Mesh Mist Eliminators

Wire mesh-type products are only one option for designing a mist eliminator system. However, they’re one of the most common choices, in part because of their economy and efficiency. The allowance to fine-tune their performance using different mesh geometries makes them extremely versatile.

To meet the needs of the broadest range of customers, MACH Engineering also carries chevron eliminators and other tower internals. Explore our catalog online or get in touch with a representative for assistance in choosing the best product for your needs.

Mist eliminators install directly into a vessel or process tower. As vapor passes through the mesh, liquid droplets will adhere to the surface, coalesce and runoff. The process itself is simple, though the choice of material, opening size, and other design considerations will all affect performance.

We typically produce mesh components from either metal or polymer. Polypropylene (PP) is the most commonly used — and cost-effective — option. It offers good resistance against acidic and alkaline chemicals. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is more expensive, though better suited to extremely high temperatures, easier to clean and more durable.

While the materials above are the most common, our wire mesh demisters are also available in the following materials and are suitable in the following applications:

• 304SS
• 304L
• 316L
• MONEL®
• Nickel
• Hastelloy
• Kynar®
• PP (polypropylene)
• Teflon®
• Tefzel®

• Distillation towers
• Steam drums
• Wet scrubbers
• Knockout drums
• Evaporators
• And other equipment

• Minimizing the risk of contamination that can affect downstream chemicals
• Reducing the amount of wear incurred by turbine blades and other costly system components
• Increasing throughput and capacity, enabling better productivity system-wide
• Reducing pollution and making it easier to meet environmental and regulatory benchmarks
• Delivering a purer finished product

Together, these benefits translate to an improved bottom line. See how quickly your purchase will deliver a return on your initial investment by having a MACH Engineering representative perform the calculations for you.

The purpose of mist eliminators in separation columns is to capture entrained liquid droplets before they exit the column. This protects downstream equipment, improves product purity, increases throughput and reduces emissions.

Inside a separation column, vapor moves upward while liquid moves downward and the turbulent contact between the two phases generates fine droplets that get carried along with the vapor. Without mist elimination, that carryover can reduce column performance. Wire mesh mist eliminators help address this by delivering four key benefits:

1. Product recovery: Mesh eliminators capture valuable liquid that would otherwise leave the column, keeping it within the process stream.
2. Equipment protection: By removing entrained droplets before they exit the column, mesh eliminators help prevent corrosion and erosion in downstream components.
3. Cleaner output: Eliminating carryover reduces the risk of liquid contamination of downstream chemicals and finished products.
4. Emissions control: Droplet capture keeps pollutants within the system, making it easier to comply with environmental regulations.

Wire mesh mist eliminators perform well in separation columns because they efficiently remove fine droplets while minimizing pressure drop and throughput restrictions. MACH Engineering sizes every mesh eliminator to column diameter, gas velocity and droplet size distribution, ensuring the demister performs efficiently.