Liquid distributor for use in a mass transfer column and method employing same

Abstract

A liquid distributor for receiving and distributing a liquid stream in a mass transfer column. The liquid distributor has at least one trough for receiving and allowing the accumulation of a liquid stream within the trough. A plurality of liquid discharge orifices in the trough allow a first set of individual discharge streams to be discharged from the trough and received on a splash baffle that is spaced from the plurality of liquid discharge orifices. A closed-ended lateral spreader channel is positioned on an upper surface of the splash baffle at a location to receive and cause accumulation of the first set of individual discharge streams descending on the splash baffle. The lateral spreader channel includes a spreader plate that extends upwardly from and extends laterally a preselected distance across the splash baffle. A plurality of first liquid discharge orifices are positioned in the spreader plate at laterally spaced-apart locations from each other so that the first set of individual discharge streams after accumulating in the lateral spreader channel are discharged through the first liquid discharge orifices in the spreader plate to form a second set of individual discharge streams that further descend and spread laterally on the splash baffle before delivery to a layer of mass transfer devices.

Description

LIQUID DISTRIBUTOR FOR USE IN A MASS TRANSFER COLUMN AND METHODEMPLOYING SAMEBACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates to mass transfer columns, more particularly, to liquid distributors used in such mass transfer columns and methods of distributing liquid using the liquid distributors.

[0002] As used herein, the term “mass transfer column” refers to a column in which mass transfer and / or heat exchange occur. Examples of mass transfer columns include but are not limited to distillation, absorption, stripping, and extraction columns.

[0003] Uneven liquid distribution can lead to poor contact and mass transfer between ascending vapor streams and descending liquid streams in sections or beds of structured or random packing in mass transfer columns. Trough-type liquid distributors are commonly used in such mass transfer columns that are designed to operate at relatively high vapor and low liquid flow rates. These trough liquid distributors receive liquid from an overlying region and redistribute it in a more uniform manner to the underlying structured or random packing bed while shielding the liquid from the ascending vapor until it is close to the packing bed.

[0004] In this type of trough liquid distributor, liquid discharge orifices are provided at preselected levels in one or both of the opposite side walls of the trough and liquid exiting the discharge orifices contacts splash baffles that are positioned in spaced relationship from one or both of the trough side walls. The liquid then flows down the splash baffles in individual discharge streams that spread laterally to form parabolic shapes before the streams drip from a lower drip edge into the packing bed along a dripline. The size of the liquid discharge orifices and the spacing between adjacent liquid discharge orifices in the trough are normally selected so that at a designed flow rate the parabolic shaped liquid discharge streams merge together prior to reaching the lower drip edge so that a continuous curtain of liquid wets the splash baffle at the dripline.

[0005] When the trough liquid distributor is operating at low liquid flow rates, a smaller liquid head is created by the accumulating liquid within the trough and, as a result, the parabolic shape formed by the individual discharge streams is smaller than when the liquid distributor is operating at higher liquid flow rates that create a higher liquid head within the trough. The lateral spreadingof the individual discharge streams on the splash baffle is also reduced at low flow rates because of higher surface tension. This presents a design challenge in ensuring that the liquid discharge streams merge together before reaching the dripline at both low liquid flow rates and higher liquid flow rates. When smaller liquid discharge orifices are used to ensure that a sufficient liquid head is created within the trough to evenly discharge liquid through the liquid discharge orifices, the smaller size of the liquid discharge orifices makes them more difficult to manufacture and more prone to fouling, which negatively impacts the operational reliability and efficiency of the liquid distributor.

[0006] One approach to address this design challenge with trough liquid distributors is disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 9,909,824 and 9,089,787, assigned to Koch-Glitsch, LP, in which a trough that has larger liquid discharge orifices feeds a secondary trough that is joined to the trough and has a greater number of smaller liquid discharge orifices that serve as drip point multipliers for delivering liquid onto a splash baffle. Nonetheless, a need remains for a trough liquid distributor that may operate at both low liquid flow rates and higher liquid flow rates without requiring an additional quantity of drip point multipliers for directing liquid onto the splash baffle.BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0007] This brief description is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the detailed description below. This brief description is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

