Moving-valve trays

A moving-valve tray is a type of contact device used in mass-transfer columns, in which vapour (or gas) passes through openings partially covered by movable elements (valves). The valves can vary the open area depending on vapour flow rate, providing flexibility and high efficiency over a wide load range.

Valve trays are generally used where a wide turndown range is required. This design provides lateral vapour discharge and reduced liquid weeping through the valve. This results in higher efficiency and capacity compared with conventional disc-valve trays.

Spliteks offers trays with disc valves, caged valves, snap-in valves and high-capacity umbrella-shaped valves.

High-capacity trays with moving umbrella-shaped valves are used where both high operating performance and a wide operating range are required, particularly in high-pressure columns at gas fields and light-fraction columns at refineries and petrochemical plants. Umbrella-shaped valves provide a wider load range than sieve trays and fixed-valve trays, as well as a wider range than conventional moving valves. This equipment delivers superior efficiency compared with any type of valve, whether fixed or moving. Its advantage is a wide stable operating range, with capacity increases of up to 20% and pressure-drop reductions of up to 30% compared with conventional valves.