Liquid collector-distributor with integral exchange column and method

Claim 1

A heat or mass transfer exchange column, which column comprises: a) an inlet in the upper portion of the column for the introduction of a liquid; b) an outlet in the lower portion of the column for the withdrawal of a treated liquid; c) an inlet in the lower portion of the column for the introduction of a gas; d) an outlet in the upper portion of the column for the withdrawal of a treated gas; e) a plurality of heat or mass transfer sections in the column to include an upper section and a vertically spaced-apart lower section to define a space therebetween said sections; and f) an integral liquid collector-distributor means in the column space which means comprises: i) liquid receiving means to receive downwardly flowing liquid; ii) a plurality of spaced apart, generally parallel, lateral troughs to define an open space between troughs for the passage of upwardly flowing gas and the troughs extending substantially across the cross sectional area of the column and adapted to receive liquid from the liquid receiving means, and to distribute the liquid to the lower packed bed section, the lateral troughs each having spaced apart upward sides and an open top with side edges having upper edges and aperture means in the bottom or side walls of the troughs to distribute liquid to the lower packed bed section; and iii) liquid collection means to collect downwardly flowing liquid and to direct the liquid into the lateral troughs, which means includes a plurality of vane elements having a one and other end, the vane elements secured at the one end to the upper edge of one side of the lateral troughs and generally aligned parallel and extending upwardly at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the column and of sufficient length to cover substantially the open space between adjacent lateral troughs, and to provide generally vertical, laterally extending vapor open spaces between the other end of the vane elements and the upper edges of the side edges of the next adjacent trough for the passage of upwardly flowing gas, the vane elements adapted to receive on their upper angled surfaces the downwardly flowing liquid and to direct all or substantially all of the liquid into the lateral troughs to which side edge the vane element is secured.

Claim 19

A method for the collection and distribution of a liquid in an exchange column, which method comprises: a) introducing a liquid into the upper portion of the column; b) introducing a gas into the lower section of the column; c) withdrawing a treated liquid from the lower section of the column; d) withdrawing a treated gas from the upper portion of the column; e) positioning within the column at least two vertically spaced apart upper and lower mass or heat transfer sections to define a space therebetween said sections; f) positioning a liquid distributor means to receive downwardly flowing liquid in the column space to include a plurality of spaced-apart, generally parallel lateral troughs, to define open spaces and extending across substantially the cross-sectional area of the column, the lateral troughs having upright sides and having upper edges and an open top, and each lateral trough having aperture means to distribute liquid in the lateral trough to the lower heat or mass transfer section; g) collecting downwardly flowing liquid from the upper section of the column onto the surface of a plurality of generally parallel, aligned vane elements secured at one end to at least one side of the lateral troughs and angled upwardly and of sufficient length to extend substantially over the open spaces between adjacent lateral troughs and to provide generally laterally extending, vertical, open gas spaces between the other end of the vane elements and the upper edges of the next adjacent trough for the passage of an upwardly flowing gas and to receive downwardly flowing liquid onto the angled surface and to direct all or substantially all of the collected liquid into the lateral troughs to which the vane element is secured; h) passing the upwardly flowing gas through the generally vertical, laterally extending open spaces; and i) distributing the collected liquid in the lateral trough by apertures in the bottom or side walls of the trough onto the next lower section.

Claim 20

A method for the collection and distribution of a liquid in an exchange column, which method comprises: a) introducing a liquid into the upper portion of the column; b) introducing a gas into the lower section of the column; c) withdrawing a treated liquid from the lower section of the column; d) withdrawing a treated gas from the upper portion of the column; e) positioning within the column at least two vertically spaced apart upper and lower mass or heat transfer sections to define a space therebetween said sections; f) positioning a liquid distributor means to receive downwardly flowing liquid in the column space to include a plurality of spaced-apart, generally parallel lateral troughs, to define open spaces and extending across substantially the cross-sectional area of the column, the lateral troughs having upright sides and having upper edges and an open top, and each lateral trough having aperture means to distribute liquid in the lateral trough to the lower heat or mass transfer section; g) collecting downwardly flowing liquid from the upper section of the column onto the surface of a plurality of generally parallel, aligned vane elements secured at one end to at least one side of the lateral troughs and angled upwardly and of sufficient length to extend substantially over the open spaces between adjacent lateral troughs and to provide generally laterally extending, vertical, open gas spaces between the other end of the vane elements and the upper edges of the next adjacent trough for the passage of an upwardly flowing gas and to receive downwardly flowing liquid onto the angled surface and to direct all or substantially all of the collected liquid into the lateral troughs to which the vane element is secured; h) passing the upwardly flowing gas through the generally vertical, laterally extending open spaces; and i) distributing the collected liquid in the lateral trough by apertures in the bottom or side walls of the trough onto the next lower section.