Prospectus

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DST-16 Simulator Test – Effect of Intermediate Pressure Drop Device on Capacity in a Fouling Service Expected Benefit toMembers: There is a need for high capacity devices that will work in a fouling service. This test attempts to use some principles seen in new high capacity devices. Do those same principles apply to As the hole area of a sieve tray is increased above about 16% the useful capacity of sieve trays no longer increases. As the hole area of Dualflow trays increases above about 29%, the useful capacity of Dualflow trays no longer increases (the number here may depend on tray diameter). High open area Dualflow trays are known to be unstable at high diameters. Perhaps pressure drop devices between sieve trays and/or Dualflow trays can improve the stability of the flow on the tray and allow the use of higher hole area trays. This will result in higher capacity. Proposed Internals and Test System: Developmental Research Idea standard devices used in fouling services? Present Situation and Proposed Research:

patterns on the tray. Determine the capacity and pressure drop. Estimated Additional Costs (Beyond Unit Time): Simulator work will probably be contract work ($20,000).

In a simulator, test Dualflow trays or sieve trays with an intermediate pressure drop device. Estimated Unit Time: One month in a simulator. Determine maximum capacity and observe flow

Background and Discussion: New high capacity devices have high hole area decks with cyclonic devices above the decks to disengage the vapor and liquid. These cyclonic devices would probably be impossible to use in a fouling service, but does the pressure drop of these devices promote increased stability on the tray deck? It may be possible to place intermediate devices such as grid packing or a very high hole area device (40-50% open area) between two operating trays (sieve or Dualflow) and increase the effective capacity while maintaining reasonable liquid distribution on the tray.

PROSPECTUS

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