Fluids mixing and distributing apparatus

Claim 1

Apparatus for mixing and distributing a liquid and a gas flowing in a generally vertical closed path through a bed of particulate material, comprising in combination: a plurality of rigid beams disposed horizontally in generally parallel spaced relationship and extending longitudinally entirely across said path; each beam including a downwardly open distribution space which extends upwardly and terminates short of an upper edge of said beam to form a rigid cross-member portion and a pair or rigid vertical partition portions extending vertically downwardly from said cross-member portion in transversely spaced relationship on opposite sides of said space; screen means supported on said cross-member portions for carrying said bed of particulate material; horizontal partitions extending between lower ends of the vertical partition portions of adjacent beams to prevent the vertical flow of said liquid and gas past said beams, and to form, with said vertical partition portions, a plurality of upwardly open liquid accumulation spaces extending horizontally alongside each of said distribution spaces; first passage means for conducting accumulated liquid from a lower portion of each accumulation space through at least one of the vertical partition portions and into the distribution space of an adjacent beam for downward distribution; and second passage means above said first passage means for conducting accumulated gas from an upper portion of each accumulation space through at least one of the vertical partition portions and into the distribution space of an adjacent beam to be mixed with liquid in such distribution space and distributed downwardly therewith.