Aerosol separator and method

Claim 1

An arrangement for separating a hydrophobic liquid phase from a gaseous stream; the arrangement comprising: (a) a removable and replaceable coalescer filter comprising a nonwoven media of fibers; (i) said nonwoven media of fibers being secured between first and second framework sections; said first and second framework sections being circular; (ii) said nonwoven media of fiber comprising fibrous media having an average fiber diameter within the range of 9-25 microns and a percent solidity, free state, of no more than about 1.8%; (iii) said fibrous media having a first upstream surface area; (b) a housing construction defining an interior and having a gas flow inlet and a gas flow outlet; (c) a liquid collection arrangement positioned within said housing construction oriented for receiving liquid collected within said coalescer filter and drained therefrom; (d) a liquid drain construction in fluid flow communication with said liquid collection arrangement; said liquid drain construction being constructed and arranged to selectively drain collected hydrophobic liquid from said housing construction interior; (i) said housing having a funneled portion to direct hydrophobic liquid to said drain construction; (e) a second stage filter element positioned within said housing and downstream from said coalescer filter; (i) said second stage filter element comprising pleated media and having a second upstream surface area; (ii) said first upstream surface area of said coalescer filter being no more than 20% of said second upstream surface area of said second stage filter element; (iii) said second stage filter element being constructed and arranged for periodic removal from said housing and replacement therein; and (f) a gas flow direction arrangement constructed and arranged to direct gas flow through said coalescer filter as gas and through said second stage filter element.