22e High Performance Tray Technology Enhances Extraction

Waldo E. de Villiers1, Jose Bravo1, and Glenn Shiveler2. (1) Westhollow Technology Center, Shell Global Solutions (US), PO Box 4327, Houston, TX 77210, (2) Applications - Gas Processing Group, Sulzer Chemtech USA, Inc., 4019 South Jackson Ave., Tulsa, OK 74107

Features found on high performance distillation trays can be applied to liquid-liquid extraction to enhance capacity and efficiency. This paper will review the characteristics of modern high performance extraction trays and highlight how these features influence performance. A case study will be presented involving the revamp of a rotating disc contactor in aromatics service with Shell HiFi(TM) Extraction trays. Issues critical to the successful revamp of low interfacial tension systems will be discussed.