Tray contactor with same direction liquid flow
OwnerDonald C. Ericksoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vapor-liquid contactor includes a plurality of vertically stacked trays (151) within a containment column, the central downcomer (152) provides a liquid supply and removal area at the same location on each tray (151), so that the horizontal liquid flow pattern is the same on each tray (151). The contactor also includes vertical partitions (154) positioned transverse to the liquid flow within the vapor space of each tray (151) to minimize vapor mixing. The trays (151) may also include an indirect heat exchanger in the form of tubing arrays (208).
Claims8
An apparatus for fractional distillation of a multi-component fluid comprised of:
- a. vertically arranged trays;
- b. sequentially arranged horizontal compartments on each tray;
- c. each compartment adapted for at least one of:
- i. liquid recirculation;
- and
- ii. heat exchange with a heat transfer fluid;
- d. means for vapor injection upwardly through each tray;
- e. a downcomer for each tray which removes liquid from the same relative removal position on each tray, and delivers it to the same relative delivery position on each lower tray;
- and
- f. partitions in the vapor space above the compartments of each tray which extend to the bottom of the next higher tray.
An apparatus for vapor-liquid contact comprised of:
- a. multiple trays in vertical sequence;
- b. vapor injection ports in each tray which allow passage of vapor from the adjacent lower tray;
- c. a horizontal path for liquid across each tray;
- and a heat exchanger on at least some adjacent trays which is oriented counter-current to the tray temperature gradient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.