Installation site of the tower internal trays in Guangzhou of China

The internals of a tower are an important component of the tower equipment. Their function is to enable better contact between the gas and liquid phases within the tower, achieving the desired mass and heat transfer effects. The following is an in-depth introduction to the main types of tower internals and installation precautions:

1. Main types of tower internals

1.1 Tower plates (plate-type tower internals)

Bubble cap tower plate: With an agitator pipe and bubble cap, the contact area between gas and liquid is large, and the operational flexibility is high, but the resistance is high and the structure is complex.

Sieve plate: Simple in structure and low in cost. The gas passes through the sieve holes and comes into contact with the liquid. The gas velocity needs to be controlled to prevent liquid leakage.

Floating valve tower plate: The floating valves can adjust their opening according to the gas velocity, and the efficiency is high, with high operational flexibility. It is a widely used type of tower plate.

Tong-shaped tower plate: The gas is ejected from the tongue holes, pushing the liquid to flow. The pressure drop is small, and the processing capacity is large, but the efficiency is low.

1.2 packings (packing-type tower internals)

Bulk packings: Such as Raschig rings, Bauer rings, stepped rings, and rectangular saddle rings, randomly stacked in the tower, with a relatively uniform gas-liquid distribution.

Regulated packings: Such as wire mesh corrugated packings and plate corrugated packings, arranged in a regular manner, with high mass transfer efficiency and low resistance, suitable for precise separation.

1.3 Distributors

Liquid distributor: Ensures uniform distribution of liquid on the packing surface. Common types include slot type, tube type, and spray type distributors.

Gas distributor: Enables the gas to enter the tower uniformly. Mostly multi-hole plates or conical structures.

1.4 Supporting structures

packing support device: Supports the weight of the packings, such as grid plates and hole plate supports, ensuring the gas flow area.

Tower plate support device: Supports the weight of the tower plate and liquid, including supports, beams, and liquid drainage pipe supports.

1.5 Redistribution device

Used in packed towers to prevent liquid from flowing towards the tower wall. Common types include truncated cone type and slot type redistribution devices.

1.6 Mist eliminator

Installed at the top of the tower, to separate liquid droplets from the gas phase. Common types include wire mesh mist eliminator and baffled mist eliminator, reducing product loss and environmental pollution.

1.7 Liquid drainage pipe (plate-type tower)

Guides the liquid from the upper tower plate to the lower one, ensuring smooth liquid flow and avoiding liquid flooding.