[0008] In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a liquid distributor for receiving and distributing a liquid stream, said liquid distributor comprising: at least one trough having spaced apart first and second side walls and opposed end walls interconnected by a floor for receiving and allowing the accumulation of a liquid stream within the trough; a plurality of liquid discharge orifices in the trough through which at least a portion of the liquid stream that has been received within the trough may be discharged from the trough in a first set of individual discharge streams; a splash baffle spaced a preselected distance from the plurality of liquid discharge orifices in thetrough to receive the first set of individual discharge streams and cause a lateral spreading thereof as the first set of individual discharge streams descend on the splash baffle; a closed-ended lateral spreader channel positioned on an upper surface of the splash baffle at a location to receive and cause accumulation of the first set of individual discharge streams descending on the splash baffle, the lateral spreader channel having a spreader plate that extends upwardly from and extends laterally a preselected distance across the splash baffle; and a plurality of second liquid discharge orifices positioned in the spreader plate at laterally spaced-apart locations from each other so that the first set of individual discharge streams after accumulating in the lateral spreader channel are discharged through the second liquid discharge orifices positioned in the spreader plate to form a second set of individual discharge streams that further descend and spread laterally on the splash baffle.

[0009] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to liquid distributor comprising: a plurality of troughs positioned in side-by-side and generally parallel relationship to each other, each trough having spaced apart first and second side walls and opposed end walls interconnected by a floor for receiving and allowing the accumulation of a liquid stream within each trough; a plurality of liquid discharge orifices in the first side wall and / or floor of each of the troughs through which at least a portion of the liquid stream that has accumulated within each trough may be discharged from the trough in a first set of individual discharge streams; a splash baffle spaced a preselected distance from the plurality of liquid discharge orifices in each trough to receive the first set of individual discharge streams and cause a lateral spreading thereof as the first set of individual discharge streams descend on the splash baffle, wherein the splash baffle has an upper segment spaced outwardly from the first side wall to receive the first set of individual discharge streams and a middle segment that is inclined in a direction toward and extends under the first side wall; a closed-ended lateral spreader channel positioned on an upper surface of each splash baffle at a location on the middle segment of the splash baffle at an elevation below the trough to receive and cause accumulation of the first set of individual discharge streams descending on the splash baffle, the lateral spreader channel having a spreader plate that extends upwardly from and extends laterally across the splash baffle and end plates positioned at opposite ends of the spreader plate to form closed ends of the lateral spreader channel; and a plurality of second liquid discharge orifices positioned in each spreader plate at spaced-apart locations from each other so that the first set of individual discharge streams accumulating in the lateral spreader channel are discharged throughthe second liquid discharge orifices positioned in the spreader plate to form a second set of individual discharge streams that further descend and spread laterally on the splash baffle.

[0010] In a further aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of distributing liquid to a layer of mass transfer devices positioned in a mass transfer column, the method comprising: receiving a liquid stream in each trough of a liquid distributor described above and allowing the liquid stream to accumulate within each of the troughs; discharging the liquid stream from each trough through the first set of liquid discharge orifices to form a first set of individual discharge streams; receiving the first set of individual discharge streams from each trough on the splash baffle and allow the first individual discharge streams to spread laterally as they descend on the splash baffle; receiving and allowing accumulation of the first set of individual discharge streams as they descend and spread laterally on the splash baffle in the closed-ended lateral spreader channel; discharging the accumulated first set of individual discharge streams from the lateral spreader channel through the plurality of second liquid discharge orifices positioned in the spreader plate of the lateral spreader channel to form a second set of individual discharge streams that further descend and spread laterally on the splash baffle; and dripping the second set of individual discharge streams off a lower edge of each splash baffle and into an underlying layer of mass transfer devices.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

[0012] Fig. 1 is a side perspective view of a mass transfer column with portions of a shell of the mass transfer column broken away to show a liquid distributor of the present disclosure and layers of mass transfer devices in an open internal region;

[0013] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the liquid distributor shown in Fig. 1, with portions of a trough broken away to show internal details;

[0014] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the liquid distributor shown in Figs. 1 and 2 but with a shielding baffle removed to better show other components of the liquid distributor; and

[0015] Fig. 4 is an end elevation view of the liquid distributor shown in Figs. 1-3 and taken in vertical section.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The subject matter of the present disclosure is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different components, combinations of components, steps, or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies.

[0017] Turning now to the drawings in greater detail and initially to Fig. 1, a mass transfer column is represented broadly by the numeral 10 and includes an upright cylindrical shell 12 that defines an open interior region 14. A liquid distributor 16 of the present disclosure is positioned in the open interior region 14 and is used to distribute a descending liquid stream uniformly across the upper end of one or more layers 18 of mass transfer devices such as structured, grid or random packing material. The liquid stream then descends through the layer(s) 18 of mass transfer devices for mass and / or heat transfer with a vapor stream ascending through the layer(s) 18 of mass transfer devices.

