Separation tray without downcomers

Abstract

The Dualflex tray is a fractionation device without downcomers but with mobile valve plates and top weirs positioned above the perforations of the tray deck, which allows liquid and vapor or gas to pass through. According to the results of systematic experimental investigations, this mass transfer device can be considered as a high capacity tray in comparison with conventional trays; its separation efficiency is also higher than that of a comparable Dualflow tray under identical test conditions. It can be recommended not only for installing in new separation plants, but also for revamps in cases where increasing throughput in existing columns are required. The aforementioned efficiency and capacity studies were carried out in a pilot plant of 600 mm column diameter. © Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, 2001.