Efficient algorithms for the dynamic simulation of agitated liquid-liquid contactors

A fast and reliable algorithm has recently been published for the simulatio n of the unsteady-state behaviour of interacting liquid-liquid dispersions in single continuous and batch-stirred vessels [Ribeiro LM. PhD thesis, Uni versidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal, 1995]. A streamlined version of the algorithm, applicable to oscillating drop mass transfer behaviour [Regueiras PFR, Ribeiro LM, Guimaraes MML, Cruz-Pinto J JC. In: Shallcross DC, Paimin R, Prvcic LM, editors. Proceedings of ISEC'96 . University of Melbourne, 1996. p. 1031], simplifies and accelerates the a lready fast previous one and provides meaningful, precise dynamic simulatio ns of the full drop size distribution, as well as the mean and standard dev iation of the solute concentration distribution within each drop fraction. In this work we give an overview of the difficulties associated with liquid -liquid simulation of agitated dispersions and discuss the application of t he streamlined version of our algorithm [Ribeiro LM. PhD thesis, Universida de do Minho, Braga, Portugal, 1995; Regueiras PFR, Ribeiro LM, Guimaraes MM L, Cruz-Pinto JJC. In: Shallcross DC, Paimin R, Prvcic LM, editors. Proceed ings of ISEC'96. University of Melbourne, 1996. p. 1031] to a Kuhni pilot s olvent extraction column. (C) 2000 Civil-Comp Ltd. and Elsevier Science Ltd . All rights reserved.