Drop Sizes in a Reciprocated Plate Extraction Column

Abstract

<p> Drop sizes were measured photographically for water in kerosene and for water in methyl isobutyl ketone, at varying flow rates and levels of agitation. At high levels of agitation the data could be represented very approximately by the well known relationship of Hinze and others: d32= CONS(σ0.6)/ρ0.6E0.44) (where d32=mean drop diameter, σ= interfacial tension, p̂= mean density and E= power input per unit mass). However this equation was not satisfactory at low levels of agitation, and an alternative equation based on dimensional analysis and including effects of density difference and gravity has been proposed. Qualitative observations regarding drop formation, holdup and various operating phenomena are made. </p>