Hydrodynamic study and optimization strategy for the surfactant recovery from aqueous solutions

The average bubble size of the foam in the fractionation column was estimated by the photographic technique from which interfacial area was determined. Effect of surfactants on the theoretical liquid side mass transfer coefficient (kL) was also investigated which is based on the determination of the diffusivity coefficient of surfactant on the surface of the liquid and was found to be 7.52 × 10− 3 m/s whereas the experimental liquid side mass transfer coefficient was determined from the local volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLa) and was found to be 7.01 × 10− 3 m/s for the feed concentration of 20 CMC.