Study of drop size distribution in RTL contactor

Abstract EN

The present work studied the drop size distribution in the RTL contactor using two liquid-liquid systems, xylene-acetone-water and kerosene-acetone-water.

Process variables studied were: rpm (10-50 min-1), continuous phase flow rate (4-12 l / h), dispersed phase flow rate (4-12 l / h), and concentration (0.1-0.5 mole / l).

It was found that Sauter mean drop diameter (d32) decreased with increasing rpm and continuous phase flow rate, and decreasing dispersed phase flow rate and concentration.

An empirical correlation, with a correlation coefficient equal to (92.6 %), relating d32 with process variables was developed having the form : d32 / R = 9.845 * 10-3 (Φ)0.0627 (We)-0367(Re)0.228(ϱd / ϱc)0.43.