[0018] The mass transfer column 10 is of a type used to process fluid streams, typically liquid and vapor streams, to obtain fractionation products and / or to otherwise cause mass transfer and / or heat exchange between the fluid streams. For example, the mass transfer column 10 may be one in which atmospheric distillation of crude oil, lube vacuum distillation, crude vacuum, fluid or thermal cracking fractionating, coker or visbreaker fractionating, coke scrubbing, reactor off-gas scrubbing, gas quenching, edible oil deodorization, pollution control scrubbing, and other processes occur.

[0019] Although the shell 12 of the column 10 is shown in a cylindrical configuration, other shapes may be used. The shell 12 is of any suitable diameter and height and is constructed from rigid materials that are preferably inert to or are otherwise compatible with the fluids, temperatures, and pressures present within the column 10.

[0020] Liquid streams 20 may be directed to the mass transfer column 10 through feed lines 22a and 22b positioned at appropriate locations along the height of the mass transfer column 10. Feed line 22a normally carries only liquid and feed line 22b may carry liquid, vapor and a mixture of liquid and vapor. Although only two liquid feed lines 22a and 22b are shown in the drawings forsimplicity of illustration, it will be appreciated that additional liquid feed lines may be utilized if desired. Similarly, only one vapor feed line 24 carrying a vapor stream 26 is illustrated, but additional vapor feed lines can be included if necessary or desired for the vapor and liquid processing occurring within the mass transfer column 10. It will also be appreciated that the vapor stream 26 may be generated within the mass transfer column 10 rather than being introduced into the mass transfer column 10 through the feed line 24.

[0021] The mass transfer column 10 further includes an overhead line 28 for removing a vapor product or byproduct 30 from the column 10. A bottom stream takeoff line 32 is provided for removing a liquid product or byproduct 34 from the mass transfer column 10. Other mass transfer column components such as reflux stream lines, reboilers, condensers, vapor horns, and the like may be present, but are not illustrated because they are convenient in nature and are not believed to be necessary for an understanding of the present disclosure.

[0022] One embodiment of the liquid distributor 16 includes an elongated central parting box 36 that receives a descending liquid stream, such as the liquid stream 20 that has been delivered by the feed line 22a to the open internal region 14 within the shell 12 of the column 10. The parting box 36 need not receive the liquid stream 20 directly from the feed line 22a. Instead, the liquid stream 20 may first be subjected to one or more processing steps and then collected by a conventional liquid collector (not shown) for subsequent delivery to the parting box 36.

[0023] In one embodiment, the parting box 36 extends in a first direction along a central horizontal axis or diameter of the shell 12 of the column 10. The parting box 36 has a longitudinal length that is approximately the same as the diameter of the shell 12 or a substantial portion of the diameter. Instead of a single parting box 36, more than one parting box 36 may be used, in which event the parting boxes 36 may extend in parallel and co-planar relationship along imaginary chords of the shell 12.

[0024] The parting box 36 may have a rectilinear cross section with parallel and spaced-apart side walls 38 and 40 that extend along the long dimension of the parting box 36 and parallel and spaced-apart side walls 42 and 44 that extend along the short dimension or ends of the parting box 36. A floor 46 is joined to the lower edges and an optional cover 48 is joined to the upper edges of the side walls 40, 42, 44, and 46. The optional cover 48 includes an opening 50 through which the liquid stream 20 is delivered to the interior of the parting box 36.

[0025] The parting box 36 feeds liquid to a plurality of elongated trough assemblies 52 that extend in spaced-apart, generally parallel and co-planar relationship to each other. The trough assemblies 52 may extend along their longitudinal length at an angle, such as an angle of 90°, to the longitudinal length of the parting box 36. The trough assemblies 52 may each have a longitudinal length sufficient to extend chordally across all or a substantial portion of the cross section of the shell 12. In another embodiment, two or more of the trough assemblies 52 are placed in end-to-end fashion along each chord. The number of and lateral spacing between adjacent trough assemblies 52 is selected to provide the desired liquid drip-point density in the underlying layer(s) 18 of mass transfer devices.

