Axial dispersion in a three-phase gas-agitated spray extraction column

Abstract

The continuous-phase axial dispersion coefficients of the three-phase gas-liquid-liquid system in a gas-agitated spray extraction column 10 cm i.d. at 20°C were examined. The system used was water as continuous phase, toluene as dispersed phase, and air as gaseous phase. The rise in the gas phase superficial velocity increased the continuous-phase axial dispersion coefficient. A non-linear dependence between the continuous-phase axial dispersion coefficient and the continuous phase superficial velocity was observed. No correlation was found between the continuous-phase axial dispersion coefficient and dispersed phase superficial velocity. The increase in the gas phase hold-up corresponded to a slight increase in the continuous-phase axial dispersion coefficient. The increase in the dispersed phase hold-up generated a growth of the continuous-phase axial dispersion coefficient. A comparison was made of the continuous-phase axial dispersion coefficients of the three-phase (air-water-toluene) and two-phase (water-toluene) systems.