Effect of system properties on the performance of Liquid—Liquid extraction columns—II: Oldshue—Rushton column

Mean drop size, fractional hold-up of dispersed phase and axial mixing characteristics have been determined in a 72 mm diameter mechanically agitated extraction column of Oldshue—Rushton type, using the two liquid—liquid mass transfer systems, toluene—acetone—water and MIBK-acetic acid—water. As for normal conditions of packed column operation described in Part I, solute presence and the direction of mass transfer has a significant effect on mean drop size, fractional hold-up and to a lesser extent, axial mixing in the dispersed phase. Probably the most dramatic effect however is the manner in which solute transfer affects dispersed phase behaviour. Highly coalescing conditions with transfer from the dispersed to the continuous phase can make the column practically unoperable. As for the packed column, axial mixing in the continuous phase is unaffected except in so far as solute presence and direction of mass transfer affect the hold-up of dispersed phase.