Patent ID: 9295926
Filing Date: 2016-03-29
CPC Classification: B01D

Claim Text:
1. A tray assembly for use in a mass transfer column, said tray assembly comprising: a first upper cross flow tray comprising a first generally planar upper tray deck and at least one downcomer for removing liquid from said first upper deck; a first lower cross flow tray vertically spaced from said first upper tray, wherein said first lower tray comprises a first generally planar lower tray deck and an inlet area positioned proximate said downcomer of said first upper tray for receiving liquid from said first upper tray, wherein said first lower tray further comprises at least one centrally located downcomer positioned at or near the center of said lower deck for removing liquid therefrom, wherein said centrally located downcomer comprises a pair of spaced-apart parallel walls extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of liquid flow across said first lower deck; and a support system at least partially disposed between said first upper and lower trays, said support system comprising a plurality of horizontally-spaced braces coupled to and extending between said walls of said centrally located downcomer, a support beam coupled to a lower surface of said upper deck, and a plurality of elongated strut members coupled to and extending between said support beam and each of said braces, wherein said support beam includes a lower flange, an upper flange, and a vertical section disposed therebetween, wherein said first upper deck of said first upper tray comprises a plurality of deck panels, wherein said upper flange of said support beam is fastened to a lower surface of at least a portion of said deck panels, and wherein at least a portion of said deck panels comprise a stiffening flange extending downwardly from said lower surface thereof, wherein said upper flange of said support beam includes a plurality of cut-outs configured to accommodate said stiffening flanges.