[0026] Turning now to Figs. 2-4, in one embodiment, each trough assembly 52 comprises a trough 54, at least one associated splash baffle 56, and an associated shielding baffle 57 that may be spaced from the splash baffle 56 when only one splash baffle 56 is associated with each trough 54. The trough 54 may be of a generally rectilinear cross section with parallel and spaced-apart first and second side walls 58 and 60 that extend along the long dimension of the trough 54, parallel and spaced-apart end walls 62 and 64 that extend along the short dimension or ends of the troughs 54 and are connected to the first and second side walls 58 and 60, and a floor 66 that is joined to the lower edges of the first and second side walls 58 and 60 and the end walls 62 and 64. The floor 66 may have an inverted V-shape as shown in the illustrated embodiment or the floor 66 may extend in a single horizontal plane, may be upwardly concave, or have other configurations.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the parting box 36 is positioned on top of the troughs 54 and the liquid in the parting box 36 is delivered to the interior of the troughs 54 through openings (not shown) positioned in the floor 46 of the parting box 36. Openings (not shown) may be provided in the side walls 38 and 40 of the parting box 36 to provide an additional or alternative route for liquid to exit the parting box 36 and flow downwardly into the troughs 54.

[0028] In another embodiment, the parting box 36 and the troughs 54 may be positioned in generally co-planar relationship with the troughs 54 extending outwardly from the side walls 38 and 40 of the parting box 36. In this embodiment, openings are provided in the side walls 38 and 40 of the parting box 36 to allow liquid to flow from the parting box 36 to the troughs 54.

[0029] A plurality of liquid discharge orifices 68 are provided in each trough 54 to permit liquid that has been received and has accumulated in each trough 54 to be discharged in a first set of individual discharge streams, such as the individual discharge stream designated by the arrow 70in Fig. 4. The liquid discharge orifices 68 may be positioned at the same elevation above the floor 62 in the first side wall 58, as illustrated in the drawings, in which case the splash baffle 56 is spaced outwardly from the first side wall 58 and the shielding baffle 57 may extend downwardly from the second side wall 60.

[0030] In another embodiment, the liquid discharge orifices may be positioned at the same or different elevations in both the first side wall 58 and the second side wall 60, in which case a first one of the splash baffles 56 is spaced outwardly from the first side wall 58 and a second one of the splash baffles 56 is spaced outwardly from the second side wall 60 in place of the shielding baffle 57. When the splash baffles 56 are spaced outwardly from the first side wall 58 and the second side wall 60, the splash baffles 56 may be of the same construction and are arranged so that they are mirror images of each other and are spaced apart so that they do not contact each other to allow downward passage of liquid and upward passage of vapor in the spacing between the splash baffles 56. In the following description, when only one of the splash baffles 56 is described, it is to be understood that the disclosure is intended to additionally encompass embodiments in which splash baffles 56 are spaced outwardly from both the first side wall 58 and the second side wall 60.

[0031] The liquid discharge orifices 68 may be of any desired shape, such as circular, triangular, vertically elongated, or horizontally elongated. The size, number and spacing of the liquid discharge orifices 68 are selected to accommodate the designed volumetric flow rate of liquid into the troughs 54 so that liquid does not overflow the top of the troughs 54 during normal operational conditions in the mass transfer column 10. The lateral placement and spacing of the liquid discharge orifices 68 may also be selected to provide a uniform lateral spacing of the first set of individual discharge streams 70 onto the splash baffle 56.

[0032] Overflow orifices 72 may be provided, in one embodiment, in the first side wall 58 at an elevation above the liquid discharge orifices 68 to allow for the controlled discharge onto the splash baffle 56 of excess liquid that accumulates within the troughs 54 when the liquid flow rate into the troughs 54 exceeds the flow capacity of the liquid discharge orifices 68. When a second splash baffle 56 is associated with the second side wall 60, the overflow orifices 66 may also be provided in the second side wall 60.

