This paper addresses an experimental investigation in the hydrodynamic behavior of a new type of dual-flow fixed valve tray. Water/air system was used at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature. The dry pressure drop, total pressure drop and clear liquid height were measured and the comparisons between different tray geometry were made. The results show that the total pressure drop and clear liquid height have the same trend, which is increased with the decreased center distance of holes, increased holes diameter and decreased open area. Correlation for clear liquid height is proposed, and the agreement of the experimental and calculated data is demonstrated in the paper. The results show that gas and liquid flow counter-currently through the tray hole area and four main hydrodynamic regimes are distinguished at different gas/liquid load. A characteristic parameter named the fraction of holes passing gas is defined and deduced. The calculated results show that the fraction of holes passing gas is reduced by the decreased center distance of holes and holes diameter, while the increased open area leads to the less fraction. (C) 2015 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.