Types of trays in distillation tower

To promote intimate contact between the vapor and liquid, the distillation column contains internal devices. The internal devices may be grouped into two general categories: Tray-type and Packing-type.
The most widely applied trays in process industries are 1. Bubble cap trays, 2. Sieve trays and 3. Valve trays.

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2. Types of Trays in Distillation Towers/Columns https://thepetrosolutions.com/types-of-trays-in-distillation-columns/ Team WWW.THEPETROSOLUTIONS.COM

3. Introduciton of Distillation Tower Trays Three types of cross-flow trays are the most commonly used type of vapor and liquid contactors in the distillation columns. In a cross-flow type, the liquid flows across the tray, and the vapors rise up through the plate. The flowing liquid is transferred from the plate to the plate through downcomers. A certain level of the liquid is retained on the plate by an outlet weir. Working of bubble cap tray in the next slide. WWW .THE PETRO SOLUTIONS .COM

4. Working of Bubble Cap Trays

5. 1.Bubble Cap Trays In this tray, vapors rise up through risers or chimneys into a cap, then come out from slots or holes in a cap and bubble through the surrounding liquid on the tray. Vapors and liquid are in total contact for their mixing and mass transfer. Liquid flows over the caps on the tray from the upper downcomer to the outlet weir and downcomer to the tray below. A liquid head is maintained on the tray by an outlet weir near the downcomer. WWW .THE PETRO SOLUTIONS .COM

6. Advantages of Bubble Cap Trays Excellent Mixing since gas/vapor travels through the pool of liquid. Very little probability of weeping. Weeping is a phenomenon where the gas flow rate is very low and the liquid flow rate is very high due to which, the liquid simply runs through the plate downwards without any mixing with the gas. The bubble cap tray has a built-in seal that prevents liquid drainage at low gas-flow rates. There is no weeping phenomenon in bubble cap trays. WWW .THE PETRO SOLUTIONS .COM

7. Disadvantages of Bubble Cap Trays The disadvantages associated with bubble trays are high-pressure gradient through the trays Bubble cap trays are costly as compare to sieve and valve-type trays. Bubble cap trays require more space on the trays thus the lower number of openings on the single trays deck. Extensive labor and more materials are required to manufacture bubble-cap trays. WWW .THE PETRO SOLUTIONS .COM

8. 2.0 Sieve Trays The sieve plate is the simplest type of cross-flow plate. The tray contains round small holes, perforations (⅛ to 1-in.) punched on the tray deck. Vapor rises through the small perforations on the tray floor and bubbles through the liquid in a fairly uniform manner. The liquid then flows across the tray floor over the weir, through the downcomer to the tray below. The holes on the tray give a multi-orifice effect. The vapor velocity keeps the liquid from flowing down through the holes. liquid flow is transported down the tower by down-comers, and weir to overflow device on the side on the plate. WWW .THE PETRO SOLUTIONS .COM

9. Working of Sieve Trays

10. Advantages of Sieve Trays Sieve trays are simple in design and lower in cost, then both bubble cap and valve type trays. Sieve trays have easy operation, maintenance, and cleaning. Pressure drop across the sieve trays is lower as compared to the other trays. WWW .THE PETRO SOLUTIONS .COM

11. Disadvantegs of advantages of Sieve Trays Sieve trays show poor performance at turndown rates because there is no positive vapor-liquid seal, and at low flow rates liquid will ‘‘weep’’ through the holes, reducing the tray efficiency. The vertically exiting vapors in sieve trays create higher froth heights, thus increasing the potential for liquid entertainment. WWW .THE PETRO SOLUTIONS .COM

12. 3. Valve Trays The openings in valve trays are covered with liftable caps that adjust themselves according to the vapor flow. Tray valves or caps close off at a low vapor rate, thus stop the liquid from moving down from the tray. As the vapor rate increases, the valve lifts, and the open area for vapors flow also increases. In valve trays the openings may be varied by the vapor flow, so the trays can operate over a wide range of flow rates with high separation efficiency and large flexibility. Because of their flexibility and reasonable price, valve trays are tending to replace the bubble-cap trays. WWW .THE PETRO SOLUTIONS .COM

13. Valve Trays The valve plate is designed to minimize this drainage, or “weeping,” since the valve tends to close as the gas flow becomes lower, the total orifice area varying to maintain a dynamic-pressure balance across the plate. The valves on the trays can be fixed or moving. The fixed valves are permanently open while the moving valves adjust themselves according to the vapors flowing up through the tray holes as discussed above. WWW .THE PETRO SOLUTIONS .COM

14. Working of Valve Trays

15. Advantges of Valve Trays Very little probability of weeping since valve opening is proportional to vapor flow rate, thus the lower the vapor flow rate, the lesser the opening. Valve trays are flexible and can be used at varying rates and feed compositions. As the area for vapor flow varies with the flow rate, valve plates can operate efficiently at lower flow rates than sieve plates, the valves closing at low vapor rates. Valve trays are cheaper than bubble cap trays and slightly costly than sieve trays. In valve trays, the pressure drop is lower than bubble cap trays. Higher vapor rates mean high differential pressure. . WWW .THE PETRO SOLUTIONS .COM

16. Disadvantages of Valve Trays On a moving-valve tray, some of the valves begin to close when the vapor flow rate decreases, thus reducing the effective area of the tray. Moving valves trays are more prone to fouling than fixed valves because they typically have more surface area available for the deposition of contaminants. This would be a serious concern for columns operating in severe conditions of dirt and debris, various forms of corrosion, and dew point salt formation. As moving valves open and close, the valve legs can contact the edges of the orifice, which can cause erosion and increase corrosion. WWW .THE PETRO SOLUTIONS .COM

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