the contact between , for example , ascending liquid droplets of lighter liquid , as the dispersed phase , and heavier liquid , as the continuous phase , flowing across perforated trays in a flooded liquid / liquid contacting column , is enhanced by providing upstanding baffles on lower trays , interspersed with depending baffles from the trays above . the baffles cause the heavy liquid to flow along an undulating path . flow distributing partitions extend along the undulating flow path , between the baffles , to distribute liquid flow across the trays . the roles of the lighter liquid and the heavier liquid may be reversed as phases .