While first conceptualized in the early 1900s, carbon capture technology has gained momentum in recent years. It has become regarded as one of the leading avenues to combat climate change and seek cleaner energy options.
If we want to truly make an impact, the carbon capture systems that lead the industry must deliver efficient and effective performance. A pinnacle element that heavily influences the performance of these systems is the heat exchangers within them.
However, to ensure these heat exchangers properly manage the thermal dynamics in these systems, materials like woven wire must be integrated. But what role does wire mesh have in promoting optional heat exchange?
Here at W.S. Tyler, we strive to make the world a cleaner, safer place through innovative, industry-leading woven wire mesh solutions. Each solution is designed to improve the efficiency of industrial operations, and this includes carbon capture.
For this reason, we wrote the following article highlighting the impact woven wire mesh has on heat exchange elements operating within carbon capture systems. You will learn:
- The definition of woven wire mesh
- The importance of heat exchange in carbon capture systems
- How woven wire mesh works as a heat exchanger in carbon capture systems
- How woven wire mesh can be customized to fit a carbon capture system
What Is Woven Wire Mesh?
Woven wire mesh is defined as a grid-like material that is comprised of hundreds of metal wires that undergo a specialized weaving technique and become interwoven. The weaving technique used is heavily monitored, ensuring each weave is furnished with pore openings that are precise and uniform.
Wire mesh is best known for its superior mechanical strength, precision, and elemental resistances (i.e., heat and corrosion).
What makes these beneficial qualities is the material's ability to be customized. Virtually every aspect of woven wire mesh, from the alloy used to the wire diameter, can be tailor-made to ensure your operational needs are accommodated perfectly.
Why Is Heat Exchange Important to Carbon Capture?
Several elements go into a successful carbon capture process. Heat exchange plays an integral role in determining the efficiency, energy consumption, operational expenses, and environmental impact of carbon capture.
Implementing a means to carry out heat exchange effectively aids the chemical reactions that go into capturing carbon, as it keeps operational temperatures within the ideal threshold. As a result, the carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption is maximized.
Proper heat exchange also enables you to retrieve and recycle heat that has already been present within the system. This reduces the amount of energy used, translating to a reduction in operational costs and minimizing your process's carbon footprint.
Not to mention that effective heat exchange can improve your carbon capture equipment's overall stability and performance.
Woven Wire Mesh as a Heat Exchanger
It has already been established that woven wire mesh offers a handful of beneficial qualities that make it one of the most versatile materials on the market. But what makes it such a popular heat exchanger solution in the carbon capture industry?
Well, it comes down to the fact that woven wire mesh delivers the optimal performance needed to improve the thermal efficiency of your equipment, facilitate even temperature distribution, and optimize transfer rates.
Now, it should be noted that the physical characteristics of woven wire mesh maximize contact between the liquid and gas phases. This enhances the heat exchange results, especially when increased surface area is needed for peak thermal management.
When gas flows through woven wire mesh, turbulence is created. This, in turn, improves heat transfer, heat distribution, and temperature control.
And because woven wire mesh is so durable and stable, it maintains peak performance even when subjected to harsh temperatures and corrosive environments that are common in carbon capture systems.
Customizing Your Woven Wire Mesh for Peak Heat Exchange Results
As mentioned previously, woven wire mesh is a highly favored material because users can customize virtually everything about it. This means that you can customize wire mesh to optimize its performance as a heat exchanger in your carbon capture system.
Amongst all the various elements of wire mesh that can be customized, the alloy you use to weave it is possibly the most important. When selecting an alloy, you must ensure it can withstand the conditions of your system while delivering ideal thermal conductivity.
Materials like stainless steel and Inconel are used when corrosion resistance is more valued, while materials like copper and aluminum are used when thermal conductivity is more valued.
The weave pattern you select also plays a critical role in heat transfer efficiency within your system. Plain square weaves are known for their balanced strength and flexibility, twilled weaves deliver peak mechanical strength, and Dutch weaves are used for their filtration capacity.
No matter what weave you select, the wire diameter, size of the pore opening, and number of pore openings can be adjusted to ensure your mesh best serves you.
NOTE: Naturally thicker wire diameters will ensure peak durability. Thinner wires will increase the contact surface area, improving the transfer of heat.
You can also alter the surface of the mesh to protect it from the elements of your system. This can come in the form of surface coating, surface texturizing, surface plating, etc.
Altering the surface of your mesh can also help the turbulence created when gas passes through, further improving the transfer of heat.
And despite its peak durability, woven wire mesh remains flexible. This allows it to be punched, stamped, molded, and otherwise manipulated to form custom parts, ensuring a glove fit.
Reach Optimal Heat Exchange Performance With Optimal Heat Treatment Techniques
Woven wire mesh is a versatile material that, when fabricated to your needs, has the ability to enhance the heat exchange performance of a carbon capture system. Utilizing its fully customizable properties will allow you to have more control over thermal management, help reduce operation expenses, and create a more sustainable operation.
Now that you understand the role woven wire mesh can play in your carbon capture equipment, you should learn about the various heat treatment techniques you can apply to it. This will help you ensure your mesh is formed properly and maintains favorable performance for longer.
W.S. Tyler proudly leverages its 150 years of wire mesh experience to empower the world with mesh that affords efficient and sustainable performance in efforts to create a cleaner, safer world.
Read the following article to gain insight into the sintering and annealing processes so you can ensure your next wire mesh solution accommodates the exact needs of your carbon capture operation: