ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREA liquid-vapor contacting apparatus comprisinga vertical, mechanically agitated, elongated tower (16)containing a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontallydisposed stages (A,B,C) therein and means for separatingsaid stages, each of said stages comprising: (a) liquidtray means (46); (b) a liquid space (61) and a vaporspace (65) above said liquid space (61); (c) weir means(48) capable of maintaining a predetermined amount ofliquid on said liquid tray means (46); (d) a first liquiddowncomer means (42) capable of providing a path forliquid from a stage or location immediately above saidstage to the liquid space (61) of said stage; (e) asecond liquid downcomer means (58) capable of providinga flowpath for the liquid in said stage to the next,lower, successive stage; (f) means capable of removingvapor from said vapor space (65) including vapor down-comer means (70) capable of providing a path for saidvapor from said vapor space to the next lower, succes-sive stage in a manner such that said vapor removed fromsaid stage does not pass through liquid present in anystage; (g) means for introducing liquid or vapor (14)(30) from a source external to said apparatus into orabove the liquid space (61) of said stage; and (h)means for mixing (50) said liquid or vapor introducedinto said stage with liquid present in said stage.
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