Guided Metal Conventional Valve Trays China

Guided Metal Conventional Valve Trays: Design and Performance

Guided metal conventional valve trays are widely used in distillation and absorption columns due to their operational flexibility and efficiency. These trays are engineered to provide stable vapor-liquid contact across a range of flow rates, making them suitable for various industrial applications. Wangdu (Hebei) Chemical Engineering Co., LTD specializes in the design and manufacturing of these trays, ensuring they meet specific process requirements with a focus on durability and performance.

Design Features
The design of guided metal conventional valve trays includes self-adjusting valves that respond to vapor flow rates. The valves open as vapor flow increases, allowing greater vapor passage, and close as flow decreases, reducing liquid weeping. This mechanism provides a turndown ratio of approximately 4:1, enabling efficient operation at vapor rates as low as 25% of design capacity. The inclusion of guides ensures the valves move vertically, preventing rotation or sticking, which enhances operational stability and reduces mechanical wear. Typical tray spacing ranges from 450 mm to 600 mm, balancing separation efficiency and column height.

Performance Characteristics
Valve trays are valued for their efficiency in mass transfer. Murphree tray efficiencies typically range from 70% to 85% under standard operating conditions. Pressure drop per tray is another critical parameter, generally falling between 50 mm and 100 mm of liquid column, depending on valve design and vapor velocity. The capacity factor (C-factor) for these trays usually ranges from 0.05 to 0.12 m/s, ensuring optimal performance in moderate-pressure applications. The operational window is defined by flooding at the upper limit and weeping at the lower limit, with designs typically maintaining a fractional approach to flooding below 0.85.

Applications
Guided metal conventional valve trays are used in industries such as petroleum refining, chemical processing, and gas treatment. Common applications include crude oil distillation, gas absorption columns, and solvent recovery units. Their adaptability to varying flow conditions and resistance to fouling make them suitable for services involving hydrocarbons, chemicals, and other industrial fluids.

Materials and Construction
Materials are selected based on corrosion resistance and mechanical strength. Carbon steel (Q235B) is used for non-corrosive services, while stainless steels (304, 316, and 316L) are employed in corrosive environments. For more demanding conditions, duplex stainless steels may be used. The valves are typically fabricated from stainless steel sheets with thicknesses of 1.5 mm to 2 mm, ensuring longevity and reliability.

Conclusion
Guided metal conventional valve trays offer a reliable solution for vapor-liquid contact in separation processes. Their ability to handle varying flow rates while maintaining efficiency makes them a practical choice for many industrial applications. Wangdu (Hebei) Chemical Engineering Co., LTD focuses on delivering trays that meet operational needs through precise engineering and robust manufacturing.

References

1. Kister, H. Z. (1992). Distillation Design. McGraw-Hill.

2. Perry, R. H., & Green, D. W. (2007). Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill.

3. Wangdu (Hebei) Chemical Engineering Co., LTD. (2023). Technical Specifications for Valve Trays. Internal Design Manual.

4. Lieberman, N. P., & Lieberman, E. T. (2008). A Working Guide to Process Equipment (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.