| Abstract: | In this study, the volumetric overall mass transfer and phases axial mixing coefficients have been investigated in a pilot plant of an L‐shaped pulsed packed extraction column by using two liquid systems of toluene/acetone/water and n‐butyl/acetone/water. The mass transfer performance has been evaluated using two methods of axial dispersion and a plug flow model. The effect of the operational variables and physical properties, including the dispersed and continuous phases flow rates, pulsation intensity, and interfacial tension, on mass transfer and phases axial mixing coefficients have been considered. It has been found that the pulsation intensity and the continuous phase flow rate seriously affect the mass transfer coefficient, however, the dispersed phase flow rate has a weaker effect. Also, the axial mixing of a phase is strongly affected by the pulsation intensity and the flow rate of the phase itself and it is not affected by the second phase flow rate. Finally, new correlations are proposed to accurately predict the mass transfer and axial mixing coefficients. |
