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valve tray
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valve tray

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Quick Summary

Valve trays are a type of fractionating tray used in distillation columns, primarily in petroleum refining. These trays are designed to control the flow of fluids, specifically hydrocarbons, within the column. Each tray has perforations covered by small metal disks that restrict flow under certain conditions. As vapor rises through the column, it contacts the liquid descending from the trays above. This interaction allows for the separation of different hydrocarbon components based on their boiling points, with lighter components moving upwards and heavier components moving downwards. This process is crucial for separating crude oil into various fractions for further processing.1

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. petroleum refining - Fractional distillation
  2. valve

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