Effective interfacial area in packed liquid extraction columns

Abstract

The theory of extraction accompanied by fast-pseudo-first order reaction was used to obtain the values of effective interfacial area in 7.0 and 9.8 cm i.d. packed columns provided with 3/8 in. and ½ in. ceramic Raschig rings. The effect of the flow rate of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase and the physical properties of both the phases on the values of effective interfacial area was studied. In some cases it was possible to obtain the values of effective interfacial area and true liquid side (continuous phase) mass transfer coefficient from a Danckwerts' plot. It was possible to use systems with very low solubility, so that hold-up measurements could be made simultaneously. There is a good agreement between the predicted and the experimental values of effective interfacial area.