Modelling mass transfer coefficients during drop formation

A concise review of relevant experimental observations and modelling of mass transfer during drop formation, based on recent studies, is presented. Empirical and theoretical models developed for drop formation are briefly described. Experimental investigations are also performed to explore the mass transfer during drop formation in extraction column and to evaluate the effect of different parameters on the rate of formation. The effects of formation time, which is of industrial relevance, on the mass transfer from drops are discussed. It has been found that the mass transfer coefficients are largest in the initial stages of drop formation when convection is most significant. The resulting data was used to check the available models in the literature. A comparison between the experimental data and the available models in the literature has been made and a modified new correlation was suggested. The results would provide the basic information about the rate of drop formation and design of extraction column, and consequently the environmental impact of solvent extraction processes. Hence, the potential for increasing the reliability of these results is correspondingly increased. © 2013 Kavala Institute of Technology.