Method and apparatus for uniformly distributing solids-containing liquid

Claim 3

A liquid distributor comprising at least one elongated distribution channel having one end for receiving a flow of a solids-containing liquid and a plurality of longitudinally disposed parallel vertical walls defining a stepped configuration with a vertically disposed exit orifice perpendicular to the direction of flow between each two consecutive walls for expelling a sub-divided component of flow.

Claim 4

A liquid distributor comprising at least one elongated distribution channel having one end for receiving a flow of a solids-containing liquid and a plurality of longitudinally disposed parallel vertical walls defining a stepped configuration with a vertically disposed exit orifice perpendicular to the direction of flow between each two consecutive walls for expelling a sub-divided component of flow.

Claim 5

A liquid distributor as set forth in claim 2 wherein said channel is disposed at an inclination to a horizontal plane.

Claim 6

A liquid distributor as set forth in claim 3 wherein said inclination is at an angle of from 5° to 10°.

Claim 7

A liquid distributor as set forth in claim 4 wherein said parallel walls are disposed in pairs longitudinally of said channel.

Claim 8

A liquid distributor as set forth in claim 2 wherein said channel has a rectangular cross-section.

Claim 9

A liquid distributor as set forth in claim 2 wherein each exit orifice is of slot-like shape.

Claim 10

A liquid distributor as set forth in claim 2 wherein said exit orifices are symmetrically disposed longitudinally of said channel.

Claim 11

A liquid distributor as set forth in claim 2 which further comprises a vertically disposed deflector on an exterior of a wall downstream of a respective exit orifice to deflect a sub-divided component of flow from said channel downwardly under gravity.

Claim 12

A liquid distributor as set forth in claim 9 wherein each deflector is an angled plate.

Claim 13

A liquid distributor as set forth in claim 9 wherein each deflector is a partially cut-away tube.

Claim 14

A liquid distributor as set forth in claim 2 which further comprises at least one damper plate in said channel near said one end for smoothing the turbulence of a liquid supplied to said channel.

Claim 15

A liquid distributor as set forth in claim 2 having an annular feed chamber and a plurality of said channels extending in parallel with each channel having said end thereof communicating with said feed chamber in alternating manner.

Claim 16

A liquid distributor as set forth in claim 2 having a central feed chamber and a plurality of said channels extending radially from said feed chamber to receive a flow of liquid therefrom.

Claim 17

A liquid distributor having at least one distribution channel for receiving a flow of a solids-containing liquid at one end thereof, said channel having a plurality of longitudinally disposed parallel vertical side walls defining a decreasing stepped configuration longitudinally of said channel, each said pair of longitudinally consecutive walls defining a vertically disposed exit orifice perpendicular to the flow for freely expelling a component of flow parallel to the remainder of flow in said channel whereby the remainder of flow in said channel maintains a constant velocity throughout the length of said channel.

Claim 18

A liquid distributor having at least one distribution channel for receiving a flow of a solids-containing liquid at one end thereof, said channel having a plurality of longitudinally disposed parallel vertical side walls defining a decreasing stepped configuration longitudinally of said channel, each said pair of longitudinally consecutive walls defining a vertically disposed exit orifice perpendicular to the flow for freely expelling a component of flow parallel to the remainder of flow in said channel whereby the remainder of flow in said channel maintains a constant velocity throughout the length of said channel.

Claim 19

A liquid distributor as set forth in claim 15 including a plurality of said distribution channels and a feed chamber connected in common to said channels to supply liquid thereto.

Claim 20

A liquid distributor as set forth in claim 16 wherein each distribution channel includes a plurality of deflectors, each said deflector being vertically disposed downstream of an exit orifice to deflect a component of flow from said channel downwardly under gravity.

Claim 21

In combination, a mass transfer column; and a liquid distributor for distributing a solids-containing liquid within said column, said distributor including at least one distribution channel for receiving a flow of a solids-containing liquid at one end thereof, said channel having a plurality of longitudinally disposed parallel vertical side walls defining a stepped configuration longitudinally of said channel, each said pair of longitudinally consecutive walls defines a vertically disposed exit orifice perpendicular to the flow for freely expelling a component of flow parallel to the remainder of flow in said channel under gravity whereby the remainder of flow in said channel maintains a constant velocity throughout the length of said channel.

Claim 22

In combination, a mass transfer column; and a liquid distributor for distributing a solids-containing liquid within said column, said distributor including at least one distribution channel for receiving a flow of a solids-containing liquid at one end thereof, said channel having a plurality of longitudinally disposed parallel vertical side walls defining a stepped configuration longitudinally of said channel, each said pair of longitudinally consecutive walls defines a vertically disposed exit orifice perpendicular to the flow for freely expelling a component of flow parallel to the remainder of flow in said channel under gravity whereby the remainder of flow in said channel maintains a constant velocity throughout the length of said channel.