Koch-glitsch, Inc.

Praxair Technology, Inc.

Christoph Ender

Michael James Lockett

John Fredric Billingham

Neil Yeoman

Carol Ann Schnepper

Kirk Walztoni

Dana G Laird

Daniel L Kallenberger

Robert Kuratle

Izak Nieuwoudt

Brian D Albert

Darran Matthew Headley

Tullio Petrich

Rebecca Hooper

Randy Sommerfeldt

Rainer Käshammer

John Gommers

Juergen Muller

Yusuf Omar Dollie

Kirk A Walztoni

A flow distributor for liquid descending in a vertically elongated process column having an internal space. The distributor is made up of an elongated liquid distribution trough configured and arranged for being mounted in a process column in a position to extend across the internal space thereof. The trough has outer walls defining an elongated, longitudinally extending internal fluid distribution chamber and includes outlet holes which extend through the walls at locations permitting liquid to escape laterally outwardly from the trough. The distributor also includes a baffle distributor structure made up of an elongated, downwardly extending distributor plate member disposed adjacent the trough in a position such that at least a portion of a surface thereof is contacted by liquid escaping from said hole. The distributor also includes an elongated, fluid receiving element attached at a lower edge portion of said plate member presenting an elongated fluid distribution channel extending longitudinally of the plate member.

Liquid distributor for use in mass transfer column

A collector is used to collect and mix liquid from an overlying zone in a mass transfer column in which fluid streams are processed, such as to obtain fractionation products. The collector has two or more liquid collection regions and two or more sumps positioned about the perimeter of the liquid collection regions. A plurality of channels and deflectors are spaced apart within each liquid collection region and vapor passages are formed in the spacings between adjacent channels. The deflectors direct descending liquid into the channels and shield the vapor passages from the descending liquid. The channels within each liquid collection region are arranged into interspersed sets, with one set of channels preferentially directing collected liquid into one sump and another set of channels preferentially directing collected liquid into another sump. Preferably, roughly equal amounts of liquid from each liquid collection region are deliver to the two sumps so that liquid in the sumps is of a more uniform concentration and composition. One or more of the sumps includes a downcomer for directing the liquid from the sump to an underlying zone. By mixing the liquid within the collector, the use of a separate mixing device can be avoided. As a result, vertical space in the column that would normally be occupied by the mixing device can be filled with packing or other internals to increase the efficiency of the column.

Combined liquid collector and mixer for mass transfer column and method employing same

A mass transfer column includes a feed device that is used to de-entrain liquid and more uniformly distribute vapor across a horizontal cross section of the column after a vapor or mixed phase stream has been directed into the column through a radially oriented feed nozzle. The feed device includes an annular passageway formed in the spacing between the column shell and an inner wall spaced inwardly from the shell. A deflector with oppositely directed deflecting surfaces is positioned at an inlet from the feed nozzle to the annular passageway and splits the vapor or mixed phase stream into two roughly equal streams that flow in opposite circumferential directions in the annular passageway. At least one pair of turning vanes is spaced on opposite sides of the deflecting surfaces in the annular passageway to create subpassages through which the vapor or mixed phase stream flows. The subpassages reduce the amount of vapor or mixed phase stream flow that impacts against the inner wall of the feed device at the inlet. The turning vanes unexpectedly reduce the pressure drop that occurs as the vapor or mixed phase stream is redirected from its radial entry direction to the circumferential direction in the annular passageway. By reducing the pressure drop, improvements in product yield and vapor distribution can be achieved.

Fluid stream feed device for mass transfer column

Anti-swirl baffles are provided in a mass transfer column to reduce the swirling motion of a vapor or mixed phase feed stream introduced into the column. The column is of the type having an upper region of a preselected diameter, a lower region of reduced diameter, and an intermediate transition region that has a diameter that transitions from the preselected diameter of the upper region to the reduced diameter of the lower region. The column includes a vapor or mixed phase feed nozzle and a feed device such as a vapor horn located at least partially within the upper region for delivering the vapor or mixed phase feed stream into the column. The anti-swirl baffles are positioned in the intermediate transition region of the column to disrupt the swirling motion of the vapor or mixed phase feed stream as portions of it descend from the feed device into the transition region of the column. An annular shield positioned in the transition region and spaced inwardly of the column shell defines a liquid flow passage that is shielded from the swirling motion of the vapor or mixed phase feed stream to reduce liquid entrainment.

Method and apparatus for facilitating more uniform vapor distribution in mass transfer and heat exchange columns

A mass transfer column is provided with a liquid distributor that distributes liquid to an underlying mass transfer bed containing one or more random, grid or structured packing elements. The liquid distributor includes a plurality of elongated troughs that are spaced apart and extend across the column. A plurality of liquid discharge holes are positioned in side walls of the trough and are located in one or more preselected planes that are preferably spaced above a floor of the trough. Splash baffles are spaced outwardly from the trough side walls and include upper portions that are positioned to receive liquid exiting the troughs through the discharge holes. Lower portions of the splash baffles form a constricted discharge outlet in a plane below the trough for delivering liquid from the splash baffles to the underlying mass transfer bed. The liquid discharge holes in one of the trough side walls are offset from those in the other trough side wall to provide a more uniform distribution of liquid to the discharge outlet. The splash baffles are vertically adjustable and are intended to be supported on the upper surface of the mass transfer bed so that the discharged liquid is delivered directly to the mass transfer bed, thereby reducing the opportunity for the falling liquid to become entrained in a vapor stream flowing upwardly through the mass transfer bed. The liquid exiting through the discharge outlet preferably forms a curtain-like flow that blocks or impedes vapor entry upwardly into the discharge outlet. Any vapor that enters the discharge area is able to vent upwardly through the open spacing between the baffles and the associated troughs at a reduced velocity, thereby reducing the opportunity for liquid entrainment. The open spacing also permits any overflow of liquid from the troughs to be captured by the splash baffles for downward flow along the inner faces of the splash baffles.

Liquid distributor in mass transfer column and method of installation and use

A packing section includes a plurality of vertically oriented, diagonally cross-corrugated packing sheets defining a section height. The section height has a base region, a bulk region, and a top region. The base region has a first particular geometry different from the geometry of the bulk region.

Packing for mass transfer column

A packing section includes a plurality of vertically oriented, diagonally cross-corrugated packing sheets defining a section height. The section height has a base region, a bulk region, and a top region. The base region has a first particular geometry different from the geometry of the bulk region. The top region has a second particular geometry different from the geometry of the bulk region, and different from the first particular geometry of the base region.

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Wichita, KS, United States of America

Christoph Ender