High Velocity Low Impact Liquid Feed Distributor

Abstract

A liquid distribution device including a liquid distributor having an inlet pipe connected to a piping manifold that further includes a plurality of liquid distribution pipes each liquid distribution pipe including an inlet connected to the piping manifold and an outlet, and a liquid impact portion having a plurality of pans located in close proximity to the outlet of one or more of the liquid distribution pipes.

1 . A liquid distribution device comprising:
 a liquid distributor including an inlet pipe, and a piping manifold connected to a first end of the inlet pipe wherein the piping manifold includes a plurality of liquid distribution pipes each liquid distribution pipe including an inlet connected to the piping manifold and an outlet; and   an impact portion comprising a plurality of pans, each pan having a top surface wherein at least one pan top surface is oriented essentially perpendicular to the direction of liquid exiting the outlet of at least one of the plurality of liquid distribution pipes.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid distribution device of  claim 1  wherein a different pan is associated with each liquid distribution pipe outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid distribution device of  claim 2  wherein each pan top surface is circular and wherein each liquid outlet directs liquid at essentially the center of each circular pan top surface. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid distribution device of  claim 1  wherein the distance from the each liquid distributor outlet to each pan top surface ranges from about 5 cm to about 60 cm. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid distribution device of  claim 1  wherein the surface area of the pan top surface is from about 4 to about 200 times the area of the associated liquid distribution pipe outlet. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid distribution device of  claim 1  wherein the liquid distributor and the plurality of pans are connected. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid distribution device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one pan top surface includes two or more radial ridges. 
     
     
         8 . The liquid distribution device of  claim 7  wherein at least one of the radial ridges is serrated. 
     
     
         9 . The liquid distribution device of  claim 8  wherein the serrated surface has a serrated peak to serrated valley height ranging from about 1.0 cm to about 5 cm. 
     
     
         10 . The liquid distribution device of  claim 1  wherein the outlets of each of the plurality of liquid distribution pipes are essentially co-planar. 
     
     
         11 . The liquid distribution device of  claim 1  wherein each of the pan top surfaces are essentially smooth. 
     
     
         12 . The liquid distribution device of  claim 1  wherein each the plurality of pan top surfaces are essentially co-planar. 
     
     
         13 . A vessel having an internal space defined by walls having an internal surface and an external surface wherein the distribution device of  claim 1  is located in the vessel internal space such that the liquid distributor is located heightwise above the impact portion. 
     
     
         14 . A liquid distribution device comprising:
 a liquid distributor including an inlet pipe and a piping manifold connected to the inlet pipe wherein the piping manifold includes a plurality of liquid distribution pipes each liquid distribution pipe including an inlet connected to the piping manifold and a downwardly oriented outlet wherein outlets distribution pipe are essentially co-planar; and   an impact portion that includes a plurality of pans having essentially co-planar and circular top surfaces wherein each of the plurality of pans is associated with a different liquid distribution pipe outlet, wherein each pan top surface is essentially perpendicular to the direction of liquid exiting each liquid distribution pipe outlet.   
     
     
         15 . A method for distributing liquid in a vessel comprising;
 installing a liquid distribution device including an inlet pipe, and a piping manifold connected to a first end of the inlet pipe wherein the piping manifold includes a plurality of liquid distribution pipes each liquid distribution pipe including an inlet connected to the piping manifold and an outlet, and an impact portion comprising a plurality of pans each pan having a top surface wherein at least one pan top surface is essentially perpendicular to the direction of liquid exiting the outlet of one or more of the plurality of liquid distribution pipes;   directing liquid through the inlet pipe, into the piping manifold in an amount sufficient to product a liquid velocity at the outlet of each of the plurality of liquid distribution pipes ranging from about 1.2 to about 7.5 M/sec; and   directing liquid flowing from the outlet of each of the plurality of liquid distribution pipes at the top surface of at least one pan such that at least a portion of the directed liquid is redirected to flow radially away from the center of the pan wherein the velocity of the redirected liquid flowing radially away from the center of the pan and measured at the perimeter of the pan is no more than about 1.5 M/sec.