The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 27, 2004
Filed:
Dec. 22, 2000
Zhanping Xu, Amherst, NY (US);
Dennis H. Bielinski, Williamsville, NY (US);
UOP LLC, Des Plaines, IL (US);
Abstract
A modular apparatus for fractional distillation and other forms of vapor-liquid contacting is presented. The apparatus performs cocurrent contacting of vapor and liquid in a number of identical structural units which are placed in horizontal layers in a column or other enclosure. The structural units, or modules, are horizontally spaced apart in each layer to provide spaces for the downcomers from the modules of the next higher layer. The downcomers deliver the liquid to one of two inclined contacting channels, with the contacting channels discharging the vapor and liquid into separation chambers at the top of the module. Vapor flows upward from the separation chambers to the contacting channel of the next higher module and liquid flows down through a single central downcomer to the next lower contacting channel.