Desorption of isoamylene from loaded acid liquors

Abstract

The desorption of 2-methyl-2-butene (isoamylene) from loaded sulphuric acid solutions, having an acid strength of about 60 per cent (w/w) and loading upto 0.45 g mole of isoamylene per g mole of H₂SO₄, was found to be preceded by a fast reaction, which occurred in the film adjacent to the interface. The specific rates of desorption of isoamylene into inert hydrocarbons—n-heptane and toluene and an inert gas—nitrogen, were found to be proportional to the isoamylene concentration j, expressed as g mole of isoamylene per g mole of H₂SO₄, and agreed among themselves at the same value of j. The technique of desorption preceded by a fast reaction was employed for the measurement of effective interfacial area in liquid—liquid and gas—liquid agitated contactors. The absorption of isobutylene into fresh and loaded solutions of sulphuric acid was also used for the measurement of effective interfacial area in gas—liquid agitated contactors for comparative purposes. The values of effective interfacial area for the gas—liquid system obtained by the desorption technique were found to be comparable with those obtained from the absorption of isobutylene in fresh and loaded solutions of sulphuric acid, under otherwise comparable conditions.