Scrubber-cooler tower

A gas liquid contact apparatus adapted for efficient operation at high turn down comprising:

• a vertical tower through which scrubbing liquid flows downwardly therethrough from at least one inlet thereto and gas flows upwardly therethrough from an inlet thereto to an outlet therefrom in counter flow gas-liquid contact.
• at least one vertical baffle within said tower dividing the tower into compartments constituting separated gas-liquid contact flow paths through the tower;
• and
• means for blocking gas flow through at least one compartment hereinafter termed the first compartment without impeding flow through another compartment, such means including a trap out tray at the bottom of the first compartment from which the liquid effluent is removed and a pair of drains in flow communication with said trap out tray, said drains being disposed at different elevations and means to close off the lower elevation drain forcing thereby a rise in the level of liquid effluent on said trap out tray to the level of the higher elevation drain, the rise in liquid level creating a hydrostatic head barrier to gas flow into the first compartment.