ASME Gas Separator & Scrubber Vessel | Vertical/Horizontal Design for Hydrogen, Natural Gas & Process Gas – With Demister, Baffles & Level Control
Need a custom quote for Gas Separator? Contact our engineering team directly: jimmy@steelseamlesspipe.com
Yuhong Group: Complete Separation & Pressure Vessel Solutions – From Gas Scrubbers to Heat Exchangers
Yuhong Group Co., Ltd. designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of pressure equipment for global industries. Our core offerings include shell and tube heat exchangers, pressure vessels, air coolers, and process separators – including gas separators, scrubbers, knock-out drums, and two-phase/three-phase separators for oil, gas, and chemical processing. We also supply critical components: finned tube bundles, U-tube bundles, heat exchanger tubesheets, and all related parts – ensuring full support for new projects and maintenance.
Shown in the attached photographs are examples of our gas separators – including a hydrogen/oxygen separator and a natural gas separator – demonstrating our capability to fabricate ASME-coded separation vessels for gas processing, hydrogen production, and refining applications.
Product Focus: Gas Separator – Engineered for Clean Gas & Reliable Operation
A gas separator (also called a scrubber, knock-out drum, or mist eliminator) is a pressure vessel designed to remove entrained liquid droplets, solids, or mist from a gas stream. These vessels are critical in gas processing, hydrogen production, natural gas treatment, and compressor stations to protect downstream equipment from liquid carryover and erosion.
Based on the images, these separators exhibit:
- Configuration: Vertical or horizontal design – optimized for gas/liquid separation
- Material: Carbon steel (ASME SA516 Gr.70) – with optional corrosion-resistant lining or stainless steel
- Construction: ASME Section VIII, Division 1 compliant with U-Stamp certification
- Internal components: Inlet diverter, baffles, demister, level control nozzles
- Applications: Hydrogen/oxygen separation, natural gas dehydration, compressor suction scrubbers
Key Components & Their Functions in a Gas Separator
| Component |
Function |
Role in Equipment Performance |
| Inlet Diverter / Impingement Plate |
Redirects incoming gas flow; reduces velocity |
Prevents liquid carryover; protects downstream internals from erosion |
| Baffle Plates |
Direct flow; promote gravity settling |
Enhance liquid/gas separation; prevent short-circuiting |
| Demister / Mist Eliminator Pad |
Removes entrained liquid droplets from gas |
Ensures clean gas outlet; prevents liquid carryover to downstream equipment |
| Level Control Nozzles |
Provide connections for level instruments |
Enable liquid level control and interface control |
| Shell |
Pressure-containing boundary |
Contains process gas and liquids; designed for pressure/temperature |
| Dished Heads |
End closures |
Provide pressure containment; designed per ASME |
| Nozzles (Gas In/Out, Liquid Out) |
Process fluid inlet and outlets |
Enable gas inlet, clean gas outlet, and liquid discharge |
| Manway |
Access for inspection and cleaning |
Enables internal maintenance and inspection |
| Liquid Drain / Boot |
Collection of separated liquids |
Provides liquid storage and removal |
| Heat Exchanger Tube Bundle (internal) |
Heating for gas temperature control |
Can be installed for temperature control |
| Finned Tube Bundle (external) |
External heating/cooling |
For temperature control of outlet streams |
| U-Tube Bundle (internal) |
Internal heat exchange |
For heating/cooling within the vessel |
Technical Highlights of Our Gas Separator
- ASME U-Stamp certified: Full compliance with ASME Section VIII, Division 1 – ensuring global acceptance for safety and regulatory requirements.
- Optimized internal design: Inlet diverter, baffles, and demister are designed to maximize gas/liquid separation efficiency – ensuring clean gas outlet and minimal liquid carryover.
- Custom engineering: Designed to your specific gas flow rates, pressure, temperature, and liquid loading conditions.
- Material flexibility: Carbon steel (SA516 Gr.70), stainless steel (304/316L), clad plate, or nickel alloys – selected based on service gas corrosivity.
- NDE & PWHT: Full NDE (RT, UT, MT, PT) and PWHT as required by ASME code – ensuring weld integrity.
- Hydrostatic testing: Every separator is pressure-tested before shipment – documented with test reports.
Knowledge Module: Gas Separator Types – Which Design Suits Your Application?
| Type |
Description |
Best For |
| Vertical Gas Separator |
Gas flows upward; liquid drops to bottom |
High gas flow rates; limited floor space; good for liquid slug handling |
| Horizontal Gas Separator |
Gas flows horizontally; liquid settles |
High liquid loading; large liquid capacity required |
| Knock-Out Drum |
Removes large liquid droplets |
Compressor suction scrubbers; upstream of filters |
| Mist Eliminator / Demister |
Removes fine liquid mist (sub-micron droplets) |
Downstream of separators; high-quality gas required |
| Filter Separator |
Coalesces fine liquid mist |
Natural gas processing; downstream of compressor stations |
Knowledge Module: How a Gas Separator Works – Step by Step
- Inlet Flow: Gas enters through the inlet nozzle, carrying entrained liquid droplets.
- Inlet Diverter: Gas strikes the inlet diverter/impingement plate – velocity drops, and larger liquid droplets fall to the liquid section.
- Gravity Separation: As gas flows through the vessel, smaller droplets settle by gravity into the liquid section.
- Demister / Mist Eliminator: Gas passes through the demister where remaining fine droplets coalesce and fall back to the liquid section.
