A Complete Model for Mesh Pad Mist Eliminators in Oil and Gas Processing by Analogy with Distillation Packing

Abstract

Current models for pressure drop in mesh pads are not adequate for pressure drop critical applications and do not cover the flooding regime commonly encountered when mesh pads are used as a coalescer. In addition, these models do not predict the flooding capacity of mesh pads. Pressure drop and capacity models for mesh pads are presented and compared with literature experimental data for fluid systems ranging from atmospheric pressure to 85-bar natural gas. The experimental data were successfully correlated from the region of countercurrent flow through to flooding of the mesh pads. The model captures, quantitatively, the pressure drop and liquid holdup in mesh pads as well as predicting the flood point of the mesh. When combined with a separation performance method, flooding in layered mesh pads can also be predicted. The model covers both conventional and co-knit mesh pads and can be adapted to other packing geometries, requiring only dry pressure drop data.