.

Sizing Mist Eliminators

For New or Retrofit Existing
Separators

Principles of Gas/Liquid Separation

Inertial Capture in Vanes and Mesh

Droplet Size
Strand Diameter or corrugation spacing
Gas Velocity
Liquid Density relative to gas density
Gas Viscosity
Pad Density and Thickness
Interception Capture

Brownian Capture

Figure 15. Droplet capture by Brownian motion in a

Fiber candle or panel

Sizing Mist Eliminators

Mesh
General Purpose
(9# Density)

99% of
10 Micron

Vane

Mesh/Vane

99% of 30
Micron

Comments
None Critical Equipment
downstream or where
Mesh plugs

Improved Design
High efficiency &
10% high capacity

99.9% 5
micron

To protect compressors
Catalyst & beds, etc.

High efficiency high

Liquid load

99.9% 5 micron

Medium efficiency &

50% extra high
capacity
Ultra high efficiency

Ultra high efficiency

50% extra capacity

99.9% 8 micron
Double Pocket
Vane
99.9% of
1 micron

To avoid mesh flooding

In applications where
Mesh plugs

99.9% of 1 micron

00.0% of 1 micron
Double Pocket
Vane

To minimize solvent
losses (MEA, MDEA,
etc)

Souders Brown Equation

VG
K = PL PG
PG
K = vapor load factor (Souders-Brown velocity)
VG = gas velocity
PL = liquid density in same units as PG
PG = gas density in same unit as PL

Recommended Vapor Load Factors

Mesh Pads K=0.20-0.40
Vane Unit Vertical Flow K = 0.45 (max) (no hooks)
Vane Unit Vertical Flow K=0.65 (max) (no hooks)
Double Pocket Vanes (Vert/Horzt Flow) K=1.2 (max)

Mist Eliminator Sizing Calculation Example:

Flow Rate: 100 ACFS
Pressure: 400psig
Area required 100ACFS
Vd1

Pg: 1.25lb/ft3
Pl: 1.21lb/ft3

Vd1 = .30

K=0.30 (mesh pad)

Wt: 4000lbs

K=0.5 (vane)
Wt: 2800lbs

42
-1 = 1.7
1.25
K=1.1 (DP vane)
Wt: 1500lbs

Vane Profiles

F
L
O
W

F
L
O
W

Amistco
Six-Pass
Vane Unit

Amistco
Double-Pocket
Vane Unit

Challenges to overcome when Providing High

Capacity in smaller Separators

Limited Vessel diameter or height

Restricted disengaging space for the incoming gas / bad
gas distribution
High gas velocity creates turbulences in the liquid phase
reduces oil/water gravity separation
Higher mist loading in the gas phase could flood the
M.E.
Build new support structure with welding to the vessel
wall (Retrofit)

Configuration

Standard

One Bank

Alternative Configuration

2 Bank

4 Bank

Double Expansion Ring

Support Ring Frame Installed

Installation of support Frame

Knockout Drum Retro-fit

Support Ring Installed without welding

Vane Retro-fit

Vane Retro-fit

Vane Retro-fit

Retrofit Vane/Mesh

Double-Pocket Vane Retro-fit

Vane with Support Frame

Rukovena Consulting

Inlet distributors
Impact on Separators Performance

CFD velocity profile at A-A

Identified poor gas
distribution as a cause.
Red velocity is 3 times
design velocity and 4 times
green velocity

Inlet Diffuser view 1

Inlet Diffuser view 2.

Typical Situation

Corrected Situation: High Capacity/High Efficiency