Patent ID: 8051901

Claim:
Mass transfer or heat-exchange column with a first mass transfer or heat-exchange area ( 2 ; 102 ; 202 ), comprising a first tube bundle ( 2 ), and a second mass transfer or heat-exchange area ( 8 ; 108 ; 208 ), a second tube bundle ( 8 ), that is arranged spatially above the first mass transfer or heat-exchange area, which are surrounded by a cover ( 10 ′; 10 ″; 110 ; 210 ), as well as (a) at least one inlet ( 26 ) for injecting a medium into the column or (b) at least one manhole ( 36 ) for accessibility to the column or (c) at least one outlet for removing a medium from the column ( 8 ; 108 ; 208 ), characterized in that a first lower section ( 40 ; 140 ; 240 ) of the second mass transfer or heat-exchange area ( 8 ; 108 ; 208 ) is separated by a first intermediate space ( 41 , 41 ′; 141 ; 241 ) from the cover ( 10 ′; 10 ″; 110 ; 120 ) of the column, whereby the first intermediate space ( 41 ; 41 ′; 141 ; 241 ) is formed such that the cover ( 10 ′; 10 ″; 110 ; 210 ) in the area of the first lower section ( 40 ; 140 ; 240 ) has a larger diameter (D 1 ; D 3 ) than in the area of a second upper section ( 39 ; 139 ; 239 ) of the second mass transfer or heat-exchange area ( 8 ; 108 ; 208 ) and whereby the inlet ( 26 ) and/or the manhole ( 36 ) and/or the outlet is/are arranged in the area of the first intermediate space ( 41 ; 41 ′; 141 ; 241 ).