Effects of mass transfer on the hydrodynamic behavior of a Karr reciprocating plate column

A 5 cm internal diameter Karr reciprocating plate column has been operated in countercurrent liquid-liquid flow in the absence of mass transfer and wi th mass transfer of i-propanol from the dispersed phase (Isopar M) to the c ontinuous phase (water). The effect of mass transfer is to increase the dro p diameter, while the holdup is reduced and axial dispersion is increased. Although an unstable density gradient was created by the mass-transfer proc ess, earlier models developed under non-mass-transfer conditions, based on Kolmogoroffs isotropic turbulence theory, were not applicable in describing the enhancement in axial mixing. It was concluded that the density gradien t effect was masked by the effect of the larger drops which were formed bec ause of mass-transfer-induced coalescence. Mass-transfer coefficients for t he dispersed phase were found to show the same trends as the Handles and Ba ron oscillating drop model.