Performance evaluation during extraction technique in modified rotating disc column: Experimental and mathematical modeling

In this survey, the reactive mass transfer data are determined for extraction technique in the modified rotating disc column. Mathematical models are investigated to compute the mass transfer coefficients of the dispersed phase. An increase in the dispersed phase holdup from 0.85 to 0.12 and a decrease in droplet diameter from 2.24 to 0.74 mm are observed with increasing rotation speed from 170 to 410 rpm in the optimized system. The experiments showed that the optimum transport efficiency in rotor speed of 410 rpm in this column is equal to 98.85% and 99.45% for extraction and stripping stages, respectively. The model's achievement is compared with the solvent extraction data and a significant validity is obtained by coupling the forward mixing approach (average absolute relative error lower than 13%). The mathematical modeling expresses that the axial dispersion and backflow coefficients based on the continuous phase increase by an increase in the rotor speed and inlet continuous phase rate. In contrast, these coefficients reduce at a higher inlet dispersed phase rate. High mass transfer coefficients were obtained in the stripping stage compared to the extraction stage. This report's study provides beneficial information to design solvent extraction equipment.