Cartridge Tray

Cartridge trays are widely used in columns too small for normal sectional tray installation and maintenance. This is generally considered to be 3 feet (0.91 m) in diameter or less. Packing is usually the preferred choice for these small diameter columns, but there are several reasons why trays would be advantageous. Examples include fouling systems, certain foaming systems, high pressure applications, and systems that require a large turndown.

Cartridge trays consist of a series of trays pre-assembled in a bundle. The number of trays contained in a bundle varies with tower diameter. Larger diameter bundles may only have 4-5 trays, whereas smaller diameter bundles may have 8-10 trays. The reason for the difference is the increased frictional resistance generated during installation between the tower shell and the bundle for larger diameter bundles. The trays themselves can be of any type: sieve, valve, bubble cap, dual flow, etc.

The tray decks are connected together by tie-rods that run the length of the bundle. Spacer rods are inserted over the tie-rods to ensure the correct tray spacing. The bundle is bolted at the ends to make a complete unit that is inserted through a body flange into the column. The bundles can be bolted together as they are installed so that all the trays in a section of column are connected together. The bundles rest on support clips welded to the shell at the bottom of a column section.

The downcomers are envelope-style and are integral to the tray deck. The trays are sealed to the column wall by circumferential gaskets.

Slot-and-Tap Design Construction

Hanbit Soltech Corporation can design without bolting at the panel-to-panel connection that can help to improve the tray uplift resistance. This design also gives a big advantage for the hardware reduction by eliminating the bolting requirement at the panel to panel joints, which results in saving the installation time at the job site.

Chimney Tray

Chimney trays are used for partial and total liquid draws. The number and arrangement of the vapor risers should be selected on the basis of providing proper vapor distribution at a reasonable cost. Risers may be round or rectangular. Rectangular risers are less expensive to fabricate. In trayed towers, the total riser area is typically 15 to 25% of the tower area. We can optimize riser heights to permit a larger volume of liquid on the deck.

Sumps can be added on one side, both sides or across the center. Chimney trays can be designed to handle any number of liquid passes as well as transitions between different numbers of passes. Standard chimney tray designs use tray support rings and downcomer bolting bars. Seal welding should be considered if leakage must be minimized. Options include bolt and gasket joint construction. Internal tray manways can be provided if necessary.

With a partial draw, overflow into a downcomer or downpipe conveys liquid from the chimney tray to the tray below. With a total draw tray, provision for overflow is not required. An overflow provision may be justified, however, if it allows the tower to continue to operate in case of a draw restriction. Liquid overflow into the vapor risers can lead to entrainment and premature tower flooding. The overflow downcomer should be liquid sealed to prevent vapor rise through it. The overflow weir height is set by the residence time required.

A chimney tray should be used when:
• Appreciable liquid holdup is required, as for product surge or for water settling.
• Leakage cannot be tolerated for process reasons.
• A drawoff box would occupy excessive tray cross-sectional areas.
• A partial drawoff rate is greater than 70% of the total liquid rate on the drawoff tray (Pumparound stream rates not included).
• A liquid drawoff is required in a tray section with some proprietary tray designs.

Feed Pipes

Hanbit Soltech Corporation also provides the feed pipe design for liquid-only, vapor-only and flashing feeds for both conventional and high-capacity trays. These Feed pipes provide a metered distribution pattern for maximum performance across the entire tray deck. With standard designs, the feed pipe attaches to the internal column flange and is supported by tower wall clips. Options include bayonet-style construction.

Floating Valve Units

Hanbit Soltech Corporation offers a variety of valves to meet customer requirements. The valve type commonly used for most applications is the MV2 valve. The MV2L valve has an "anti-pop" characteristic due to the twist leg construction. All valves are manufactured with or without anti-stick tabs. The anti-stick tabs offer reduced surface contact area which aids in preventing the valve from sticking to the deck when closed.

Other options :

• Anti-spin orifice tabs to prevent tray deck valve orifice and valve leg erosion.
• Caged valves which are used with venturi-type deck openings for low pressure drop applications, or with plain deck openings where non-legged valves are beneficial. They are also appropriate for low liquid load applications or in certain types of corrosive environments

Various Tray Hydraulics

Blowing Tray

Tray floor visible, low delta P (low efficiency)

Tray partially active

May Leak (some loss of efficiency)

Tray at 85% flood

Beginning to Entrain (loss of efficiency)

Tray at 80% flood

Optimum operation (peak of efficiency)

Tray at weep point

Occasional weeping (efficiency still satisfactory)

Tray at dump point

No liquid flow over weir (poor efficiency)