The effect of liquid surface tension on the capacity of a wire mesh entrainment separator was studied. An air-rater system was used and, the surface tension of the water was reduced through the use of surfactants.

Five test series were run, each with a different surface tension of water. The surface tensions examined covered the range of 30 dynes/cm to 70 dynes/cm. For each test run series, the effect of liquid loading was investigated. Liquid loading rates were varied between 55 and 550 lbs/hr/ft².

Entrainment separator capacity was found to vary linearly with liquid surface tension. As surface tension decreased, the demister capacity decreased. This correlation held over the entire range
of liquid loading rates tested. As liquid loading increased, demister capacity decreased for all the surface tensions examined. The work of a previous investigator using an air-water system was confirmed by the data obtained in one run using plain water without surfactants.