SOLVENT-EXTRACTION IN MULTIPASS PARALLEL-FLOW MASS EXCHANGERS OF MICROPOROUS HOLLOW-FIBER MODULES

A study on solvent extraction in multipass microporous hollow-fiber mo dules has been carried out both theoretically and experimentally. It w as found that mass transfer of solvent extraction in multipass paralle l-how mass exchangers of microporous hollow-fiber modules can be analo gous to heat transfer in shell-and-tube heat exchangers. Experiments w ere carried out with the use of Celgard X-10 microporous polypropylene hollow fibers as barriers to extract acetic acid from aqueous solutio n by methyl isobutyl ketone. Theoretical predictions are in agreement with the experimental results. In order to accomplish as much transfer of mass in as little space as possible, it is desirable to utilize mu ltiple-fiber passes rather than using single-fiber pass.