Optimizing the design of waveplates for gas-liquid separation

Waveplate separators remove liquid sprays from a gas stream by directing it round small-radius bends in narrow ducts. Such separators are generally compact with quite low pressure loss and are effective at removing drops larger than about 5 µm diameter. The performance of plain waveplate separators has been assessed in terms of the collection efficiency, the pressure loss across the separator and the separator size. Experimental data were correlated using empirical descriptions of waveplate operation based on simple theory and existing correlations for duct flows. Using these relationships, a method to optimize designs of plain waveplate separator in terms of pressure drop has been devised and demonstrated. It was concluded that the optimum waveplate separator design has three bends of approximately 33°, 66°and 33°with a duct width-side ratio of 0.094 based on experimental measurements made in air-water systems.