Mesh Pads vs Vane Pads

Mist eliminators are designed to remove entrained liquid droplets from the gas streams such as oil mist during manufacturing or industrial process. Removal of contaminants will assist with recovery of valuable products, improve emissions, and protect downstream equipment. In this blog, we will discuss the basic similarities of vanes and mist eliminator mesh pads.

Both vane mist eliminators and mesh mist eliminators operate using the same principle of impaction to capture the droplets. As the droplets contact the filaments in a mesh pad or the surfaces of a vane, they will gather to form larger droplets and then drain with gravity. One of the primary differences between mesh pad mist eliminators and vanes is the ability to filter different size droplets. Vanes only work well for larger droplets and work well in high liquid loading situations as opposed to mesh pads that works for smaller droplets.

Vane mist eliminators are also known as chevrons. Typically, they consist of stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, and sometimes plastic. They are constructed of various blades that are spaced to create difficult paths for the gas to follow. Vanes are used in columns, evaporators, and other vessels such as cooling towers, distillation towers. The blades can be smooth or hooked depending on the custom design. With each curve on the blade, the gas flow is forced to change direction, also known as “passes”. Vanes can be vertical or horizontal and are typically are round or rectangular.

Vanes can be custom made and offer high filtering and separating efficiency, long service life, they are resistant to fouling and offer low pressure drop. Unlike mesh mist eliminators, vane mist eliminators are not as efficient at collecting very fine droplets and are not effective for droplets smaller than 20mm in diameter, therefore, a mesh pad mist eliminator can be considered.

Mesh pads are made up of a collection of filaments. Much like vanes, mesh pads mist eliminators utilize inertial impaction to separate the gasses and can operate horizontally or vertically. As the gas rises within the mist at a certain speed, it will pass through the mist eliminator and collide with the different surfaces and strands of filaments through inertia. Fine droplets will collect to form larger droplets at which point, they separate from the gas, they will then fall with gravity from the pad. Typically, mesh pads are more economical than vanes.

Source- https://www.kimre.com/mesh-pads-vs-vane-pads/

Mist Eliminator Manufacturers

 

Mist eliminators have played a vital role in manufacturing and process operations for decades. It is now more important than ever to invest in high quality mist eliminators designed by experienced mist eliminator manufacturers. Mist Eliminators were created to remove contaminants or entrainments, such as oil mist, sulfuric acid mist, and chromic acid mist from the gas stream in absorption towers, separation tanks, evaporators, cooling towers, and gas separators. Industries such as metallurgy, petroleum, phosphates, and sulfuric acid rely on mist eliminators in their process. By using properly designed and installed mist eliminators, companies can meet and exceed state and federal standards, reduce operating cost, and protect downstream equipment, while increasing the amount of processing and recovery of valuable materials. As pollution rises due to an increase in manufacturing, there is a growing need for reputable mist eliminator manufacturers.

Mist eliminator companies that have experience, will know how to design both horizontal and vertical mist eliminators, also known as pads. The design of the mist eliminator is very much a science. The final product will depend on specifications such as orientation, thickness, flow, velocity, and spacing in the vessel amongst other considerations. The company must have through knowledge of the process and how droplets are generated and transported in the gas to design the best pad. It is imperative that the end user consult the mist eliminator manufacturer to ensure all aspects have been discussed.

Mist eliminator manufactures can often design mesh mist eliminators. These operate by utilizing composite mesh to capture and separate different size mist droplets from gas stream. Droplets are collected on the mist eliminator media by three different methods. Inertial Impaction, Interception, and Brownian diffusion. As the gas rises within the mist at a certain speed, it will pass through the mist eliminator and collide with the different surfaces and strands of fillaments through inertia. Fine droplets will collect to form larger droplets at which point, they separate from the gas, they will then fall with gravity from the pad. This is how the vapor is separated from the gases before emitted into the atmosphere.

Typically made of corrosion and rust-resistant materials such as stainless steel or polypropylene, mist eliminators are very durable and offer a long service life. Although typically round or square, they can be custom-designed in any size and shape. Larger pads may be designed in sections that are narrow enough to pass through a manway. This allows for easy installation and maintenance as they are lightweight and easy to transport. Mist eliminators are designed to have low-pressure drops and large surface area. It is important for mist eliminator companies to provide a training manual to the customer about proper maintenance. As time passes, the pad will become clogged and prone to flooding and pressure drop and will need to be cleaned to avoid these problems.

Source- https://www.kimre.com/mist-eliminator-manufacturers/