Numerical and Experimental Study on Oil-water Dispersion in New Countercurrent Centrifugal Extractor

A new countercurrent centrifugal extractor, in which multiple theoretical stages are formed by Taylor-vortexes has been developing. A continuous extraction of Zn(II) with D2EHPA was carried out with different rotating speeds of inner rotor and different property of rotors. A numerical simulation was also carried out by changing physical properties such as surface tension and lipophilicity. As a result, the formation of multiple theoretical stages was confirmed and the extraction efficiency was optimized by increasing the rotating speed of inner rotor. The results of numerical simulation suggests the dispersion was promoted by increase in the lipophilicity of the rotor surface.