[0033] In the liquid distributor 16, the splash baffle 56 is positioned adjacent the associated trough 54 at a preselected distance from the liquid discharge orifices 68 to receive a first set of individual discharge streams 70 that exit the trough 54 through the liquid discharge orifices 68.The splash baffle 56 may extend longitudinally along all or substantially all of the longitudinal length of the trough 54. In one embodiment, the splash baffle 56 may have a planar upper segment 76 that extends vertically along whichever of the first side wall 58 and / or second side wall 60 in which the liquid discharge holes 64 are located, a planar middle segment 78 that is inclined in a direction toward the trough 54, and a planar lower segment 80 that is angled downwardly from the middle segment 78. In one embodiment the lower segment 80 extends vertically downward below the trough 54 and is closely spaced apart from the shielding baffle 57 to shielding the liquid descending on the splash baffle 56 from the ascending vapor. A nut and bolt assembly 81 may be used to fix and maintain the spacing between the lower segment 80 of the splash baffle 56 and the shielding baffle 57. In one embodiment, the shielding baffle 57 may be planar and attached to the second side wall 60 and may extend downwardly so that a bottom edge 83 of the shielding baffle57 generally aligns with a bottom edge 82 of the splash baffle 56. The bottom edge 82 of the splash baffle 56 may be serrated to form a plurality of uniformly spaced apart drip points 84 that are designed to be spaced a short distance above the upper layer 18 of mass transfer devices for delivering liquid to the upper layer 18 in a uniform manner.

[0034] The splash baffle 56 may also include a plate 86 that extends between the upper segment 76 of the splash baffle 56 and the first side wall 58 and / or the second side wall 60 of the trough 54 at an elevation above the liquid discharge orifices 68. The plate 86 includes openings 88 through which vapor may ascend and liquid exiting the trough 54 through the overflow orifices 72 may descend. In various embodiments, the overflow orifices 72 may be positioned in the first side wall58 and / or the second side wall 60 at elevations above or below the plate 86 and may be designed to function as a second stage for delivering additional individual discharge streams 70 from the trough 54.

[0035] The upper segment 76 of the splash baffle 56 may extend a preselected distance below the liquid discharge orifices 68 in the trough 54 so that it receives the first set of individual discharge streams 70 from the trough 54. The first set of individual discharge streams 70 then spread laterally to form parabolic-shaped wetted areas on the surface of the upper segment 76 and then continuing onto the middle segment 78. In another embodiment, the upper segment 76 may extend downwardly a shorter distance so that the first set of individual discharge streams 70 land on the middle segment 78 of the splash baffle 56 and begin their parabolic spread on the middlesegment 78. The middle segment 78 may be constructed so that its lower end is spaced a preselected distance below and may underlie the trough 54.

[0036] In order to facilitate further lateral spreading of the first set of individual discharge streams 70 on the surface of the splash baffle 56, a closed-ended lateral spreader channel 90 is positioned on an upper surface of the splash baffle 56 at a location to receive and cause accumulation of the first set of individual discharge streams 70 as they descend on the splash baffle 56. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral spreader channel 90 is positioned on the middle segment 78 of the splash baffle 56 at an elevation below the liquid discharge orifices 68 or below the trough 54. In other embodiments, the lateral spreader channel 90 may be positioned on the upper segment 76 or the lower segment 80. In further embodiments, multiple ones of the lateral spreader channels 90 may be provided at different elevations on each splash baffle 56.

[0037] The lateral spreader channel 90 may extend horizontally so that first set of individual discharge streams 70 accumulate to the same elevation and generate the same liquid head along the lateral length of the lateral spreader channel 90. The lateral spreader channel 90 may have a lateral length sufficient to receive all or substantially all of the first set of individual discharge streams 70 as they descend on the splash baffle 54 from above. In some embodiments, the lateral spreader channel 90 may be divided into two or more closed-ended and laterally aligned segments 90a. In the illustrated embodiment, the liquid distributor 16 may be constructed so that one of the liquid discharge orifices 68 feeds one individual discharge stream 70 to one of the segments 90a and the other liquid discharge orifice 68 feeds another individual discharge stream 70 into another one of the segments 90a. In other embodiments, additional ones of the liquid discharge orifices 68 may feed each of the segments 90a and / or additional ones of the segments 90a.

[0038] The lateral spreader channel 90 has a spreader plate 92 that extends upwardly from and extends laterally a preselected distance across the splash baffle 56. The spreader plate 92 has a plurality of first liquid discharge orifices 94 (Fig. 3) that are positioned at laterally spaced-apart locations from each other so that the first set of individual discharge streams 70 after accumulating in the lateral spreader channel 90 is discharged through the first liquid discharge orifices 94 positioned in the spreader plate 92 to form a second set of individual discharge streams 96 (Fig. 4) that further descend and spread laterally on the splash baffle 56. The spacing between the individual discharge streams 96 in the second set of individual discharge streams 96 may be closer than the spacing between individual discharge streams 70 in the first set of individual dischargestreams 70. In this manner, further lateral liquid spreading and wetting of the surface of the splash baffle 56 may be achieved, even at relatively low liquid flow rates, prior to the liquid reaching the drip points 84 so that a uniform discharge of liquid is presented to the upper layer 18 of mass transfer devices. The operational liquid flow rates may be at or less than 0.12 m3per minute per m3, such as within the range of 0.03 to 0.12 m3per minute per m3or within the range of 0.06 to 0.10 m3per minute per m3.

