Steady state hydrodynamics and mass transfer characteristics of a karr extraction column

AbstractThe steady state hydrodynamics of the holdup in a 15 cm column agree quite well with mechanistic predictions at conditions approaching flooding. In the presence of mass transfer (acetic acid from the dispersed kerosene phase to the continuous water phase), the holdup data below flooding are not well predicted by the model due to enhanced droplet coalescence. The prediction of holdup at flooding is a function of the ratio of the flow rates but is independent of the physicochemical properties of the extraction system, and therefore can be used to estimate the flooding holdup regardless of the occurrence of mass transfer. In the second part of the paper, steady state mass transfer characteristics of the column were also simulated using a mechanistic model. Despite the difficulty of estimating parameters such as the mass transfer coefficient, the model curves could be arbitrarily adjusted to fit observed exit concentrations. These steady state results provide useful insights on the non‐linearity of the system from a control viewpoint.

Steady state hydrodynamics and mass transfer characteristics of a karr extraction column Journal Articles