Patent ID: 8268049

Claim:
A vapor-liquid contacting apparatus comprising: (a) a primary absorption zone, and (b) a secondary absorption zone comprising a vortex contacting stage, the vortex contacting stage comprising: (i) a vortex contacting zone, (ii) a vapor inlet in communication with the vortex contacting zone through a tangential flow directing device, (iii) a liquid inlet in communication with the vortex contacting zone, and (iv) a vapor stage outlet in fluid communication with a vapor stage inlet of a superior vortex contacting stage or a vapor product outlet of the apparatus, and a liquid stage outlet in fluid communication with a liquid stage inlet of an inferior vortex contacting stage or a liquid product outlet of the apparatus, wherein the primary absorption zone has a cross section within a cross section of the vortex contacting zone and wherein said vapor-liquid contacting apparatus further comprises a vapor feed inlet and a liquid feed inlet wherein the vapor feed inlet and a primary absorption zone liquid outlet communicate with a lower section of the primary absorption zone and the liquid feed inlet and a primary absorption zone vapor outlet communicate with an upper section of the primary absorption zone.