The invention relates to a gas/liquid separation column extending mainly along a vertical axis and comprising an external wall delimiting an internal space in which are arranged at least one first contact member in which the liquid and the gas are brought into contact and at least one dispensing device configured to collect the liquid resulting from the first contact member and to distribute it to a second contact member. At least one box for separating a two-phase fluid is arranged in the internal space of the column between the first contact member and the dispensing device against the wall of the column fed by a duct which passes through a wall of the separation box.

The present disclosure is related to hybrid desalination systems and associated methods. The hybrid desalination system can comprise a first desalination unit comprising a reverse osmosis unit and a second desalination unit fluidically connected to the first desalination unit, wherein the second desalination unit comprises a humidification-dehumidification desalination apparatus. The present disclosure is also related to systems and methods for the formation of solid salts using a humidifier. According to certain embodiments, the flow velocity of a gas in the humidifier can be relatively high during the formation of the solid salt. In some embodiments, the humidifier comprises a multi-stage bubble column humidifier.

The present disclosure is related to hybrid desalination systems and associated methods. The hybrid desalination system can comprise a first desalination unit comprising a reverse osmosis unit and a second desalination unit fluidically connected to the first desalination unit, wherein the second desalination unit comprises a humidification-dehumidification desalination apparatus. The present disclosure is also related to systems and methods for the formation of solid salts using a humidifier. According to certain embodiments, the flow velocity of a gas in the humidifier can be relatively high during the formation of the solid salt. In some embodiments, the humidifier comprises a multi-stage bubble column humidifier.

A contact tray has a tray deck for receiving a liquid stream and a plurality of valves distributed across the tray deck through which vapor ascends for interacting with the liquid stream. Each valve includes an opening in the tray deck, wall segments that extend upwardly along opposite sides of the opening, and a valve body. The valve body has a trapezoidal valve cover positioned in covering relationship above and extending outwardly beyond the opening and legs that are attached to the valve cover at recesses located at opposite ends of the valve cover. A vent is positioned in one of the legs.

The present invention describes a process for continuous fractionation of CTO (crude tall oil) to RTD (refined tall diesel), said process comprising:—when removing a stream of TOP (tall oil pitch) the CTO is fed through at least two evaporation zones arranged in series so that one stream of CTO is fed from a first evaporation zone to a second evaporation zone, wherein a TOP stream is produced and fed from the second evaporation zone, wherein a first vapor stream is produced within the first evaporation zone and a second vapor stream is produced within the second evaporation zone and wherein there is a temperature difference of at least 10° C. between the first vapor stream and the second vapor stream; and—feeding the first vapor stream and the second vapor stream into a subsequent fractionation column to produce a stream of RTD from the fractionation column, wherein the first vapor stream and the second vapor stream are being fed to different positions, relative to the column height, in the fractionation column, where different conditions are applied to ensure suitable fractionations of a more fatty acid rich material and a more rosin rich material, respectively, and which different positions in the fractionation column are separated by packing means.

The present invention describes a process for continuous fractionation of CTO (crude tall oil) to RTD (refined tall diesel), said process comprising:—when removing a stream of TOP (tall oil pitch) the CTO is fed through at least two evaporation zones arranged in series so that one stream of CTO is fed from a first evaporation zone to a second evaporation zone, wherein a TOP stream is produced and fed from the second evaporation zone, wherein a first vapor stream is produced within the first evaporation zone and a second vapor stream is produced within the second evaporation zone and wherein there is a temperature difference of at least 10° C. between the first vapor stream and the second vapor stream; and—feeding the first vapor stream and the second vapor stream into a subsequent fractionation column to produce a stream of RTD from the fractionation column, wherein the first vapor stream and the second vapor stream are being fed to different positions, relative to the column height, in the fractionation column, where different conditions are applied to ensure suitable fractionations of a more fatty acid rich material and a more rosin rich material, respectively, and which different positions in the fractionation column are separated by packing means.

A tray for a mass-transfer column may allow contact between liquid and gas phases. The tray may include a tray inlet via which the tray is supplied with a liquid phase, a tray outlet via which the liquid phase flows out from the tray, first guide mechanism for guiding the liquid phase where the first guide mechanism forms a first flow path along which the liquid phase flows from the tray inlet to the tray outlet, an inlet for a temperature-control fluid, an outlet for the temperature-control fluid, and second guide mechanism for guiding the temperature-control fluid for heat exchange with the liquid phase. The second guide mechanism forms a second flow path that overlaps with the first flow path and leads from the inlet to the outlet. The temperature-control fluid flows along the second flow path in a direction opposite the flow direction of the liquid phase.

A fractionation column can be used to separate a liquid containing multiple components into its constituent components based on vapor pressure. While the fractionation column may be designed for certain operational performance, the operational characteristics may change, for example, due to changed flow rates through the column and/or fouling in the column. In some examples, a fractionation column is described that includes a fractionation tray formed of multiple tray decks that move relative to each other. The tray decks can have apertures that move relative to each other between a position in which there is a comparatively large amount of open area through the fractionation tray to a position in which there is a comparatively small amount of open area through the fractionation tray. Movement of the trays can control turndown and/or clear fouling buildup on the tray surface.

A double liquid distribution device (1) suitable for use in in a fractionating or wash column (10) including a high collector tray (2) connected to a manifold support (7) via at least two longitudinal liquid downflow ducts (5, 6), the manifold support (7) supporting at least two series of transverse tubular manifolds (8, 8a 8b) and serving to feed liquid respectively to the first series of manifolds (8a) via a first longitudinal duct (5) and to the second series of manifolds (8b) via a second longitudinal duct (6), each manifold (8, 8a 8b) including distribution orifices (8c) in its under face that are suitable for distributing the liquid onto the top face of the packing bed (9). The two longitudinal liquid downflow ducts (5, 6) are connected together in a low portion (5b, 6b) by a communication device (11) fitted with a valve (12) having controlled opening that is suitable for allowing the liquid to be transferred between the two longitudinal ducts in a controlled manner.

A structured packing bed for a column is provided. The structured packing bed comprises at least two layers stacked vertically above each other, and at least two of the layers each comprise at least one structured cross-channel packing element having a specific surface area of 60 to 500 m.sup.2/m.sup.3 and a height of 50 to less than 150 mm. At least 50% of the structured cross-channel packing elements are a block comprising a plurality of sheets with periodic deformations. The sheets are arranged in a longitudinal direction parallel and in touching contact with each other such that an open space is provided between them. Adjacent sheets are oriented such that their deformations intersect in crisscross fashion with each other, and a structured cross-channel packing element of a layer is rotated with regard to a structured cross-channel packing element of an adjacent layer by 70 to 110°.