[0039] In order to allow the uniform accumulation of the first set of individual discharge streams 70 within and along the lateral spreader channel 90, opposite ends of the lateral spreader channel 90 are closed, such as by end walls 98 and 100 that extend from the spreader plate 92 to the upper surface of the splash baffle 56.

[0040] The spreader plate 92 in the lateral spreader channel 90 may include a plurality of second liquid discharge orifices 102 (Fig. 3) that are positioned in the spreader plate 92 at an elevation above the first liquid discharge orifices 94 so that when the first set of individual discharge streams 70 accumulates in the lateral spreader channel 90 to the elevation of the second liquid discharge orifices 102, a third set of individual discharge streams 104 (Fig. 4) are discharged through the second liquid discharge orifices 102 and descend and spread laterally on the splash baffle 56.

[0041] The plurality of second liquid discharge orifices 102 may have a total volumetric open area that is greater than a total volumetric open area of the plurality of first liquid discharge orifices 94 in the spreader plate 92. In one embodiment, the plurality of first liquid discharge orifices 94 and / or the plurality of second liquid discharge orifices 102 are positioned in the spreader plate 92 at locations spaced from upper and lower edges of the spreader plate 92. At least some of the first liquid discharge orifices 94 may be spaced a uniform distance from each other and have a uniform size and shape and at least some of the second liquid discharge orifices 102 may be spaced a uniform distance from each other and have a uniform size and shape.

[0042] The use of the lateral spreader channel 90 allows the liquid discharge orifices 68 in the trough 54 to be sized with a relatively larger open area so that they are less prone to fouling while still allowing a uniform delivery of liquid from the bottom edge 82 of each splash baffle 56 into the underlying upper layer 18 of mass transfer devices at low liquid flow rates. When one, or a grouping, of liquid discharge orifices 68 feeds one or more individual discharge streams 70 to one of the segments 90a of the lateral spreader channel 90 and another one, or grouping, of liquid discharge orifices 68 feeds one or more other individual discharge streams 70 to one or more othersegments 90a, greater control can be maintained over the delivery of the liquid into the underlying upper layer 18 of mass transfer devices. The splash baffle 56 may have surface texturing to further facilitate the lateral spreading of the first, second and third sets of individual discharge streams 70, 96, 104.

[0043] The liquid distributor 16 is designed to be used in a method of distributing liquid to the layer 18 of mass transfer devices positioned in the mass transfer column 10. The method comprising the steps of receiving a liquid stream in each trough 54 of a liquid distributor 16 and allowing the liquid stream to accumulate within each of the troughs 54. The liquid stream is discharged from each trough 54 through the liquid discharge orifices 68 in the first side wall 58 and / or floor 66 of each of the troughs 54 to form a first set of individual discharge streams 70 which are received on the splash baffle 54 and allowed to spread laterally as they descend on the splash baffle. The first set of individual discharge streams 70 are then received and allowed to accumulate in the closed-ended lateral spreader channel 90 as they descend and spread laterally on the splash baffle 54. The accumulated first set of individual discharge streams 70 are then discharged from the lateral spreader channel 90 through the plurality of first liquid discharge orifices 94 positioned in the spreader plate 92 of the lateral spreader channel 90 to form a second set of individual discharge streams 96 that further descend and spread laterally on the splash baffle 54 before dripping off a lower edge of each splash baffle 56 and into the underlying upper layer 18 of mass transfer devices.

[0044] The method may include accumulating the first set of individual discharge streams 70 in the lateral spreader channel 90 to the elevation of the second liquid discharge orifices 102 in the spreader plate 92 and discharging the third set of individual discharge streams 104 through the plurality of second liquid discharge orifices 102 in the spreader plate 92. The third set of individual discharge streams 104 further descend and spread laterally on the splash baffle 56. The method may be performed at a flow rate of the first set of individual discharge streams on the splash baffle 56 at or less than 0.12 m3per minute per m3, such as within the range of 0.03 to 0.12 m3per minute per m3or within the range of 0.06 to 0.10 m3per minute per m3.ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

[0045] In this description, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least oneembodiment of the technology. Separate references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and / or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments but is not necessarily included. Thus, the current technology can include a variety of combinations and / or integrations of the embodiments described herein.

