Patent ID: 6575438
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A downcomer step apparatus for use in a vapor liquid contact apparatus, comprising:a radially interior inlet downcomer panel which, in conjunction with a boundary downcomer wall, defines an inlet opening of a downcomer vapor-liquid flow through passageway; a step platform extending radially outward with respect to said inlet downcomer panel at an intermediate level of the downcomer vapor-liquid flow through passageway; a step wall extending below said step platform, said step wall having an outer wall panel, and two tiplets extending to opposite sides of said outer wall panel; first and second extensions with the first extension extending out away from a first of said tiplets toward the vessel wall and a second extension extending out away from a second of said tiplets toward the vessel wall so as to define along a lower edge of said first and second extensions liquid flow-through passageways with respect to an underlying tray.