Mass transfer performance in a coalescence-dispersion pulsed sieve plate extraction column

In order to improve the mass transfer characteristics, a coalescence-disper sion sieve plate was designed. Mass transfer experiments were carried out i n a coalescence-dispersion pulsed sieve extraction (PSE) column of 150 mm i n diameter with a working system of 30% TBP (in kerosene)-nitric acid-water . Mass transfer direction was from the continuous phase to the dispersed ph ase, namely from the aqueous phase to the organic phase. The mass transfer characteristics were evaluated by a dynamic tracer method. Three parameters , the 'true' height of the transfer unit, the height of the dispersion unit and the apparent height of the transfer unit, were estimated from the dyna mic response curve. Compared with that in a standard PSE column, the mass t ransfer performance in the coalescence-dispersion PSE column was greatly im proved. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.