Vapor/Liquid Contact Column Structure

The invention relates to columns such as fractional distillation column structures and, more particularly, provides an improved structure for increasing the efficiency of vapor-and-liquid contact column operation.

The patent literature as relates to bubble plates or contact devices, fractionation or rectification columns, and so forth, is quite developed though no such literature is currently known to the inventors which is directly related to the subject invention as claimed. The problem presently confronting the industry is one of increasing efficiency of a column without incurring substantial increases in fabrication and operating costs. A hint of part of what can be done by changes in internal design of columns is given in a paper generated 50 years ago at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology entitled Rectification of Binary Mixtures by W. K. Lewis, Jr., of that institution, publication date at M.I.T. April, 1936. At page 400 of such publication there is illustrated the concept that, for stacked bubble trays or contact devices, efficiency is enhanced where liquid flow is in the same direction over each tray. The publication, however, does not consider how descending reflux liquid can be conducted other than in an enclosed downcomer diagonally through the space directly between the plates; nor does it consider how the substantial vapor content in foam, of the descending reflux liquids, can escape back into the primary vapor path. Such vapor entrained in the reflux, of course, defeats some of the suggested theoretical efficiency of unidirectional reflux liquid flow over the contact trays. Also, the downcomer causes a structural obstruction in the contact chamber, further negating the suggested theoretical efficiency of unidirectional flow.

For ease of discussion of the present invention, the term "contact chamber" shall be used to describe the inner chamber separating the vertically-spaced bubble contact trays. The term "contact tray" or, generically, "contact device", shall be used to identify any one of a variety of trays used in, e.g., distillation towers and columns which can be employed in the present invention, to-wit: sieve trays, valve trays, bubble cap trays, etc. The term "downcomer" shall be used to describe the means of conducting reflux liquid from one tray, or "contact device", to the next lower tray. It shall also be used to describe the space outside the contact chamber and inside the column shell that serves for conducting descending liquid in the present invention. The term "downcomer reservoir" shall be used to describe the reflux pool held back in the downcomer for defoaming prior to entering into the next lower contact chamber prior to side draw cuts being taken.

Certain types of downcomer structures and tray designs have been suggested by a number of authorities to increase liquid flow rates and to tend to minimize loss of efficiency of vapor-and- liquid contact devices. See examples cited in Chapter 16 entitled Fractionation and Towers, Petroleum Refining Engineering, Fourth Edition at pages 480-483 and in Chapter 6 entitled New Fractionating-Tray Designs, from the work "Advances in Petroleum Refininq and Chemistry", Volume I, at pages 277-334.

No means, since the publication date of these articles, to the knowledge of the inventors, have been devised to carry forward such germ ideas to the extent of the present invention in devolving practical structure. Also, nowhere in any literature, of which the inventors are aware, is there disclosed any means or teaching whatever of accomplishing unidirectional flow across contact devices in a vertical column in a manner such that descending reflux liquid does not interfere with upwardly ascending vapors between contact trays; nor is there indicated in the prior art, of which the inventors are currently aware, of the teaching of using rectangular contact tray areas in vertical columns for maximum use of effective vapor-liquid contact, and also the teaching of fabricating substantially identical column sections of equivalent design, with each fitted with custom-engineered, rectangular contact trays so that the vertical columns herein may be made from modules to fit a needed column or tower, engineeringdesign profile. Furthermore, there is nothing in the teachings in the prior art of the concept of providing elongated ramp-type downcomer structures so as to create essentially quiescent downcomer de-foaming reservoirs prior to almost pure liquid introduction into a next succeeding contact chamber and onto its bubble tray. This increases liquid throughput capacity, aves heat energy, and reduces the need for side-stripper columns and/or processes. In short, the above discussed features and advantages makes the contact column of the present invention more cost-efficient.

