A liquid-vapor contacting apparatus comprising a vertical, mechanically agitated, elongated tower (16) containing a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally disposed stages (a,b,c) therein and means for separating said stages, each of said stages comprising: (a) liquid tray means (46); (b) a liquid space (61) and a vapor space (65) above said liquid space (61); (c) weir means (48) capable of maintaining a predetermined amount of liquid on said liquid tray means (46); (d) a first liquid downcomer means (42) capable of providing a path for liquid from a stage or location immediately above said stage to the liquid space (61) of said stage; (e) a second liquid downcomer means (58) capable of providing a flow-path for the liquid in said stage to the next, lower, successive stage; (f) means capable of removing vapor from said vapor space (65) including vapor downcomer means (70) capable of providing a path for said vapor from said vapor space to the next lower, successive stage in a manner such that said vapor removed from said stage does not pass through liquid present in any stage; (g) means for introducing liquid or vapor (14) (30) from a source external to said apparatus into or above the liquid space (61) of said stage; and (h) means for mixing (50) said liquid or vapor introduced into said stage with liquid present in said stage.
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