Vapor–liquid separator

An inlet diffuser reduces the velocity and spreads the incoming mixture across the full cross-section of the vessel.

[5] A mesh pad in the upper part of the vessel aids separation and prevents liquid from being carried over with the vapor.

The pad or mist mat traps entrained liquid droplets and allows them to coalesce until they are large enough to fall through the up-flowing vapor to the bottom of the vessel.

The separator may therefore be combined with some other liquid level sensing mechanism such as a sight glass or float sensor.

In this manner, both the supply and drain flow can be regulated to prevent the separator from becoming overloaded.

A slug catcher is a type of vapor–liquid separator that is able to receive a large inflow of liquid at random times.