Anti-swirl baffles are provided in a mass transfer column to reduce the
swirling motion of a vapor or mixed phase feed stream introduced into the column.
The column is of the type having an upper region of a preselected diameter, a lower
region of reduced diameter, and an intermediate transition region that has a diameter
that transitions from the preselected diameter of the upper region to the reduced
diameter of the lower region. The column includes a vapor or mixed phase feed nozzle
and a feed device such as a vapor horn located at least partially within the upper
region for delivering the vapor or mixed phase feed stream into the column. The
anti-swirl baffles are positioned in the intermediate transition region of the
column to disrupt the swirling motion of the vapor or mixed phase feed stream as
portions of it descend from the feed device into the transition region of the column.
An annular shield positioned in the transition region and spaced inwardly of the
column shell defines a liquid flow passage that is shielded from the swirling motion
of the vapor or mixed phase feed stream to reduce liquid entrainment.
