Patent ID: 7070745

Claim:
A multiple bed downflow reactor comprising vertically spaced apart reaction beds, and between the adjacent beds, a mixing device for mixing fluids, the mixing device comprising: (i) a substantially horizontal collection tray, (ii) a swirl chamber for mixing liquid arranged below the collection tray, having an upper end part that is in direct fluid communication with the upper surface of the collection tray and an outlet opening at its lower end, and (iii) a substantially horizontal distribution tray located below the swirl chamber, which distribution tray is provided with a plurality of openings or downcomers for downward flow of liquid and gas, in which reactor each reaction bed rests upon a support tray provided with a central opening and which reactor further comprises open-ended pipes extending through each central opening such that a vertical chute is formed from the reaction bed above the mixing device to the reaction bed below the mixing device, wherein the swirl chamber of the mixing device is arranged around the open-ended pipe.