Patent ID: 8833742
Filing Date: 2014-09-16
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
1. An offshore co-current vapor-liquid contacting apparatus comprising a plurality of stages, with each stage including at least one contacting module comprising: a downcomer extending in a direction and having downcomer baffles distanced from each other in the direction to define downcomer cells within the downcomer, wherein each downcomer cell is provided with an outlet proximate to a co-current flow channel; a receiving pan extending substantially parallel to the downcomer and having receiving pan baffles distanced from each other in the direction to define receiving pan sections within the receiving pan; a vapor-liquid separation device having an inlet surface proximate to the co-current flow channel and an outlet surface above the receiving pan; and a plurality of ducts, wherein each duct has an upper end in fluid communication with a respective receiving pan section and a lower end in fluid communication with a selected downcomer cell in an immediately inferior stage; wherein the apparatus inhibits maldistribution of liquid on each stage.