Device for mass and heat transfer

Claim 1

Apparatus for the mass or heat transfer between fluid phases comprising a. a vertical housing adapted to receive a primary fluid at its upper end for downward flow and a secondary fluid at its lower end for flow upwardly counter to said primary fluid, b. a plurality of transfer sections arranged adjacent each other in tandem within said housing, each of said transfer sections comprising 1. a plurality of vertically disposed substantially planar structures 2. spacer means located between said structures along one edge thereof for separating said planar structures from each other providing distributing passages for flow of primary fluid thereover, c. said housing having an enlarged portion surrounding the juncture of adjacent transfer sections with said spacer means and forming a chamber for movement of said counter flow fluid about said spacer means from the structures of one section to the structures of the adjacent section, said spacer means defining with said structures vertical openings along the faces of said structures.