An electrically driven multistage countercurrent solvent extraction device

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ie00085a016· OSTI ID:6272318

Scott, T C; Wham, R M

An electrically-driven, high-surface-area solvent extraction system has been conceived and tested. The system accomplishes droplet formation, coalescence, and phase separation utilizing a single electric field while operating under countercurrent flow conditions. The mass-transport capability of this system has been analyzed by observing the transfer of acetic acid from water (dispersed phase) into methyl isobutyl ketone. Results are reported in terms of the number of theoretical transfer stages per centimeter of column. The emulsion-phase contactor, which has 1.7 stages/cm, outperforms laboratory-scale versions of the York-Scheibel column by a factor of 17 and the Podbielniak centrifugal contactor by a factor of 10. The mass-transfer performance along with the minimal energy requirements of this conceptual device combine to make it an attractive possibility for greatly enhanced solvent extraction operations.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., Oak Ridge, TN (US)
• OSTI ID: 6272318
• Journal Information: Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.; (United States) Vol. 28:1; ISSN IECRE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020400* -- Petroleum-- Processing
090100 -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- (-1989)
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400105 -- Separation Procedures
ACETIC ACID
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
DATA ANALYSIS
DISPERSIONS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
EXTRACTION
KETONES
MASS TRANSFER
MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHASE STUDIES
SCALE MODELS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
STRUCTURAL MODELS