Fractionation column with vapor channeling baffles

Claim 1

An apparatus for fractional distillation which comprises: a. a vertically oriented cylindrical outer vessel having an internal volume; b. an upper first fractionation tray horizontally disposed across the internal volume of said outer vessel and having a lower surface; c. a second fractionation tray having an upper surface adapted to support a liquid and froth thereupon and horizontally disposed across the internal volume of said outer vessel below said first fractionation tray, said first and second fractionation trays being vertically contiguous; d. a first downcomer means extending downward from said first fractionation tray to a point above said second tray; e. a second downcomer means having an upper inlet opening and extending downward from said second fractionation tray; f. an outlet liquid flow control means comprising a vertical weir attached to the upper surface of said second fractionation tray and operatively positioned at the upper inlet opening of said second downcomer means; and, g. at least two substantially parallel, planar, vertical vapor baffles of substantially equal length, said baffles comprising a means distinct and separate from a downcomer means, and extending downward from said lower surface of said first fractionation tray to a common lever above said outlet liquid flow control means and above the liquid level on said second fractionation tray to a common length sufficient to minimize intermixing of vapor around the tops of said vapor baffles, said vapor baffles being oriented substantially perpendicular to a horizontal straight line between the vertical centerlines of said first downcomer means and said second downcomer means, said vapor baffles abutting the lower surface of the first tray.

Claim 2

An apparatus for fractional distillation which comprises: a. a vertically oriented cylindrical outer vessel having an internal volume; b. an upper first fractionation tray horizontally disposed across the internal volume of said outer vessel and having a lower surface; c. a second fractionation tray having an upper surface adapted to support a liquid and froth thereupon and horizontally disposed across the internal volume of said outer vessel below said first fractionation tray, said first and second fractionation trays being vertically contiguous; d. a first downcomer means extending downward from said first fractionation tray to a point above said second tray; e. a second downcomer means having an upper inlet opening and extending downward from said second fractionation tray; f. an outlet liquid flow control means comprising a vertical weir attached to the upper surface of said second fractionation tray and operatively positioned at the upper inlet opening of said second downcomer means; and, g. at least two substantially parallel, planar, vertical vapor baffles of substantially equal length, said baffles comprising a means distinct and separate from a downcomer means, and extending downward from said lower surface of said first fractionation tray to a common lever above said outlet liquid flow control means and above the liquid level on said second fractionation tray to a common length sufficient to minimize intermixing of vapor around the tops of said vapor baffles, said vapor baffles being oriented substantially perpendicular to a horizontal straight line between the vertical centerlines of said first downcomer means and said second downcomer means, said vapor baffles abutting the lower surface of the first tray.