[0046] In the specification and claims, reference will be made to several terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0047] Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and the claim, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about” and “substantially” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Range limitations may be combined and / or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.

[0048] As used herein, the terms such as “side” and similar terms are used herein solely for convenience and should be understood only in relation to each other.

[0049] The terms “coupled,” “attached to,” and the like refer to both direct coupling, fixing, or attaching, as well as indirect coupling, fixing, or attaching through one or more intermediate components or features, unless otherwise specified herein.

[0050] Although the present application sets forth a detailed description of different embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the description is defined by the words of the claims and equivalent language. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment because describing every possible embodiment would be impractical. Numerous alternative embodiments may be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0051] Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein. The foregoing statements in this paragraph shall apply unless so stated in the description and / or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description.

[0052] As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0053] Although the disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed, and substitutions made herein, without departing from the scope of the disclosure as recited in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A liquid distributor for receiving and distributing a liquid stream, said liquid distributor comprising: at least one trough having spaced apart first and second side walls and opposed end walls interconnected by a floor for receiving and allowing the accumulation of a liquid stream within the trough; a plurality of liquid discharge orifices in the trough through which at least a portion of the liquid stream that has been received within the trough may be discharged from the trough in a first set of individual discharge streams; a splash baffle spaced a preselected distance from the plurality of liquid discharge orifices in the trough to receive the first set of individual discharge streams and cause a lateral spreading thereof as the first set of individual discharge streams descend on the splash baffle; a closed-ended lateral spreader channel positioned on an upper surface of the splash baffle at a location to receive and cause accumulation of the first set of individual discharge streams descending on the splash baffle, the lateral spreader channel having a spreader plate that extends upwardly from and extends laterally a preselected distance across the splash baffle; and a plurality of first liquid discharge orifices positioned in the spreader plate at laterally spaced-apart locations from each other so that the first set of individual discharge streams after accumulating in the lateral spreader channel are discharged through the first liquid discharge orifices positioned in the spreader plate to form a second set of individual discharge streams that further descend and spread laterally on the splash baffle.

2. The liquid distributor of claim 1, including a plurality of second liquid discharge orifices positioned in the spreader plate at an elevation above the first liquid discharge orifices so that when the first set of individual discharge streams accumulates in the lateral spreader channel to the elevation of the second liquid discharge orifices, a third set of individual discharge streams are discharged through the second liquid discharge orifices and descend and spread laterally on the splash baffle.

3. The liquid distributor of claim 2, wherein the plurality of second liquid discharge orifices has a total volumetric open area that is greater than a total volumetric open area of the plurality of first liquid discharge orifices.

4. The liquid distributor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first liquid discharge orifices and / or the plurality of second liquid discharge orifices are positioned in the spreader plate at locations spaced from upper and lower edges of the spreader plate.

5. The liquid distributor of claim 1, wherein at least some of the first liquid discharge orifices are spaced a uniform distance from each other and have a uniform size and shape and at least some of the second liquid discharge orifices are spaced a uniform distance from each other and have a uniform size and shape.

6. The liquid distributor of claim 1, wherein the splash baffle includes surface texturing to facilitate the lateral spreading of the first, second and third sets of individual discharge streams.

7. The liquid distributor of claim 1, wherein the splash baffle has a serrated lower edge with a plurality of uniformly spaced apart drip points.

8. The liquid distributor of claim 1, wherein the splash baffle has an upper segment spaced outwardly from the first side wall to receive the first set of individual discharge streams, a middle segment that is inclined in a direction toward and extends under the first side wall, and a lower segment that is angled downwardly in relation to the middle segment.

9. The liquid distributor of claim 8, wherein the lateral spreader channel is positioned on the middle segment of the splash baffle at an elevation below the trough.

10. The liquid distributor of claim 9, wherein a plate extends between the upper segment of the splash baffle and the first wall of the trough and has openings through which vapor may ascend and liquid overflowing the trough may descend.

11. The liquid distributor of claim 1, wherein the lateral spreader channel is divided into two or more closed-ended and laterally aligned segments.

