Estimation of pseudo-kinetic constants for interfacial complexations in solvent extraction

The drop method is one of the techniques used for the evaluation of the kin etic abilities of different water-insoluble ligands as extractants for heav y metals. In this paper a model is presented for the estimation of a kineti c coefficient for the complexation reaction taking place at the interface b etween various compounds of the P-diketone and pyrazolone types and copper( II). The results show that the anisotropy in the now pattern within the gro wing drop at solvent injection Re above 35 should be taken into account whe n modelling solvent extraction during the growth stage. It is also conclude d that moderately soluble extractants may exhibit better performance under the growth flow pattern investigated.