Measurement of mass transfer coefficients and their modelling of continuous counter-current aqueous two-phase system in a packed extraction column

Overall dispersed side volumetric mass transfer coefficients for protein an d amino acids were measured in continuous countercurrent PEG4000/KHP aqueou s two-phase systems in a 57mm I.D. packed extraction column. A model for ov erall dispersed side volumetric mass transfer coefficients was derived by d escribing the motion of the drops based upon Navier-Stokes equation combine d with the relationship between mass transfer coefficients and the drop vel ocity. The model provides good predictions and can be successfully used in aqueous two-phase extraction. The average relative deviation between calcul ated values and experimental data ranges from 8% to 14%.