Patent ID: 8318024

Claim:
A fluid distribution device suitable for use within a multistage column containing a plurality of granular beds, said fluid distribution device comprising: a plate (P) divided into meridional adjacent panels, denoted (Pa), by parallel walls, each of said panels having a shape that is approximately rectangular and all of said panels having sides of a longest dimension oriented along the same direction in length that is parallel to the parallel walls of said plate, wherein at least one of said panels (Pa) comprises: a) an upper screen or upper perforated plate ( 6 ) suitable for supporting a bed of granular particles ( 2 ) above said at least one panel (Pa) of said plate (P); b) a distributor ( 7 ) comprising a screen or a perforated plate suitable for re-distributing fluid flowing through said at least one panel (Pa) of said plate (P); c) a collection baffle ( 5 ) having a substantially central opening positioned between said upper screen or upper perforated plate ( 6 ) and said distributor ( 7 ); d) a deflector ( 9 ) having a thickness and a pair of parallel edges, said deflector being positioned adjacently between and spaced apart from said collection baffle ( 5 ) and said distributor ( 7 ), each said parallel edge being adjacently spaced apart from a respective one of the parallel walls of the panel, wherein the distance between each said parallel edge of said deflector ( 9 ) and the adjacent said parallel wall of said at least one panel (Pa) of said plate (P) is in the range of 5 to 200 mm, and said thickness of said deflector ( 9 ) is in the range of 0.5 to 10 mm; and e) a jet breaker plate ( 8 ) positioned on said distributor ( 7 ) and placed at each of said parallel walls of said at least one panel (Pa).