Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for downcomer-tray operation

US5164125A · kind A · utility

40Cited by
35References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 4, 1990
Grant dateNov 17, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 4, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB01D3/22
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A downcomer tray assembly for vapor liquid contact towers. The region of the tray beneath an upper downcomer is constructed with a raised, perforated region for facilitating vapor passage therethrough and improving mass transfer efficiency. The downcomer includes a series of grouped discharge orifices disposed above either the perforated inlet or, in some cases, covered inlet areas which comprise momentum barriers. The covered areas in conjunction with the grouped orifices break the momentum of the liquid impacting upon the inlet area to reduce weeping. The vapor rising through the open inlet area sections is also selectively directed into the liquid discharged from the grouped downcomer orifices to promote uniform aeration of the liquid. A splash deflectror is disposed outwardly of the raised inlet area to reduce any liquid maldistribution flowing from the inlet area and to deflect liquid splashed outwardly therefrom.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.