IMPACTS OF PACKING SECTION ON MASS TRANSFER TO DROP SWARMS

Terminal velocity and mass transfer coefficient data for drop swarms were measured in a 0.1m diameter glass column filled with SMR (Super Mini Ring) packing, using a computerized video imaging system; 30%TBP-Kerosene/acetic acid/water and 50%TBPKerosene/acetic acid/water were used as the working systems. A number of techniques for the prediction of the observed mass transfer data were considered, and a new model to predict the mass transfer film coefficient, which accounts for the effects of surface contaminants on the mobility of the interface, is presented and shown to fit the experimental data. The effects of drop size and the presence of packing on overall dispersed phase mass transfer coefficient are presented. It is shown that overall dispersed phase mass transfer coefficient increases with increasing drop diameter, and decreases in the presence of SMR packing.