Lysozyme extraction by AOT reversed micellar systems using a rotating disc contactor - Simulation of mass transfer performance

The mass transfer performance of lysozyme using AOT (sodium di-2-ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate) reversed micellar systems formed in isooctane, kerosene and silicone oil was investigated in a rotating disc contactor (RDC) of 38 mm diameter. The overall mass transfer coefficients were determined by previous correlation. The diffusion model was used to simulate the extraction performance. The model was solved numerically by changing parameters to fit the measured concentration profiles of two phases using the Complex optimizing method. The axial dispersion coefficients of two phases and the overall mass transfer coefficient based on the continuous phase in the RDC were determined as model parameters. It was found that the values of mass transfer coefficients obtained from the diffusion model agreed well with those by the previous correlation in literature.