| abstract |
A bubble column comprising a column-shaped container (1) with base (3), middle (2) and head (4) sections, one or more perforated plates (5) arranged horizontally in the middle section, the open area of these being 3 to 20%, devices for the supply and removal of a liquid (9 and 10) and of a gas phase (11 and 12) for operating the bubble column in counterflow, characterised in that the perforated plates have a substantially uniform distribution of perforations over the cross-section of the column, the cross- sectional area of the individual perforations is 0.003 to 3 mm2 and each of the zones found above and below a plate are connected to each other via at least one downcomer (6) for the passage of liquid, wherein the downcomer is designed as a round tube or segmented shaft located on the plate or as an externally sited tube connecting two adjacent zones in such a way that gas does not flow through it in the operational state. |