Aker Solutions vane packs are designed to separate entrained liquids from a gas stream. They offer high efficiency, as well as low-pressure drop. Liquid-laden gas is passed into the vanes and the gas is then subjected to several changes in direction, which causes the liquid to impact on the vane walls.
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Since the original developed and patent in 1994, the Aker Solutions vane pack demister has been continuously improved, both in relation to re-entrainment at high operating velocities and in offering a flatter performance curve for particle removal. This is achieved by using three different types of collecting/coalescing elements within the pack: the inlet, mid and outlet sections.
The elements at the front of the vane pack are designed to remove the large liquid droplets and the bulk of the liquid. The next stage is a coalescing section. This section causes the remaining droplets to coalesce and also helps to distribute the gas flow. The final elements at the rear of the pack are designed to remove the coalesced particles at lower face velocities then a conventional pack.
The design ensures an even flow of gas across the face of the vane pack. This is achieved by using perforated distribution plates mounted 50mm away from the back of the packs. The use of the 90 degree angle promotes a good flow path from the vane pack to the exit nozzle, noting that the required gas velocity through the vane pack is significantly lower than the gas velocity through the nozzle.
The 90 degree angle is made possible by use of the VLX pack that can be used in either a vertical or horizontal orientation because of the unique liquid collecting arrangement. Essentially, this consists of vane elements made from a flattened oval section, which includes a gap from the liquid to enter the quiescent drainage area.