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Karl Chuang

Adam T Lee

A process is disclosed for making higher olefins by oligomerization of a lower olefin e.g ethylene, to higher olefins, using catalytic distillation conditions. Simultaneously and interdependently, the lower olefin is catalytically oligomerized to higher olefins, and said higher olefins are separated and recovered as liquid.

Process for making higher olefins

A gas/liquid contacting tray assembly is provided, including a perforated sheet and elongated cover strips arching over the perforations in the sheet. The cover strips have slots with liquid conveying strips in them for conveying liquid along the slots while mixing gas therewith. This reduces stagnant areas downstream of the cover strips, and sedimentation of solids in these areas, thus increasing the gas/liquid mixing and handling capacity while reducing the frequency of shut downs. A further slot, extending in the opposite direction to the one above, may be provided in the cover strip and have a conveying strip for conveying liquid mixed with gas to the other end of the cover strip and further reducing the formation of stagnant areas. The cover strips may taper inwardly width-wise in a downstream direction.

Gas/liquid contacting, perforated tray assembly

A gas/liquid contacting apparatus is provided wherein sedimentation of particulate solids at the corner of liquid overflow weirs of perforated trays is substantially reduced. This is achieved by bowing outwardly in a downstream direction the overflow weirs, to even out the liquid flow over them, and providing downcomer chutes from the weirs, which conform to the weir contour at the upper end. The downcomer chutes have sides converging in a downstream direction on a base to draw liquid away from the weir sides. The invention may be used in a single, two or four pass gas/liquid contacting apparatus.

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Edmonton, Canada

Karl Chuang