Fluid distribution to parallel flow vapor-liquid contacting trays
AssigneeUop LLC
InventorZhanping Xu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Fluid distribution systems, and particularly those for distributing liquids into apparatuses containing parallel flow trays for carrying out vapor-liquid contacting, are described. Representative fluid distribution systems comprise one or more extended troughs having a plurality of outlet spouts that are aligned for distribution to a vapor-liquid contacting deck zones of a parallel flow stage. The trough(s) may be orthogonal to liquid distribution pans which are in alignment with outlet spouts (e.g., in discrete outlet spout zones) of the trough(s).
Claims20
An apparatus for performing parallel flow contacting comprising:
- a) a fluid distribution system comprising at least one extended trough having a plurality of outlet spouts and a plurality of liquid distribution pans;
- and
- b) a parallel flow tray contacting stage having a plurality of vapor-liquid contacting deck zones of horizontal liquid flow,
- c) a plurality of downcomers extending below the contacting deck zones to inclined downcomer baffles, and
- d) a central baffle extending above the contacting deck zones and between at least two of the plurality of downcomers and defining, with the downcomers, the zones of horizontal flow.
- wherein the outlet spouts are aligned with the liquid distribution pans, and wherein the liquid distribution pans extend over inlet areas of the vapor-liquid contacting deck zones.
An apparatus for performing co-current vapor-liquid contacting, comprising:
- a fluid 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,
- wherein the distribution system is above a parallel flow tray contacting stage having a plurality of vapor-liquid contacting deck zones of horizontal liquid flow, a plurality of downcomers extending below the contacting decks to inclined downcomer baffles, a central baffle extending above the contacting decks and between at least two of the plurality of downcomers and defining, with the downcomers, the zones of horizontal flow, and
- wherein the outlet spouts are aligned with the liquid distribution pans, which provide a liquid flow path that is deflected away from vertically adjacent downcomers of the plurality of downcomers.
A fluid distribution system comprising at least one extended trough having a plurality of outlet spouts aligned for distribution into a plurality of liquid distribution pans extending perpendicularly to the at least one extended trough.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.