The present invention provides, e.g., a fractionation column, distillery column, absorption column, etc., and sectors thereof, comprising a series of generally uniformly constructed contact modules fitted with contact trays, pre-engineered for the desired vapor capacity, that can be easily assembled one on top of the other into a complete column prior to shipment to use site. Fabricating columns of basically identical modules that contain custom-engineered contact trays, as taught herein, results in manufacturing costs being lower or at least comparable to present column costs. The individual sections are designed such that the path of descending reflux liquid is outside of the ascending primary vapor stream progressing through one contact tray upwardly into the next contact chamber. Furthermore, elongated ramps are provided within the downcomer structure so as to deter froth and/or foam buildup choking the downcomer to the next lower chamber. Also, a structure is provided for permitting ascending secondary vapors evolving from the downcomer reflux reservoirs to rise counter-current relative to the reflux liquid so as to ascent into the contact chamber between vertically adjacent contact trays, and to proceed with the primary vapor stream upwardly through the next upper contact tray. The contact tray and the contact chamber area between contact trays is maintained in an unobstructed condition so as to maximize vaporflow efficiency. Additionally, reflux liquid flows uniformly across the contact trays in the same direction at all levels, thus further enhancing contact tray efficiency. Theoretical studies indicate a 15% to 40% increased efficiency for unidirectional reflux liquid flow. Tests have indicated that the present invention operates in a manner superior to prior designs so far as capacity and operating range are concerned. Column capacity to flood is materially extended. Liquid flow rates over the exit weir of each contact device is greatly improved. Tests have likewise indicated the unique ability of the present still or column to operate at wide ranges of liquid and vapor ratios with low pressure drop.

The present invention may be utilized in petroleum distillation, fractionation, alcohol distillation or rectification, absorption, and indeed, wherever resort is to be had, of in effect separating or combining liquids and semi-liquid materials. It should be noted that by the invention, engineering and capital costs of construction as well as operating costs and heat energy use are significantly reduced over prior art structures.

Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved vapor-and-liquid contact column and components thereof.

A further object is to provide a structure for a more cost-efficient separation of various liquids, semiliquids, and gases into nearly pure fractional compounds and for absorption of gases into liquids.

An additional object is to provide a downcomer structure with an elongated sloping path and reservoir means for reflux liquid to maximize defoaming, defrothing, and degassing or reflux liquid.

An additional object is to provide for a reservoir in the downcomer structure from which vapor-free reflux liquid is introduced onto a next succeeding contact tray.

An additional object is to provide a downcomer reservoir from which essentialy vapor-free liquid can be drawn as product, reducing the need for side cut stripper columns, pumps, etc.

A further object is to provide a structure in columns of the type described which will conduct secondary vapor generated by degassing of liquid in the downcome, back into the primary vapor flow within a contact chamber.

A further object is to provide a structure having a series of vertically-spaced contact chambers which are unimpeded by the downcomer reflux liquid carrying structure.

An additional object is to provide in a column, a series of vertically-spaced contact trays wherein reflux liquid flow thereover is unidirectional.

An additional object is to provide means for installation of custom engineered and designed contact trays for desired vapor flow capacity to achieve optimum pressure drop between successive chambers.

An additional object is to provide a contact column whereby each vertically-spaced contact tray can have a different vapor flow capacity and thereby make possible for heat-removal from the top of the tower and by side-cut products reducing the need for pump-around and pump-back streams lower in the tower.

An additional object is to provide a tower section structure of essentially identical modular units which can be stacked and secured together in a desired tower column.

The present invention may be understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of a column incorporating the features of the present invention, shown partially broken away, and illustrating two of the several essentially similar sections of the column that can be stacked and secured together.

FIG. 2 is a top plan of a representative one of the column sections and is taken along line 2--2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a pair of sections in the structure of FIG. 1, broken away, and is taken along the arrow 3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a right side elevation, partially broken away, and is taken along the line 4--4 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a left side elevation, partially broken away, and is taken along the line 5--5 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the pair of sections illustrated in the column of FIG. 1 and is taken along the arrow 6 in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are details taken along the arcuate line 7--7 in FIG. 6, illustrating a few of various forms of construction that the individual bubble trays or contact devices used may take.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged detail, principally in section, and taken along the line 10--10 in FIG. 11, illustrating adjustable gate and weir contructions.

FIG. 11 is a schematic drawing, similar to FIG. 4, but illustrates reflux liquid and vapors flows within a pair of joined sections of the column in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 2-6 and 11 are shown in reduced scale.

In FIG. 1, column 10 is shown to comprise a multi-stage device having a series of sections or modules 11 which may be identical or substantially similar in construction and constructed to fit together in a stacked relationship. Column 10 can include a heat source 12 when that is desired as it would be in some chemical and alcohol distillation processes. Any modular section 11 can be fitted with a feed line inlet 13, a liquid draw line l3A or steam injection line 13B, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 11. The individual sections 11 include a shell or wall enclosure structure 14 which provides an outer conduit surrounding a vertical conduit comprising a conduit structure 15A including inner a plurality of vertically stacked chamber stages 15B.

