At Central Wire, our focus on precision, custom manufacturing helps us to keep up with the constantly evolving industries we serve. Meeting the exact needs of our customers is key to offering durable and consistent performance from every one of our product lines.
Our specialized Tech-Mesh ™ product line is highly customizable, promoting its excellent application across a variety of industries. Our mesh can meet your specifications for mesh density, product geometry, crimping style, support frame construction and more!
In this blog, we will explore the capabilities of a Tech-Mesh™ product that offers peak performance and an alternate construction to our typical mesh – vane mesh.
Mesh or Vane - or Both?
Our vane style mesh offers an alternative to our typical mesh line products, with additional capabilities that allow for more robust, durable application. This specific line of our mesh offers reliable performance on its own, or when used to add protection to a typical mesh application.
Continue reading below to learn more about what makes vane mesh so effective, and why many are relying on this mesh design for their upcoming projects.
The removal efficiency of a standard vane style mist eliminator is typically in the 10-to-20-micron range for an air-water system at ambient conditions. Although more expensive than typical mesh, vane offers performance in countless demanding applications. Here are some advantages the vane style mist eliminators have over their mesh pad counterparts.
Higher Velocity – vane style mist eliminators operate at 30-40% higher vapor velocities than mesh pads. As a result, for the same vapor flowrate and operating conditions, the required area of a vane style mist eliminator is smaller than for mesh pads. The higher operating velocity also means vane style mist eliminators are less susceptible to re-entrainment and flooding.
Higher Liquid Loading – at standard conditions for an air-water systems, vane style mist eliminators can handle liquid loads in the vapor streams 5 to 10 times greater than mesh pads can.
Vane Mesh Advantages
Fouling and Plugging – solid particles and debris that would become lodged in a mesh pad are more likely to pass through the larger spacings of a vane pack. As a result, for “dirty” applications the operating lifespan of a vane style mist eliminator is longer than that for a mesh pad. In addition to a longer lifespan, vane packs are more easily cleaned than mesh style mist eliminators.
Longer Corrosion Life – the blades of a vane style mist eliminator are thicker than the wires used in mesh pads. For the same alloy in corrosive applications, the service life of a vane pack will be longer than mesh style mist eliminators.
Lower Pressure Drop – the open space between vane blades results in a lower pressure drop for vane pads than mesh pads. This can be a critical factor for applications that are highly sensitive to pressure drop.
High Viscosity Liquids – applications that involve removing highly viscous liquids from a vapor may not be ideal for mesh style mist eliminators. Even at low vapor velocities and low liquid loadings, the collected liquids will not drain properly and result in flooding. For these cases a vane style mist eliminator would be preferable.
Rugged Construction – when properly secured, a vane style mist eliminator can withstand pressure surges and liquid slugs better than a mesh pad. For the same upset condition, a mesh style mist eliminator is more likely to become dislodged or destroyed than a vane pack.
Foaming Applications – a mesh style mist eliminator is not recommended when operating conditions include foaming. A vane style mist eliminator is preferred because of better drainage and can even help break some foams.
Central Wire can help evaluate applications based on required operating life and reliability over time, along with other conditions to determine which type of mist elimination is best suited for the service.
Mesh-Vane Combinations
The addition of a mesh style mist eliminator either immediately upstream or downstream from a vane pack can provide a valuable synergy. When a mesh pad is located upstream of a vane pack, you get the superior removal efficiency of the mesh while using the higher operating velocity of the vane.
The mesh will capture fine mist droplets and agglomerate them into larger ones. The larger droplets are then removed by the vane style mist eliminator. The higher operating velocity will actually increase the removal efficiency of the combination over a stand-alone mesh pad.
When a mesh pad is located downstream of a vane pack, you get the superior removal efficiency of the mesh while protecting the mesh style mist eliminator from high liquid loads and potential fouling from solids.
The vane pack will remove larger mist droplets, leaving the mesh pad to polish off the smaller droplets. And by reducing the amount of solids that reach the mesh, the lifespan of the combination is longer than a stand-alone mesh pad.
Investing in our Versatile Mesh Lineup
With Central Wire, you have a supplier with quality-controlled, precision custom manufacturing capabilities combined with the industry expertise required to provide you with innovative solutions. Our high-quality custom mesh can be manufactured with a variety of alloys to ensure your specifications are met.
Whether it’s a new application or current equipment, we can provide you with the solution that you need! To learn more about our mesh products and their full range of capabilities, contact our knowledgeable sales team at sales@centralwire.com.
To kickstart your next project with us, Request a Tech-Mesh™ Quote below today!
