Abstract

A fiber bed separator and method are provided for separating liquids from gases using cylindrical fiber bed elements disposed in a non-vertical position, preferably at an angle of from 0° to 75° from horizontal, and particularly disposed in a substantially horizontal position. The fiber bed is of fiber of at least 5 micron mean diameter packed to a bed voidage of from about 85 to 98%, the fiber diameter and bed voidage being selected such that at design bed velocity and liquid loading the fiber bed is not flooded and the residual saturation of the fiber bed against gas drag (Rv) on the liquid collected is less than the residual saturation of said bed against gravity drainage (Rg). The gas stream containing the liquid flows from the hollow core of the cylindrical element radially through the fiber bed such that the gas and the collected liquid phase flow radially outwardly through said fiber bed and the liquid drains downwardly around the outer circumference of the fiber bed. In one embodiment said fiber bed separator and method is employed to remove liquid aerosols of sub-micron size and larger from gases. In another embodiment, said fiber bed separator and method is employed to remove aerosols of sub-micron size and larger from gases in applications wherein the aerosol becomes collected in the fiber bed and does not flow therefrom and for the cleaning of such fiber beds by introducing a liquid into a gas stream upstream of the fiber bed.