Each of the chamber stages 15B is provided with horizontal liquid-and-vapor "contact tray" 16 which sometimes are also known as bubble trays or contact devices. Contact tray 16 includes an inlet end 50 for fluid ingress and an outlet end 51 for fluid engress. The contact trays provide a means for developing a shallow pool 20, see FIG. 10, of reflux liquid such that a bubbling vapor may pass upwardly through such pool. Contact trays are installed such that they can subsequently be removed and updated for maintenance or custom-engineered changes in vapor flow capacity. Thus, as seen in FIGS. 7-9, the contact device or tray 16 may include perforations (sieve tray) , 17 as seen in FIG. 7; the plates or trays 16 may also include respective bubble caps 18 as in FIG. 8; or the individual contact tray 16 can be the Uniflex tray as in FIG. 9. Such contact devices are sometimes known and sometimes take the form known to those in the industry as sieve trays, bubble cap trays, Flexitrays, float valve trays, and Uniflex trays. The contact tray described in the related application Ser. No. 054,181 has been found to be the most effective for providing high performance in the device of the present invention. Further improved operation of the device of the present invention is achieved when the tray design of the related application is modified to include progressively reduced vapor flow in the downstream direction of the tray. Whichever tray design is selected, it is important that the upwardly ascending vapors within the individual contact chamber sections 21 proceed upwardly through the tray such that a portion of the vapors will condense and enrich the progressively upper reflux pools 20 (FIG. 10), successively, with lighter fractions ascending from lower pools.

Again, the individual chamber stages 15B may be identical in structure, rectangular in form, and be secured together by suitable straps 22, see FIGS. 1 and 5. It is important to note that a panel 23 of each chamber stage l5B includes a lower gate opening or throat 24, see FIGS. 3 and 10, for the admittance of reflux liquid onto the corresponding contact tray 16. Correspondingly, and at the other end of the contact tray 16 for each stage or section l5B, there will be disposed an exit weir 25 and, thereabove a rear opening 26 in such contact chamber l5B. Successive chambers 15B form the conduit structure l5A for ascending vapors. A downcomer structure 27 is disposed outside the area of the contact chambers l5B, i.e., outside of but affixed to the conduit structure l5A. Each downcomer structure 27 includes an upper portion 28 and a lower horizontal portion 29, interconnected by two, declining ramps 30 and 31. If desired, a single declining ramp 30, 31 need be employed; in such event the remaining side may be simply closed.

In any event, and in the embodiment shown, the downcomer structure receives reflux liquid which gradually descends into reflux reservoir 20A along ramps 30 and 31 to horizontal portion 29. The reflux liquid enters the opening or gate 24 to form a pool 20 over the associated contact tray 16. The pool depth can be defined by the inclusion and setting of the weir 25. Accordingly, and in operation, reflux liquids descend downwardly along the downcomer structure 27 then proceed unidirectionally over the contact trays 16 by virtue of the reflux pools 20 formed relative to weir 25. The reflux liquid overflows the upper edge of weir 25 and through side opening 26; such reflux liquids will descend into the upper position 28 of a next lower downcomer structure 27 via the ramps 30,31.

FIG. 10 illustrates that attachments 32 may be employed to secure the contact devices within their several sections to accommodating brackets 33. These may be included such that the contact trays can be removed when desired, as from the top. Also, FIG. 10 illustrates that opening 24 in FIG. 1, for example, may be formed by an adjustable gate 34, see FIG. 10, that is hinged at 35 to the primary structure and moved by a control 34A. This is for the purpose of selectively increasing the depth of the downcomer reflux liquid, as at reservoir 20A, and thus increase the pressure of such liquid, whereby to introduce liquid uniformly into the contact chambers; reflux liquid depth in the downcomer reservoir will allow for gradation or zoning of the liquid, i.e., from some dense low-level liquid which is essentially gas-free to upper low density liquid levels where gas bubbles are substantially prevalent and susceptible to decay.

