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:
Sep. 16, 2008
Filed:
May. 10, 2006
Zhanping Xu, Amherst, NY (US);
Brian J. Nowak, Orchard Park, NY (US);
Thomas C. Heldwein, Pendleton, NY (US);
Joseph Agnello, Grand Island, NY (US);
Andrew J. Criscione, Amherst, NY (US);
Aaron J. Muck, Clarence, NY (US);
Zhanping Xu, Amherst, NY (US);
Brian J. Nowak, Orchard Park, NY (US);
Thomas C. Heldwein, Pendleton, NY (US);
Joseph Agnello, Grand Island, NY (US);
Andrew J. Criscione, Amherst, NY (US);
Aaron J. Muck, Clarence, NY (US);
UOP LLC, Des Plaines, IL (US);
Abstract
The invention is a high capacity and high efficiency co-current vapor-liquid contacting apparatus for use in distillation columns and other vapor-liquid contacting processes. The apparatus is characterized by an arrangement of modules in horizontal stages rather than tray-like construction. The modules define a co-current contacting volume and in an exemplary configuration the modules include a liquid distributor, a demister, a receiving pan and a duct. The modules of one stage are rotated to be non-parallel with respect to the modules of an inferior stage, a superior stage, or both. Variations relate to the design of the individual elements such as the demister, liquid distributor, ducts, and contacting volumes, and the overall arrangement of the apparatus.