PROCESS VESSEL INTERNALS

Headquarter Office :
No. 192, Darya blv. Saadat Abad ,Tehran, Iran
Tel : +98 21 88370266 , Fax : +98 21 88370267
FRACTIONATION TRAYS
Manufacturing Headquarter: Safadasht Industrial
Zone,Tehran, Iran, Tel: +98 21 65439160-3
www. pantan.co ,i n f o @pantan . co
 PROCESS VESSEL INTERNALS

PROCESS VESSEL INTERNALS

PANTAN is a well-established leading designer and

manufacturer of a complete range of Process Vessel SERVICES STAY FOR EVER
internals for the Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Industries.

For well over a decade now, our company has

developed a comprehensive range of products and
services including:
• Fractionation Trays
• Packed Tower Internals
• Separator Internals
• Reactor Internals
• Site Services

Tray columns play an important role in fractionating

processes in the Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Industries.
Characteristics which tend to favour trayed columns in
fractionating and separation columns are:
• Operation flexibility
• High liquid load traffic handling
• Suitable for fouling systems
• Suitable for corrosive/erosive services.

PANTAN certified according to ISO 9001:2015 for

Designing and Manufacturing of Process Vessel
Internals. Our principal focus is on improving
products quality and customer satisfaction.

1
 Tray Fundamentals Limitations of Tray Design
and Operation
In classical hydraulic model liquid and vapor flow The Tray Operating Envelope shown in below Figure
counter currently. The liquid phase flows horizontally illustrates the relationship between liquid and vapor
across the tray decks from downcomer to downcomer rates and the normal tray operating limits.
and vapor phase passes vertically upward from The absolute locations of the envelope boundaries
bottom tray to the upper tray and disperses through are a function of the tray layout and so each tray
the continuous liquid phase creating a froth on each design will result in a unique set of operating limits.
tray deck. An ideal tray design would have the full range of
Effectively this creates a series of mixer-settlers expected column operation located within the envelope.
with vapour-liquid mixing in the froth on the tray deck
and subsequent vapour-liquid disengagement in the
downcomers.In normal steady operation, the pressure
loss across each tray deck will balance the liquid Entrainment flooding
t
en
in e
m
tra siv
En xes
E

Area of
head on each tray preventing the liquid from “weeping” Satisfactory operation
through the tray deck area.
result of this contact is a froth which flows over the
Vapor flow rate

deck during the traveling along tray. Weep po

int
Some vapor separate from mixed phase and go g
Excessive Weepin
upward and remaining froth releases over weir to the
downcomer.In downcomer vapor phase disengages Dump poin
t
from mixture extensively and goes toward upper tray.
In this normal flow regime most contacting surface
Liquid Flow rate
area between phases will be provided but different
direction of phases causes noticeable pressure drop.

2 3
 Mechanical Concepts
Tray Arrangment & Fabrication Techniques
Tray style and parts are designed in accordance with Fractionating Trays for columns larger than about
accepted industry standards to cover all necessities 900mm diameter are manufactured in sections sized
of various processes . to fit through vessel manways and are assembled
inside the vessel to form complete trays which
conform to the required specific tray layout.
The installed trays are therefore removable for
1- Tray Floor maintenance purposes with one panel on each flow
2- Seal Pan path designed as an inspection or access manway.
3- Manway
4- Outlet Weir The basic design and technique for tray assembly is
5- Downcomer Upper Section fairly standard to all the major tray manufacturers
6- Downcomer Lower Section with differences in detail such as clamp design etc..
7- Support Ring Typical PANTAN tray assembly is by through bolting
8- Support Bar together all tray panels with M10 threaded fasteners
except for:
• Peripheral Tray Deck Panels are fixed to support
ledges using lever clamps.
• Manway Panels are fixed using clamps that can be
removed from above or below.

PANTAN standard Fractionating Trays are designed

to withstand a uniformly distributed downwards load
of 1.5 kPa which is the typical standard specified by
major users. Tray decks panels are normally 2mm
thick stainless steel (or 3mm thick Carbon Steel)
with box section trusses folded below the deck
designed to achieve the desired load bearing strength.
Tray Parts Description and Geometrical Parameters The depth of the box sections is generally restricted
to 20% of the normal tray space for both process
Graphical configurations of conventional 1 and 2 pass When high liquid rates are encountered, 2 pass and and access reasons. In larger diameter columns where
trays are shown below with various styles of liquid 4 pass trays are preferred because they provide lower box section depth would be excessive, separate major
and vapor traffic. weir load. beams are used. All major beams are through bolted
to support brackets welded to the column wall.

