Distillation Column Trays

A Distillation Column is equipment used in the separation of liquid mixtures into its component parts, or fractions, based on the differences in volatilities. There are many types of distillation columns each designed to perform specific types of separations and each design differs in terms of complexity.

Tray columns are used for making contact between a gas phase and a liquid phase so as to bring them as close as possible to the equilibrium state

Tray columns are used for making contact between a gas phase and a liquid phase so as to bring them as close as possible to the equilibrium state. Tray columns are widely used in various types of mass transfer operations. All the simulation results, which predict a certain number of theoretical stages, can be converted to actual trays depending upon tray efficiency for a particular service. In any conventional tray vapor rises through the liquid pool on the tray deck and then disengages from the liquid in the space above the deck. Liquid enters the tray from a downcomer above and leaves via a downcomer below.

Cartridge trays are typically used in small flanged columns where physically installing the trays inside the column is not feasible.