Prediction of Maximum Throughput in Pulsed Disc and Doughnut Extraction Columns

Flooding behavior of a 76 mm diameter pulsed disc and doughnut column has been investigated using three different liquid-liquid systems. Flooding velocity and holdup at flooding have been measured at different operating conditions. The maximum throughput is influenced mainly by pulsation intensity and interfacial tension. The results also indicated that flood point data are well correlated in terms of phase flow rates by the characteristic velocity method. Two precise correlations are proposed for predicting flooding velocities in this column. The first is based on operating variables, column geometry, and system physical properties. The second one considers the same variables, except column geometry. Good agreement between prediction and experiments is found for all operating conditions investigated.