Splash bar for direct contact heat and mass transfer method and apparatus

A splash bar apparatus comprising:

• at least a plurality of spaced apart splash bars arranged generally vertically and parallel with one another for contact heat and mass transfer between liquid and gas with the liquid directed substantially vertically downward over and through said plurality of bars,
• each of said splash bars including both flat and curvilinear surfaces all of which are substantially perforated with holes,
• both said flat and curvilinear perforated surfaces providing substantial projected splash surfaces from the vertical for falling liquid droplets and which redirect those droplets and generate new droplets by impact and mechanical dispersion to similar surfaces on adjacent splash bars,
• each of said bars has a cross section that includes near the upper end a short first curvilinear portion which extends laterally toward one adjacent bar and meets one end of an extended first straight portion the other end of which meets with a short second curvilinear portion which extends toward the vertical downward direction.