Expansion ring for mass transfer column and method employing same

An expansion ring positionable within a mass transfer column to support a vapor-liquid contact tray within an open internal region defined by an inner surface of a shell of the column, said expansion ring comprising:

• an upright leg and a tray support flange extending radially inwardly at an upper end of said upright leg to provide a support surface for said vapor-liquid contact tray when positioned within said column;
• a first end segment and a second end segment defining a cutout in the expansion ring;
• an expander associated with said first and second end segments, said expander comprising a first bracket secured to the first end segment and a second bracket secured to the second end segment, a threaded member extending through said first and second brackets, and a pair of nuts carried on said threaded member and turnable against said first and second brackets to force said first and second end segments further apart to cause the expansion ring to expand against the inner surface of said column shell;
• and
• seal plate positionable on said threaded member to block said cutout in the tray support flange of the expansion ring.

A method of supporting a vapor-liquid contact tray in a mass transfer column, the mass transfer column having an external shell having an inner surface defining an open internal region, the method comprising:

• positioning at least one expansion ring underneath said vapor-liquid contact tray, said expansion ring having first and second ends defining an cutout in the expansion ring;
• attaching at least one expander to said first and second ends of the expansion ring, said expander comprising a first bracket attached to said first end a second bracket attached to said second end segment, a threaded member extending through said first and second brackets;
• forcing said first and second ends apart using said expander to expand said expansion ring against the inner surface of said column shell;
• and
• blocking a horizontal portion of said cutout in the expansion ring using a seal plate carried by said threaded member.