APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING INTERNALS WITHIN A MASS TRANSFER COLUMN AND PROCESS INVOLVING SAME

摘要

An extended support beam is provided within the mass transfer column to support internal structures such as liquid collectors, liquid distributors, packaging supports or trays. The support beam is longitudinally divided into a lower beam segment and an upper beam segment which are connected by a plurality of connectors or are seated in one or more longitudinally spaced locations. The connectors may resist or stiffen the lateral deflection of the lower and upper beam segments relative to each other, and may transmit loads carried by the upper beam segment to the lower beam segment, or vice versa. By dividing the support beam into lower and upper beam segments, each of the lower and upper beam segments is moved into the shell of the mass transfer column prior to assembly of the support beam or following disassembly of the support beam in the mass transfer column. Through the manway openings in the openings.;