Entrainment removal by a wire‐mesh separator

The efficiency of a wire‐mesh separator as an entrainment eliminator has been experimentally determined in an evaporator employing a sodium chloride brine to trace the entrainment throughout the system. Superficial linear velocities have been tested with efficiencies ranging from less than 80% at lower velocities up to 99.9% at 17 ft./sec. Higher superficial linear velocities were explored, but the results were erratic, with reentrainment from the separator visually evident. The experimental data have been correlated by the assumption, and development, of a proposed mechanism for the capture of the entrainment particles by the wires in the separator. This mechanism is developed from a theoretical derivation by Langmuir and Blodgett used for correlating the stoppage of mist particles by the leading edges of airplanes and has been found to correlate the experimental data very well, so that predictions in unworked ranges may be made. The separator as applied in this experimental work behaved as an impingement‐type, inertial entrainment eliminator. The use of the presently developed equations permits the recommendation of specifications to be used in the fabrication of a separator for its most efficient performance if the nature of the entrainment and conditions of operation are known.