel alignment with respect to said trough.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.