A NUMERICAL TECHNIQUE FOR THE ESTIMATION OF THE TRUE MASS-TRANSFER COEFFICIENT IN EXTRACTION COLUMNS

A numerical technique using the boundary iteration method is developed to estimate the true mass transfer coefficient in extraction columns taking into consideration the axial mixing in each phase. The method uses closed-closed boundary conditions and employs fourth-order Runge-Kutta method for marching and Regula-Falsi method for convergence. The method is applicable to linear and non-linear equilibrium relationships. The analysis, when applied to typical data obtained using a reciprocating plate column, suggests that the assumption of piston flow for the phases is an oversimplification at high energy dissipation conditions.