The aim of the investigation was to evaluate the extraction performance of
a mixer settler set-up for miniplant technology using static micromixers as
an alternative to conventional stirring apparatuses. A comprehensive exper
imental study was conducted at BASFAG to broaden the technology base for th
e "extraction" unit operation which is well established for miniplants in o
rder to be utilized for microplant systems. The work proved that micromixer
s, or micromixer arrays, are highly efficient apparatuses for extraction pu
rposes. The extraction efficiency was found to be a function of volume flow
, which could be explained in light of the volume flow dependence of the me
an droplet size and, hence, the specific surface area of the dispersions in
termediately formed. At optimal flow conditions, one practical mixer settle
r stage was found to yield one theoretical plate for most systems investiga
ted.