Patent ID: 8293195

Claim:
A split-flow contactor, comprising: a cylindrical housing; first and second particulate beds disposed within the housing, wherein the particulate beds are arranged one on top of the other; at least one flow channel formed through both the first and second particulate beds, wherein each flow channel allows a fluid flowing through the flow channel to selectively bypass the surrounding particulate bed; one or more baffles located between the first and second particulate beds, wherein each baffle is in fluid communication with the first particulate bed, but not in fluid communication with the second particulate bed; one or more diffusers disposed at an outlet of each flow channel to distribute the fluid flowing therethrough; a first distribution zone disposed at a first end of the housing and in fluid communication with the first and second particulate beds to allow distribution of a first portion of a feed across the first particulate bed; a receiving zone disposed between the first and second particulate beds and in fluid communication with the first particulate bed for receiving of a first effluent from the first particulate bed; a second distribution zone disposed between the first receiving zone and the second particulate bed and in fluid communication with the second particulate bed to allow distribution of a second portion of the feed across the second particulate bed; and a mixing zone disposed at a second end of the housing and in fluid communication with the first and second particulate beds to allow mixing of the first effluent and a second effluent recovered from the second particulate bed.