Effect of Rotor Disc Diameter on Holdup, Axial Dispersion and Droplet Size in a Taylor-Couette Disc Contactor

Abstract

Application of liquid-liquid extraction is on a steady rise. Although there are considerable designs of extraction devices, equipment design and optimization is still on the research agenda. Utilization in the biorefinery industry or metallurgy requires robust technologies and equipment. The simple design and stable operation performance of the Taylor-Couette disc contactor suffices the technical needs for these harsh operation conditions. The effect of different rotor disc diameter on the dispersed phase holdup, axial dispersion, and droplet size was investigated. It was shown that with smaller rotor disc diameter stable operation is still feasible but higher axial backmixing has to be expected.