Methods and apparatus for mixing fluids
View Patent ↗A bubble cap has a riser and a cap, separated by a divider that extends to a length at least 50% of a distance measured between the top of the riser and the bottom of the cap. In another aspect, the riser and cap cooperate to provide a skirt height of no less than 1.5″. More preferred bubble caps have a relatively high skirt height or long slit length, or both. In yet another aspect, flow-redirecting vanes and plates (e.g., mixing chamber floor and splash deck) cooperate to provide a rough distribution of fluids to subsequent distribution tray(s).
1. A rough distribution device comprising:
a plurality of flow-redirecting vanes;
an upper plate having at least one fluid inlet orifice;
an upstream mixing chamber disposed upstream of the upper plate and configured to provide the fluid in one direction to the fluid inlet orifice;
a lower plate coupled to the upper plate, wherein the upper and lower plates are disposed in relation to the vanes such that a fluid flows outwardly through a space between the plates through a fluid outlet orifice defined by the plates and the vanes and changes direction at least two times;
a distribution tray, disposed below the lower plate in a position to receive at least part of the fluid.
2. The distribution device of claim 1 wherein the flow-redirecting vanes are chevron-type vanes.
3. The distribution device of claim 1 wherein the distribution tray is a perforated plate.
4. The distribution device of claim 1 wherein the distribution tray is a bubble cap tray.
5. The distribution device of claim 1 wherein the distribution tray is a riser tray.