Several effects of electric fields on liquid extraction

The effects of electric fields on dispersed liquid-phase flow behavior and mass transfer efficiency have been investigated for several liquid-liquid systems using single/multiple-nozzle extraction columns. Drop size, drop surface charge density, and drop terminal velocity were correlated with the applied field strength by typical models. Drop surface area and velocity were increased significantly by the electric fields. The end effects were separated from the overall mass transfer process by varying the plate gap. The mass transfer coefficients for drop freefall region were calculated. The overall extraction efficiencies increased 51% for heptane-furfural and 24% for the toluene-water-methanol system.<
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