FIG. 11 is in schematic form and illustrates the flow of the reflux liquid, the vapors within chamber sections l5B, and also the vapors that ascend from the liquid in the reflux reservoir 20A of the downcomer structure 27. In the latter case, the downcomer structure provides a gradual settling in of descending reflux liquid into the reflux reservoir proximate opening 24. This in essence forms a generally quiescent zone prior to reaching the mouth of 24 above horizontal portion 29. It is essential that the still or column be operated such that the reflux reservoir 20A level is above the lip defining the top of opening 24, thereby forming a liquid seal and keeping any foam or froth above such reflux liquid. The collapsing of bubbles will produce vapors that will be free to go countercurrent to the reflux liquid, prior to the gradually descending reflux liquid, entering opening 24 and the vapor ascending back into one of the contact chambers l5B, then through the associated contact tray 16 into the contact chamber l5B thereabove. A feed line 13, draw-line l3A, steam injection line l3B are also included. Steam-injection may be employed at l3B to lower vapor pressure, at selected still levels, to enchance vaporization.

To be noted is the fact that optimum plate area is employed for vapor-and-liquid contact to maintain constant liquid flow velocity, and to reduce transverse hydraulic gradient across the tray 16; also, inter-plate space is unobstructed and unidirectional flow across the several plates is achieved. FIG. 11 illustrates in detail the reflux liquid and countercurrent vapor flow.

Heat can be supplied if needed by a heat source 12, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Bottoms are drawn off and separately processed as indicated at 36. Non-condensed gas and vapors are drawn off at 37 and fed to condensing units and a portion of which is fed back to the column at the top plate thereof as reflux liquid. The column may be made of any number of modules 11 as shown; each module is engineered for the sections to be easily fitted together and seam-welded or otherwise connected at 38. The regulation of pressure between individual contact modules may be had by custom-engineered contact trays for optimum pressure drop and contact efficiency.

The individual sections are constructed such that the upper portion 28 of a respective downcomer structure 27 is positioned below the horizontal level of contact plate 16 from which the reflux liquid is descending, this so that there will be a desired dropping of reflux liquid as the same overflows the weir and descends in the downcomer structure 27. The elongation and slanted nature of the downcomer ramps 30,31 of each section serves to minimize gas entrainment, frothing and foaming, relative to the relatively gas-free reflux liquid that descends and gathers at the next lower contact chamber at opening 24. This greatly improves the operating efficiency of each contact device. It is noted that reflux flow and defrothing is kept totally outside of the area of the contact chamber of each module appertaining thereto. Further, contact chamber area is unimpeded by a structure carrying reflux liquid to a next lower chamber. In the invention shown, the reflux liquid path as to its descent through the column is maintained outside of conduit structure l5A. Thus, efficiency is further enhanced as to each section and the combined column.

Finally, it is seen that the downcomer structure 27 is arranged such that over-plate liquid proceeds across each contact device in the same direction, i.e., from left to right as per FIG. 4. This further increases efficiency of the column as explained hereinbefore.

What is provided therefore is a new and useful construction for separation or combining (absorption) of vapors, liquids, fractions, etc., through the employment of contact devices for maximum contact of descending reflux liquid and ascending vapors. Provision is made for minimizing inefficiencies, and for omitting downcomer structure directly above and beneath the contact devices, so as to maximize efficiency of use of such contact devices. Likewise, provision is made for upward ascent of secondary vapors and gases escaping from the reflux liquid outside of the contact chamber, so that such may be reintroduced, beneath the next upper contact device.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a vertical conduit comprising a conduit structure l5A including a plurality of vertically stacked conduit chamber stages l5B. In a preferred embodiment, each of the conduit chamber stages l5B is of a transverse rectangular cross-section and mounts a rectangular vapor-and-liquid contact tray or device 16, see FIGS. 1 and 11. The conduit structure l5A is arranged to be in correspondence with the contact devices for constraining and conducting vapors emanating from each contact device 16 upwardly. In the structure, the reflux-liquid, slanted downcomer ramps 30, 31 are secured to and spiral, and thus are found spiralling about the conduit structure l5A. The reflux-liquid flow is unidirectional over all of the vapor-and-liquid contact devices 16 due to the configuration of the downcomer structure 27. Indeed, pursuant to the invention, the reflux-liquid path defined by the arrangement and configuration of the wall structure 14, conduit structure l5A, contact devices 16 and the downcomer structure 27 spirals 360.degree. between adjacent, vertically aligned openings 24 of the contact devices 16, as seen in FIGS. 1, 6 and 11. The downcomer ramps 30, 31, with the wall enclosure 14, thus effectively form a countercurrent reflux liquid and gases', 360.degree. progressively redirected flow path about the conduit structure l5A, i.e., a 360.degree. spiralled path, spiralling from one contact device 16 to the contact device 16 next below.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, reference should be made to the appended claims, in determining the true spirit and scope of the invention.