Abstract:
Processess and apparatus are provided to generate and use continuous and controlled liquid film for industrial and commercial applications requiring fluid-liquid contacts. In one version, a housing has a bottom and a tray mounted therein. The tray separates an upper section for holding liquid from a lower section for liquid-fluid interaction. Uniformly spaced, thin, straight film guides in close proximity extend downwardly from the tray towards the bottom. A narrow slit is formed in the tray along each line of film guides for enabling liquid in the upper section to flow to the lower section in the form of a flowing liquid curtain. The fluid can be a gas entering and exiting the housing through ports provided therein. In a preferred embodiment, a vertically extending tubular member is mounted centrally within several closed loops of film guides and extends through the tray. An adjustable sleeve is mounted on top of the tubular member and the tops of the film guides are secured to this sleeve. The invention may be used in a liquid-gas contacting column that comprises an upright vessel with a liquid inlet at the top and liquid outlet in a bottom portion. A series of trays are mounted one above the other in the vessel.