Mass transfer study in eductor liquid-liquid extractor: dimensional
analysis and RSM modeling
Abstract
In this work, the mass transfer performance of a new eductor
liquid-liquid extractor is investigated experimentally and modeled by
dimensional analysis and response surface methodology (RSM) with
utilization of water/acetic acid/toluene system. A correlation is
derived for overall mass transfer coefficient versus the Reynolds
number, throat to nozzle area ratio, projection ratio, and the two
phases flow rates ratio. Based on obtained results, Reynolds number is
known as a most effective parameter. As well, different hydrodynamic and
geometrical parameters, giving the same Sauter mean dimeter, have
different mass transfer coefficients due to differences in droplet size
distribution. Also, the RSM studies shows that effects of the parameters
are in the order of the two phases flow rates ratio, the venturi throat
to nozzle tip distance, nozzle diameter, and venturi throat diameter.
The maximum overall mass transfer coefficient is obtained equal to
0.000278 m/s for the studied system.