Hydraulic characteristics of n-octanol/aqueous solution systems in a 25-mm annular centrifugal extractor

ABSTRACT

The hydraulic characteristics of the n-octanol/H₂O, n-octanol/1 M HNO₃ solution, and kerosene/H₂O systems in the 25-mm annular centrifugal extractor (ACE) were investigated to provide guidance for optimizing the operation parameters and heavy phase weir diameter of the 25-mm ACEs used in a production line to extract ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr using the calixcrown ether cesium extraction (CECE) and crown ether strontium extraction (CESE) processes, respectively, from high-level liquid waste (HLLW). The effects of the flow ratio (A/O), rotor speed, and heavy phase weir diameter on the hydraulic characteristics of n-octanol/aqueous solution systems in the 25-mm ACE are complex. Moreover, the hydraulic characteristics of n-octanol/aqueous solution systems are very different from those of the kerosene/H₂O system in the 25-mm ACE. All results showed when the 25-mm ACEs will be used in the CECE and CESE processes, the heavy phase weir diameter and rotor speed should correspond to ranges of 12.5 to 13.0 mm and 3000 to 3500 r/min, respectively, to meet the requirement the total flow rate of 3 L/h in the production line for the recovery of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr.