Back mixing and optimization of pulsed plate column employing the central composite rotatable design

Abstract EN

Study of the hydrodynamics of pulsed column is of vital importance in the scale up and understanding of such columns.

The back mixing appears during the study of the hydrodynamic of the pulsed column, therefore the effect of the following variables on the back mixing, namely, frequency, amplitude, dispersed phase velocity and aqueous to organic phase flow rate ratio were studied The central composite rotatable design was used in this study to conduct the effect of the studied variables.

Accordingly, twenty-five experiments were needed with an extra 5 used for replication.

Moreover Hooke & Jeeves pattern optimization method was adapted to determine the optimum conditions with respect to the studied variables.

A column of 20 baffled 5 cm compartments was used, with an inside diameter of 5.08 cm.

Gas-oil-water system was used under binary condition.

The results shows that the optimum conditions at maximum back mixing are frequency (1.6 s-1), amplitude (4.5 cm), dispersed phase velocity (0.508 cm/s) and aqueous to organic phase flow rate ratio (0.5).