The upper sections of downcomers generally functions

as beam supporting tray deck panels and is therefore
through bolted to the downcomer bolting bars.
Lower downcomer sections may be clamped to the
downcomer bolting bar.

To provide for installation fit up and adjustment,

Flow Path Length oversize bolt holes are used at tray joints.
PANTAN’s typical panel to panel assembly is
Recessed based on using one 12mm and one 20mm diameter
Seal Pan Sloped hole with M10 bolting at each fixing position.
Downcomer
Bolting and clamping is generally arranged around
all tray panels on maximum 150mm centres. Small In some services the trays may need to be designed
Inlet Weir to withstand higher downwards or in some cases
gaps between some tray panels may be unavoidable
1 Pass 2 Pass upwards loads. Heavy duty tray design may
and are acceptable on the tray active area. Where
Traditional Design Special Design incorporate some or all of the following features
the size of the gap is excessive, bolted down seal
to increase mechanical strength:-
plates should be used to cover the gap. Gaps on
downcomer panels must be avoided altogether if • Manufacture from heavier gauge material
possible. Also tray panel joints on the downcomer • Larger box/beam sections
Depending on tray hydraulic, downcomer also Inlet weir and recessed seal pan are applied for floor should be minimised or eliminated because the • Increased number of major beams
can be designed straight and sloped in order to achieving downcomer seal and where downcomer higher liquid levels in the downcomers may result in • Tied-in box sections (ie bolted to wall cleats)
increase more tray active area. clearance is limited. substantial leakage. • Closer spacing of bolting and clamping.

4 5
 Products Introduction

 Bubble Cap Tray

This traditional tray type is used for low liquid rate

and high turn down ratio.

 Sieve Tray

Consist of tray panels area uniformly punched with

13 mm holes and approximately 10% open area which
use because of their simplicity, versatility, capacity
and cost effectiveness

 Features
• Simple and low cost
• Narrow operation flexibility over a range of 2:1
turndown ratio
• Tried and tested performance

 Float Valve Tray

Float Valve Trays are composed of punched tray decks

fitted with movable valves to vary the tray open area
with changing vapor load. In cases where high turndown
ratios are considered, floating valve trays are an option.
There are various valve types which may either have legs
integrated to the valve disc to limit upwards movement
or alternatively the valve disc movement is restricted
by a cage fitted to the tray panel.Valve discs/caps are
available in both round and rectangular shapes.
The capability of floating valves makes these valves
to control vapor flow so as a result, they provide
better sustained efficiency over a wider operating
range than sieve trays.

 Features
• Medium operating flexibility up to 5:1 turndown ratio
• Enhanced liquid-vapor contact
• Steady liquid movement across the tray deck
• Less froth height and weeping
• Turndown parameters adjustment by selecting suitable
range of valve lift and weight
• More resistance against fouling or corrosive fluids
• Extra fatigue causes the legs to be damaged; cage
valves solve this problem easily

6 7
  Panta Valve TM
Products Introduction
Cartridge trays are typically used in flanged columns
where the tower diameter is so low and no manhole
is used.
Generally, for columns with diameters less than
900 mm any of tray products can be manufactured
in cartridge-style construction.
This scheme can only provide up to 5 trays per cartridge
they are joined together in bundles for easy installation.

High performance trays

RE CG RO-1
(Std Rectangular Valve) (Std Cage Valve) (Std 3leg Valve) In order to provide higher capacity and to reduce  Features
Jet Flood, PANTAN offer complete range of high • Maximized active area
performance trays based on optimum tray geometry • Swept-back Downcomers
• Sloped Downcomers
design, such as high performance chordal downcomers,
• Micro Valves
Swept-back Downcomers, Sloped Downcomers and • Jet Tabs
Multi-downcomer trays, Special tray decks for enhancing • Clear Liquid Separators
vapor capacity with state-of-the-art downcomer  Results:
technology. • Increased Tray Efficiency
These kinds of trays are suitable for column revamping • Increased Capacity
and for reducing the size of new towers.  Advantages:
• More trays in the same space
• Lower reflux ratio
RO-2 RO-3 • Lower pressure drop
(Std 3leg Valve) (High efficiency 3leg Valve)
Feed Inlet Devices
Proper distribution of a vapor, liquid or vapor-liquid Type of inlets in to a column classified as below:
stream onto a tray is essential for reaching the • liquid feed
hydraulic capacity potential of the internals. • Flashing Feed(Mixed liquid and vapor)
• Vapor feed
 Fixed Valve Tray