12. The liquid distributor of claim 11, wherein the first side wall of the trough faces the splash baffle and the plurality of liquid discharge orifices are positioned in the first side wall.

13. A liquid distributor for receiving and distributing a liquid stream, the liquid distributor comprising: a plurality of troughs positioned in side-by-side and generally parallel relationship to each other, each trough having spaced apart first and second side walls and opposed end walls interconnected by a floor for receiving and allowing the accumulation of a liquid stream within each trough; a plurality of liquid discharge orifices in the first side wall and / or floor of each of the troughs through which at least a portion of the liquid stream that has accumulated within each trough may be discharged from the trough in a first set of individual discharge streams; a splash baffle spaced a preselected distance from the plurality of liquid discharge orifices in each trough to receive the first set of individual discharge streams and cause a lateral spreading thereof as the first set of individual discharge streams descend on the splash baffle, wherein the splash baffle has an upper segment spaced outwardly from the first side wall to receive the first set of individual discharge streams and a middle segment that is inclined in a direction toward and extends under the first side wall; a closed-ended lateral spreader channel positioned on an upper surface of each splash baffle at a location on the middle segment of the splash baffle at an elevation below the trough to receive and cause accumulation of the first set of individual discharge streams descending on the splash baffle, the lateral spreader channel having a spreader plate that extends upwardly from and extends laterally across the splash baffle and end plates positioned at opposite ends of the spreader plate to form closed ends of the lateral spreader channel; and a plurality of first liquid discharge orifices positioned in each spreader plate at spaced-apart locations from each other so that the first set of individual discharge streams accumulating in the lateral spreader channel are discharged through the first liquid discharge orifices positioned in thespreader plate to form a second set of individual discharge streams that further descend and spread laterally on the splash baffle.

14. The liquid distributor of claim 13, including a plurality of second liquid discharge orifices positioned in the spreader plate at an elevation above the first liquid discharge orifices so that when the first set of individual discharge streams accumulate in the lateral spreader channel to the elevation of the second liquid discharge orifices, a third set of individual discharge streams are discharged through the second liquid discharge orifices and further descend and spread laterally on the splash baffle.

15. The liquid distributor of claim 14, wherein in each spreader plate: at least some of the first liquid discharge orifices are spaced a uniform distance from each other and have a uniform size and shape and at least some of the second liquid discharge orifices are spaced a uniform distance from each other and have a uniform size and shape, and the plurality of second liquid discharge orifices has a total volumetric open area that is greater than a total volumetric open area of the plurality of first liquid discharge orifices.

16. The liquid distributor of claim 13, wherein each splash baffle includes surface texturing to facilitate the lateral spreading of the first, second and third sets of individual discharge streams and has a lower edge with a plurality of uniformly spaced apart drip points.

17. The liquid distributor of claim 13, wherein a plate extends between the upper segment of the splash baffle and the first wall of each trough and has vapor openings through which vapor may ascend and liquid overflowing the trough may descend.

18. The liquid distributor of claim 13, wherein each lateral spreader channel is divided into two or more closed-ended and laterally aligned segments.

19. A method of distributing liquid to a layer of mass transfer devices positioned in a mass transfer column, said method comprising:receiving a liquid stream in each trough of a liquid distributor of claim 13 and allowing the liquid stream to accumulate within each of the troughs; discharging the liquid stream from each trough through the liquid discharge orifices in the first side wall and / or floor of each of the troughs to form a first set of individual discharge streams; receiving the first set of individual discharge streams from each trough on the splash baffle and allow the first individual discharge streams to spread laterally as they descend on the splash baffle; receiving and allowing accumulation of the first set of individual discharge streams as they descend and spread laterally on the splash baffle in the closed-ended lateral spreader channel; discharging the accumulated first set of individual discharge streams from the lateral spreader channel through the plurality of first liquid discharge orifices positioned in the spreader plate of the lateral spreader channel to form a second set of individual discharge streams that further descend and spread laterally on the splash baffle; and dripping the second set of individual discharge streams off a lower edge of each splash baffle and into an underlying layer of mass transfer devices.

20. The method of claim 19, including accumulating the first set of individual discharge streams in the lateral spreader channel to the elevation of the second liquid discharge orifices in the spreader plate and discharging a third set of individual discharge streams through the third liquid discharge orifices that further descend and spread laterally on the splash baffle, wherein a flow rate of the first set of individual discharge streams on the splash baffle is less than 0.12 m3per minute per nr.

Images