Liquid collector and redistributor for packed columns

A method for collecting and redistributing a descending flow of a liquid and an ascending flow of a vapor in an exchange column having a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional area, the exchange column containing a layer of packing having a top and a bottom opposite the top, the bottom of the layer of packing extending across at least a portion of the cross-sectional area of the exchange column, comprising the steps of:

• introducing the descending flow of the liquid into an upper portion of the exchange column;
• introducing the ascending flow of the vapor into a lower portion of the exchange column;
• positioning within the exchange column an apparatus comprising:
• a plurality of horizontally spaced apart longitudinal members, including at least one pair of longitudinal members comprising a first longitudinal member and a second longitudinal member horizontally spaced apart from the first longitudinal member, each longitudinal member extending across at least a portion of the cross-sectional area of the exchange column and having at least one inner side, an upper end adjacent the bottom of the layer of packing, and a lower end opposite the upper end;
• at least one plate vertically spaced apart from the bottom of the layer of packing and extending across at least a portion of the cross-sectional area of the exchange column to collect a first portion of the flow of the liquid descending in the exchange column and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the at least one plate being connected to the inner side of the first longitudinal member and the second end of the at least one plate being connected to the inner side of the second longitudinal member;
• and
• at least one vapor riser in fluid communication with the plate to receive and transmit at least a portion of a stream of the vapor ascending in the exchange column from a first location below the at least one plate to a second location above the at least one plate, the at least one vapor riser having a cap vertically spaced apart from the bottom of the packing, at least one upright wall connected to the at least one plate and projecting upward above the at least one plate and connecting to the cap, and at least one opening to transmit at least a portion of the stream of the vapor outward from the at least one vapor riser;
• collecting the first portion of the flow of the liquid on the at least one plate;
• and
• passing the at least a portion of the stream of the vapor from the lower portion of the column to the first location below the at least one plate near the at least one vapor riser connecting at least one of the at least one plate to an inner wall of the exchange column.

A method for assembling an apparatus for collecting and redistributing a flow of a liquid descending in an exchange column, comprising the steps of:

• providing the exchange column having a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional area, the exchange column containing a layer of packing having a top and a bottom opposite the top, the bottom of the layer of packing extending across at least a portion of the cross-sectional area of the exchange column;
• providing in the exchange column a plurality of horizontally spaced apart longitudinal members, including at least one pair of longitudinal members comprising a first longitudinal member and a second longitudinal member horizontally spaced apart from the first longitudinal member, each longitudinal member extending across at least a portion of the cross-sectional area of the exchange column and having at least one inner side, an upper end adjacent the bottom of the layer of packing, and a lower end opposite the upper end;
• providing in the exchange column at least one plate vertically spaced apart from the bottom of the layer of packing and extending across at least a portion of the cross-sectional area of the exchange column to collect a first portion of the flow of the liquid descending in the exchange column and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the at least one plate being connected to the inner side of the first longitudinal member and the second end of the at least one plate being connected to the inner side of the second longitudinal member;
• and
• providing in the exchange column at least one vapor riser in fluid communication with the at least one plate to receive and transmit at least a portion of a stream of a vapor ascending in the exchange column from a first location below the at least one plate to a second location above the at least one plate, the at least one vapor riser having a cap vertically spaced apart from the bottom of the packing, at least one upright wall connected to the at least one plate and projecting upward above the at least one plate and connecting to the cap, and at least one opening to transmit at least a portion of the stream of the vapor outward from the at least one vapor riser connecting at least one of the at least one plate to an inner wall of the exchange column.