Vapor-liquid contacting device

Claim 1

In a vapor-liquid contacting column having a plurality of vertically spaced, transverse trays for contacting a vapor and liquid, at least one of such trays having a substantially imperforate liquid inlet portion, a liquid outlet portion, a perforate vapor-liquid contacting portion within the liquid flow pattern and intermediate to the liquid inlet and liquid outlet portions, and a downcomer for conducting liquid from the liquid outlet portion of one tray to the liquid inlet portion of another tray the improved tray construction which comprises a first, inwardly slanted, substantially imperforate wall having an upper edge and a lower edge, said lower edge of said slanted wall contiguously associated with the liquid inlet portion of the tray, said slanted wall separating the imperforate liquid inlet section of the tray from the perforate section of the tray whereby liquid is directed over said wall, and a second, upwardly extending substantially imperforate wall having an upper edge and a lower edge, said lower edge of said second wall contiguously associateD with the vapor-liquid contacting portion of the tray and constructed to extend substantially vertically upward and terminate at a height below that of the upper edge of said slanted wall to form a substantially continuous vapor slot extending across the column and communicating with a lower tray whereby at least a portion of the vapor is directed against the liquid passing over said slanted wall to provide a vapor-liquid mixture of uniform composition with a uniform liquid velocity prior to further vapor-liquid contacting over the perforate portion of the tray.