The engineering task
An existing gas-liquid separator exhibits liquid carry-over at peak load. The vessel cross-section cannot readily be enlarged. A wire-mesh demister should reduce limiting droplet size without flooding or creating excessive pressure drop.
Performance depends on gas and liquid loading, droplet spectrum, surface tension, mesh density and drainage. A demister cannot compensate for poor inlet distribution or insufficient liquid holdup. Inlet, calming zone, mesh and drainage must therefore be assessed together.
Required design data
- Gas and liquid rates across the operating range
- Properties and expected droplet spectrum
- Existing vessel and inlet geometry
- Allowable pressure drop and maximum carry-over
Technical solution approach
Identify the carry-over mechanism
Distinguish gas overload, inlet atomisation, foaming and re-entrainment.
Determine droplet motion
Calculate settling velocity and limiting droplet size from properties and flow state.
Size the demister
Match mesh type, area, thickness and allowable loading to separation efficiency and drainage.
Check pressure drop and flooding
Assess clean and loaded conditions at maximum gas flow hydraulically.
Specify vessel installation
Define clearances, support, segmentation, cleaning access and liquid drainage.
Expected deliverables
Suitable SOL ALPHA modules
The modules form a technically plausible toolchain. Their final selection and sequence will be confirmed during the later calculation against the applicable code and project conditions.