Apparatus for increasing effective active area

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention pertains to downcomer tray assemblies for chemical process columns.
More particularly, one aspect of the invention includes a downcomer-tray assembly for a process column of the type wherein liquid flows downwardly from a first tray through a first downcomer onto a second tray and across the active areas thereof.
Across these active tray areas vapor flows upwardly for interaction and mass transfer with the liquid.
The liquid then passes from the second tray through another downcomer.
The present invention comprises an active support ring underlying the perimeter of the trays and an active washer in securement thereto.
In another aspect of the invention, baffles are connected to the downcomers for the support thereof by a plurality of angulated support members secured one end to the baffle and at a second end to the tray-downcomer region.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a multiple downcomer tray assembly for a chemical process column of the type wherein liquid flows downwardly and vapor flows upwardly in interaction therewith and wherein liquid flows upon a first tray and downwardly from the first tray through a first series of downcomers disposed therein onto a second tray and thereupon adjacent a second series of downcomers disposed therein.
The invention comprises an active support ring around the perimeter of the trays for the outward support thereof and a plurality of support baffles extending along at least some of the downcomers for the intermediate support thereof.
A plurality of mounting members secure the downcomers to the support baffles and at least two downcomers are disposed in spaced, end to end relationship within one of the trays facilitating an active tray bridge section disposed between the ends thereof.
This construction permits ascending vapor flow through the bridge, which in conjunction with the active support ring increases the tray active area.