Truncated downcomer SUPERFRAC trays use active area enhancements and advanced downcomer technologies and may include inlet area enhancements. The
Enhancements page provides additional descriptions.
Several patented truncated downcomer designs are available and are customized to the specific application. The tray design takes the vapor and liquid rates into consideration as well as special requirements, such as fouling service.
Capacity gains for these trays can be substantial, particularly in cases where the existing conventional trays had large inlet areas below the downcomers. In these cases, the recovered area under the downcomer can create a drastic increase in capacity. At higher capacities, testing has shown that these trays still maintain high efficiencies. Under most conditions, the efficiency of these trays is higher than conventional trays.
Lower cost options are considered during the design process while recognizing the required capacity and efficiency. More complicated designs are not utilized if simpler ones will suffice.