The combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials in wire mesh coalescers plays a crucial role in enhancing droplet coalescence. The junction points between the two materials create localized surface energy differences, promoting the merging of small droplets into larger ones, which then separate more efficiently from the continuous phase.
The metal wires (hydrophilic) attract water droplets, while the plastic fibers (hydrophobic) repel them, forcing the droplets to interact more dynamically at the material interfaces. This effect leads to increased droplet growth and better separation performance. Additionally, the increased surface area provided by the mixed-media structure improves overall efficiency.