LIQUID-LIQUID MASS-TRANSFER IN A RECIPROCATING-PLATE COLUMN

Liquid-liquid mass transfer has been experimentally studied for the kerosene (dispersed)-water (continuous) system in a reciprocating-plate column, using benzoic acid and n-butyric acid as solutes. The effect of the flow rates of the phases, the agitation rate of the plate stack, the perforation diameter and free area of the plate and the mass transfer direction have been investigated. Correlations for volumetric and mass transfer coefficients have been proposed in terms of power dissipation rate and the physical properties of the system. The mass transfer coefficient is compared with the predictions of the drop models to establish the extent of internal mobility of the dispersed phase droplets.