Characteristics of push valve centrifugal tray; a novel tray with pipe type downcomer

ABSTRACT The intention of providing this paper is to conduct an experimental investigation into the hydrodynamics of the push valve centrifugal tray, which has a new configuration, in order to retrofit the purpose of a stripper oil sweeting of Lavan oil manufacture. Experiments were performed on the commercial scale column by an air-water simulator rig. Two different pilot plants with 1.2 m and 3 m diameter have been used for experiments. Dry pressure drop, total pressure drop, and weeping data are presented on the commercial scale 1.2 m diameter column. The results compared with a sieve tray. Some correlations for the pressure drop and the weeping are presented. A pilot plant with a large diameter, 3 m, was also installed to predict the pressure drop with the exact characterization as the stripper column of Lavan oil manufacture to predict its pressure drop. The experiments were carried out in two different outlet weir heights, 0, 3 cm, and 2- and 4%-holes areas at various operating conditions. This article also introduced a new downcomer and tray design of the centrifugal tray. Experiments and industrial reports of this type of centrifugal tray show that it can be used in revamping and retrofit projects.