Vapor/liquid contact device

An effectively rectangular vapor/liquid contact tray, for utilization in fractionation columns, towers, and the like, for effecting distillation, fractionation, rectification, absorption, and refining of various liquid materials such as petroleum, chemical and alcohol solutions. Provisions are made in the contact tray to reduce the magnitude of vapor-pressure drop between successive contact chambers as well as to provide a positive and more effective vapor/liquid contact. This result is effected through the employment of a series of mutually spaced parallel baffles. They are arranged transverse to and submerged in fluid flow, this to take advantage of the advancing liquid's kinetic energy and resulting recirculation zones associated with the baffles and upstream from the outlet weir of the contact tray. Vapor admittance apertures are provided proximate the downstream surfaces of the baffles, through the contact tray, so as to assure positive vapor/liquid contact and to take advantage of low pressure conditions thereat.