An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall to define an annulus column region and an interior core column region. The present annular divided wall column further includes structured packing elements disposed within at least the annulus column region as well as a ring-shaped cantilevered collector; and a ring-shaped distributor disposed in the annulus column region above or below the plurality of structured packing elements. The thermal expansion and contraction of the second annular column wall in a radial direction and in an axial direction is independent of the thermal expansion and contraction of the first annular column wall in the radial and axial directions.

An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall to define an annulus column region and an interior core column region. The present annular divided wall column further includes structured packing elements disposed within at least the annulus column region as well as a ring-shaped cantilevered collector; and a ring-shaped distributor disposed in the annulus column region above or below the plurality of structured packing elements. The thermal expansion and contraction of the second annular column wall in a radial direction and in an axial direction is independent of the thermal expansion and contraction of the first annular column wall in the radial and axial directions.

A distillation device comprising a column for separating a feed stream into a head product stream, a bottom product stream and optionally one or more side extraction streams, having three or more cells in 5 series through which fluid flows, wherein at least the first cell is integrated into the bottom of the column, for multi-stage heating and partial evaporation of the liquid flowing through the cells with the exception of the liquid from the last cell in an evaporation stage.

A support grid for filling material packing and to a component set for producing such a support grid, including support strips and top strips which are inclined relative to one another in opposite directions. The support strips and top strips intersect one another, the inclination of each top strip is defined by at least one top strip receiving groove which is made in at least one support strip and in which the top strip is received, and the orientation of each support strip is stabilised by at least one support strip receiving groove in which the support strip is received.

An arrangement of downcomers oriented at a 45-degree angle to a support that is either a wall within a divided wall column or a support beam that allows for reduced spacing of from 0.3 to 0.76 m spacing between trays within a distillation column. The advantages include the use of a single support beam to support two trays as well as more efficient operation and allowing for columns having diameters from 0.9 to 15.2 meters.

The present disclosure relates to a valve tray for use in a chemical process column. The valve tray includes a plurality of apertures formed therein. A plurality of valves are maintained in a spaced relationship relative to individual apertures of the plurality of apertures. An area of the individual apertures is less than an area of individual valves of the plurality of valves.

A high capacity and high efficiency co-current and cross-flow vapor-liquid contacting apparatus and process is useful in distillation columns and other vapor-liquid contacting processes. The apparatus is characterized by an arrangement of offset contacting modules in horizontal stages. The modules define a co-current contacting volume and in an exemplary configuration the modules include a liquid distributor and a demister. Half modules comprise downcomers against the shell of the vessel for transporting liquid to the subjacent stage.

A high capacity and high efficiency vapor-liquid contacting apparatus and process is useful in distillation columns and other vapor-liquid contacting processes. The apparatus is characterized by a half module comprising a downcomer against a shell of a vessel for transporting liquid to a subjacent stage which utilizes a demister to effect vapor-liquid separation at the downcomer outlet.

The present invention relates to a column (1) for thermal treatment of fluid mixtures, having a cylindrical, vertical column body (2) which forms a column cavity (3), a plurality of trays (8) mounted with vertical spacing in the column cavity (3), and a support construction (9) which supports at least one of the trays (8) in vertical direction. It is a characteristic feature of the inventive column (1) that the support construction (9) has a plurality of orifices (12) which allow horizontal mass transfer through the support construction (9). The invention further relates to a tray device for such a column and to a thermal separation process between at least one gas ascending within such a column (1) and at least one liquid descending within the column (1).

An assembly for supporting a member in a vessel comprises a clip comprising an arm with a first end attached to a panel and a second end opposed to the panel. The panel is secured in the vessel. The assembly also comprises a plate slidably disposed between the second end of the arm and the panel. The subject matter also pertains to the clip itself and the method of use.