Apparatus for contacting a liquid with a gas

Claim 1

An apparatus for contacting a liquid with a gas comprising a normally vertically extending column having at least one inlet and outlet, said column having a plurality of internal substantially horizontal trays spaced from each other and arranged in the column one above the other, each of the trays being provided with apertures for the passage of gas and with at least one means for downward transfer of liquid, said means for downward transfer of liquid providing liquid flow from the upper side of a tray to a point below the tray, the means for downward transfer of liquid comprising means for discharge of liquid; and means for distributing the flow of liquid from at least the majority of said means for discharge of liquid over the respective trays beneath said means for discharge, said means for distributing the flow of liquid being separate from the means for downward flow of liquid and positioned beneath the respective means for discharge, but spaced above the tray beneath said means for discharge, each said means for distributing the flow of liquid comprising a perforated structure having a plurality of apertures positioned over the greater portion thereof, the perforated structure being substantially co-extensive with the means for discharge of liquid.

Claim 2

An apparatus for contacting a liquid with a gas comprising a normally vertically extending column having at least one inlet and outlet, said column having a plurality of internal substantially horizontal trays spaced from each other and arranged in the column one above the other, each of the trays being provided with apertures for the passage of gas and with at least one means for downward transfer of liquid, said means for downward transfer of liquid providing liquid flow from the upper side of a tray to a point below the tray, the means for downward transfer of liquid comprising means for discharge of liquid; and means for distributing the flow of liquid from at least the majority of said means for discharge of liquid over the respective trays beneath said means for discharge, said means for distributing the flow of liquid being separate from the means for downward flow of liquid and positioned beneath the respective means for discharge, but spaced above the tray beneath said means for discharge, each said means for distributing the flow of liquid comprising a perforated structure having a plurality of apertures positioned over the greater portion thereof, the perforated structure being substantially co-extensive with the means for discharge of liquid.