What is the purpose of demisters in a Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) distillation plant?

The primary purpose of demisters in a Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) distillation plant is to remove entrained water droplets from the vapor stream before it enters the condenser. In an MSF plant, seawater is heated and then flashed into a series of stages, each at progressively lower pressures. This rapid pressure reduction causes some of the water to evaporate, creating a vapor stream. However, this vapor stream often carries with it small droplets of liquid seawater, which contain dissolved salts and other impurities. If these droplets are not removed, they will contaminate the distillate (the purified water) and reduce its quality. Demisters are typically installed at the top of each flash stage, just before the vapor enters the condenser. They consist of a mesh or vane structure that forces the vapor to change direction rapidly. The water droplets, due to their inertia, cannot follow these sharp turns and collide with the demister surface, where they coalesce and drain back into the brine pool. This separation process ensures that only pure water vapor reaches the condenser, resulting in high-quality distillate with low salinity. Efficient demister operation is crucial for maintaining the purity of the desalinated water and preventing corrosion in downstream equipment caused by salt carryover. The design and maintenance of demisters are important aspects of MSF plant operation.