- Clean Gas Outlet: Dry gas exits through the top/outlet nozzle – free of liquid carryover.
- Liquid Drain: Separated liquid accumulates at the bottom and is drained through the liquid outlet with level control.
Knowledge Module: The Role of Demister / Mist Eliminator in Gas Separation
The demister (or mist eliminator) is one of the most critical components in a gas separator:
- Function: Removes fine liquid droplets (as small as 3-10 microns) from gas streams
- Construction: Typically made of knitted wire mesh (stainless steel, Monel, or other alloys)
- How it works: Gas passes through the mesh; droplets impinge on the wire surface, coalesce, and fall back into the liquid section
- Types: Wire mesh demisters, vane-type mist eliminators, fiber-bed coalescers
- Application: Protects downstream compressors, turbines, and heat exchangers from liquid damage
Knowledge Module: Common Applications for Gas Separators
| Industry |
Application |
Why Gas Separator |
| Hydrogen production |
Hydrogen/oxygen separation (as shown) |
Removes moisture from hydrogen stream before compression/storage |
| Natural gas processing |
Dehydration, compressor suction scrubbers |
Removes water and hydrocarbon liquids from gas |
| Refining |
Overhead gas separators, knockout drums |
Removes condensate from refinery gas streams |
| Chemical processing |
Reactor gas separation, distillation overheads |
Ensures clean gas for downstream processing |
| Power generation |
Steam separation, gas turbine fuel gas conditioning |
Protects turbines and compressors from liquid carryover |
| Cryogenic / LNG |
Gas/liquid separation in liquefaction |
Removes liquids before cryogenic heat exchange |
Knowledge Module: Gas Separator Sizing & Design Considerations
| Parameter |
Consideration |
Impact on Design |
| Gas flow rate |
Must be below critical velocity for liquid carryover |
Determines vessel diameter and demister sizing |
| Liquid loading |
Amount of liquid entering with the gas |
Determines liquid capacity and drain sizing |
| Droplet size |
Larger droplets settle faster |
Determines demister requirements |
| Pressure and temperature |
Affects gas density and liquid properties |
Determines wall thickness and material selection |
| Operating pressure |
Higher pressure = smaller vessel |
Affects wall thickness and flange ratings |
| Corrosivity |
H₂S, CO₂, or chlorides in gas |
Determines material selection and corrosion allowance |
| Slugging |
Inlet flow surges |
May require larger vessel or slug catcher upstream |
Advantages of Ordering Gas Separators from Yuhong Group
- ASME U-Stamp certification: Full code compliance – accepted worldwide for regulatory and insurance purposes.
- Complete design & fabrication: From process design to final delivery – all in-house, including internal components.
- Material verification: PMI (Positive Material Identification) on all pressure-retaining components.
- NDE & documentation: Complete NDE reports, hydrostatic test reports, and ASME data reports included.
- Component integration: Vessels supplied with all internals – inlet diverter, baffles, demister – and external accessories.
Component-Only Supply – We Also Provide for Maintenance & Spares
If your existing gas separator needs replacement parts, we supply individual components without ordering a complete new vessel:
- Inlet diverters / impingement plates – to your dimensions
- Demister / mist eliminator pads – stainless steel, Monel, or alloy
- Baffle plates – carbon steel or stainless steel
- Level control nozzles and instruments – complete assemblies
- Dished heads – formed to your dimensions and thickness
- Nozzles and flanges – SA105, SA182 – any facing type
- Manway covers and gaskets – complete access closure assemblies
- Heat exchanger tubes – for internal heating coils
- Finned tube bundles – for external gas heating/cooling applications
- U-tube bundles – for internal heat exchange
Knowledge Module: Common Gas Separator Issues & Maintenance
| Issue |
Cause |
Prevention / Solution |
| Liquid carryover |
Demister fouled; gas velocity too high; inlet diverter damaged |
Replace/clean demister; check flow conditions |
| High liquid level |
Drain valve malfunction; level control failure |
Inspect level control system; check drain valve |
| Erosion at inlet |
High-velocity gas with liquid droplets or solids |
Install or replace inlet diverter; consider erosion-resistant material |
| Demister fouling |
Solid particles or heavy liquid deposits |
Regular inspection and cleaning; replace if damaged |
| Corrosion |
H₂S, CO₂, or chlorides in gas |
Proper material selection; corrosion allowance; coatings |
| Interface measurement issues |
Level control nozzles blocked |
Clean nozzles; check instrument calibration |
Quality Assurance & Documentation
Every gas separator we fabricate includes:
- ASME U-Stamp certification – with Manufacturer’s Data Report
- Material Test Certificates (MTC) per EN 10204 3.1
- NDE reports – RT, UT, MT, PT as required
- PWHT records – time-temperature charts
- Hydrostatic test report – documented and witnessed
- Internal component inspection report – demister, baffles, inlet diverter
- PMI (Positive Material Identification) – 100% verification
- Third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TÜV) – at buyer's request
Get a Quotation for Your Gas Separator
To quote a gas separator like the ones in your photographs, send the following to jimmy@steelseamlesspipe.com:
- Gas type (hydrogen, natural gas, process gas)
- Flow rate (gas & liquid)
- Inlet conditions (pressure, temperature)
- Liquid loading (amount of liquid to be removed)
- Required outlet gas quality (liquid carryover specification)
- Required material (carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy)
- Any drawing or sketch available
We will respond with a technical proposal, general arrangement drawing, and competitive price – typically within 72 hours.