This type of valve tray has been developed to achieve Feed devices help to distribute the inlet feed through the towers and they classified as below:
both sieve and floating valve tray specifications as
moderate pressure drop, turndown ratio and cost.  Liquid Feed Pipe  Flash Feed Gallery
Fixed Valve Tray is the preferred tray when fouling
conditions are possible. However, it provides lower Liquid only feed pipe is used when liquid is fed from Flashing feed gallery is a feed device to accommodate
turndown and less efficiency than floating valve. outside the column for distributors. The incoming flow mixed liquid/vapor or flashing feeds. The 2 phase liquid
Smaller fixed valves provide more capacity than larger must contain less than 1% vapor by volume. A perforated is fed to the column through a nozzle tangentially against
valves owing to the fact that pressure drop and pipe composed by a main header and secondary flanged the tower wall. The residence time allowing the vapor
entrainment decrease. branches is typically used for liquid inlets. phase to disengage from the liquid and the clear
liquid then flows directly to a distributor.
 Features
• More resistance against fouling services
• Moderate operation flexibility about 3:1
turndown ratio
• Lower entrainment and pressure drop
• Higher Capacity as tray spacing can be reduced
especially in existing columns it allows to
increase the number of trays
• High efficiency is attainable over wide range
of operational conditions
• excellent mechanical strength
• leakage is low

8 9
 Design Tools
PANTAN has developed home based Tray design
codes compatible with comprehensive Tray types
which give efficient and accurate output with
minimized cost.Depend on costumer necessities,
all hydraulic/rating and mechanical parameters
such as jet flood, downcomer flood, pressure drops,
stresses, deflections and etc will be fitted in the
acceptable range. The results will be provided to
costumer in a standard output format. Based on
rating and strength outputs, internal parts are
designed by use of standard 3D or 2D drafting
software then assembly and shop drawings are
generated in CAD format.

Installation Layout
Tray panels join together and to the supports with Selecting the assembly method depends on tray
a suitable quick fastening method which should not operation conditions and clients standard mandate.
be loosened by vibration. Normally tray panels are assembled through following
methods:

 Clamping
This method is used for jointing tray panels together
with friction washers and also connecting tray panels
to support ring or bars with universal/ lever clamp.

 Through bolted
Through bolted tray panel connection results in more
rigid structure and ensures mechanical integrity ,
especially in case of considerable vibration.
The parts which are designed for load bearing such
as upper section of downcomer or major beam need
to be through bolted to supports.

 Lip joint
This method is used for jointing tray panels together
with friction washers and also connecting tray panels
to support ring or bars with universal/ lever clamp.

STANDARD TRAY ASSEMBLY

10 11
 Services

SPARE PARTS SUPPORT

In addition to our high-quality products, PANTAN
offer a range of services and technical expertise
to his customer.

 Engineering
Effective design and responsive services are the
main duties of PANTAN. It is not the case whether
small diameter or large, new construction, revamp
or replacement, we will provide reliable solutions
to our customer’s requirements at an economical
condition.
PROCESS VESSEL INTERNALS
 CFD Simulation ENGINEERING SERVICES
Based on the customer request, we provide CFD INSTALLATION SUPERVISION
consultation for some industrial processes in order LIQUID FEED PIPE PANTA VALVE TM
to design equipment based on CFD simulation
instead of built and test approach.
Moreover, we use CFD modeling for de-bottlenecking SIEVE TRAY
and process optimization purposes.
CFD SIMULATION FEED INLET DEVICES

HIGH PERFORMANCE TRAYS

BUBBLE CAP TRAY

BUBBLE CAP TRAY

FLASH FEED GALLERY
 Installation Supervision

SIEVE TRAY

SERVICES STAY FOR EVER

LIQUID FEED PIPE
Specialist Site Supervision is the commonly requested
support service. Generally the installation or modification FIXED VALVE TRAY
of vessel internals is carried out as part of an overall
shutdown program and it is normally convenient to
appoint a single contractor to carry out all site work.
In the such situations, the Installation Supervisor provided
by us would typically function as follows:

• To verify that installation procedure is compatible with

the design and proper functioning of vessel internals
• Planning to ensure that adequate preparation is made FLOAT VALVE TRAY
for smooth installation compatible with the shutdown
schedule
• Generally support the installation contractor with
techniques and procedures to suit site conditions
• Assistance in overcoming any installation problems
• Final inspection of installed equipment.

 Spare Parts Support

PANTAN has developed procedures and resources
to provide replacement column internals such as tray,
tray parts and packings on a like for like basis in either
planned or emergency shutdown. This service is available
to users of Distillation Internals supplied by almost
any manufacturer.

12