Figure 1: Corrugated wire mesh packing discs (250Y & 500Y) — the highest-efficiency structured packing for precision distillation.
Engineer's Brief: Also known as corrugated wire gauze packing (or "ripple" type in some markets), metal wire mesh structured packing delivers the lowest HETP of any tower packing — as low as 150 mm per theoretical stage. It is the default choice for precision distillation, isotope separation, and heat-sensitive vacuum service. Compare with our general Structured Packing for Distillation for perforated-plate alternatives.
Metal wire mesh structured packing consists of corrugated (gauze) sheets woven from fine metal wire, assembled into cylindrical discs that fit the tower diameter. The corrugations run at alternating angles (typically 45° for "Y" type, 30° for "X" type), creating a highly uniform network of triangular flow channels .
Unlike perforated plate packing (which uses stamped metal sheets), wire mesh uses woven gauze — providing 3× more surface area per unit volume and exceptional capillary wetting. This translates to HETP values of 150–400 mm, compared to 400–600 mm for plate-type structured packing . The trade-off: lower flood capacity (F-factor 1.5–2.5 Pa0.5) and higher cost.
Figure 2: Woven wire gauze with 45° Y-type corrugations — the microstructure that delivers HETP as low as 150 mm.
All data below are industry-standard values for SS304/316L wire mesh packing. FXSINO manufactures to your tower ID with segment heights of 50–200 mm per disc:
| Model | Surface Area (m²/m³) | Void Fraction (%) | Typical HETP (mm) | ΔP (kPa/stage) | F-Factor (Pa0.5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250Y | 250 | 95.0 | 250–400 | 0.2–0.3 | 2.0–2.5 |
| 350Y | 350 | 93.0 | 180–280 | 0.15–0.25 | 1.8–2.3 |
| 500Y | 500 | 90.0 | 120–200 | 0.1–0.2 | 1.5–2.0 |
| 700Y | 700 | 85.0 | 80–150 | 0.08–0.15 | 1.2–1.8 |
Data compiled from industry standard wire mesh structured packing datasheets. HETP and ΔP vary with liquid/vapor load. Replace with FXSINO measured values before publication.
Wire mesh packing is available in a wide range of metals. Selection follows the same corrosion logic as other tower internals — see our 304 vs 316L Structured Packing guide for detailed thresholds:
| Material | Corrosion Resistance | Max Temp | Best Applications | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS304 | Good (non-chloride) | 450°C | Organics, solvents, non-corrosive fractions | Baseline |
| SS316L | Excellent (chloride-resistant) | 450°C | Pharma, chlorinated solvents, acidic cuts | +15–25% |
| Copper / Brass | Good (non-oxidizing) | 200°C | Solvent recovery, anti-static service | +20–30% |
| Nickel / Monel | Excellent (caustic, HF) | 500°C | Caustic distillation, fluorochemicals | +100–150% |
| Hastelloy C-276 | Superior (strong acid/chloride) | 650°C | HCl, Cl2, severe corrosive service | +200–300% |
Figure 3: SS304 (left) vs SS316L (right) wire mesh discs — both deliver identical efficiency; 316L adds chloride immunity.
| Factor | Wire Mesh (This Page) | Perforated Plate (Distillation Page) |
|---|---|---|
| HETP | 150–400 mm (excellent) | 400–600 mm (good) |
| Flood Capacity | Low (F 1.5–2.5) | High (F 2.5–3.5) |
| Cost per m³ | Higher (woven gauze) | Lower (stamped sheet) |
| Best For | Precision separation, vacuum, heat-sensitive | High-throughput absorption, general distillation |
Figure 4: 500Y wire mesh discs stacked in a 0.8m ID vacuum distillation column with liquid collector & redistributor between sections.
Q: What's the difference between wire mesh and perforated plate structured packing?
A: Wire mesh (gauze) uses woven filaments and delivers HETP as low as 150 mm — ideal for precision/vacuum. Perforated plate uses stamped sheets, offers 2× flood capacity but HETP of 400–600 mm. See Section 4 above for the full comparison table.
Q: Can wire mesh packing be cleaned in place (CIP)?
A: Yes, but with caution. The fine gauze traps particulates more readily than plate packings. Use low-pressure (2–3 bar) spray balls and verify drainability. For polymer fouling, chemical soak (NaOH or solvent-based) is preferred over mechanical cleaning.
Q: What is the lead time for custom sizes?
A: Standard 250Y/500Y in SS304/316L ships in 10–15 days. Custom alloys (Hastelloy, Titanium) or non-standard corrugation angles (X-type) require 25–35 days. MOQ: 0.5 m³. Contact us with tower ID, bed height, and process conditions.
Send your tower diameter, packed bed height, operating pressure (especially if vacuum), and fluid composition. We'll specify the optimal model (250Y/350Y/500Y/700Y), recommend material grade, and supply matched support grids, liquid distributors, and bed limiters for a complete tower package.
Contact FXSINO: jackieqiu9202@gmail.com | +86 18507999558
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