Demister Pads & Mist Eliminators

When should a demister pad be replaced?

Replace or clean the pad when it no longer separates liquid at normal operating conditions. Common signs:

• Pressure drop across the pad has risen well above its clean value (fouling or plugging).
• Liquid carry-over downstream — wet gas, liquid in compressors, stack spitting.
• Visible damage at inspection: collapsed layers, holes, gaps at the vessel wall, broken or brittle wire.
• The process has changed (higher gas rate, new chemistry) since the pad was sized.

Why is my stainless mesh corroding or becoming brittle?

Mesh wire is thin, so corrosion that a vessel wall survives can destroy a pad quickly. Material choice must match the process:

• 304 stainless suits many neutral services but is vulnerable to chlorides and some acids.
• 316 / 316L gives better resistance to chlorides and pitting; 316L also reduces weld-zone corrosion.
• PTFE or polypropylene suits strongly acidic services where metals fail.
• Monel and nickel are options for specific corrosive services, such as some fluoride or caustic duties.

My demister floods or carries over — what can be changed?

Flooding usually means the gas velocity is too high for the pad, or the pad is too dense or fouled. A redesign can include a larger pad area, different mesh density or wire diameter, a thicker pad, or a different support arrangement. Send us the vessel size, gas and liquid flow rates and operating conditions and we will advise.

What we need to quote

• Vessel inside diameter (or old pad dimensions) and pad thickness
• Process medium and temperature, or the current material
• Whether grids are required and how the pad is installed (manway size)
• Quantity and required date