Reactive extraction evaluation for vanadium (V) removal in the MRDC column using axial dispersion and central composition approach

Reactive extraction development was investigated to extract vanadium ions from sulfate solution in the modified rotating disc column (MRDC). It was found from batch experiments that D(2)EHPA and TBP concentrations, initial aqueous phase pH, and the concentration of NH4OH as a stripping agent were optimized equal to 0.3 M, 0.36 M, 2, and 1 M, respectively. In the continuous experiments, the effects of rotor speed, aqueous and organic phase flow rates, and mass transfer direction were investigated on the dispersed phase holdup, mass transfer coefficients, and vanadium extraction. The experiment design was based on the response surface design to analyze the dependence of responses with the input parameters. The uncertainty analysis by the Monte Carlo simulation indicates that the rotor speed, reaction conditions, and phase flow rates affected the dispersed phase holdup. By applying the axial dispersion model, the performance of mass transfer coefficients in terms of agitation speed, aqueous phase flow rate, organic phase flow rate, and mass transfer direction was evaluated under the chemical reaction system. A new model by considering the dimensionless numbers has been provided to predict overall mass transfer data based on the dispersed phase.