Patent ID: 6645350
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A cross flow tray for performing fractional distillation in a dividing wall fractionation column, the column comprising a central dividing wall and having a curved inner surface, the central dividing wall defining adjacent first and second vapor-liquid contacting chambers, said tray comprising:a.) perforated decking occupying at least a central portion of the tray and defining a contacting level of the tray; b.) a liquid receiving area located on a first side of the tray; c.) an outlet weir projecting upward from the contacting level of the tray which defines an inlet of a downcomer located on a second side of the tray opposite from the liquid receiving area; and d.) an isolation wall located between the downcomer and the dividing wall, the isolation wall being substantially parallel to the dividing wall and extending downward from the contacting level of the tray toward the outlet of the downcomer, the isolation wall being offset from a substantially linear edge of the tray, which linear edge generally conforms to the dividing wall, to define an isolation volume located between the dividing wall and the isolation wall.