Method and apparatus for securing fractionation trays

Abstract

A chemical-process system includes a chemical-process column and a support disposed on an interior of the chemical-process column. A tray is disposed on a top surface of the support. A bolt is disposed through the tray and a clamp is disposed below the tray. The clamp has a notch formed therein for receiving a head region of the bolt. The clamp engages a bottom surface of the tray and a bottom surface of the support. The bolt is able to angularly displace with respect to at least one of the tray and the clamp.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for securing a tray in a chemical-process column, the method comprising:
 placing the tray on a support formed on an interior of the chemical-process column;   disposing a bolt through the tray;   positioning a clamp below the tray, the clamp being engaged with the bolt;   engaging the clamp with a bottom surface of the tray and a bottom surface of the support;   securing the tray to the support via a clamp system comprising a clamp and a bolt; and   articulating the bolt with respect to at least one of the clamp or the tray.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating comprises articulating the bolt by zero degrees relative to the clamp. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp comprises a generally U-shaped profile. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp comprises a generally V-shaped profile. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating comprises angularly displacing the bolt via a rounded bolt seat. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the rounded bolt seat is disposed on an underside of the clamp. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating comprises angularly displacing the bolt via a dome-shaped washer. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the dome-shaped washer engages the bolt and is disposed on a top surface of the tray. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the securing comprises:
 securing a head region of the bolt via a notch; and   tightening a nut disposed on a top surface of the tray, the nut operatively engaged with the bolt.